We Are The Champions

There you have it:  The Los Angeles Kings are Stanley Cup Champions.

This is the stuff that’s only written in fairy tales.  An eighth-seeded team, with enough heart and determination, knocking off the top 3 seeds in the Western Conference, and taking the last game of the Stanley Cup Finals in a dramatic and dominant fashion.

I can’t even begin to say how happy I am for the LA Kings and their fans, but first we have to acknowledge their opponents:  the New Jersey Devils.  They fought back in an amazing way, coming back from a 3-0 game deficit in the SCFs and gave the Kings a legitimate run for their money.  Honestly, if the Kings hadn’t played the Game 6 that is now etched in the record books, the Devils could have easily taken the series.

But, alas, the hockey gods didn’t want it that way.  The entire hockey world respects the Kings and their organization.  See for yourselves:

The great part about all of the praise for both organizations is that it shows the class of hockey players, officials, and executives.  The exchange between Martin Brodeur and Jonathan Quick, in particular, was great to see, because they have such a mutual respect for each other.  At one point, I could read Brodeur’s lips and he told Quick that he was “incredible”.  I mean, seriously?  That’s a unbelievable compliment coming from a future Hall of Famer like Brodeur, and obviously well-deserved.

Conn-Smythe Trophy

Was anyone surprised?  If Quick hadn’t gotten the Conn Smythe, I think a riot would have broken out in the streets of Los Angeles, Vancouver-style.  No?  Too soon?  Meh, whatever.  But back to the point, Quick’s performance was unreal.  Completely dominant from start to finish, and he never missed a beat.

16 wins, 4 losses.  Only one road loss.  A .946 save percentage.  WHAT THE WHAT?!  He’s amazing.  Can’t even handle it.  So deserving, and he’s got a long career ahead of him.

Mike Richards and Jeff Carter

It’s really almost funny at this point.  The picture says it all.  When both Richie and Carter were traded away to markets that, let’s be honest, weren’t the most desirable for them as players, you had to wonder if they’d ever see the success they deserved.  And now look:  Carter was traded at the deadline from Columbus, the bottom of the NHL food-chain, to the Kings, and reunited with former-Flyer Richards.  It’s a cinderella story if you’ve ever heard one.

Colin Fraser

Frazzle Dazzle, I’m so proud of you.  As a former Chicago Blackhawk and member of the 2010 Championship team, I always root for those players.  Kings fans, keep this in mind:  you can and always should root for the players that are important to you, no matter where they’re playing.  It keeps historic moments like this fresh in your mind, and you’ll never get over it.

Fraser was a key 4th line role player on the Kings this season, and was on the ice when the hole blew to end Game 6.  He’s a classy guy, a classy player, but was the ugly duckling of hockey this season.  No one wanted him.  The Oilers and the Kings went back and forth trying to figure something out for him, and thanks to the Kings organization and coaching staff, Fraz has carved out a nice spot for himself in LA.  Let’s hope he sticks around, because he deserves it.  Plus, he’s the first of the 2010 Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup again.  Git ‘er done, Frazzle Dazzle!

Darryl Sutter

Holy schnikes, talk about a 180 degree turn.  Darryl Sutter, HUGE ups to you, sir.  To take an organization and a team that was completely discombobulated (I must’ve swallowed a dictionary, that word is longgggg) and dysfunctional, to getting them into the playoffs, and winning the Stanley Cup as an eighth-seed is incredible.  And to think he did it without ever cracking a smile.

Oh wait, there it is.

It’s moments like this that make me love hockey.  I just fell in love more and more with the sport, watching history happen, and seeing the relief on the players’ and coaches faces to have achieved the most difficult trophy to win in all of sports.  It’s incredible.

Honestly, I could go on and on about Game 6, the hit on Rob Scuderi, and every “what if” moment imaginable.  But I just want to say one thing to the Kings fans:  ENJOY THIS.  It’s history that you just witnessed, and something that will forever go down as the night that cheers erupted from the Staples Center without Kobe Bryant on the court.  I hope LA becomes more of a hockey town, because this organization deserves it.  It says a lot about the resilience of the players and the front office to continue to play and work for an organization that might not have the greatest presence in its location.  So cheers to you, boys, you deserve it.  Now party like you’re Patrick Kane, but try not to get arrested or let the front office get mad at you.  So basically…..party like it’s 1999.

-M

Holy Potential Sweep, Batman!

