AV'S WIN THE CUP!!!
June 9, 2001 9:41 PM Subscribe
Doesn't it strike hockey aficionados as bizarre that the hockey championship is decided in June? :)
posted by owillis at 10:12 PM on June 9, 2001
posted by owillis at 10:12 PM on June 9, 2001
Congrats to Ray Bourque. He's had 22 years of sitting at home watching other people win the cup, all the while wringing his hands in anticipation of grabbing hold of it, himself. He's had 22 years to plan for this, though I'm sure those many years couldn't fully prepare him for the emotion of tonight.
posted by Hankins at 10:22 PM on June 9, 2001
posted by Hankins at 10:22 PM on June 9, 2001
Damn, 22 years waiting for the Cup. They should just let him keep the Cup in his house until next year.
posted by Cavatica at 1:45 AM on June 10, 2001
posted by Cavatica at 1:45 AM on June 10, 2001
I decided many years ago that I would never, ever refer to the new Stanley Cup champions as anything except the Nordiques. I am certain that the Stastny brothers are shedding a tear in heaven right now, if in fact they are dead. (I apologize to the fine people of Denver, and to Ray Bourque, but that is all I am going to say about that.)
The New Jersey Devils - the very name summons thoughts of anger and violence. Am I happy to see them beaten? On one level, yes: the cursed Devils represent much of what is wrong with the quality of play in the NHL right now. Can I really blame them for finding a way to win that also makes the game boring? Not really, but I will do so nonetheless.
On the other hand, here is a team that has been one of the most successful in sports over the past ten years, and yet is treated by the fine New York media like someone's annoying little brother.
posted by tranquileye at 6:38 AM on June 10, 2001
The New Jersey Devils - the very name summons thoughts of anger and violence. Am I happy to see them beaten? On one level, yes: the cursed Devils represent much of what is wrong with the quality of play in the NHL right now. Can I really blame them for finding a way to win that also makes the game boring? Not really, but I will do so nonetheless.
On the other hand, here is a team that has been one of the most successful in sports over the past ten years, and yet is treated by the fine New York media like someone's annoying little brother.
posted by tranquileye at 6:38 AM on June 10, 2001
So if the Nordiques won the cup, does that mean they beat the Colorado Rockies? Or the Scouts? Professional sports seems to be distancing itself from tradition and history.
posted by cardboard at 7:02 AM on June 10, 2001
posted by cardboard at 7:02 AM on June 10, 2001
The Nordiques did, in fact, win the cup. Thank you, cardboard, for making that point; I was scared to.
And, ironically, they did defeat the Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies, who left Denver for New Jersey.
Is the NHL distancing itself from history? Yes, but worse than that, they are distancing themselves from hockey.
posted by tranquileye at 7:12 AM on June 10, 2001
And, ironically, they did defeat the Kansas City Scouts/Colorado Rockies, who left Denver for New Jersey.
Is the NHL distancing itself from history? Yes, but worse than that, they are distancing themselves from hockey.
posted by tranquileye at 7:12 AM on June 10, 2001
Whooo Hoooo! I hate the devils! I What can I say, I'm an old time hockey fan. "Fuckin machine took my quarter!"
posted by roboto at 9:00 AM on June 10, 2001
posted by roboto at 9:00 AM on June 10, 2001
Can I really blame them for finding a way to win that also makes the game boring?
Jeez, Tranquileye -- when was the last time you watched the Devils play? They've come a long way since they pioneered the neutral zone trap -- they won the cup last year because they were one of the NHL's fastest and strongest teams, not because of trapping.
(Slaughtering my team, the trap-obsessed Stars. Sigh.)
Game 7 was great -- the best thing about hockey is the reverence for the trophy. Watching the crowd go nuts as Ray Bourque touched it for the first time in his life was great, and I liked the schmaltzy stuff from ABC, like the video segments narrated by Michael J. Fox and Bourque's son sobbing when his dad won.
