Well, as much as I wanted the 'Canes to win, I've said from the beginning that whoever won the Western Conference would win the Cup, and Detroit won the Conference.
I've learned something about myself through watching the NHL playoffs and finals, though, and it's that I'm not particularly good at holding grudges. Really, I was spitting mad when Fischer cross-checked Westlund without getting a penalty in game four of the series, and I seriously thought that I hated Detroit because of that dirty play, but, well, watching the team celebrate tonight, I actually felt kind of happy for them.
It was sweet listening to Chelios and Hasek talking about how happy they were for each other, and how much they enjoyed being playing together, being roommates, and everything. Okay, so that sentimental, sappy stuff probably had a lot to do with the bottles of champagne (or whatever) they each had in their hands ^_~ but it was cute nonetheless.
Then there was the way they all talked about being a team, a family. Guess I'm something of a soft touch after all, but it truly warmed my heart to hear that. To me, hockey is a noble sport because it is a team sport, and because all of the players have such courage and determination to play with pride, and to win. So, hearing so many of them acknowledging the team effort, with Scotty Bowman sincerely thanking the players who didn't even play, it was like the validation of all the great and noble ideals of hockey. Yeah, so I am a big sap. =Þ
It was also great to see all of them bringing their kids up there: Yzerman had his daughter, Larionov his son, McCarty, his son. I'm sure any team winning the cup, especially on home ice, would have their family at hand, ready to celebrate, but, this being the first time that I've ever seen a Cup final, I still found it pretty touching.
Seeing all of their families up there also made me think: a hockey player, definitely a hockey player. =Þ Yup, just put hockey player right up there on my list, after "Christian" and "otaku." Okay, so hockey fan is already there, but now I've decided to up it a bit. Guess this means I should start watching minor league hockey, huh? I mean, there aren't as many young single players in the NHL as in the minor leagues, I'm sure. Just kidding, of course. I mean, my being interested in hockey players doesn't correlate in any way to their possible interest in me, right? ^_~ (In case you couldn't tell, I'm still kidding. I'd pretty shallow if I only liked a guy because he could play hockey).
At any rate, it was a great game to watch, so I'm happy. O'Neill's goal was S-W-E-E-T!! Sure, you could only catch it on the instant replay, but when you could actually see it, it was amazing. I guess they say that it's a good idea to just shoot the puck from anywhere, especially/usually on a power play, for a reason! Who'd have thought that it would go in? Certainly Hasek didn't. Actually, I thought it was cool that Francis was there to see the puck go in. My guess is that he's the one who made sure that the refs checked the tapes to get the 'Canes credit for the goal. Other than the cameras, I don't think anyone else really had an idea that the puck had actually gone in. Would they have stopped the play to check the replays if Francis, or some other 'Cane hadn't been there? I wonder.
Now that I think of it, another reason why I don't mind Detroit winning is that Yzerman was so awesome during the Conference and Finals games that I watched. I mean, everyone kept talking about how he was playing on a leg and a half, and how he didn't even practice in between games, and yet, he still led his team so well on the ice. And he's Canadian!! ^_^
Hmm...I think this is the new order for my list of favourite hockey players:
Joe Sakic (Colorado Avalanche)
Steve Yzerman (Detroit Red Wings)
Arturs Irbe (Carolina Hurricanes)
Ron Francis (Carolina Hurricanes)
Patrick Roy (Colorado Avalanche)
Curtis Joseph (Toronto Maple Leafs)
I also like, in no particular order:
Adam Foote (Colorado Avalanche)
Rod Brind'Amour (Carolina Hurricanes)
Igor Larionov (Detroit Red Wings)
Gary Roberts (Toronto Maple Leafs)
After the NHL Awards on the 20th, well, I guess I'll be done watching hockey (I plan on keeping up with NHL news, and reading up on its history, though) for a while. Really, I can't wait until the start of next season! I want to watch Colorado, Carolina, Toronto, and maybe even Detroit back in action! ^_^ Yup, this is going to be a "keeper" passion, I can feel it!
