There were three big hockey games in my world yesterday. In the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs our local boys, the Nashville Predators managed to come out of Detroit down 0-2. They have been playing okay hockey as of late, especially in the 2nd period yesterday but the Red Wings are just too powerful. This may be another one of those years that the President’s Trophy winner takes Lord Stanley’s Cup as well.
My other NHL game of interest pitted my childhood love Boston Bruins fighting it out against their big rival the Montreal Candiens. I hate the Habs. I want them to never win again. The B’s really gave them a game but got bit in OT! They are also traveling back home down 0-2. This doesn’t bode well for having a ‘dog in the hunt’ as the playoffs continue.
Now that left me oh-for-two as well for the day as hockey is concerned. I did have a nice win when I saw one of my all time favorite commercials during the Preds game:
I just can’t watch that enough.
Now last night was also the finale of the Frozen Four, hockey’s version of March Madness. You had the surprise team in Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish against the team that was playing in their 3rd consecutive national title game: the Boston College Eagles. The BC team, although making the title game the previous two seasons has managed to win zero of those times. Last night was the exception. Led by Hobey Baker Award snub, junior Nathan Gerbe’s two goals and two assists, the Eagles manage another notch in the win column for coach Jerry York, who is second all time in NCAA history.
It was nice (for me) to see a hometown team win a title as I was beginning to think there was a new curse. Ever since the Red Sox won the World Series back in October of 2007 New England sports fans have had to deal with the ‘Spygate‘ stigma…and a laundry list of title game losses. Since last fall the New England Revolution, a 3 consecutive time visitor to MLS’ championship game lost; Boston College’s football team played in the ACC championship only to lose; the UMass men’s basketball team found their way to the NIT title game but also found a way to let it slip away in the second half. I won’t even mention the 18-1 season the New England Patriots enjoyed.
I was telling G-Man the other day that if BC lost last night I could guarantee that the Bruins would be playing for second place in the Stanley Cup finals this year. Alas, it doesn’t appear that they will make it past Montreal but at least my Celtics can do it. Thank you Kevin McHale for KG.
**I would like to thank my wonderful wife for not complaining one time as I watched parts of 3 hockey games, the Red Sox-Yankees game, the Masters, NASCAR and some NBA. I love you babe.**