Compare that to this year's Super Bowl, where Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms devoted more than a minute in the fourth quarter to rationalizing why Ray Lewis will someday -- but not now -- reach out to the family members of the guy he might have killed.
posted by rcade at 9:27 AM on June 10, 2001
Jeez, Tranquileye -- when was the last time you watched the Devils play? They've come a long way since they pioneered the neutral zone trap -- they won the cup last year because they were one of the NHL's fastest and strongest teams, not because of trapping.
(Slaughtering my team, the trap-obsessed Stars. Sigh.)
Game 7 was great -- the best thing about hockey is the reverence for the trophy. Watching the crowd go nuts as Ray Bourque touched it for the first time in his life was great, and I liked the schmaltzy stuff from ABC, like the video segments narrated by Michael J. Fox and Bourque's son sobbing when his dad won.
Compare that to this year's Super Bowl, where Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms devoted more than a minute in the fourth quarter to rationalizing why Ray Lewis will someday -- but not now -- reach out to the family members of the guy he might have killed.
posted by rcade at 9:27 AM on June 10, 2001
How come you never hear about "hockey widows?" Doesn't the season start up again in a couple months?
posted by machaus at 9:37 AM on June 10, 2001
posted by machaus at 9:37 AM on June 10, 2001
The TV movie climax was somewhat lessened in the knowledge that the Bruins did their best to propel Bourque to a team with a chance of winning the Cup.
But it was funny to watch it last night on Channel 5, while ITV showed "Survivor": the old bugger, with grey in his beard, reminded me of the grizzled blokes on the island who tough it out against (and past) the cocky kids. Fair play.
Oh: any guess on when it's physically impossible to hoist that cup, because of all the extensions added to the base?
posted by holgate at 9:39 AM on June 10, 2001
But it was funny to watch it last night on Channel 5, while ITV showed "Survivor": the old bugger, with grey in his beard, reminded me of the grizzled blokes on the island who tough it out against (and past) the cocky kids. Fair play.
Oh: any guess on when it's physically impossible to hoist that cup, because of all the extensions added to the base?
posted by holgate at 9:39 AM on June 10, 2001
When a new ring is needed for engraving the names of the champions, the oldest remaining ring (i believe) is removed and placed into the Hall of Fame. This was initiated precicely because of the issue holgate mentioned.
posted by Hankins at 9:53 AM on June 10, 2001
posted by Hankins at 9:53 AM on June 10, 2001
rcade, you are right: I am no longer a hockey fan because of the Devils. They are to blame. Maybe they are exciting now, but I am sure they do not play at the high level of the 1980s Oilers or Penguins.
If it had been the Pens or the Sens in the finals, I would have tuned in. But this sport has turned into an on-ice version of American football.
posted by tranquileye at 10:02 AM on June 10, 2001
If it had been the Pens or the Sens in the finals, I would have tuned in. But this sport has turned into an on-ice version of American football.
posted by tranquileye at 10:02 AM on June 10, 2001
You're all posers unless you root for one of the Original Six.
(signed, depressed Red Wings fan)
posted by rodii at 11:10 AM on June 10, 2001
(signed, depressed Red Wings fan)
posted by rodii at 11:10 AM on June 10, 2001
I feel glad for Bourque, sure. But I gotta admit I feel gladder that I won't have to hear the damn "22 years in the league without having won the Cup" story again.
Other stories of interest: yes, several of the key members of the Avs were part of the trade that sent Lindros to Philly when he wouldn't report to Quebec, way back when. I think it's fair to predict that Lindros will never win a Cup, and here these guys are with 2 and counting.
St. Patrick. Is there any doubt he's the best goalie in history? Or among the top 2 or 3? You can talk about Hasek all you like, but he'll only be invited to that table when he's won a Cup, which will be never.
Peter Forsberg: although Sakic was clearly the superior player this season, there are lots of people (not me, mind you) who make the argument (pre-Lemieux's return anyhow) with a straight face that he's the best player in hockey. He's certainly one of the top 10 or so. And the Avs won with a player of that caliber in the stands for the final two rounds. It's quite amazing, really.
