An Ending for the Ages
Just trying to put it all together today and letting the outcome sink in, it dawned on me how awesome the ending of Game 6 was. Within a span of 17 seconds (about 3-5 minutes of real time), my thoughts went from "Oh doesn't this suck, we're going to Game 7," to "Hey ok, let's see what happens in OT," to "HOLY SHIT WE JUST WON THE STANLEY CUP!!!" The heroics in the waning minutes of Game 6 somewhat equivocate to Reggie Miller's 8 points in 9 seconds, but even though the Pacers won that game, they didn't clinch the Title. I picture the outcome of this game being similar to a team overcoming a 4-run deficit in the top of the 9th inning, then retire the heart of opponent's order in the bottom of the inning to win the World Series. After scoring the go-ahead goal, the Blackhawks still had to defend a Bruins 6-vs-5 rush with 58 seconds remaining. Chicago pulled its goalie and scored the tying goal roughly 16 seconds later. They took the lead 17 seconds after that, then had to play its best defense while the shocked Bruins played the desperate empty net strategy.
Redeemed for 2010
I don't know if this had the negative impact on others that it had on me, but the anti-climatic ending of Game 6 in 2010 has been driving me crazy for three years. After scoring in overtime, Patrick Kane and a small minority of other Blackhawks players began celebrating while most of the team starred at the game officials wondering if the goal indeed counted. "Where is the puck? What just happened!!?" Those were the questions I remember asking my television. While the replay official reviewed the goal, I didn't know how to react, because I honestly didn't believe it was a goal myself. By the time the official declared the game over, my emotions were chaotic. It was kind of like watching the game on DVR when you already know the outcome--at least that is the best comparison I can come up with because the ending was so unique. I remember watching the final 1:30 of Game 4 of the Eastern Finals. Boston held off a furious Pittsburgh rush; I was on the edge of my seat and I had no rooting interest. I've yearned for 2010's Stanley Cup finish to feel like that for three years. I got my wish. If you don't remember Kaner's goal, here it is:
Blackhawks' Fans Guard the Bandwagon
Hawks fans, more than any other team I've ever witnessed and certainly more than any fandom in Chicago, guard their bandwagon. Some fans seem to make it "uncool" to be on the bandwagon, or try to convince any newer or unknowledgable fan that they don't deserve to enjoy the same happiness the "lifers" enjoy. This has always bothered me. First of all, how do you define a "bandwagon fan" and who cares who is on the bandwagon and who isn't? And at what point does a bandwagon fan become a diehard? In 1993 I jumped on the Kansas City Chiefs bandwagon and 20 years later I've probably missed fewer than 20 games despite living out of state and spending half that time working on Sundays. What I hate the most is the moment some Blackhawks fans detect any hint of ignorance about hockey, they start attacking the credibility of others. They question others' loyalty with pointless questions--How long have you been watching games, where were you in the 2002-2006 era? Blackhawks' fans for some reason feel the need to brag about having been to so many games or having been watching the Hawks so long. You know what? I don't give a flying frog's ass, and neither should anybody else. I say, no matter how many Blackhawks fans there are, there's infinite more room on the bandwagon for more.
