Thursday, May 15, 2008

16 YEARS OF WAITING ENDS TONIGHT?

Sixteen years ago the Pittsburgh Penguins last made the Stanley Cup Finals and it was the first time I watched hockey in general. I was hooked. That year the Penguins won the Cup and I became attached to the sport and the Pens. Since then there were a few synonymous things and persons associated with my team. Heartbreak. David Volek. Cancer. Rats. Philadelphia Flyers. Garry Valk. Andy Delmore. Keith Primeau. Martin Brodeur. Trades. Michal Sivek. Basement. Eddie Olczyk. The Ottawa Senators. 16 years of frustration of not making the championship can end tonight. In that list, it will make it much sweeter. The Philadelphia Flyers. Somehow someway the Flyers always managed to beat the Penguins everytime. Not just during the regular season this year, but the 97 Playoffs when they ended Mario Lemieux's career with a 4-1 series victory, or the 2000 playoffs when the Pens had a 2-0 lead going into Pittsburgh then in some hockey God madness the following two things happened back-to-back OT's.


Andy Delmore wins Game 3 in OT


Keith Primeau wins it in 5 overtimes. I still can smell the vomit on my shirt after that mess.

So who do you think got momentum in that series? Even now that Sidney Crosby is leading this team, the ruthless Flyers fans always has something to say. Even their head coaches. Remember 2 years ago when Ken Hitchcock called Sid a diver? Or when Derian Hatcher continuously smacked his face with his stick? Well that just made Sid a better player. Personally as a fan, anytime the Pens beat the Flyers, its always a happy moment. But quite frankly, the next win against the Flyers will erase all the bad memories vs. Philly. I actually don't care that the Pens swept them in the regular season last year. A Penguins win tonight (SWEEP IN PHILLY) will not only end frustrations vs. the Flyers, but erase those memories listed above you...


You ruined my childhood DAVID VOLEK!


Garry Valk had NO PLAYOFF GOALS so far, so who does he score his 1st against?


THE 2003-2004 Penguins were in the basement? I remember the 20 game losing streak and how it felt like they won the cup with that OT win vs. Phoenix. But I stuck with them.


And who can forget last year?

If you're a Pens fan and you stumble on to this site, watch all the videos, cause it will all be erased after tonight. But I know after this next win, it won't be over, but wouldn't IT BE NICE just to think about it before it becomes reality.