It’s D-Day, ladies and gents.  Game 4, Devils vs. Kings, with a potential sweep on the line.

I don’t even want to think about the game, because I’m going to be jumping at every time move those players make, and my new roommate is going to think I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.

And what do I think of that?

Yup.  That’s how I feel about it.

Anyway, how awesome would it be for Richards and Carter to hoist the Cup after being traded away from the Flyers, separated for the first half of the season, then reuniting and becoming the dynamic duo they once were on the east coast?  I’ll tell you how awesome:  it would be nearly as awesome as Stammer growing his flow back, Jeff Skinner and I becoming besties, and Captain Sexpanther walking into my apartment right now and proposing to me COMBINED.  Okay, it probably wouldn’t be as awesome as me and Tazer getting’ hitched, but it’ll be close.

Get excited, everyone.  No matter what the outcome of this game, it’ll either extend an already exciting series, or give a franchise it’s first ever Stanley Cup.  Leggo.

-M

It Makes Boys Out of Men…

You know that feeling you get in your throat right before you cry? Well — this commercial spot did that to me.

Think about it.

“It makes boys out of men” … how appropriate!

*L

Dear Sidney

Must you do this to us? I mean, it’s hardly fair.

You got us all literally panting over here at the Hockey’s Finest Office.

________flatline__________

Please wear that shirt more often. And unbutton one more button. Or two. Or three. Oh hell…unbutton them all.

Love,

Us. 

xoxox

PS — for those who need more context to this photo, Crosby was at Game 3 last night with Matt Duchene. So if you wanna know where he is right now– it’s LA. Happy hunting, ladies.

 

Kings of the Castle, Masters of Their Domain

*If anyone gets the reference from this post’s title, you’ll be my bestie for life.  But seriously.*

Oh, the Kings.  A team after my own heart.  I’ve always rooted for the underdog, and since every “favorite” team (save for the New York Rangers) lost in the first round of these seemingly backwards playoffs, this year will be forever known as the year of the upset.  I’m not even going to go through which teams lost in the first round (because then I’d have to relive the heartbreak of my Blackhawks blowing it), but you all know what happened.  And let’s be honest, if your reaction wasn’t:

…then you’re either crazy, a liar, or both.  It’s going to be a special thing to see Los Angeles win, but then, there’s the other guy.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils, though not as much my favorite as the Kings are, they deserve to be here.  How they dethroned King Henrik and the New York Rangers, coming back from 2 games down in the Eastern Conference Finals will be the stuff of legend.  Every game was a classic in that series, and they worked hard to get to the Finals.  No Doubt.

Now, I’m not going to make any predictions for this series.  But, if I’m honest (which, lezbehonest, I always am), I want the Kings to win for a few reasons.  One, Colin Fraser is on that team, and I always root for former Blackhawks.  They’re coached by Darryl Sutter, another former Hawk.  And, finally, probably my most legitimate reason, I want Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to succeed.  As much as I despise the Flyers, and they are the former captain and alternate captain of that team, what happened to them last summer was brutal.  They were the faces of that franchise, and were blindly traded away.  Carter struggled quite a bit this season with injury, and it’d be nice for him to get some vindication.

Either way it goes though, I’m so excited for this series.  It’s gonna be magical :)

-M

Don’t Stop Believin’

I’m reeling today. There’s no possible way for anyone to bring me down. My focus level is zero and I have the attention span of a 2 year old. Man oh man…what a hockey game.

B's win!

First off, let me just say that we hope Mason Raymond is ok and that the Boston hospitals are taking good care of him. Those boards can be very unforgiving and the poor guy couldn’t have hit them at a worse angle.

Last night, the Big Bad Bruins got inside Luongo’s head early–causing him to be pulled in the 1st period.

Poor guy.

Half of me feels bad for him…the other half of me is angry with him for some of the things he has said the past few days. I can now say that Vancouver is slowly making their way onto my strongly dislike list. S keeps reminding me that both teams are playing cheap and dirty, but like always…I’m being stubborn and swearing that Van is much worse.

The other highlight from last night?? –I basically cried when I saw Nathan Horton on my TV. So happy I got to see his smiling face again (and PS–he made the trip out to Vancouver with the boys! YAY NATHAN!)

If that video doesn’t make you misty-eyed….

The B’s have a chance to bring the Cup home to Boston this weekend and I personally think it’s going to happen. I’m not just saying that because they are my team, I’m saying that based on what I’ve watched the past couple of games. Vancouver is getting tired and we’re getting stronger.  I’ve been known to be wrong before and if I am…I’m be crushed. So crushed, in fact, I may cry. However, I will also cry if they win. Either way, tomorrow looks to be an emotionally draining day for me.

