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Archive for May 24th, 2008

Game 1: The Torment Begins

24 May 2008 @ 10:43 PM

Yes, I watched. I forced myself to watch, even though a large part of me wanted to put a brick through the TV when Doc Emrick started going on and on about how everyone wanted this matchup.

Everyone except, of course, for me. But we’ve already covered that.

Marc-Andre Fleury came charging out of the tunnel, as he always does, and took a tumble–I knew it was a bad sign, especially when the Unspeakables staffer/puck patrol/whatever guy camped right by the exit started laughing at him (and I wouldn’t have noticed had the camera not been on dudeman at the time). Real classy, that.

The ceremonial puck-drop was a nice touch, but fuck me did Steve Yzerman ever look tiny next to Mario Lemieux!

Overall impressions of the game:

The Penguins played a good first period, which seemed to set the Unspeakables back a pace. During intermission I’m sure all the guys that were around back then brought up 2002 and how the ‘Canes managed to hang with them until that third overtime, because second and (especially) third periods brought the pain.

The Pens played like they were young. The Unspeakables played like they wanted to show that their e-peens really are as big as their Central Division record indicates. It was disconcerting, watching the Penguins run around in the last period like they were just flat out of gas.

Work with me people, I’m really trying to mute the bile here.

*ahem* Anyway.

One thing that really bugged me about the Pens’ lineup was Michel Therrien’s decision to start messing with the line combos. Crosby with Hossa and Dupuis works–why mess it up by putting Crosby with Malkin? Stick with what works, chief.

Record of note: Since 1996, the Unspeakables are 13 and 1 in the Cup Finals. And yes, that blemish gives me a little bit of satisfaction.

Game 2 on Monday at 8. Let’s see if the Pens can turn it around.

Posted By: The Acid Queen
Last Edit: 24 May 2008 @ 10:43 PM

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