Tonight features a Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks. Winners get their names engraved on Lord Stanley's Cup.
Who I will be rooting for? The underdog Boston Bruins. Vancouver has come across too much like thugs in this series - biting fingers, giving concussions, offering advice, getting their goalie pulled. Boston has been exemplary - the best example being Tim Thomas, a hard working guy from Flint MI who has refused to play the media game and make fun of Luongo (despite Luongo most assuredly deserving it).
I remember three of Detroits recent Game 7's. I was too young for the Game 7 in 1997 with Stevie Y's overtime goal against St Louis. The first Game 7 I remember watching in nervous anticipation was 2002 when Detroit faced their hated rivals - the Colorado Avalanche. It was a nervewracking experience. Detroit had played a perfect game 6, and still only won because of two mistakes by Patrick Roy, a goaltender who didn't make mistakes. I remember thinking how it would go down to the last second, and it would be nervewracking.
We won 7-0, and the game was never in doubt. We chased (Patricia) Roy and started singing "Sweet Caroline" as we started mentally playing the Hurricanes. I smiled for days. Even now, I put in the DVD of that game if I want to have a little mental pick-me-up. Nothing compares to winning a Game 7.
I remember watching two other game 7's. 2009, when Detroit lost 2-0 to Pittsburgh, and 2011, when Detroit lost 3-2. Those were sucker punch games, where everything you fear comes to hit you in the face. 2009 was particularly devastating, as we lost the Stanley Cup to snot-nosed Cindy Crosby. I called in sick to work the next day and don't remember having a single conversation with my then fiance for three days.
My point is this - Game 7 will make or break you. Boston or Vancouver fans, enjoy this moment of reprieve. Because in 6 or 7 hours, the game of nerves will start. Whoever blinks first will lose. The game will stay with you, win or loss.
(p.s. I bet ten bucks Vancouver riots, win or loss).
