Happy New Year: 08-09 Champs

Venom Energy; Game 7

First up, interesting marketing psychology:

Venom has rounded up stars from a variety of sports as spokespeople to be featured in marketing campaigns and in-store promotions in their teams' respective geographic regions. Dr Pepper/Snapple Group's Venom Energy line is leveraging consumers' devotion to their local sports teams and heroes to the max with a marketing approach that uses 14 different sports stars regionally rather than one star throughout the country.
The sports stars signed include Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Adam Jones (Baltimore Orioles), Milan Lucic (Boston Bruins), Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears), DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys), Kenyon Martin (Denver Nuggets), Pavel Datsyuk (Detroit Red Wings), Lance Berkman (Houston Astros), Jordan Farmar (Los Angeles Lakers), Joey Porter (Miami Dolphins), Max Talbot (Pittsburgh Penguins), Roger Mason (San Antonio Spurs), Patrick Willis (San Francisco 49ers) and Lofa Tatupu (Seattle Seahawks).

Frankly I'm a little surprised at the three selections. Not for their respective cities; Looch is a god in Boston, Datsyuk is revered, and Talbot's adored for his wacky sense of humour and sick sick game. Although I will say I'm surprised that of all the professional athletes in Boston right now, Looch is the one they went with - one of the young anchors of a team eliminated in the 2nd round.  Dude don't the Sox have anyone? Maybe not with more influence over the city. But anyway, interesting inside view at sports marketing. Moving on.

So who do you think's going to win tomorrow night? Everyone automtically says, Detroit hasn't lost at home. And someone told me recently that you don't have a series for real til someone loses at home. Which hasn't happened this series. So the foregone conclusion is that Detroit'll take it all again.


Lord in Heaven, Let Sid Win It in Seven
But that's wherein lies the intrigue of the game. Everyone assuming Detroit will just win because of their home/road record is underestimating the Pens, and in the last game of the season regardless, you can't underestimate anyone. The Pens didn't get this far just to fall flat on their faces in Detroit. Frankly, I'm sick and fucking tired of Detroit winning. I'll make no predictions other than tomorrow should be the greatest game we've seen all year. I hope you're planning on watching.

o. m. f. g.

3 - 4

(3rd OT)

DETROIT – Counted out in many circles after falling behind 3-1 in the Stanley Cup Final, the Pittsburgh Penguins came off the ropes and got off the canvas time and again Monday night to stun the Detroit Red Wings in triple overtime, 4-3, winning Game 5 of the series and forcing a return trip to Pittsburgh for Game 6 Wednesday night.

The game was the fifth longest in Stanley Cup Final history, with overtime lasting 49:57 before Petr Sykora ended it. The longest overtime was 55:13, set on May 15, 1990 when Petr Klima scored to give the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 win over Boston in Game 1.

Pens coach Michel Therrien said he never doubted his team for a second.

[deletia]

The Penguins were out-shot in the game 58-32 and there were many times when the Red Wings seemed to be just one small push away from toppling the visitors, but the Penguins wouldn't fall, thanks in large part to the play of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who was brilliant in goal.

"He was outstanding tonight," Therrien said of his goalie. "He was outstanding in overtime and both goalies obviously played really well. But no doubt Fleury, probably his most important win in his career."

Listen, kids. I have seen a lot of hockey in my life. I have seen a lot of playoff hockey. I have seen a lot of overtime playoff hockey. But this damned well might be the greatest overtime playoff hockey game I ever fucking saw. And I'd stick by that even if the Pens had lost. BUT THEY DIDN'T!!! Petr Sykora did his best Messier/Babe Ruth (depending on your generation) impression. Who else was watching leading up to the goal thinking, Sykora's on the ice... he called it... he said he'd pot it... will he.... HOLY SHIT HE DID!!!!


BACK TO THE IGLOO BABY!!!!!

Game 6: 6/4/08 @ 8PM EST on NBC