Tough end to a magical ride
As a sports fan, it doesn?t get any tougher than losing the decisive game of a playoff series, let alone the contest which decides whose names will be engraved on Lord Stanley Cup. After it was over, I didn?t want to see any highlights of the game, parade or Penguin fans in their jerseys. I was at Cedar Point last Saturday and the Pittsburgh jerseys and T-shirts seemed to be at every turn.
In the moments and days after the series ended, I found myself searching for reasons why the Wings couldn?t put the finishing touches on the Pens. Pinpointing blame isn?t easy to do. That?s because it isn?t one player or area. Want to blame Chris Osgood for the finals? loss? He may have given up a couple of goals he should have stopped, but probably stopped five in the game that make you wonder, how did he do that?
Osgood wins the game and his path to the Hall of Fame was solidified. He also could have been the most valuable player. Some want to blame Mike Babcock. I might question the dump and chase tactics, but it only stands out like a sore thumb now that we lost. Going in, if Wings fans could have either coach on their bench going into a game seven, hardly anyone wouldn?t want to go to war without Babcock. Fatigue may have been a factor in the final two games, but so could have injuries, the lack of offense and key defensive blunders at inopportune moments. More than anything, the Pens wanted it more. The Wings may have been resting on their laurels from a dominating performance in game five and didn?t come out and play as well in game six, until the frantic last few minutes. Wings fan still have a lot to be grateful for. The owner gave us another exciting spring. At times it seemed as if the Wing could do no wrong.
The timing was perfect as well, with the troubling news of Chrysler and GM filing for bankruptcy in the midst of the playoff run, but giving hockey fans something to look forward to at the end of the night to escape the troubles of the day for three hours. It was unfortunate the way it ended, but the ride was so worth it.
I felt like Jack Benny outside of the Game Day Grill at Cedar Point last Friday night, peering in the window to get a glimpse of game seven. The first period was nearly over, and I didn?t want to go into the restaurant/bar too soon because food and refreshments are really expensive at the amusement park. The audio of the CBC broadcast was being pumped outside of the building with a few fans lingering around to listen. The second period was getting underway and I ventured in to take a seat and was prepared to have my wallet lightened. Since I was by myself, I took a seat at the bar with a Wings fan f
The bartender looked really busy. My Jack Benny stripes showed through, as I didn?t want to bother him for a $5.50 brew or a 16-ounce Sprite at $4. My stomach may have been growling, but not for three chicken tenders and a handful of fries for $9. I sat there and watched the game and was never asked once if I wanted something. Maybe it was bad karma, but as soon as I sat down, Pittsburgh started putting the pucks in the back of the net. It was the longest two periods I can ever remember. The place was filled with noisy Penguin fans, which was no fun.
Cedar Point officially closed at 10 p.m. that night, and as overtime looked like a possibility, the bartenderer contacted his boss about what to do if the game needed extra time. I kept saying, ?They are going to throw us out of here.? Well, the game ended in a 2-1 Wings? loss, so the operators didn?t have to make the tough decision although I really believe we all were going to get booted. At least I didn?t have to leave my family waiting at the vehicle in the Cedar Point parking lot for hours.