Great series. The only thing I didn't like was calling the last Detroit goal a 'gaffe'. Don't get me wrong, I hate Pittsburgh and was rooting for Detroit. But the goalie made the save, the defense watched, and the puck found the net. It was unfortunate for Pittsburgh, but blaming the goal, or the loss on Fleury by calling it a mistake is ludicrous.

Actually, there was one other think I didn't like. In game3(?), there was a shot off Fleury (I'm a goalie dad) that bounced up in the air and he swiped at it with his stick and shot it out of bounds. I know what the delay of game penalty says, and I know why it was implemented and I LIKE the rule, but I don't think it should have been applied in that case. Once the puck in the ground, if he hit it out, by all means, call a penalty. But while it was in the air, to me, thats a deflection of a shot and shouldn't have received a penalty.

Pittsburgh is a good team...very young with lots of talent. They'll be back. Maybe the Wings will see them in the Finals again. :)

I partially agree with you Tree on Detroit's last goal. The defense did sort of sit around. However, not only did Fleury allow it to slip through his legs, but he knocked it in as he tried to cover. It was a bit of a gaffe. Nothing against Fleury or Zetterberg, but that stuff happens.

If I let a goal like that in, I'd take partial blame for not having made a solid stop in the first place.

The Game 5 goal with 34 seconds left was killer!

Don't get me wrong - I love Hockey (my mother is a Red Wings fan too) but "the greatest trophy in all of sport" is without question the Ashes.

Hmmm...I had never heard of it before, but after a wiki search, seems that at least it's older than the Stanley Cup by a few years

I don't think I can agree with you here though. After all, we are comparing hockey to cricket. :)

I thought for sure that someone would have made the case for the world cup though.

Cricket it the only actual 'sport'. Hockey I categorise as 'Combat'.

Now yer opening up a whole can o' worms! Since baseball is very similar, is that not a sport?

I like George Carlin's definition of sports...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrYBwivKhoI&feature=related

I have to agree with George on many of his points!

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILmSAL7WTKA

Some of those catches were nice! Especially considering they aren't wearing a mitt.

However, I think this is more impressive... :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rugKYDY2Uw

But this one is the most impressive of all...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH0sXQuW-Ec&feature=related

I would argue that hockey goaltending is the hardest position in all of sports...er, combat. :)

Ah, well as a Canadian I'm fairly big on hockey. I was personally rooting for Pittsburgh though. =\

Why the Penguins, Chris? Just wondering...

I liked them when I was younger, and that stuck with me. There's no real rationale, but since when is there ever? All the Canadian teams were knocked out, and who better to root for then the underdog?

Loved the videos. Ta.

Good enough...Pittsburgh is a good team. They'll be back.

Do you root for the Penguins in lieu of a Canadian team? Who's your favorite Canadian team?

As a side note, I went to the Detroit Zoo last weekend. They have a Penguinarium. It was renamed the Wingnarium. :)

You mean you also cheered for Pittsburgh during the "dark years" between 2002 and 2006? That was unbearable, seeing the team finish with one of the top five picks in the draft EVERY year.... But it was worth it to see Crosby, Malkin, Fleaury, Staal, and Whitney on the same team. I can't wait till they're older, they'll run the league!

That's something you gotta give the Wings credit for...one of the best scouting teams in recent history resulting in great draft picks. In the salary cap age of hockey, the Wings always got the latest picks, but were able to get incredible value out of those. Take Zetterberg...the 210th pick in the seventh round. Or Datsyuk: 171st pick. That's frickin value!

But I agree, Pittsburgh may be the team to beat in the coming years.

Sorry to bump, but just read this article in our local paper...good stuff

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080606/SPORTS05/806060438/1053

"Today there will be a parade, and over the next week, you'll see the Stanley Cup showing up in hospitals, schools, banks, parties. When a Cup is won, it's not just the team that wins it, it's the whole city, which is why it is the best trophy in sports, and why you cherish the chances to see it."

The parade in downtown Detroit today will probably draw at least a half a million, maybe more.