Is the Avs defense the best assembled in the past few years? Blake, Bourque, and Foote - each of them could be (and has been) the franchise player on their teams over the years. And they played very well together - no ego problems were evident, it doesn't seem (maybe Roy overshadows everyone in the ego category). It'll be pretty scary if they can keep that group together.
posted by mikel at 1:12 PM on June 10, 2001
Other stories of interest: yes, several of the key members of the Avs were part of the trade that sent Lindros to Philly when he wouldn't report to Quebec, way back when. I think it's fair to predict that Lindros will never win a Cup, and here these guys are with 2 and counting.
St. Patrick. Is there any doubt he's the best goalie in history? Or among the top 2 or 3? You can talk about Hasek all you like, but he'll only be invited to that table when he's won a Cup, which will be never.
Peter Forsberg: although Sakic was clearly the superior player this season, there are lots of people (not me, mind you) who make the argument (pre-Lemieux's return anyhow) with a straight face that he's the best player in hockey. He's certainly one of the top 10 or so. And the Avs won with a player of that caliber in the stands for the final two rounds. It's quite amazing, really.
Is the Avs defense the best assembled in the past few years? Blake, Bourque, and Foote - each of them could be (and has been) the franchise player on their teams over the years. And they played very well together - no ego problems were evident, it doesn't seem (maybe Roy overshadows everyone in the ego category). It'll be pretty scary if they can keep that group together.
posted by mikel at 1:12 PM on June 10, 2001
Is the Avs defense the best assembled in the past few years?
I think the Stars defense from 1998-2000 was better -- watching them consistently win on such little offense was comparable to the Ravens in football.
Next year, Foote will be the only one of the three still in Colorado. I expect Bourque to retire so he can spend more time in Boston with his family, and Blake's unrestricted so he can go anywhere.
posted by rcade at 1:28 PM on June 10, 2001
I think the Stars defense from 1998-2000 was better -- watching them consistently win on such little offense was comparable to the Ravens in football.
Next year, Foote will be the only one of the three still in Colorado. I expect Bourque to retire so he can spend more time in Boston with his family, and Blake's unrestricted so he can go anywhere.
posted by rcade at 1:28 PM on June 10, 2001
I think the Stars defence was better in terms of its overall system and the players' commitment to the system - but I don't think they were as good players, and they certainly didn't mix the defensive side with jumping into the scoring as effectively as Colorado did this year. But it's one of those impossible arguments anyhow - fun but ultimately pointless and un-winnable (assuming that winning is the goal of an argument, which of course it's not).
I agree that it will be tough to keep the defense together, for sure. You're right that Bourque will retire, and Blake's status makes it doubtful. It would be cool to see them get it done with Blake though...
posted by mikel at 1:58 PM on June 10, 2001
I agree that it will be tough to keep the defense together, for sure. You're right that Bourque will retire, and Blake's status makes it doubtful. It would be cool to see them get it done with Blake though...
posted by mikel at 1:58 PM on June 10, 2001
I fully expect the Avs to get all of their free agents back next year. The new owner Stan Kroenke looked awfully happy after the game (and the fact that each post-season game earned the team ~$1 million couldn't have hurt that...).
Ray will retire so that he can help teach his son how to be the next Great Bourque...
posted by Jako at 3:09 PM on June 10, 2001
Ray will retire so that he can help teach his son how to be the next Great Bourque...
posted by Jako at 3:09 PM on June 10, 2001
Definitely, Borque will retire, but I think Blake will stay in Denver. They'll probably trade Forsberg, as they now know they don't need him. That will free up room on the payroll for Blake and Sakic. They'll still be contenders next year, that's for sure.
As will the Devils... *sigh*... hope my Leafs can beat them next year...
posted by D at 8:31 PM on June 10, 2001
As will the Devils... *sigh*... hope my Leafs can beat them next year...
posted by D at 8:31 PM on June 10, 2001
The Nordiques did not win the Cup, come on. The Nordiques PLUS PATRICK ROY won the cup.
Roy, a Montrealler, would never have donned a Nordiques jersey in a million years.
Cheers Ray.
(go Sens)
posted by Succa at 6:01 AM on June 11, 2001
Roy, a Montrealler, would never have donned a Nordiques jersey in a million years.
Cheers Ray.
(go Sens)
posted by Succa at 6:01 AM on June 11, 2001
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