Game 7 Of The Stanley Cup Finals

Tonight is Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.  Watch it.

I know hockey fans will watch it.  But everyone should watch it.  There are few things better in sports than a Game 7 in the championship round.  And there are few Game 7s better than a hockey one.

I'm one of those "fringe" hockey fans.  I cannot stand the regular season.  To me, it is meaningless.  You got to wade thru ties and overtime losses and all of that crap.  But I love playoff hockey.  The defense really clamps down.  The goalies really clamp down.  And you can ride a hot goalie a long way in the playoffs [just ask the 2003 Ducks]. 

But Game 7 is the ultimate.  One little mistake can cost you.  A turnover in the neutral zone.  Slipping on the ice.  Getting caught to deep on the offensive end.  Bumping into your own guy.  Anything could give the other team just enough of an opening to score.  And you may not be able to recover.

Sure, a bad pitch can end your season quickly in baseball [right, Wakefield?].  And overtime rules in football may not allow you an offensive try in overtime.  But in hockey, a dumb penalty early in the game could lose it for you.  Again, ask the Flames in Game 4.  And early penalty lead to a power play goal...which turned out to be the lone goal of the game. 

I remember a playoff game in....i don't know....1995??  Some year.  Anyway, it was the Red Wings and Blues.  Game 7.  Three overtimes.  And there were some great chances during the game.  Great scoring opportunities that were denied by stellar goal tending plays.  Steve Yzerman had the puck approaching the blue line....and the Wings were going to make a line change.  He just fired a shot in to buy some time....and it snuck thru.  The Wings advanced...and just like that...the Blues season was over.

And my love for playoff hockey began.

Watch this game.