The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

I'm a bit late in talking about it but better late than never. One of the best things about sports is that everyone can predict, everyone can have an opinion, everyone can put all their money down on the favourites and swear to it, but the beauty of it all is that the games still have to be played, and upsets can and will happen.

Edmonton showed so much hustle, heart, determination, grit, and add to the fact the players themselves have peaked at the right time have just made them that more dangerous. Although the series ended 4 games to 1 against Anaheim, I have to give the Ducks credit, they showed no quit whatsoever and very easily could have been a game 6. But the Oilers were resilient and they will move on.

It's really too bad the fans have been a disgrace. I don't mean inside Rexall Place, where they can brag about being the loudest fans in the entire NHL. Post game celebrations have been atrocious. Smashed store windows, upturned phone booths, fights, fires, broken beer bottles...George Laraque commented it's depressing to hear about it and tries to ignore the media reports. Hopefully, the citizens of Edmonton will make amends if the Oilers do manage to win Lord Stanley.

Moving on, I cannot recall the last time an 8th placed team managed to reach the Stanley Cup finals. And what a time to do it: for Canadian fans, disappointments in Calgary and Ottawa in the post-season; Toronto and Vancouver not even making it to the dance while the only consolation was that Montreal seemed to be on the right track towards building a contender for the future.

Now, we have the supposed underdog to cheer for.

Now, Edmonton fans are a bit greedy. The taste of post-season success is just too sweet. Nothing less than the Cup will make the fans and the team itself satisfied. And an entire country will be there to enjoy the ride. Let's hope they pull it off.