It's The Best Game You Can Name

See you next year

ROB MACEACHERN STAFF

Justin Williams capped off the Carolina Hurricanes’ triumphant Stanley Cup run on Monday night, scoring the final goal of the 2006-2007 season into the empty Edmonton net with just over one minute remaining in regulation time.

Oilers fans across Canada turned off their televisions in disgust, uttering the four letter word that rhymes with puck, as Hurricanes’ veteran Rod Brind’Amour hoisted Lord Stanley’s mug above his head for the first time in his career. Bar patrons who were ready to spill out onto Whyte Avenue, Edmonton’s version of Calgary’s infamous Red Mile, were left with a bitter taste in their mouths.

Even though the Oilers failed in their attempt to bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since the Montreal Canadians did in 1993, their improbable run to the finals energized hockey fans across the country. It didn’t matter what team you rooted for during the season, it became the duty of all Canadians to do their best to keep the Cup from ending up in North Carolina, where you are more likely to hook up with a member of the Hurricanes’ “Storm Squad” cheerleading team than see a game of ball hockey being played on the streets.

If this years’playoffs did one thing, they demonstrated to hockey fans everywhere that the post-lockout version of the NHL puts teams on a much more level playing field. Edmonton and Carolina each failed Interto make the playoffs during the year prior to the lockout. With the introduction of the salary cap, the relatively smaller-market teams could sign the prized free agents, such as defenceman Chris Pronger (who signed a multi-year deal with the Oilers last fall). Things will only get better next year as Canadian teams feel the positive effects of the rising loonie, making the U.S. dollar contracts appear cheaper than in previous years.

A league-wide crackdown on clutching and grabbing added more offensive excitement to the game which had been lacking in previous years. Players were finally able to skate from one end of the rink to the other without being obstructed by hooks and holds, providing for edge-of-your seat entertainment all game long. Goals scored per game increased from 5.1 during 2003-04 to 6.1 this year. Comebacks were more common, and the addition of the shootout allowed a winner to be determined after every regular season game. So go ahead and grieve the Oilers’ defeat for a few more days. Just remember that next year, there will be another underdog to cheer for, another dope to scream at, and more unbelievable plays than you can shake a stick at. It’s a shame we have to wait until October for the next season to start. All I know is that when that first Saturday night game rolls around, I’ll have a beer in my hand and a smile on my face.





Volume 94 Issue 1	The Official University of Manitoba Students' Newspaper Website	June 22, 2006

Home About Us Advertise Contact Staff Current Issue PDF Employment Letters to the Editor Meet the Staff Online Archives Personals Volunteer	Font Size Respond Email Print-Friendly It's The Best Game You Can Name See you next year ROB MACEACHERN STAFF Justin Williams capped off the Carolina Hurricanes’ triumphant Stanley Cup run on Monday night, scoring the final goal of the 2006-2007 season into the empty Edmonton net with just over one minute remaining in regulation time. Oilers fans across Canada turned off their televisions in disgust, uttering the four letter word that rhymes with puck, as Hurricanes’ veteran Rod Brind’Amour hoisted Lord Stanley’s mug above his head for the first time in his career. Bar patrons who were ready to spill out onto Whyte Avenue, Edmonton’s version of Calgary’s infamous Red Mile, were left with a bitter taste in their mouths. Even though the Oilers failed in their attempt to bring the Cup back to Canada for the first time since the Montreal Canadians did in 1993, their improbable run to the finals energized hockey fans across the country. It didn’t matter what team you rooted for during the season, it became the duty of all Canadians to do their best to keep the Cup from ending up in North Carolina, where you are more likely to hook up with a member of the Hurricanes’ “Storm Squad” cheerleading team than see a game of ball hockey being played on the streets. If this years’playoffs did one thing, they demonstrated to hockey fans everywhere that the post-lockout version of the NHL puts teams on a much more level playing field. Edmonton and Carolina each failed Interto make the playoffs during the year prior to the lockout. With the introduction of the salary cap, the relatively smaller-market teams could sign the prized free agents, such as defenceman Chris Pronger (who signed a multi-year deal with the Oilers last fall). Things will only get better next year as Canadian teams feel the positive effects of the rising loonie, making the U.S. dollar contracts appear cheaper than in previous years. A league-wide crackdown on clutching and grabbing added more offensive excitement to the game which had been lacking in previous years. Players were finally able to skate from one end of the rink to the other without being obstructed by hooks and holds, providing for edge-of-your seat entertainment all game long. Goals scored per game increased from 5.1 during 2003-04 to 6.1 this year. Comebacks were more common, and the addition of the shootout allowed a winner to be determined after every regular season game. So go ahead and grieve the Oilers’ defeat for a few more days. Just remember that next year, there will be another underdog to cheer for, another dope to scream at, and more unbelievable plays than you can shake a stick at. It’s a shame we have to wait until October for the next season to start. All I know is that when that first Saturday night game rolls around, I’ll have a beer in my hand and a smile on my face.


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