Monday, May 21, 2007
Will the Cup Finally Return?
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It has been 14 years since a Canadian team has been able to bring the Stanley Cup north of the border and now the Ottawa Senators have a chance to finally bring the treasured trophy home.
When the Montreal Canadiens won the Cup in 1993, it was an expectation among Canadians to reap the benefits of being a hockey loving nation and see the success play out on ice just as it has played out in the hearts of the world's most diehard hockey nation. In fact, ever since the trophy was to be awarded to the NHL champion, beginning in 1927, up until the Canadiens win in '93, it went to a Canadian team 41 of 66 times, or 62% of the time.
Never before did the nation have to wait for 14 years to see a Canadian team be proclaimed the champion.
Sure, there are more teams today then there were before. Sure, there is a salary cap which keeps the big-market Canadian teams in check. Sure, the league is much more evenly balanced now then it has ever been before. However, while all of these give reason to the madness, none of them provide escape from the sadness.
Whatever the history, Canada is eager for a champion. The Senators' bandwagon is as wide as the continent and the nation's capital is carrying the weight on millions as they prepare for their eventual matchup against either the Anaheim Ducks or Detroit Red Wings.
The Ottawa Senators have been rolling of late and are in the finals for the first time since the city's re-entrance into the league in 1992. They have consistently been among the league's most dominant teams over the last five years and are coming off an incredible series where they steamrolled the Buffalo Sabres, the top team in the East from the regular season.
Everybody seems to be peaking at just the right time. Daniel Alfredsson has proven to be clutch in recent weeks, Dany Heatley is leading the playoff points race, Jason Spezza has been getting his, and Ray Emery is proving that Ottawa goalies can save pucks in the playoffs, something that has been questioned in previous years.
Even the defense of this offensively minded team has been able to hold their own, slowing the Sabres to only two goals a game compared to their season average of 3.75 per contest.
The stars have aligned and it seems as though the Canadian dream will finally become a reality. The Senators have hit a hot streak that should make them capable of fighting off whatever is thrown at them. With one series to go — all of Canada will be leaning on a Swedish captain to bring Lord Stanley back for a long-overdue visit.
If this is the time, well ... it's about time.
go sens go