Detroit won the Stanley Cup last night with a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh. They won the series four games to two.  Henrik Zetterberg was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the playoffs most valuable player. TSN wrote a good article on the game. Click Here to read it.

I would like to take a more personnel approach to my last article on hockey for the season. I would like to give special consideration to Daniel Cleary and Darren McCarty, both men deserve a big thumbs up for the adversity they over came to get to the top.

Daniel Cleary was born in Carbonear, Newfoundland and raised close by in Habour Grace, and becomes the first native son of that province to get his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. Three short years ago. Cleary came to Detroit on a try out, trying to earn a contract. He made the team and has made a solid contribution ever since.

Darren McCarty’s journey was even harder. Darren fought with substance abuse for a few years and finally kicked the habit. Back at the beginning of the 2007 season, Darren was playing Senior “A” hockey in Ontario. Then to the International League. Then he got back to the American League, and finally offered a contract by the parent club in February. Now he is a Stanley Cup champion. Both men deserve a lot of credit for their determination and perseverance.

Here is the presentation to Nick Lidstom, the Red Wings captain.

 

“No Guts No Glory”
Walt Webb

For the 2008 Stanley Cup Champions

This game was like a prize fight where the Red Wings kept knocking the Penguins down on the canvas, but they keep getting back up until finally they get that one chance and hit the Red Wings with the knock-out straight right. TSN has a very good article on the game. Click Here to read it.

It was the fifth longest game in Stanley Cup Finals history. The story really was Marc Andre Fleury, the young Penguins goalie, without his heroics the game never would have reached overtime.

Watch the video of Fleury’s huge toe save.

 

Here is a video of the knock out punch, I mean goal LOL

 

Read my full Stanley Cup Review once the series is over

“No Guts No Glory”

Walt Webb

Stanley Cup Final Review   May 31, 2008

May 28 2008 Detroit at Pittsburgh – game 3

The Penguins were loading up the neutral zone just like Detroit had been doing to them in the first two games. I had stated in a previous post on the cup final that this was what Pittsburgh had to do to have a chance at winning. Take what they are given, dump and chase and play patient.

Crosby scored between Osgood’s legs on a Detroit give away at 12:25 of the 1st period. Osgood’s shutout streak, ends at 155 minutes and 8 seconds.
Crosby then made it 2-0 on a power play, they got the puck through to the net and Sid the Kid pushed the rebound past Osgood with just under three minutes gone in the second period.
Detroit was still winning the lions share of the face-offs but Pittsburgh is playing much better (more puck support) without the puck.
Franzen put Detroit on the score sheet with a high shot from in tight. It was a power play marker.
Adam Hall restored the two goal lead, banking one off the behind of Osgood at 7:18 of the third period. Gary Roberts was instrumental on the goal with an assist but it was his “take no prisoners” attitude that got the job done.
Samuelson got Detroit within one at the 13:37 mark, with a screen shot that I think was deflected on the way in.
Malkin played a much better and more involved game but took a “how do you do” hooking penalty with 4:18 to play. The Pen’s killed it off and held on with a few frantic moments for a 3-2 victory.

The game Saturday is a HUGE swing game. Either Pittsburgh wins, to tie the series, or they loose and have to go back to Detroit down 3-1. If that is the case, just turn out the lights, the party is over.

May 31, 2008 – Stanley Cup Final – game 4
 

Marion Hossa opened the scoring with a neat little “nip and tuck” move. Hossa looks real interested in playing this game and is making things happen all over the ice. His best game of the final by far. He is playing great and to be honest, it is about time.
Nick Lidstrom, tied it up for Detroit with a screen shot from the point on the power play. The question has to be asked. Can young legs make up for a lack of experience?
The first period ended with the score tied at one. With Detroit holding a 14-9 shot advantage.
Pittsburgh then got caught running around in their own end and could not clear the puck. They had about 3 opportunities to do so and failed each time. The result was a Huddler backhand that hit the post, then Fleury’s back before being deposited into the net. This made it 2-1 for Detroit.
Fleury then got a delay of game penalty which was utter BULLSHIT. The ref really screwed up here. Fleury took a shot off his chest, then batted the rebound over the glass. He did not shoot the puck and therefore was just trying to clear the rebound. The ref needs a refresher course on the rules here as it should not have been a penalty.
The turning point in the game came with somewhere around tem minutes to play. Detroit took one penalty, then a second one for interference on Crosby. Pittsburgh had a two man advantage for one minute and twenty seconds. They could not do squat with it. Detroit got a huge momentum lift from the kill and made Huddler’s goal stand up as the winner to go back home up 3-1 in the series.
It will really be “tough sledding” now for Pittsburgh to come back. Personally I think Pittsburgh is done, so stick the proverbial fork in them.
My opinion on the 5 on 3 advantage is that Michel Therrien made a huge mistake having Evgeni Malkin on the ice for the power play. He had played the whole game with his hand up his ass and did not deserve the opportunity. He made about five very bad decisions with the puck that helped Detroit kill the penalty off. Henrik Zetterberg was amazing during the kill and single handedly burn off about one minute of the 5-3. Where was Gary Roberts for the 5-3, he should have been out there causing havoc in front of the Detroit net instead of Malkin and his “Brain cramp”. That poor decision by Therrien cost the Penguins the series.

On the bright side, The Young Pen’s remind me of the young Edmonton Oilers team in the early 80’s that got beat by a veteran New York Islanders team before they took that experience and became the last dynasty of note in the NHL.
Pittsburgh may win another game but I don’t think so. Detroit smells blood and they have too much savvy to let the Penguins up off the canvas.

“No Guts No Glory”
Walt Webb

 Red Wings Fans Watching the Game at Joe Lewis Arena

Since the winning goal tonight went in off Osgoods behind, I posted a video on the top 10 goalie bloopers. I hope you enjoy it

I read an article in S.I. about officiating in the NBA, seems they have the same complaints as the hockey fans do about consistency. The article was quite good, you can read it Here

“No Guts No Glory”

 Walt Webb

Go Here, to read the article

Read my complete article on game 2 of the Stanley Cup final here

On a side note I wanted to post this article on Womens Lacrosse, due to the fact that I am quite involved with it now as my two daughters both play.

“No Guts No Glory”

Walt Webb

The Detroit Red Wings drew first blood in the Stanley Cup final last night with a 4-0 win at Joe Lewis arena. The wings out waited the young penguins and then made their chances count in posting the win. Detroit used patience and veteran poise to frustrate the penguins. Pittsburgh for their part looked nervous for the most part and turned the puck over a couple of times, which cost them the game. Look for Pittsburgh to be better on Monday night. Being so young I think they were still a bit in awe of being in the show. The Penguins will be better but they are also up against a strong Detroit squad that rarely if ever beats itself. Detroit is playing great defense and playing almost mistake free hockey. I still believe that the series will go at least six games. Evgeni Malkin has to wake up and start playing better hockey. He has played fairly tentative since he was hit hard in game four of the Eastern Conference final.

“No Guts No Glory”

                                                              Walt Webb