So ends another incredible Stanley Cup playoffs, no matter where your allegiance lies, its hard to deny how dramatic every single round felt. The first round with 8 action packed matchups, triple header Saturdays and Sundays, and highlights galore. It was the intensity of a shortened season ending, and the long journey to the Cup beginning. The second round showcasing some wonderful hockey as well, the west having some very tight matchups going 7 games, where the east feeling like the Bruins and Penguins heading at full speed towards each other on a collision course. I wish the third round had provided a bit more exciting considering the teams involved and the skill level, but thats just how the storylines in sports are written sometimes, which makes me wonder about the what ifs as well. I always love knowing how close some games were, how a bounce here or there wouldve changed the playoffs so much for some teams, the Bruins 10 minutes away from elimination in the first round, the Blackhawks coming back from a 3-1 series deficit themselves.
The Stanley Cup finals lived up to the excitement and I really hope introduced new fans to the sport as it was a wonderful showcase for how great hockey can be. It was rough and tough, but still clean exciting hockey fighting for the greatest trophy in all of sports. Players playing through insane injuries knowing its all on the line and they can rest when its all done. And so begins the off-season, the deals and trades and draft and teams building towards their chance at the prize as well, trying to emulate the teams they saw last night.
Its the greatest trophy in sports, and the Blackhawks certainly earned their names on it this year. Grats to Hawks-gaf, and Dad I know youre happy as hell too!