Bring it home, Bruins. Do it for Horton! <3

History Will Be Made…Tonight.

Whether you are rooting on the Canucks, the Bruins, or neither and are just watching because your teams are out–there is no denying that history will be made tonight at the Garden.

Today, the Cup Caretakers are spit shining Lord Stanley just in case Vancouver ends the series tonight, clinching their first ever Stanley Cup!

All Hail Lord Stanley!

PS– being a Stanley Cup Caretaker is now on my Bucket List. How can I do it??

On the other hand: the Bruins have a chance to win tonight sending the series to a Game 7 which would then give them a chance to end the Stanley Cup drought that has plagued the hockey club since 1972.

Both teams can taste it–you can see the hunger in each and every players’ eyes. They want it. The fans want it. The cities want it. And they want it bad.

Vancouver is already planning their parade route while Boston is washing the Duck Boats.

Quack! Quack!

So, may the best team win.

Dear God, let it be the B’s.

 

Today in NHL History: Penguins Stanley Cup 2009

As you all already know, S & I are huge Pens fans…so how could we not celebrate today?? The Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup. Pretty sure this was the season our “forbidden” love affair occurred.

For your viewing pleasure:

We could watch these videos all day long. I get goosebumps every time! This day is burned into their memory as much as it is ours. I’m speaking for S when I say this, but she won’t argue, we hope to see this again sometime in REAL soon. (cough::next season::cough)

Mr. How's My Hair?!

JStaal and his amish days...

Sid the Kid

Our Lover Boy!

We love our boys and we’re so proud of them (even with the early exit this season). Mr. 71 and Mr. 87 are resting up and getting ready for the new season. JStaal and Mr. How’s My Hair should be back to training in the near future and hopefully we’ll find out if Max is returning for next season sometime soon. After this past season, S & I have no doubt that we’ll be cheering the Pens on deep into the 2011-2012 Playoffs. This team is going to come back hungry. Watch out!

How appropriate is it that we post this today since tomorrow a new Stanley Cup Champion could be named. Lord Stanley is on his way to Beantown incase Vancouver wins Game 6. I can only hope (and pray) that the Bruins can pull off a win tomorrow night and send this series into a Game 7. I’d love to party with the Cup this weekend. So B’s: win tomorrow, win wednesday, and I’ll see you on the streets of Boston this weekend!

Words of Wisdom

All he has to do is say one word, and I swoon.

what a cutie.

After last night’s loss, this is exactly what I needed to see on my twitter feed. If he believes…then I believe. And if you don’t, maybe this face will help you out…

Baby Seguin knows best.

On a better note: who’s in Boston and wants to stage a Lord Stanley hunt?! The cup is making its way out to Boston and I’d do anything to get a couple minutes with it…who’s with me!?

I’m in love

This hockey club is making me proud. I hate the city of Boston with a burning passion…the only good thing about it are the sports. I would have never guessed the Bruins would go in these Finals and win Game 3&4. I guess you can say my faith in the team faltered a bit.

But my faith has been restored and I’m actually starting to B-lieve they can win this thing.

Last night was an insane game full of all kinds of emotions.

First, I saw this.

my heart broke.

Then I saw this.

I clapped wildly in my room.

Last night you were able to see just how much #18 meant to Boston & the team. PS- turns out #18 showed up in the 3rd period to give away “the jacket” that was sitting in his stall. What a guy.

Let’s do some recaps, shall we?!

Timmy got a shut out last night!

Boston's hero.

Loungo got pulled.

I think it's safe to say Lou's head is still spinning.

But Loungo isn’t the only Canuck feeling down.

poor baby.

This series has turned nasty. The chirping, hitting, and overall mannerisms of these teams are unreal. I normally don’t like when a game turns into a “my horse is bigger than your horse” match, but under the circumstances I’ll take it.

Marchand is just being a little pest that the Sedin Twins just don’t know how to handle. He’s playing dirty and getting under their skin–and there is zero retaliation.

Heh, sucker.

So the series goes back to Vancouver on Friday. I’m thinking now that the Bruins know how the Canucks work (down & dirty/cheap play), they have a chance of walking away with a win. It’s now a battle of who wants it more…and after last night, something tells me it’s Boston.

Let’s Go B’s!