Last night was the last game for our inaugural season at the CPC (Cedar Park Center). Tomorrow the Calder Cup Championship will conclude in Hershey, PA and judging from how well the Bears kicked my Stars’ asses, they will sew it up Monday. Maybe the Stars will rally and pull off a miracle but I think we’ve used up all our wishes with the Game Seven victories against Chicago and Hamilton. Besides, the Bears have five “ringers” from the NHL, we only have one, Jamie Benn who I think has a promising career with the Dallas Stars’ upcoming rebuilding.
I’m pretty over the losses my favorite teams have had. First the US defeat by Canada in OT. How I really wanted us to land the gold medal on the 30th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. It would’ve been a nice tribute to the memory of Herb Brooks. It wasn’t meant to be because the OIC’s rules allowed Canada to get a mulligan so I consider their triumph rather hollow; like how Barry Bonds has an asterisk next to his batting achievements. At least Team USA 1980 went undefeated.
The Flyers going down in OT during Game Six of the Cup really stung too. I could handle Chicago winning as long as it wasn’t against my team. I was shocked by how many Texans were rooting for Chicago too. They’ve never been too discerning in their dislike of Yankees before. Maybe their loyalty is based upon the conferences. In defense of the Broad Street Bullies, they went down fighting to the end and this was a lineup I wanted to see defeated in the first round to put some heat on the GM and owner. So much for that now. Despite the team losing the Cup, they won the Princes of Wales title (Eastern Conference) and this will strengthen the intransigence of management toward recruiting reliable players while ditching the overpaid has-beens and near-goons. I do give Danny Briere a pass. His salary is ridiculously high yet he’s a good playmaker compared to the price tag Peter “Floppa” Forsberg had. After I completed my cursing and grumbling before bed, I took the high road to set a good example for the Silder boys to demonstrate I can lose a bet with dignity, class and generosity, as I do in victory. What I sent is a surprise until it arrives. I think Helen reads the site and I don’t want them to get any hints. I will say I easily exceeded the $20 limit.
The other downside to getting second place will show up in Las Vegas. I didn’t make it out last Summer to place a future bet therefore it will be difficult finding out what the initial odds were, for curiosity only. I figured they’d win the Cup over my failure. The last time the Flyers were close, I bet five bucks and had 14-1 against with the Venetian. If the Flyers succeeded, I would’ve flown out to collect my 80 clams. Instead they were beat by the Lightning in Game Seven of the Eastern Championship, then came the lockout, the cancellation of the 2004-5 season and the buyouts/trades on John LeClair, Tony Amonte and Jeremy Roenick along with the departures of Mark Recchi and Eric Desjardins. Ignoring all these factors, Vegas still gave Philly 4-1 against when I returned in the Fall of 2005. I think the oddsmakers based this all upon past performance and the acquisition of Forsberg. Next July I imagine all the sportsbooks will offer 2-1 or 3-1 against for Chicago and Philly, never mind the chances of a tw0-peat being poor. Yes, I know the Pens got their re-match against the Red Wings last Summer. I wouldn’t hold my breath for the Blackhawks to return, they’re up against the Salary Cap big time and the Flyers aren’t far behind plus they don’t have a true starting goalie.
Monday will be the coup de puck on my Stars. It was a fantastic ride despite what may happen. How often does any city receive a brand new professional team which goes on to have a winning season, exciting success in the playoffs and a shot at winning a championship? I’m sure Austin isn’t unique yet it has been amazing. The merchandise booth did manage to offer Calder Cup patches. I scored one to have stitched to my customized jersey to strengthen the memory.
After Hershey, I will shave off my playoff beard (I will grow a new beard, I just need to see how long it takes), attend the after-season party, thank the numerous Stars’ players for the great time and recharge to get fired up for 2010-11.
You give up too easy. The Stars are bound to bounce back. 🙂