Hockeytown

The Detroit Red Wings are Stanley Cup champions.

Comments

[B. Minich]

Well, this series did two things:

1. Fully got me back into hockey.
2. Gave me that feeling of loss that only sports can. That was a heartbreaking way to lose a game. We should be seeing more of the Penguins in years to come, though.

[B. Minich]

In fact, I may have to add this to my all time losses list. Its the second championship I've seen a Pittsburgh team lose, and this one had two wrenching things:

1. An AGONIZINGLY CLOSE shot to tie at the end.
2. A heartbreaking goal get knocked in by the Penguins goalie that would have made that a shot at a win instead of a tie.

[Mike's brother Matt]

It was certainly a hell of a game. Not up to the level of Game 5, which may go down as one of the great days for the NHL ever, but still. And presuming Ottawa and Buffalo don't suffer the injury bug that nailed both of them this past season, next year could feature 5 exciting wide open teams in the East alone, with the Penguins, Habs, Sabres, Senators, and Capitals all playing the up-tempo hockey that we were lucky to see during most of the Final.

[JO]

As a die-hard Blackhawks fan who despises the Red Wings, even I have to admit that was one hell of a series. Renews my faith in hockey!!

As for that last second shot, watching it slid through the crease was unreal.

[I R A Darth Aggie]

Not to worry, B. Minich, Sid and the "Kids" will be back.

And they won't be kids next time. Baptism by fire will do that for you.

[Jim]

Matt seems to forget the Flyers in the East!

I was disappointed to see that the Pens didn't play against Detroit the way they played against Philly and New York.

Oh well. Looking forward to next year.

[B. Minich]

Heh - me too, Jim. Although a lot of that was Detroit - I haven't seen a team that stifling this year. They can just suck the life out of you.

Aggie: yep, I agree with you. Still doesn't make Game Six any easier. Simply a gut punch type of loss. Again, one of Pittsburgh's most agonizing losses (THE most agonizing loss has to be Game 7 of the NLCS with Cabrerra, Sid Bream, and the throw from Bonds that could not catch Bream. Pirates fans thought they had that game, and a berth to the World Series. At least after this one, you knew that even if the Pens had won, they still had a huge mountain to climb.)

[B. Minich]

Just wanted to add - not that Detroit being stifling couldn't be overcome by the Pens, but I think they are a year or two away from being able to break out of a defense like that. That's one of the downsides of a young team - you know they have the potential to break out, but they just can't yet.

[Mike's brother Matt]

I didn't exactly forget about the Flyers, Jim, I just think they're crippled by an idiot GM who wishes that the NHL still went to the team that could be the most thuggish and who runs players out of town whenever they become more popular than he was. The Flyers probably have the ability to play skilled hockey, but they're so wedded to the old ideal of the Broad Street Bullies that they don't go out and do so.

[Jim]

They didn't beat Washington and the Habs by being thuggish. They have a good amount of talent on the team. No superstars, but a lot of good players.

Meh.