What a run. This postseason has been the most fun in years. The Dallas Stars should be very proud of what they’ve done this year.
I will admit to a little optimism for this game. After they went down 3-0 in the series, I felt like they were done. Then they won one, and I felt relieved they weren’t swept, but I still thought they were done. Then the crazy kids win another one and I just couldn’t help myself. I thought there was a chance they could do it.
I’m sure we’ll find out about a lot of injuries that the players were fighting through. I heard Razor in the post-game on the radio saying that Morrow’s shoulder might have an actual tear, and that he’d been battling a leg injury this whole time. I think if Lehtinen and Barnes and poor Bouche had been healthy, they might have gotten over the hump. They still might not have but we’ll never know.
The Detroit Red Wings are pretty much my most hated team (although the Ducks have been giving them a run for their money), but I guess I should give them credit for the job they’ve done. They’ve had better regular seasons and tanked in the playoffs, but this year they seem to be doing it right. They’re moving on to the Stanley Cup Finals. I’ll be cheering for Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, though, don’t worry.
The Dallas Stars took down the defending Champs in the first round. Defending Champs usually go out pretty early the year after they win, but still, the Ducks came into the playoffs on a roll and the Stars did not. Almost everybody picked the Ducks to knock out the Stars.
While most picked the Ducks to get past us, they didn’t pick them to win the whole thing. That team was the Sharks. Lots of experts figured, with the Sharks’ rampage through the last month of the regular season, they were destined to go all the way. The Stars took them down, too.
Then they met the Red Wings. Even I didn’t really think they’d get past the Wings. And I sure didn’t think that when they went down 3-0. But they didn’t give up. They kept going. They didn’t roll over in the face of inevitability. They fought back and won two more games. Two more wins to take home with them, instead of four straight losses.
All the players and all the coaches will be disappointed tonight, and upset and mad. But they should be proud and encouraged, too. They should know that we know they left everything they had out there on the ice.
Good job, boys.
Beautifully put, Patty, as usual. I’m so proud of this team, and…Yeah. SO proud. They should be proud of themselves for making it as far as they did.
…I’m going to go mourn a little while longer.
That picture made me cry a bit. I know it doesn’t mean much, but your Dallas team (and Dallas fans) earned this Sharks fan’s respect. (And Detroit lost a lot, but that is neither here nor there). I was pulling for you guys, and I’m bummed it didn’t work. But next year, y’all are going to be a force!
Go Pens!
Yeah, Cat, I’m still a little teary, too. But in a good way.
Thanks, Sarah. Don’t be silly! It means a lot to hear that. I’ve really enjoyed knowing people have put us on their “secondary team” list this season.
GO PENS!
Patty, I was so scared! Seriously, how many times are you up in a series 3-0 and, even when the other team comes back and wins two games, you’re like actually afraid you might not win? That’s how good the Stars looked these past couple games. You’re so right to be totally proud of them.
You know what the worst thing was about this series? You all are just so unhateable! The whole time I was like man, if the Stars beat us, I’m still going to cheer for them! (I see it clearly does not work in the other direction :P Not that I’m at all surprised!) In fact, I even scolded Nik Kronwall for repeatedly trying to kill your little Mittens (who, oh my god, I love).
Dallas is definitely my West Coast favorite. I’m proud of how far they made it and that they wouldn’t let Detroit sweep them. It hurts that they’re out of the running for the cup, but makes cheering for the Pens much easier. I didn’t know what I was going to do if it ended up being Stars-Pens for the cup.
Steph, I appreciate it. :D
At the very least, it’s cool that it’s turning out to be a Battle of NPI!
I’m pulling for the Pens, Jennfer! (Sorry, Steph.)
I am so proud of our little Twinkles. I admit I shed a few tears during handshake. Poor guys. But if we had to be beat by anyone in the playoffs this year, I’m glad it was the Wings, because I couldnt have handled if we lost to Anaheim or SJ – because the Wings were truly better….
GO PENS!!
I am extremely proud of this team. They went out giving it all they had.
but oh my god please don’t let Brenden be seriously injured lol
Talk about a picture that speaks volumes. I’ve seen it in several places now but it still gets me.
When you really think about it, he gave up the most to get where they got. If you get what I mean?
I really love that picture. The more distance we get from the actual last game, the more I can look at it as a picture of a hot Brad Richards lounging in the locker room. And I like it even more! :D
(By the way, on the DMN site, that picture is in their slideshow and is credited to Louis Deluca on their staff, but on Yahoo, it’s credited to Matt Slocum.)