Eric over at Off-Wing Opinion is looking for Stanley Cup predictions. Me, I don't make 'em...I suck at predicting. I have no real hockey sense, I just have sentimental favorites.
So here's my biased, unscientific, abjectly sentimental look at the first round.
The East:
Tampa Bay - NY Islanders...Bad memories of both teams there. Sigh. Let's just keep going.
Boston - Montreal...Even though I've never even been to Quebec, I'd never be sorry to see the Habs win the Cup. From fading hands the torch is passed...regardless of who is actually wearing the sweater. And I'm not a huge fan of Boston fans, but I still wish Sergei Gonchar the best. So it doesn't matter.
Philadelphia - New Jersey...Speaking of not being a fan of the fans, whew, the Flyers. (I was a huge Bobby Clarke fan as a child, but I think I was just being contrary.) On the other hand, I don't like dynasties, either (Canadiens excepted, of course). Share the wealth.
Toronto - Ottawa...This is a tough one. Except for his knack for taking bad penalties, I like Ken Klee, and I love Calle Johansson. I'd definitely be happy to see his name on a Cup. Not that I wouldn't be just as happy for Bondra, and I actually do have family in Ottawa (and Kanata, even.) Frankly, I think I'm rooting for the winner of this series to go all the way.
In the West:
Detroit - Nashville... Easy. Nashville. Hey, I can believe in miracles.
San Jose - St. Louis...Interestingly, my connection to these two teams are vicariously through blog friends Ted and Heather, respectively. If Al MacInnis were still playing I'd have to pull for the Blues; but as it is I can go either way. (Maybe I oughta see if Ted or Heather is interested in paying me off to root for the other team, seeing as how my support is so often the Kiss of Death.)
Vancouver - Calgary...These games will be on past my bedtime. I think I'm going to have to go with Calgary, and it has nothing to do with the current rosters (well, maybe Chris Simon a little.) Nope, it's because a guy named Dale brought some light into my hockey-starved world when I was living in the Deep South. That was back before the NHL migration began, of course. One night I was sitting in a bar where I spent lots and lots of money so they would pull in hockey games for me on their satellite, and this guy came over and said "Hey, have you seen a score for the Calgary game?" When I heard him say Cal-GARY I said "Buddy, pull up a chair." Dale joined me in watching hockey from then on, and soon other hockey fans came out of the closet to join us. We even had a tv devoted to hockey the night of the Auburn - Alabama football game, that's how powerful our little band was...Wow, I'm getting misty. Anyway, I presume Dale is still a CalGARY fan, so in his hono(u)r, I'll be one, too.
Colorado - Dallas...The Avalance. David Aebischer is a feel-good story, and Victor is a huge Steve Konowalchuk fan. And I have some friends in Denver...no, wait, they might be in Boulder. Wherever, they certainly aren't in Dallas. I will say I like the fact that the Stars have some old guys, and I have to look hard to find players older than I am anymore.
Yep, at this point I'm rooting for series that come down to seven games...tight defense...brillant breakaways...no injuries. Enjoy.
Posted by Nic at April 5, 2004 03:43 PM | TrackBackI'll pay you a quarter!
Sharks are going down. It's payback time.
(It's nice to actually care about hockey; I really haven't for most of the season).
hln
Posted by: hln at April 7, 2004 01:01 PM