2. How the Mighty Fall Really Fast
One of the Montreal Canadiens’ victims in their improbable Cup run was the Washington Capitals, a team many were picking to go all the way. Alexander Ovechkin arguably has had one of the most miserable years in hockey. Russia was trounced 7-3 by the Canadians in the Olympics, the Capitals were eliminated early, and then at the World Hockey Championships, Ovechkin had a chance at redemption, but lost in a shocker to the Czech Republic.
3. Sid’s Tricks
First, a dazzling defensive play to sweep the puck away from the goal line, then at the other end of the ice, wheeling and dealing around Jason Spezza four dizzying times to set up the game-winner. These are two lasting images I will take away from these playoffs.
4. Montreal, and the Little Habitants That Could
The Montreal Canadiens’ remarkable run through the playoffs is one of those jaw-dropping times in life you just have to sit back and enjoy. On the back of goaltender Jaroslav Halak, the Canadiens put to rest Cup favourites Washington Capitals, then out-lasted the defending champs Pittsburgh Penguins, before finally subjecting to the Philadelphia Flyers who were as much of a Cinderella team as they were.
5. Cinderella II: Flyers Frenzy
If the Canadiens were the Cinderella team of the playoffs, then the Philadelphia Flyers were Cinderella’s doppelganger. We all know by now how the Flyers climbed out of a 0-3 series deficit against Boston, and how they gleefully repeated that feat in the final game of the series, just to screw with their fans. The 0-3 series comeback was only one of three in NHL history, and one of four in the major North America sports leagues.
6. Wheeee!
Two spectacular saves that were eerily similar stood out for me this post-season. Martin Brodeur and Robert Luongo were both down-and-out, but made swiping snatches to take away sure goals.
7. Cue Drowning and Sinking Metaphors
By now we’ve all learned to keep our expectations at a minimum when it comes to the San Jose Sharks in the playoffs, but for one fleeting moment I was convinced that the Sharks were, this time, for real. They reached the Western Conference Finals for only the second time in franchise history, and Joe Thornton was finally playing like he wasn't Joe Thornton. Unfortunately for the Sharks, they ran into the Chicago Blackhawks, a team that who was destined for greater things.
8. Too Many Too Many Men Calls
There were a ridonkulous amount of Too Many Men Calls in the post-season (final tally: 36), so much so that TSN started a TMM count, complete with cheesy block lettering and clown music.
9. Wacky, Tacky, and Unfortunately True
Sami Salo got nailed in the sensitive area on a Duncan Keith shot and received a ruptured testicle for his trouble. Back at GM Place, a chant spontaneously cropped up to honour their wounded warrior: “BALLS OF STEEL, BALLS OF STEEL!”
Patrick Kane’s playoff mullet made the highlight reels almost as much as Vince Vaughn did (okay, we get it, he’s a Chicago Blackhawks fan, stop), and for a good reason. The hairdo spawned a phenomenon of merchandise as well as a healthy number of copycats.
Remember the kerfuffle over Scott Hartnell’s alleged biting of Kris Letang’s finger a year ago? Well, it happened again, this time involving another reputable Flyers player, Dan Carcillo. Only this time, he was the one accusing Marc Savard of munching a little too hard in Game 2 of the Bruins/Flyers series.
Chris Pronger provided some of the best sound bites of the playoffs. I know a lot of people hate him and want him to die of rabies, but I love him. He’s massive, intimidating and skilled, and I’ve heard many players around the League remark on how incredibly tough he is to play against. Also…kind of hot. No? Okay. My favourite quote from him this post-season: “I’m hurt…I’m day-to-day with hurt feelings.”
10. Stanley Cup Winner
So how'd my Cup pick turn out? FREAKING AWESOME, THAT'S HOW. It wasn't the bumpiest of rides to the Stanley Cup final for the Chicago Blackhawks - let's be honest, they out-classed the Predators and the Canucks, then demolished the San Jose Sharks - but it was a different story against the Philadelphia Flyers. The first four games were close and tightly-contested. Perhaps the turning point in the series was in game 5, when Joel Quenneville decided to split up his top line and force Peter Laviolette to mix and match Chris Pronger. Turns out, Pronger is only one large man who can't possibly contain three different players on three different lines. This was none more apparent than when Patrick Kane head-bobbed his way around Kimmo Timonen to score the biggest goal of his life.
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks! A well-deserved Cup winner. Note to Patrick Kane: go shave that mullet and put it in a museum. That hair should never see the light of day again.
0 comments: on "The Top 10 Moments of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs"
Post a Comment