Hockey Night?

Tonight should be an exciting night of sports with Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit between the Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. Believe it or not I’ve actually been watching a few hockey games during these playoffs and it’s actually been somewhat enjoyable. The Phoenix Coyotes completely turned me off to hockey whatsoever with their S.O.C. like inability to win, along with their permanent residence taken up in the Western Conference basement. Other than the die-hard hockey fanatics, who all live in Scottsdale by the way, the Coyotes have no fan base in Arizona. Top that with being bankrupt and with all due respect to Buddy Ryan, “you’ve got a winner in town!” Plus, you figure that before Steve Kerr was named the G.M. of the Suns, we routinely made the playoffs and advanced to at least the semifinals before San Antonio would come along and Cheap Shot Rob would kindly deflate the sails. (Ironic that Kerr used to play for them, hmmm….) Basically, hockey is the least of anyone’s thoughts much less worries in the Valley of the Sun, but with no Suns to watch set these playoffs, I figured why not go the polar opposite and check out what’s happening in the Igloo. The aggression and physical play in these NHL playoffs is so much higher than that in the Association, because the officials would rather let the guys in skates determine the outcome, as opposed to David Stern handpicking the winner from downtown Manhattan while Bernie Fryer is on the intercom. Whoever said home-ice/court/field didn’t mean anything was obviously drinking way too much of the Kool-Aid and probably considering buying those Billy Owens rookie cards from Bill Simmons. Neither team has lost at home in the Stanley Cup Finals, while Detroit is trying to raise Lord Stanley’s silver mug for the second year in a row. Having ousted the Penguins last year to win the Cup as well, this matchup is turning into an exceptional playoff rivalry. I'm going with the unconventional pick. I think the Sidney Crosby and the Penguins are going to steal Game 7 at Joe Louis Arena.