It's official...I love hockey :)
What a game...twelve hours later and I still can't believe how absolutely awesome it was. Just...wow...
I'm going to do my best to describe the atmosphere at the Joe, but somehow I'm not sure words will be quite adequate. Let;s start at the beginning...
Walking from the parking lot to the arena, there were MANY people looking for tickets to the game. One guy even brought his entire collection of hockey cards - more than three big packing boxes worth - willing to trade it for a ticket. Prior to the game, tickets were selling on the open market for $600, $700, $800+ a piece and while the majority of those fans may not have gotten the outcome they wanted, they sure as heck got their money's worth!!
I also got to see a glimpse of my Detroit is known as Hockeytown...these fans are craaaazyyy! They decorate their cars and ride around the arena with loudspeakers and horns leading the fans outside in cheers. Their signs are some of the most creative I've seen. They get dressed up - even wearing costumes - with crazy hats and body art. They stood most of the game. They sing. They cheer. They're loud as heck. It's unbelievable.
As the time neared to drop the puck, the atmosphere was concert-like. They dimmed the lights and cast a blue light on the ice much like what they do to a stage before a show starts. They even have concert lighting hanging from the rafters with at least 100 swirling spotlights and an inflatable octopus that comes out of the bottom of the scoreboard and was then raised to the rafters. It was one of the BEST pre-game productions I've ever seen - which is strange because I LOVE video montages and they didn't even use video...it was pure entertainment.
The anthem was sung and the octopi were thrown - five to be exact. (Anyone know the going rate of an octopus?) Now that the Detroit fans here on Hockeybuzz.com have educated me on the rules of Octopus Etiquette, I know that two people didn't follow the rules as their offerings left a trail of gray goo as they slid across the ice. Ick...next time boil those babies!!
Now to the game...
I'm going to defer to Brian Metzer and Mark Spizzirri for a true game recap, but here are some of my thoughts beyond the x's and o's:
- I like to watch the benches during the play sometimes to see how much the players are into the game...Ek has a theory that the bench with the most gloves on the dasher is the team that's going to score next because they're leaning over, following the play, into the game, etc. Well the Pens tweaked that theory because there were several times I noticed nearly the entire bench on their feet even in the First Period. They were totally zoned into this game and I was happy to see thier efforts rewarded with a win.
- Detroit native, Kid Rock, was in attendance and shown on the scoreboard sitting along the glass as "Cowboy" played on the sound system.
- Adam Hall doesn't get nearly enough credit for what he's been doing for this team. Dude gets it done! he works hard on the defensive side of things, is one of Pittsburgh's best PKers and gets the dirty goals. We all know i like the muckers and grinders and he's one of my favorites...even took out the referee with two minutes to go in the Second...LOVED it!! - although maybe he neededto hit him a little harder because that ref always seemed to get in the way of the puck...
- Ryan Malone is another rockstar...What a warrior!! Takes a puck to the face, breaks his nose AGAIN, and then comes back!! Are you kidding me?! That, ladies and gentlemen, is a hockey player! I'm a fan...
- The Wings were pouring it on in the Third completing their two-goal comeback and then took the lead with 10:37 to go. Once they got that go-ahead goal, they did everything they could to keep the puck out of their zone and off the sticks of the Penguins. Prior to the game, I said it would come down to who wanted it more and who could play a better game between the ears and it turns out both teams really, really wanted it, it was just a matter of who could last longer. Detroit deserves a TON of credit. In my opinion, they didn't lose...they just didn't win. Franzen and Zetterberg with 7 shots each, Samuelsson with 6, Hudler, Cleary and Datsyuk with 5 apiece...combined, that's more than the ENTIRE Penguins roster!
- 34.3 seconds...that's a commercial! That's what separated the Detroit Red Wings and a Stanley Cup win...UNBELIEVABLE!! Max Talbot jumped on at the extra attacker once Fleury got to the bench and brought the energy and effort that makes him so effective and it proved to be a good call by Therrien. I still can't believe it and I've watched the replay on the NHL Network (which I love!) about 50 times now. I mean seriously people...the Cup was out, polished and waiting near the zamboni entrance. The wings were going to become Stanley Cup Champions. The hats and t-shirts were ready for distribution. The champagne was on ice. The fans were going absolutely nuts and BOOM! Max bangs it home! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Absolute SILENCE at the Joe. The fans were in SHOCK! WOW! Just...WOW!
- Before the game started, I was chatting with a member of the media and he said Marc-Andre Fleury would need to stand on his head in order for the Pens to win...did he ever! 58 saves and 72 more fired in his direction. Hands down, Fleury won this game for Pittsburgh. He will get one heck of an ovation at the start of Game 6 and rightfully so. Spectacular save after spectacular save...un-freaking-believable!!
- Major props to the Penguins defensemen for blocking 25 shots and for picking up the slack when Gonchar went down in the Second. Ryan Whitney played more than 50 minutes - 5 minutes more than ANYONE else on the ice (except the goalies) and at least 8-10 minutes more than most - GREAT game by him. Brooks Orpik - what can I say? He's quickly becoming one of my favorite players to watch and is earning his next contract with every hit (5) and blocked shot (10!).
- Crosby & Malkin were kept relatively quiet - they combined for three assists, but were limited to only four shots. In theory not bad, but when you consider that it's over nearly 110 minutes of hockey...it's not great. Good news is Marian Hossa has been able to pick up some of the slack and find the open ice to get the puck on net, not only in this game (led the team with 6 shots) but in the entire series. It's one of the benefits of having so many offensive weapons...not enough people to keep them all quiet.
- I would be remiss if I didn't mention Petr Sykora with the triple OT game winner...his first goal since the first game of the ECF and his only shot on goal the entire game. Way to make it count!
I am so geeked for Game 6. I am loving the level of hockey we are witnessing and I don't want it to end. We were treated to some FANTASTIC bonus hockey last night and I'm hoping all the non-hockey fans in the United States who turned to NBC for their local nightly news or to watch Jay Leno and experienced the thrill that is sudden death playoff hockey will tune in again on Wednesday and get hooked on hockey. This Stanley Cup Final has been exceeding broadcast expectations with every game and I can only hope that translates into more fans...including Tiger Woods.
When I woke up today, I read the USA Today to find out that Woods isn't a hockey fan. During a promotional press conference for the upcoming PGA Championship at Oakland Hills (suburban Detroit) this August, he was asked who he was rooting for in the Cup Finals and he replied, "I don't really care. Let's talk about the Dodgers. I don't think anybody really watches hockey anymore."
That's unfortunate...I liked him.
Jules
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