Game 2 is on tonight…. Anaheim got a goal from an unlikely source, providing them a late lead that held on. The Ducks are up 1-0, and are 3 wins away from their first cup, in their second attempt.
If my team is not in it - I like to see a team that has not won the cup to get the chance. We should be sharing the wealth, and for the last two winners, we have done just that. Tampa in 2004, and Carolina in 2006, saw southern cities enjoy the silverware.
And this year, a chance goes to a Canadian team….
For Ottawans - the first time in 70 + years that their city has a chance to hold the trophy. But will they? Most predictors are looking at Anaheim, with their strong defense to hold down the top scoring line for the Sens, and the rest of the team as well.
A city north of the 49th parallel has not see a cup presented to them since Montreal spanked the Kings. As Islander fans, we all know that they got breaks galore in the semi-final series against the Isles.
For the past two months, Ottawa was arguably the best team in the league. A up and coming goalie playing sound hockey, a bunch of forgettable names on defense, who were playing far over their potential. And a dynamite top line, with three yeoman groups to follow, scoring goals in bunches. A good group of guys with a coach who has earned his stripes in the league for nearly 20 years. Will it be time for the Sens to take the biggest leap in their young history?
However, I hear that the Angels “Rally Monkey” is taking a temp job…
The Ducks were a good team last year, that were missing a little spark. They went out and got the hired gun that they needed. In the acquisition of Chris Pronger from last year’s Oilers, they got a mammoth presence on the blueline, and combined with Scott Niedermayer, they have 
two top guys on the back end. The young guns of Getzlaf, Perry, to go along with the experience of Selanne and Rob Niedermayer, give this team a solid lineup from top to bottom.
I predicted Ottawa to win it - but being an American - I hope that Anaheim wins.
Check out the New York Hockey Report tonight - www.nyhockeyreport.com, where Derek Felix and I will talk about Game 2 as the first hour of it is played during our show. Check us out then - we are looking for callers to talk about the series and the NHL in general. The number is (877) 913-9739. 
We are also going to have a post-mortem on Milbury. I may wish him well - but I seriously doubt it…
Speak soon. Let’s go Ducks…
Gary
Posted under Playoff 07
This post was written by Gary Harding on May 30, 2007
I haven’t gotten a chance to catch any of the Finals yet. I really have wanted to, but the nights have been bad. I must admit that not seeing the Western teams has put me at a disadvantage, as I really expected the Senators to walk all over the Ducks. Obviously, I misjudged the Ducks, and I’m inclined to think this might be over rather fast. Still, don’t completely count out the Sens.
As for Mad Mike, well, like you, it’s half and half. I can’t say that I’m sad to see him go, but I also wish him the best. In some strange way, I really believe that he had a plan or a vision for the Isles, but his choice of people and his rather difficult ways of dealing with players and their agents really hurt his ability to be an effective general manager.
Just as a note of reference, neither Montreal nor Ottawa are north of the 49th (fully realizing the nickname of the US-Canada border from the West Coast to the edge of Lake Superior.) Montreal isn’t too far over the 45th, part of the border in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
Anyway, Ottawa is abuzz in Cup Fever and has closed off a huge part of the city during game days (similar to Calgary and Edmonton, minus the violence) while Anaheim couldn’t give a damn. That alone is reason to hope a place like that never sees the Stanley Cup. The city doesn’t deserve it, even if the team that calls it home may.
Rich - thanks for the info. I am well aware of the geography, I am just using the ‘phrase’.
You are right about the buzz….. Listening to Ottawa radio stations and reading the papers - the Canadian cities seem to ‘embrace’ the cup process.