America Wins Again
After the disgrace of a gentleman’s sweep that was the NBA finals at least hockey managed to deliver. The Panthers went up 3-0, the Oilers fought back to force game 7, and then game 7 was a brutal fight that had the Florida Panthers come out on top after playing great defense at the right time. Canada once again came close to finally taking their trophy back to the motherland and choked when it mattered.
I just find it funny that in the 30 years since a Canadian team actually won the top honor in the NHL, the state of Florida has won the cup 4 times with two separate teams. Florida. Maybe the least ice-friendly state? Well, the desert-based Vegas Golden Knights have also won it, and the Los Angeles-based Kings have won it twice. Even Carolina and Texas got in on the action once apiece. Canada can’t even beat cities and states where ice shouldn’t exist.
And so we wait to see which franchise will finally do it.
I follow the NHL the least of the Big Four, but this is the first of ‘my’ teams (let’s call’em) to win a title in 13 years – since the Cards’ World Series in 2011. Even without any real source to follow outside of Flashscore, ESPN Radio and retrospective Youtube videos, DAMN it feels good.
But why the hell my sides always have to do it The Hard Way™ baffles me. Should’ve been a sweep. Instead they had to threaten the biggest choke since 28-3. Worse than McIlroy puking up the US Open. After going 11-4 overall in Games 1-3, an 18-5 aggregate across Games 4-6 was horrific; winning Game 7 2-1, with no scores in the 3rd no less, almost feels anticlimactic.
But you know what? I will fucking TAKE it. WAY TO GO PANTHERS!!
It was really funny watching both the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals follow the exact same script for the first 4 games. Somehow, Florida completely lost the plot while the Celtics remembered that they were supposed to dominate Game 5 and wrap things up early. Not that I’m complaining, though.
This also makes it 2 years in a row that a South Florida team nearly choked away a 3-0 lead on the biggest stage. At least the Panthers got a ring out of it in the end. I guess it’s the Marlins’ turn next? Or will the Dolphins blow a 38-3 lead in the AFC Championship and win on a last second FG?
At least Florida is the most “Trailer Park Boys” part of America, so that helps, eh?
Not a big fan of hockey, coming from a state with no team and it not being a big deal here, I had no idea that it wasn’t a sweep till game 6. I actually wanted Canada to win at this point because A: Oilers just seem like a cool franchise having been the main team for the greatest athlete of all time. B: It would be really funny to have the Carolina panther being the worst NFL team right now and then the NHL team choke a 3-0 lead. But alas, for every bad big 4 team there has to be equality
I hated the “Team Canada” branding the Oilers had. Hated it. And I’m Canadian. I was so happy to see Florida lift the cup.
An American team has won the Grey Cup of the CFL more recently than a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup.
Not only that, the top five of the greatest CFL players ever are all… American.
Might be an unpopular opinion, but the blown 3-0 lead and subsequent recovery in game 7 to win the series anyways is such a beautiful event in sports. As a Heat fan, it was even more beautiful at the cost of my sanity for a solid week leading up to game 7.
There’s something so strange about going into game 4 in a do or die situation, pulling out of that game, winning the next 2 games, and then head into game 7 with all the momentum in the world, and just not finishing the job. Imagine Brady’s legacy if the patriots pulled all the way back to 26-28 and he just whiffs on the pass to Amendola on the 2PC. History forever altered
Don’t forget that Florida teams have made it to the Stanley Cup finals in five straight years
As someone who remembers their early struggles, I kind of like that the Raptors are the only Canadian Big 4 team to have won a title in the last 30 years.
Olds: Team USA U20 nobodies (the most prominent players come from D-II schools and many lack a significant college and/or, HELL, a high school career. Their QBs lack college experience!) fall to Team Japan U20 in the IFAF Men’s U20 tournament. Team USA limited itself to the obscure players (basically NO full scholars nor high school stars) and never bothered to advertise itself to the more notable players, for the sake of competition, time, and/or money (YOU’RE OBSCURE AND YOU’VE NEVER TRIED TO STICK OUT GRRRR).
Cut a long story short: USA U20 does not poach ANY all-stars, and they learn their lesson in the fire and the guts and the blood of assuming their opponent’s strength.
I wonder if they will recruit their Little Boy D1 QB and their Fat Man D1 linebacker at the next U20 tourney.
CLARIFICATION: ‘They’ in the final paragraph refers to the USA men’s under-20 American football team.
Maybe the U.S. Men’s team finally ends their gold medal drought in few years?
Yeah that’s hopium.
Even San Jose Sharks probably has a better chance winning a title before that happens.
Not to mention, Anaheim is even further south than LA and also has a cup.