Wow, what a cup finals its been! And I know this because I've actually watched most of the games...for those of you who don't know me this is actually quite a big deal (ask my friends about my emo stint after the Wings got clobbered in game 4)- I tend to not do so well when we lose. It's why I followed most of last seasons finals via the Internet the day after- I actually only watched the third period and overtimes of game 5 and (part of, I believe) game 6.
This year I have forced myself to watch...I guess I feel like it's the only way I can really share in the excitement of victory, by exposing myself to the agony of defeat. And it's led to this moment...game 7, winner take all. Of course, the loser takes none, and this is why I'm a little nervous.
I shouldn't be, because it's the Wings, in game 7, at home...we have Datsyuk back, and we played SO good in game 6...a couple bounces here or there and we are marching down the streets of Detroit with the Stanley Cup en tow. I wrote a couple days ago about the heart of a champion, and how Pittsburgh doesn't really have it yet.
I'm still not convinced that they do- but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that they still have a chance to win the Cup, and it's come down to one game for both teams. All it takes is some fluke bounces, crossbars, what have you, for Sid the kid to lift the cup for the first time.
Actually, scratch that...if Pittsburgh can come into Detroit and win game 7 on the road against the Wings, then I think that would qualify as the next step for them. I believe this for a couple reasons:
1) Crosby and Malkin are going to have to produce. We've held them pointless the last couple games, and I'm nervous about our ability to contain them yet again. If we can, then I think we'll win the Cup. If not, there is a good chance that Pittsburgh will be champs. This is not set in stone though, because...
2) Fleury in goal needs to play the game of his life. He has been brilliant in Pittsburgh, and very pedestrian in Detroit. Obviously I hope this pattern holds serve. If Fleury stands on his head though, then again I think that Pittsburgh deserves the Cup.
I think that if one of these two scenarios comes to fruition (Crosby/Malkin step up, Fleury stops everything), then Pittsburgh can win. If neither of the two happens, I think we got it in the bag. Arrgghh! Two more days!
Adding to my aggrivation is that we'll be in Republic on Friday night, playing music for a special service up there...so I will completely miss the game. Don't get me wrong- I'm very excited for the opportunity, any chance I get to worship God through music, I'm all about it- it'll just be a little nerve wracking not being able to see the game. Especially since I've invested so much of myself in these Cup finals, to not be able to see the clincher is going to be a little...strange.
Regardless of how this series plays out, I see it as a changing of the guard of sorts. I think Pittsburgh is definiteily positioning themselves to be a great team and championship contender for years to come. While I wouldn't count Detroit out by any stretch of the imagination (they've made 2 Stanley Cup trips and a conference championship appearance in the salary cap era), there is definitely a feeling that this current core is reaching the end. Maltby, Draper, Lidstrom, Osgood, Chelios- it's been quite a run, but it's nearing the end. Certainly we have the horses to keep things going- Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk (who is quickly emerging as my favorite player), Erickson- but nothing is guaranteed.
So what is my reason for this post? I'm not sure...just some random thoughts about the Cup, and I think part of me is just trying to sort my thoughts out...I'm really just trying to keep from thinking about game 7, so maybe by writing all these thoughts out, I'll hopefully not be thinking about all this stuff.
I still think the Wings are going to win, but I'm going through hundreds of scenarios in my head. Will Hossa come through big? Can Crosby break out of his slump? Which goalie will show up....for both teams? Is the presence of Datsyuk enough to take us over the top?
I do think that if we had Datsyuk for the first four games, this series would be over. Last night we looked like a completely different team than we did during game 4. You can never play what if in sports (because literally every play has a what if scenario)...but if we lose this game I guarantee that I will keep coming back to this very thought.
In conclusion, it's been a hard fought series. Perhaps the most rewarding part about it is that I've learned a lot about myself in the process. I think for too long, I've been a 'headline' follower, instead of a participant. I think that you can draw satisfaction as a headline follower, but nowhere near what you can as a participant. There is more risk, to be sure...but the possible reward is priceless. And weighs 35 pounds. Unless you are lifting it, in which case it has an undetermined weight.
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