Saturday, May 16, 2009

The 7 Series

For some people, they get to keep their playoff beards. While the playoffs have been full of upsets and big plays, the last three games for Anaheim, Boston, and Washington ended their season in Game 7.

Washington – Pittsburgh came out in Game 7 at the Verizon Center hungry for a second straight season in making it to the Eastern Finals. With that hunger, they did so and sent the Capitals packing in what was to be the high expected game of the year. The Final Crosby vs. Ovechkin game instead ended in a complete cake walk for the Penguins, who are now on their way to the Eastern Finals. Crosby finished the game with two goals and one assist while Ovechkin finished with only 1 goal.

Boston - Boston fell in the series to the Canes, dropping as low as 3-1 before finding that spark they needed. They came surging back through the games, dominating till they reached 3-3. Game 7 was supposed to be all Bruin with all of their great moment and drive. Carolina proved them wrong and destroyed any “myths” about them going down the toilet. After a remarkable three period game, the series ending game was tied at 2-2. Overtime came and nearly went, until Scott Walker, the man who many hated for attacking Boston defenseman Aaron Ward in Game 5, fired a Ray Whitney rebound over a sprawled Tim Thomas with 1:14 remaining in the first overtime to give Carolina a 3-2 win. Walker finally managed to get his first goal in 25 career playoff games.

Anaheim – The Ducks cruised right through the San Jose Sharks, taking a big upset in San Jose and preparing themselves for the same in Detroit many thought. But, the defending Stanly cup Champions did what they do every year and that is find how to put the puck in the back of the net in the last seconds. After back and forth games and the tie of 3-3 leading to game 7, a lot of people believed the game would be close, and it was! After two long periods with the game neck and neck, Dan Cleary scored the game-winner with just three minutes remaining in regulation by getting a stick on a loose puck that trickled between the pads of Jonas Hiller.

Vancouver – Unlike the other three games going on, the Canucks were a fighting force that was stomped out of the series in game 6. After a pretty deciding series between the two, it came down to game 6 with the Hawks looking to close it early and get that extra bit of rest to prepare for the Wings, while the Canucks looked to tie it up and push it on to Game 7. After the Hawks started to fall behind in Game 6, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews brought their game, with Kane ending the game with a Hat trick and Toews with two goals and one assist.

The Western Final game will be Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Redwings, the game that reeks of old time hockey and great matchups between old veterans and aspiring young players. The first game in Detroit is on Sunday, May 17th, at 3:00 PM EST.

The Eastern Final game will be Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins, with the Staal brothers match up and much more than that as both teams try and get back to the Stanly cup finals! The first game of the series in Pittsburgh is on Monday, May 18th, at 7:30 PM EST.



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice commentary Foe!!