| Real Drama - Tuesday, June 03, 2008
384 Views :: 0 Comments ::  :: Michael Bradley Anybody who had the stamina and good sense to forgo a couple hours of sleep Monday night/Tuesday morning and stick around for all 110-plus minutes of Stanley Cup playoff action saw what happens when the promise meets reality. In the days leading up to the Red Wings-Penguins series, we heard how this was what the NHL had dreamed about: a matchup of star players, established franchises and hockey-crazy towns. In many circumstances, what energizes the marketing folks doesn't always set the fans atwitter. Selling ads is one thing; producing compelling action is quite another. Often, the hype wears off, and fans are left with nothing more than the perfunctory business of choosing a champion. It looked that way after two games in the Detroit-Pittsburgh series. The Red Wings had a 2-0 lead, the Pens hadn't scored a goal, and all that was left to decide was whether Wings fans would get to see their heroes hoist the Cup at Joe Louis Arena or have to watch it on TV. Monday night changed all that. After losing a game-four heartbreaker Tuesday night, the Penguins authored a remarkable, life-saving triumph. After surrendering a 2-0 lead, they staved off elimination by scoring with 34.8 seconds remaining in regulation with a desperate, empty-net rush. That alone would have made the game a classic. That the Penguins then won in the 11th minute of the third overtime, after more than 51 minutes of unbelievable, indescribable action and suspense makes it absolutely mind-boggling. Want more? How about the fact that Petr Sekora, who scored the game-winner, told NBC's Pierre McGuire during the second OT period that he was going to deliver the Penguins to victory? That's right, the guy who hadn't scored a goal during the finals called his shot -- and delivered. Now, the series shifts back to the Igloo, and the spectre of a seventh game Friday night in Detroit looms quite large. The NHL may be fourth among the major sports (don't even try to give me NASCAR) in the U.S., but anybody watching this series casually has to be a convert. Sometimes, reality matches the hype. Your move, NBA. |
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