Dec 31, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Bruins right wing Shawn Thornton (22) checks Dallas Stars defenseman Mark Fistric (28) during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Bruins 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Today’s blog will start out with a minor confession. My first NHL hockey game took place all the way back in 1999. It was a Dallas Stars game, and I got to watch Mike Modano, the all time American scoring leader put a goal in on home ice. My goodness, that man could fly on skates. Rusty, a longtime friend who found me on Facebook took a moment to remind me of it. For Christmas that year he got the starting line, the lead d-man, and Eddie Balfour and his freakin’ eagle helmet done in three inch miniatures. (Try painting that eagle on the surface area the size of your pinky nail.)
Well, let’s talk about the World Juniors. The American men fought a tough battle against Team Russia, but were beaten in a 2-1 squeaker. Tomorrow morning, they’re going to face Team Canada. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. I am an American, and I love my country but this is one of the most dynamic teams Team Canada has even unleashed against the world. An American win tomorrow would rank up there with the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’. (No attempt at sacrilege is be committed here.) The Americans have a great team, and I would love them to pull out the win tomorrow morning. Gibson and Gillise are going to have their hands full tomorrow as the American crease police. The Americans will need a win tomorrow, and beating the odds-on-favorite for the gold will give the American team some serious credibility as they skate towards the medal round.
Tomorrow will also very likely determine if we get to have NHL hockey this season. The owners sent a new proposal to the soon the be disbanded NHLPA in an attempt to: 1.) restore the season. 2.) make a desperate grab to win some small part of the PR war. 3.) Avoid the incoming nightmare of a cancelled season, and seven hundred players all negotiating contracts separately. 4.) Do whatever it takes from dragging this into the courts for a most uncertain outcome. I think we can all agree that the answer is 5.) All of the Above.
In six hours, the US will play Canada in one of the biggest David-v-Goliath games in recent hockey history. A few hours after that, we’ll find out if the NHL and the NHLPA can make a deal to start the season. Tomorrow has the potential for greatness(depending on what side of the border you are cheering for.), a chance for a lot of hopes to be realized, and the possibility of this being one of those ‘Super Sundays’ for hockey in general.