The Stanley Cup has just been awarded to the Detroit Red Wings for the 2007-08 season.
They won it on the road, the first team to do it since the Devils won the Cup in Dallas in 2000.
Everyone is saying they deserve it, and I for one will say the same thing, but they were very close to having a Game Seven.
First of all, the winning goal, everyone is saying it was a beauty but to be honest, that was a lucky goal. Zetterburg took a shot and it trickled between Fleury's legs but did not go in.
No one had any idea where the puck was and everyone was waiting for a whistle until a pile came crashing into the Penguins goaltender, forcing him to fall back and in the process, put the puck in the net. If this was Game Five that would've clearly been called goaltender interference.
Now, Red Wings fans, don't start whining, saying I am just a hater because one, I am not a fan of the Pens, I am a Leaf fan. I know what it's like to have everyone critiquing an elite team performance; I am a fan of the New England Patriots as well.
Secondly, the "clutch" face-off performance in Game Six by Kris Draper. Now, it's hard for me to hate Draper after everything he has done for the Canadian Hockey system, but what I want you all to do is take a look at how he wins most of his draws. About 90-95 percent of his draws are scrambled and he gloves it to his teammate. I am guessing Draper is exempt from glove passing calls.
All in all though, I knew Detroit had this series. Pittsburgh gave them a run for their money but in the end, Detroit will do anything for a Stanley Cup, just like New England will do anything for a Super Bowl. The only thing is that Detroit actually capitalized and won on the road.
Also, I must say to NHL management: look back at this season and re-train your referees. They are only human but they miss so much.
To Marc-Andre Fleury, you have a great future ahead of you, even if you didn't get the Conn Smythe Trophy.
To the Pittsburgh Penguins, you had a great run; come back and try again.
To Kris Draper, rethink the way you do face-offs because I have a feeling that in the near future, you will be under watch for your "scramble-glove" maneuver.
Finally, to the Detroit Red Wings, congratulations for your Stanley Cup victory but in the new NHL and the way everyone is evolving, $500 says you can't do what you did in 1998 and repeat.
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4 months ago
I like what you're trying to say, but it doesn't hold any water.
Fleury fell on the puck to cover it, like any goalie with any sence would do.
It went in. They won. Big Deal
from 4 months ago
I am not saying that because im pissed at the play, Im just saying everyone is saying it was a classic goal, it was hardly a highlight reel goal. The only reason this goal will be shown ever again is becuase it clinched the Cup for Detroit, otherwise, it will be lost in the video files.
And like I said, I am not a Pens fan but I am the type of guy who will criticize anything that happens in hockey. I have said congratulations and that is all. It's a huge deal to me because i just can't stand over exaggrating something that if it didnt change the game, would have been viewed a lucky break but since it won Detroit the Cup, it showcased skill and determination....it showcased nothing....all it showcased is that the Red Wings were destined to win the cup no matter what happens, even if it was off a lucky bounce and looking at all the firepower on the team, I would've been a lot happier if the Cup winner was off a spectacular play, not a slap shot off the wing that trickled between the legs and the players had no idea where it was....if you were watching the game, everyone was confused on where it was until Fleury fell back.....a cup winner is supposed to shout at you and say, i just won the cup cause I am an amazing team....instead it was "wheres the puck?" regular talking, assuming the play is dead, fluery falls back "oh its a goal? oh ok, everyone is looking around, lots of confusion on the ice but lets look at the replay....oh, he fell back on it, what a lucky break for the wings!" please dont reply to this unless you want me to pull history into this
4 months ago
I don't think I've heard anyone say anything about that being an amazing goal. And it wasn't, I totally agree. But the puck went in, and when the puck goes in the other team's net more than it goes in yours, technically that calculates a win.
I apologize if my prior comment seemed more on the arrogant side, but I'm a true believer in the saying "you're lucky to be good and good to be lucky". Zetterberg's goal is a perfect example of that. Hockey is a game of inches, and Detroit made use of it. Nobody said goals have to be pretty (see Brett Hull, 1999).
I've never seen a cup winning goal that showcased skill and flashy moves. With the exception of Bobby Orr's historical marker, every winning goal is shown on determation and heart. It's not like this was the first fluke goal that won the cup. Remember Chris Phillips tucking the puck in against Ray Emery last year? That turned out to be Travis Moen's cup winning goal. Talk about ugly. Zetterberg's shot wasn't a beautiful one, it just had the power to go through Fleury, and then everyone knows the rest.
4 months ago
I apologize as well for yes, I did see your comment as a little bit on the arrogant side but I am getting my info on most of the post game coverage on most channels that are saying, "His goal was exciting and awesome" when it was the exact opposite....If I may say something as well.....Saying Zetterburg's Cup winning goal was amazing is like saying Kung Pow: Enter the Fist deserves an Oscar for Best Picture..to be honst as well, the saying speaks volumes in these situations. I remember watching that goal last year and feeling relieved that luck was on our side (I'm a Leaf fan....sorry..) but this goal is a confidence drainer and I may even go as far as saying that it could even change the way Fleury plays his game.
4 months ago
I hope it doesn't because through it all Fleury was the only reason they hung around in the finals. He truly is an amazing goalie.
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