DBix

Sitting in Hockeytown last night, I could not help but marvel at how amazing that hockey game was. It was such a wonderful game to watch, the highs and lows, watching a team that was playing near the top of their game battle a goalie that could seemingly do no wrong. The Penguins roared out of the gate to an early 2-0 lead, and the crowd groaned their displeasure. They could feel the game slipping away. As the second period started, we waited on the edge of our seats, begging, praying for a reason to cheer. Darren Helm answered the desperate city's prayers, punching a goal past Fleury. The third period rolled around, everyone wished again, holding out against hope that this team could bring home the Cup that night. Pavel Datsyuk shot one past Fleury, the crowed erupted....and then promptly were shot down with the realization that the puck had only hit the crossbar. Then, the red light was lit behind the goal, again by Datsyuk. This one counted, the game was now tied. Hockeytown was in a frenzy, strangers were hugging, people were screaming and jumping around. Three minutes later, the puck found the back of the net. Pandemonium ensued, suddenly the lead was theirs!! Red and white clad fans were running around, the mighty Winged Wheelers had united this crowd behind them, nothing could stop them. The minutes ticked away, and the anticipation grew, and grew and grew. With a minute left no one was left sitting. Suddenly, with 35 seconds left, their hopes were dashed, as the Penguins found the back of the net. A desperate goal by a team that had nothing to lose, the crowd was deflated, but, at the same time, refused to leave, knowing this game was far from over. The first overtime went through with plenty of close calls on both sides, the city groaned and cheered, their anticipation killing them. The second overtime started, a few fans left, the die hards held on, their own voices making up for those who had left. The play ebbed and flowed, the crowd sat on the edge of their seats, both teams tired, started making mistakes, but neither could capitalize, Fleury held on strong, his pads suddenly impenetrable. The second overtime ended, more fans left, we refused to leave. The third overtime started, suddenly, the Penguins had more life in them, and then the whistles rang out, and the fans knew something was wrong; A four minute penalty, our hearts sank. Could the Wings find a way to end this seemingly unbeatable penalty? The red light behind Chris Osgood was suddenly alight with a flame that burned the hopes of the city down. The Penguins had managed to defeat the Wings. But what a game it was. Those of us who watched the whole thing should treasure the experience of being able to see that, no matter what happened, one team had to lose, and the Red Wings, unfortunately couldn't capitalize on some golden opportunities. Now its upsetting that the wrong team won, but the Wings are still ahead 3-2 in the series, and Fleury will have to play 2 more perfect games to beat them, and I do not think that he can do it. I said Wings in 5 to start the series, but, I think that the game tomorrow night will be the night that Niklas Lidstrom and the rest of his Winged Wheelers lift the Cup aloft, celebrating their 11th Championship.