Game 7!

I return for a brief look at and thought about Game 7's.

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).

In Honor Of - 3

Quite simply the best captain ever in the NHL, and possibly the best leader in sports.

Steve Yzerman.

As gifted a scorer as he was a leader, Stevie Y (or The Captain) makes this list for so many reasons. He was my introduction to hockey and to the Detroit Red Wings. He set an example on the ice, by being one of the best and one of the fairest. He set an example off the ice, by giving his time and energy to charity organizations.

This is a man who hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, won an Olympic Gold Medal, and took home the Conn Smythe award, as well as numerous others.

This is a man who, in 2002, played through the pain of a mis-aligned knee, to bring his team to their third Stanley Cup.

I will never forget watching him, play after play, whistle after whistle, use his stick as crutch to get up off the ice. So that he could keep playing.

And keep winning.