Big moves upcoming? Chicago Suntimes
Together, Forever: Chicago Tribune
Highest Honor: TSN
Tretiak, Belfour, Hasek: Chicago Tribune
So I heard you’re a farmer? DMN
Really? Sportsnet Autoplay
More crack smoking in Philly: USA Today
8 Picks: Chicago Tribune
Come on Gramps: CBC
On the roster would be preferable: Comcast AP
Go get drunk for a good cause: HockeeNight
The top 30: Sportsnet
But what about the PK!!!!!!! Chicago Tribune
This only matters if you win games in June: CSN AP
Because you get to do this: ESPNLA AP
Don’t worry Q has already called: TSN
Can Hank do it again? CBC
2C: Globe and Mail
The Summer wind: Hockeenight
Seabass said that? PuckDaddy
You’re Welcome: Chicago Tribune
Welcome Dr. Rasmussen: Chicago Tribune
He won’t dress: Chicago SunTimes
We all do it: Daily Herald
Let the rumors begin: NESN
Holy crap they hired outside of the Organ-I-zation: TSN
Help! 538
In last year’s Stanley Cup commemorative issue of the Indian, I believe in the first paragraph I declared that this was “The Blackhawks Era.” It felt like that at the time. And having a few days to reflect, maybe that’s the pain that won’t subside now. Because at best, the Hawks are going to have to share this era.
Last night didn’t really do anything to dissuade most of us that the Kings will make quick work of the Rangers and collect their second Cup in three years. And once that happens, we’ll have to wait another year before making that claim again, and even then it will sound pretty hollow with another team holding multiple championships, if the Hawks return to the summit.
I fully recognize that this would be the hockey definition of #FirstWorldProblems (a phrase I abhor, by the way). Fans of 28 other teams wish they had this conundrum, and I get that. But being a sports fan means being greedy. One championship is never enough, unless there are extenuating circumstances like a certain Northside baseball team (I don’t know if Sox fans think 2005 is enough or not, but I’m guessing no). Two means you have a chance to go down in history forever. And you don’t want anyone else doing that with you.
In last year’s Stanley Cup commemorative issue of the Indian, I believe in the first paragraph I declared that this was “The Blackhawks Era.” It felt like that at the time. And having a few days to reflect, maybe that’s the pain that won’t subside now. Because at best, the Hawks are going to have to share this era.
Last night didn’t really do anything to dissuade most of us that the Kings will make quick work of the Rangers and collect their second Cup in three years. And once that happens, we’ll have to wait another year before making that claim again, and even then it will sound pretty hollow with another team holding multiple championships, if the Hawks return to the summit.
I fully recognize that this would be the hockey definition of #FirstWorldProblems (a phrase I abhor, by the way). Fans of 28 other teams wish they had this conundrum, and I get that. But being a sports fan means being greedy. One championship is never enough, unless there are extenuating circumstances like a certain Northside baseball team (I don’t know if Sox fans think 2005 is enough or not, but I’m guessing no). Two means you have a chance to go down in history forever. And you don’t want anyone else doing that with you.
The future is bright: NHL
The ultimate goal: Cheer the Anthem
Choose your narrative: Hockee Night
Its Sucks: CBS
So what went wrong: Suntimes
I’ll let all of you comment on this: TSN
I suppose it would be a cop-out for me to say, “What can I say?” But yet I’m left with nothing else. Before this series started, a lot of us thought it was basically a coin flip. It would be decided on such small margins and plays that it would be folly to try and handicap how it would go. And that’s what it did come down to. A Game 7 overtime, ended on a flipped shot that hits Leddy and floats into the net. Not some great play. Not some massive breakdown. Just a bounce. Didn’t go the Hawks way. Season over.
It would hurt more if I could sit here and say that the Kings aren’t worthy Western Conference champs (and soon to be Stanley Cup champs). But no one around here is going to say that. Because they are. So would the Hawks have been. Just didn’t go their way. A classic series, one neither side will ever forget. Would be better if the Hawks won. But here we are.
We could nitpick about this or that. There’s plenty of time for that tomorrow and the rest of the summer. I sit here and all I can think is that with all the Hawks had put in their way, especially recently but all season (mostly from within), this was as worthy a defense as they could put forth. This is going out on their shields. They made the next champs push to a level that no Kings fan thought they had within them. It’s not enough for now, but it’s hardly worth apologizing for.
Let’s do it one more time, shall we?
Stellar Theater: Mr. Verdi
Going back to Cali: CTA
Not Dead Yet! HockeeNight
Clearly we are a big hit “in the room”: Chicago Tribune
and that’s ok: The Score Canada
Hopefully DARPA can figure out how to fix Patrick Sharp: ABC
