Kings Win Stanley Cup at Staples, Crowd Celebrates Peacefully

Monday night hockey was king at the Echo Park bar normally known for baseball--.

As the Dodgers faced crosstown rivals Angels just blocks away in Chavez Ravinez, the clock ran down on the big screen TV in the Short Stop's back room.

Patrons drinking at the bar yelled "One Minute" to launch the final countdown.

And one minute later it was true:  the Los Angeles Kings had won their first Stanley Cup in 45 years of franchise, defeating the New Jersey Devils 6-1 in Game 6 of the championship series.

There was cheering and chanting, but the 20 or so in the dark bar seemed to pose no security threat.

So too the folks down the street in the Lounge, who sat with families and friends calmly watching the post-game interviews.

Meantime, just a few miles away near the Staples Center, police on scooters and bikes began to gather to beat back the crowds expected to flood L.A. Live after the win according to KNX 1070.

According to the Los Angeles Times, police officers were evident throughout the game too, with a bomb squad even stationed outside a nearby Starbuck's.

Blogdowntown reported that several restaurants at L.A. Live had hired private security to be on duty, and that one had removed several TVs.

Several outlets also reported that traffic too was slow going into Downtown, but as of about 9:20 p.m. the LAFD Twitter said no "high profile incidents" had been reported.

The victory parade for the new champions will fill Downtown streets again on Thursday at noon.

The march will begin at 5th Street and Figueroa Boulevard and head south to L.A. Live for a party.

Got pictures from tonight's game or the celebration afterwards? Upload them here.