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

[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?