Sports Savvy By Kelly S. Croslis Hockey's Stanley Cup Chase
Every so often a playoff or championship game reminds us of what a game is really about, the game itself. We see years go by with the same teams dominating the field, the court or on the ice and many will forget those who came before them. Then the time comes, the tides turn and a new age arrives along with new teams, new dreams and new stories.
When the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks take to the ice for the 2010 Stanley cup championship, it will be one of those games, a renewal of the game and spirit – not the same ‘ol, same ‘ol, as some may call, but a battle to see which team can break their championship drought.
The Philadelphia Flyers, a team that has always been a contender in the Eastern Conference has not won the Stanley cup since 1975, when the team was less than 10 years old, and has not played for the cup since 1997. Though the Flyers have a young team, there is no guarantee they will reach this place again, with the teams in their conference having such superior players and records, like Pittsburgh and Washington.
In addition, the Chicago Blackhawks can top that with no Stanley cup win since 1961, when they were one of the six original teams, and this will be their first cup finals appearance since 1992.
Neither team can say they know how it feels, and neither can many of their fans. With a young hockey fan base, those who follow “their parent’s teams” will now see what it takes and what it feels like to win a championship. It is their moment in the spotlight, their time to shine and in front of their fans they will make the most of it. The goal is not only the cherished Stanley cup, but being able to bring an end to a championship drought that has lasted too long.
The Flyers and Blackhawks will begin play on Saturday, May 29th with games 1 and 2 played in Chicago, games 3 and 4 in Philadelphia, with game 5 back to Chicago. Game 6 if needed will be played in Philadelphia, with a final game in Chicago if a decision game is needed.
