Havlat gets Kronwall'd

I enjoy big hits like any other crazy hockey fan, but the emotional, sympathetic human side of me does appear when things look scary.  Case in point, when Havlat got absolutely destroyed by Kronwall in tonight's game that eventually ended in OT with the 'Hawks finally getting a win over Detroit.  

When I first saw the hit happen it just looked like a big hit a la Scott Stevens on Eric Lindros, but Havlat's motionless body was gut-wrenching, much much worse than when Umberger was leveled three years ago by Brian Campbell. I mean seriously, who didn't get nervous watching Havlat look like a rag doll while the guys on the ice tried to dish out deserving retaliations. I still don't know how Havlat was capable of getting off the ice without the aid of a stretcher.

As for the game itself, I'm not sure if I should be amazed that Detroit can play half a game and be this close to winning it or that they're not up 3-0 in this series. Because of the hit, it was good to see the 'Hawks win this game, especially at home, but Detroit is definitely moving onto the Cup Finals.

'Canes and Wings

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Yeah, Carolina!!!

My mindset for Game 6 in both of these series was "I'm going to lose my sh*t if the Ducks/Bruins win". However, today I had a feeling that the teams I was rooting for, the 'Canes and the Wings, were going to win. No question, these games were in the bag.

Was anyone else concerned that one of the two Game 7 games was going to be a huge disappointing blowout like the embarrassing one-sided Pens/Caps Game 7? Both games tonight were very exciting and I was worried for awhile during the Carolina/Boston OT that both teams looked so equally matched that it was very possible for the game to enter multiple OT frames.

I only caught the final 5 minutes of the Wings/Ducks Game 7 and was shocked to find the score tied at 3, especially considering I left work with the knowledge that the Wings had a 2-0 lead. I was even more stunned to see how slowly both teams were moving. It looked like Zetterberg's skates were frozen to the ice. Getzlaf lumberly skated with the puck. It appeared that the game was going to head into 3 lifeless overtimes until Cleary ended the deadlock with the game winner. I expected Anaheim to fight like hell in the final minutes, but they still looked slow and didn't have any extra jump normally associated with a team that has a one-goal deficit in the waning seconds of a Game 7.

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awwwww, B-Stu!!

I know some people didn't really want Detroit to win because they're Detroit and always win, but I was rooting for Detroit and not just because I cannot stand the Ducks. During the regular season I get annoyed with Detroit winning, but during the playoffs I feel the need to give credit where it is due and Detroit never fails to deliver good hockey. But don't get me wrong, it felt A.W.E.S.O.M.E. to see the Ducks get eliminated.

~~~

I still don't understand my obsession with the Carolina Hurricanes but I wanted them to win this series so badly. They didn't look very good in the two games where they surrendered a total of 8 goals, but they played well in the others. Like a lot of hot goalies in the playoffs, when Cam Ward is on he can absolutely steal games (and steal your heart because he's just so damn adorable!). It's crazy that he has never lost a playoff series. He'll eventually lose one, but I still think he's going to lead the 'Canes to the Cup Finals.

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In case you haven't figured it out, I haven't changed my initial predictions for the Cup Finals:
Detroit v. Carolina