Ratings for the Stanley Cup finals slipped 7% on CBC this year, though the all-American rerun of last year’s series went out on a high note, hitting 3.5 million as the Pittsburgh Penguins made good on their comeback over the Detroit Red Wings. The numbers for game seven were the highest for an all-American final since last year’s game six, when the same teams averaged 2.7 million. (All numbers 2+.)

The six-game series in 2008 averaged 2.3 million. This year’s dropped to 2.1 million. Cup ratings on CBC tend to sag without a Canadian team in the running and this year’s finals looked to be a repeat of 2008, as defending champs Detroit came on strong against the Penguins.

‘We were thrilled for the audience turnout for game seven,’ says CBC sports boss Scott Moore. ‘It shows how passionate Canadians are about hockey. We would love to see a game seven every year, and hopefully soon it could be a Canadian team in the playoffs. That would really send the ratings through the roof.’

The ratings trended upwards as the series progressed: hovering between 1.6 million and 1.9 million during games one through five, increasing significantly for game six to 2.6 million. The rarity of a seventh game, coupled with Pittsburgh’s dramatic revenge against Detroit, no doubt helped attract viewers. This year’s finals also marked the first time in over 20 years that the same teams have fought for the Cup two years in a row.