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

Everything that had happened in the previous six games was erased. It all boiled down to one match with two teams that have played some close hockey games and each having a blowout win (5-0 and 4-0 in games 2 and 6). It was a coin flip as to who would win last night.

Sadly, it was not meant to be for Edmonton fans. Canada will not see a Stanley Cup for another year, now making it 13 straight. On one hand, I don't mind seeing Carolina winning the Cup. Previously known as the Hartford Whalers, their fans have been teased with dreams of winning the Cup but never crossed the finished line. I like seeing new teams winning instead of the same teams repeating over and over again with championships. Edmonton has won five Stanley Cups in my lifetime, and five more than a lot of NHL teams in their entire existence. St Louis Blues fans have visited the playoffs 25 years straight and never made it to the finals.

Still, it's been a long time for Edmonton fans, and a younger crowd has perhaps never seen them take it all. A lot of the players on the Oilers squad: guys like Peca, Pronger, Smyth, Roloson: all veteran guys that deserve to have their names eteched on the Cup, may never get this close again.

The game itself was fast paced and had its moments of drama. The Oil had their opportunities, including a 5 on 3, but they couldn't cash in. Markkanen would probably like another crack at the first goal, a shot from the point that as the cliche goes, had eyes.

I disagree with the decision to give the Conn Smythe trophy to Cam Ward. Yes, he was solid, but he didn't carry the team to the championship. Give the 'Canes credit, they had a good mix of experience and youth and capitalized on the opportunities they had. I think someone like Rod Brind'Amour should have gotten it, an excellent representative of the team effort that was given to win.

A long summer for many, next season is still just a few months away, and a renewed sense of optimism for all teams will probably come forward. I can't wait.