http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC-vL6zkZAc&hl=en&fs=1
A little worst fight ever humor….
Vacation time means a normal Monday Ice Water Cooler at long last. These things do happen. As the snow melts…and the desert up here returns to normal winter weather which is gale forced winds and cool not cold……the Cooler strikes back with furious anger!!!
So what do we have today? First up, thanks again to Spectors for today’s rumor roundup which in the middle has some fantasy impact. Lyle believes the recent good play of Thomas Vokoun has earned him back his starting spot. This of course means “The Matrix” Craig Anderson goes back again to being a more than capable backup. Bad news for Anderson owners (including yours truly) obviously. Also, it is interesting that in those rumors, Bob Gainey seems to be more interested in a top 4 d-man (Jay-Bo?) than Marian Gaborik. Note the impact that Mark Streit’s departure has had on the Power Play as Exhibit A and has driven Montreal fans insane. Speaking of fans…..
Poor Detroit Lions fans…..if this season does not get you to at least watch Red Wings hockey more…I do not know what will. The Lions are on the verge of dubious history (attempting to be the first 0-16 team ever) as they travel to Green Bay for their finale. Meanwhile, you could be watching the defending Stanley Cup champion, Detroit Red Wings, as they try to repeat. This is not a thing lost on some of my good friends who live or have lived in the Michigan area that still bleed silver and blue. My good buddy Greg Kellogg (who runs the Fantasy Sports Group on BTR) will keep up the good fight for the Lions but many of his friends gave up almost 2 months ago and started watching the Red Wings exclusively. I commend Greg for sticking it out when so many others jumped off the ship long ago.
Look at how frustrated some fans of teams are. Talking to a number of Islander fans, most noticeably Alex and Steve from Hockey Night On Long Island and you immediately understand the pain of a losing team. It has been so long since I felt that sting (over 20 years ago) but you never forget…ever! The team is in shambles, they do not know if they will have a team five years down the road and yet their spirit is undeterred. It is a very bizarre contradiction of sorts. They are resigned to the fact their team stinks and yet they still have some hope. Even though drastic changes are needed…I guess they still drink the “Kool-Aid” if you will. Now that’s a fan!
Personally for me, it is a different frame of mind. I will not deny the fact that I was livid when the Devils lost Brodeur. I wanted Slava Kozlov on a stick….that is just the nature of being a fan folks. That first instinct has the blood rushing everywhere and no rationale whatsoever. Then reality set in. The losses began to mount…the team slid back to .500. It looked bad! All of a sudden, something happened. No one is sure what exactly. The Devils are now on fire….and are a season high 10 over .500. I never saw this coming. Scott Clemmensen a better goalie than Henrik Lundqvist?? I never would have thought that in a million years.
That is the ups and downs of being a fan for any sport, for any team. But I do know a high profile Devils fan who is pretty happy right now. I will also gladly eat my share of crow to all who proved me wrong. I was one of those that thought the Devils were sunk without Brodeur. Well the Devils showed me something and I could not be more proud of this team no matter how it turns out.
Then there is the fan dedication of the Philadelphia Flyers. Just take a listen to the podcast sometime and that will tell you all you need to know. I enjoy the banter with Philly fans more than anything else. They are passionate about their team whether it is positive or negative. If you want an honest opinion, you know you are going to the right place. I have come to know so many Flyers fans throughout the years and as much as I dislike the team….I immensely respect their fans. That takes a lot coming from a Devils fan. So to Jess, Mike, Kev, Dan, Billy, and so many others….there I said it!!!
Think about it…there are thirty teams in this fine league called the NHL. Fans from all over the place root for their teams, spend their hard earned money, and all for that one fleeting period of joy that happens when their team wins the Stanley Cup. It is all for that prize and no matter how mad or happy we get…the memories of our favorite hockey team last a lifetime. That is something I never lose sight on and neither should anyone that calls themselves a hockey fan.
Thank you everyone that rekindles the passion in this hockey fan on a daily basis. I am forever grateful.
