The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #121221   Message #2655567
Posted By: Michael Harrison
13-Jun-09 - 10:04 AM
Thread Name: BS: NHL Cup '09, Pt. II: The Final Series
Subject: RE: BS: NHL Cup '09, Pt. II: The Final Series
Congrats to all the "Gopens" folk. I didn't see a play. This, from Mitch Albom's column in this mornings Freep kinda says it all from this Red Wingers view:

"A great run finally ends …
Chins up. No complaints. The Red Wings, who led their series, 2-0 and 3-2, lost the last two chances at the Stanley Cup, and then lost the Cup itself. It was no cheapie. No cursed bounce or haunted ricochet. The Penguins were the better team this night. Their defense was better. Their offense was better. Their pressure was better. And their puck protection was better. You aren't likely to win when you give away that little rubber thing 11 times more than the other guy, as the Wings did.

So they can't complain. They were at home. They had three days' rest. They had more power plays and more shots. And — as if that weren't enough — Sidney Crosby didn't play half the game due to injury. Say the truth. The Wings looked tight. They got no goals from the stars. It was fitting Lidstrom was thwarted on the last shot. He had no goals all series. Neither did Hossa. Neither did Tomas Holmstrom. Neither did Pavel Datsyuk in his three games.

Defense matters. Grinders matter. Goaltending matters. But they keep score by goals. And the Wings were one short of tying, two short of winning.

Tip your hat to the Penguins. They did what no team had done in 38 years — win a Game 7 on the road to take the Cup. They were supposed to be younger, less experienced and less talented overall. Don't tell them that.

"We couldn't get it done," forward Kirk Maltby said. "...We'll be back next year.""

What a game! What a series! Congrats Pens - enjoy the cup.
Red Wings forever. Cheers,...................mwh