‘Tis Been a Good Week For Hockey – May 30, 2003

Because I really don’t feel like writing, and because the lockout is looming. The Red Wings’ website still lists the first pre-season game on Sunday, September 26, but we all know that’s not going to happen. While there is plenty of hockey to be had (including the finals of the World Cup last night! Go Canada!), my Wings! Wings, Wings, Wings . . . excuse me while I go and sob heavily. In the meantime, enjoy this oldie but goodie.

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Hell, it’s been a great week for hockey. Let’s see. Tuesday, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were served a big piece of humble pie by the New Jersey Devils. Wednesday, Patrick Roy retired. And Thursday, the Devils once again showed the Ducks how the big boys truly play.

Let’s start with Roy retiring. It’s actually a shame to see him go. As much as I hate him as a rival on-ice (and he doesn’t seem like an affable, easygoing person off-ice), I’d be lying if I said he didn’t provide some interesting times in hockey, especially for my team. There’s no doubt in my mind that he retires as the best, at the top of his game (despite a Game 7 loss to Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs). Despite the many disappointments Roy has tossed the Red Wings’ way (1996, 1999, 2000), it’s impossible for me to say that he didn’t earn all of his victories (Claude Lemieux, on the other hand . . .). It was quite satisfying, however, to see Roy perform the all-time blunder which – I feel – definitely cost the Avs the Western Conference Finals last year: The Statue of Liberty Gaffe.

As much as I love seeing that play over and over again, I think back to Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in 1997 just to see his brilliance on display. Like I said, it’ll be a shame to see him go – 1997 and 2002 were special because, not only did the Wings win the Cup, but they dethroned Colorado and Roy to get to the Cup. That was sweet if only because we knew our team got past a tough, smart, and talented competitor.

Hate ya, Patty. But I think we’ll miss ya. Have a nice retirement.

As for the Stanley Cup Finals. Finally! Finally all of the bandwaggoners are seeing what I’ve seen during the entire playoff run for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. They’re just not that good. I have long maintained to my father, brother, and boyfriend that once the Ducks hit the Finals and met up with an Eastern team, they’d be demolished. They were winning on the merits of one man alone, Jean-Sebastien Gigeure. I’ll admit that he’s done an excellent job and should be considered the top candidate for the Conn Smythe, but the rest of his team never did anything that made me think this team was a Stanley Cup team. Their play was poor at best, Giguere kept them in the game, and they got lucky.

Once Game 7 was decided between New Jersey and Ottawa, I knew that New Jersey would, if not win the Finals, definitely gives the Ducks a run for their money. I’d like to clarify that I’m not predicting a Stanley Cup winner, just glad to see the Ducks in an 0-2 hole. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. As I said to my brother A before anything was decided, the Ducks would definitely feel some growing pains if they ran into New Jersey at the end. He promptly asked why Detroit wasn’t able to do it – how could the Ducks figure out the West yet stall against the East? “Hubris,” I answered. “Detroit and the rest of the West think they’ve got the Ducks figured out, hence they’re easy to beat. The West is collectively saying ‘The Ducks?’ in an incredulous voice and snickering. Plus, the Ducks are getting lucky, and the West’s luck runs out when the Devils are around. The Devils won’t smirk. They’ll just play tough.”

And it’s happening. The Ducks are so far getting demolished. And I for one love it. I love that the Devils are dispensing their usual disregard for the hype and just doing their jobs. I love that the Ducks are getting exposed. I love that people are seeing it’s all Giguere, and that’s not good in a team sport. The Ducks are not a team. They’re one great goalie, Paul Kariya, and a collective heads of knuckle that are (were?) getting L-U-C-K-Y.

As soon as Detroit and St. Louis were eliminated, I was rooting hard for the New Jersey Devils. I completely respect the Devils. Back in 1995, they too served up a plate of humble pie for the Detroit Red Wings in four games during the Stanley Cup Finals, and they did it all without being arrogant about it (paging Colorado . . . yes, I realize Lemieux was a Devil back then). New Jersey has always seemed to be a hard-working, talented team that works for each of its victories, puts in the necessary effort plus 100% more, and is constantly deserving of the praise thrown their way. I like New Jersey, quite honestly. Don’t love ‘em. But I like them.

It’s been a great week for hockey. Let’s hope it continues into the weekend.

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So what happened? The Devils won the Cup in 2003. The Ducks didn’t even make the playoffs this year. I love being right.