I was all set to see the Red Wings hoist Lord Stanley's Cup at the Joe Monday night. And it looked like it was going to happen. Brian Rafalski scored a goal midway through the 3rd period to give the Wings a 3-2 lead. The Joe was a buzz.
Little over a minute to go in regulation. Penguins yanked goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in favor of the extra attacker. With 34.3 seconds to go, Maxime Talbot managed to sweep a rebound past Chris Osgood to tie the game at 3.
34.3 seconds away from winning the Cup. 34.3 seconds! In a matter of seconds, the Joe went from being electric to feeling like a morgue. Who would have thought there would be nearly three more periods of hockey.
The Red Wings locker room was empty. Derek Aupperlee & James Baetens (the two Fox 17 photojournalists who went with me) joined me in the locker room afterwards to get some postgame interviews. All three Detroit TV stations were doing postgame shows, but very few Red Wings players came out to meet the media. Rafalski, Nick Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall were the only players who made themselves available.
Most of the media was huddled around Chris Osgood's locker waiting for him to come out of the showers and talk about what it was like to be 34.3 seconds away and allow the goal at the end of regulation, then discuss Petr Sykora's power play game winner midway through the 3rd OT. But, Osgood never came out. We stayed in the Wings' locker room until 1:40am before we gave up.
Nobody wanted to talk about it and, quite frankly, who could blame them. They were 34 seconds from nervana. They were 34 seconds away from an amazing comeback win and dominating this series. Instead, the Penguins have life and are headed back for game six at Mellon Arena, where they've only lost one game since February 24th.
Even though the Wings lost, and we were only able to interview four players afterwards, it still was amazing to be present for some hockey history. That hockey game allowed you to experience just about every emotion there is.
Getting home at 4:30am wasn't too much fun. Oh well, I guess it was a good thing that I don't have the traditional 9-5 job.
Detroit has to seal the deal tonight because anything can happen in a game 7.
Comments (5)
What happened to the Stanley Cup mis-match? A quick series sweep? This series has been fantastic, other than the first two games which the Penguins did not show up. Games 3, 4, and 5 have been some of the most exciting hockey I have ever seen. I can't wait until tonights game and hopefully we'll see Lidstrom hoisting the cup at the end of the 3rd!!!
Posted by Eric | June 4, 2008 9:57 AM
Posted on June 4, 2008 09:57
Yea, I remember saying it would be a sweep. But after games 1 & 2 I think a lot of people thought the young Penguins team was outmatched. Marc-Andre Fleury won game 5 for them... He stopped nearly 60 shots over the 5 and a half periods. Can he do it again tonight? Maybe. If he does, we'll see ya for an all-or-nothing game 7 at the Joe Saturday night.
If the Wings can score the first goal, and play with a lead, I think they will win tonight.
Posted by Brent | June 4, 2008 2:22 PM
Posted on June 4, 2008 14:22
Man let's hope Fleury does NOT do that again. He was playing on his head that whole game. The Penguins are a good team and if they can keep the core in Pitt, they will be good for many years to come. I agree that if the Wings get the first goal they will win. So, if there is a game 7, do you get to go?
Posted by Anonymous | June 4, 2008 3:31 PM
Posted on June 4, 2008 15:31
Yes, I will be there. I've covered a game 7 before. I was at game 7 of the Western Conference Finals back in 2002.. You'll recall, the night the Wings beat Patrick Roy and the Avs, 7-0.
As much as I'd like to be there to witness them skating the cup, I hope they wrap it up tonight.
Brent
Posted by Brent | June 4, 2008 3:35 PM
Posted on June 4, 2008 15:35
That was one of my favorite moments in hockey history. Right along with the fights and just general disgust those two teams had for each other. Nothing quite like seeing the avalanche turning red!
Posted by Anonymous | June 4, 2008 3:49 PM
Posted on June 4, 2008 15:49