Take a little trip back in time with me...

[lithera]

To the year 2002.

I was watching the 5th game of the Stanley Cup finals (at Gameworks of all places) where the Red Wings were playing a team I admit to not thinking a hell of a lot about. I mean, they were from Carolina and who in Carolina gave a damn about my beloved sport?

I'd sort of over looked that they'd used to be the Whalers, a fine hockey tradition, there.

And you know what? That series taught me that there were a lot more people in the area who cared about hockey than I'd thought and the taste of that series made them love it more. I remember watching that game and watching Stevie Y lift that cup, with his daughter by his side. I remember the faces of the Carolina players and how devastated they were.

And I remember lifting my glass to them and saying, "You're new around here. You'll be back. And you know what? Next time you're here, you'll win it all."

Thanks for not making a liar out of me on that one guys.

Congrats to the Carolina Hurricanes, Stanley Cup Champions. That was an excellent game 7.

All I ask the hockey gods for is one more chance to see Stevie Y play. One more season, Stevie, O, Captain, My Captain.

Comments

[jeditigger.livejournal.com]

Did me good to see Cam Ward have a great game and win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He's the reason I followed the 'Canes through the winter (though my attention in hockey always diminishes when spring training rolls around) and kept up during the playoffs. I kept thinking, "Wow, we have a pretty decent team. Who's that guy in the net? He's a rookie?"

I hope that more than the northern transplants in this state (like me, who grew up watching the Penguins) learn to like hockey. It's such a fun sport, and the game last night was terrific. Just seems sometimes that people here only like pro football and college basketball. Would do them good to learn to like other sports. :P

[lithera.livejournal.com]

Cam was amazing. Simply amazing. I hope that he can keep it up and that it doesn't flicker out like sometimes happens to goalies after a spectacular playoff run. He has good company with that Con Smythe, though. Roy, Hextall... I can't remember who the other rookie goalie on there is but yeah. Some great company.

[warpdragon.livejournal.com]

I sense a pattern here. World Cup year = Hurricanes in Stanley Cup finals. Did they exist yet in 1998, or were they still the Whalers?

[lithera.livejournal.com]

The last Whaler game was in 1997, so they became the Hurricanes in 98. Hangover maybe?