You can start the etching now, the Detroit Red Wings are officially the unofficial champs. Well, I guess you could have engraved the Red Wings as 2009 Champions onto Lord Stanley’s Cup when Detroit made the playoffs, but waiting until now was merely delaying the inevitable. Blackhawks fans, if there are any miracle workers in the windy city, the ‘Hawks sure could use some help. As for those in Carolina, who have but an ounce of hope left, pray, pray really hard. Finally Pittsburgh, if we are honest with ourselves, which Momma always said is the best policy, we know deep down that the Red Wings are the class of the league and only time stands in their way before they hoist the cup this season for the second time in three years.
If you are vaguely familiar with my work, you know that I am a closet NHL fan. It is true that I am really only interested when the Sharks are playing choking, but as minor as it may be, I do take some interest in the playoffs. That said, who is going to beat Detroit? Both number one seeds are gone, and the other number two seed has been ousted. That means the remainder of the playoffs will go through Joe Louis Arena. What’s that? Pittsburgh you say? I guess it’s a waiting game, but personally, I don’t see them taking down the Detroit juggernaut, not this season. No one is going to beat Detroit three games in a row, which is what Chicago is now faced with, good luck with that.
Even with my extremely small amount of knowledge about the game, I can see that Detroit simply does everything better than everyone else. They win face-offs, get to every loose puck, they are fast and physical, they make much crisper passes, and they have a great goaltender. What more can you ask? Oh yeah, and they have the all important experience on their side. I guess you could say they have the ‘it’ factor. With all this going for them, they also have the lucky octopus, like they need that too.
I despise franchises that are perennial winners, unless they are my team, then its okay. Yeah, I have double standards, what’s it to ya? As one of the original six franchises, they have won 11 championships, most ever for a team in the United States, and third overall. Founded in 1926, they are a constant in the playoffs, including being among the 16 teams with a chance to claim the Cup 23 out of the last 25 years, including the current 18-year run, the longest such streak in the league.
Led by what seems like an entire team of all-stars, Detroit is poised for Cup number 12. Sid the Kid and company may have something to say about that, but for all intents and purposes, Lord Stanley will be hoisted in the MotorCity before long. The Conference Finals are as good as over, with the Red Wings having a 3-1 series advantage and heading home, and the Penguins looking for a sweep in Carolina tonight. The chances of coming back from a 3-1 series deficit are miniscule (and 3-0 is as near impossible as can be), but I am telling you there’s a chance… no I’m not, I’m lying, neither Carolina nor Chicago has a prayer, but it was a good run guys.
Book your tickets folks. Hockey TownUSA will live up to its billing yet again. As much as it pains me to see the Red Wings win yet another title, I suppose if it isn’t my fish, who act like fish out of water as soon as the playoffs start, then it might as well be someone from the same conference. I’m not about to go out and purchase any Red Wings gear, but (through clenched teeth) Go Detroit!
Photo Credit: Warren Wimmer / Icon SMI
Written by MC Homer, Tuesday May 26 2009
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3 comments
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the penguins suck big balls
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My bad, I'll change it, thanks. I actually wrote this when they were both up 2-0, then had to do some re-writing. I guess I didn't catch it all.
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the Pens/Canes series is not 3-1. Pens are leading 3-0