AND THEN THERE ARE TWO - STANLEY CUP FINALS - HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

Here we go again - and then there are two - the re-match between the Detroit Red Wings v. the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Stanley Cup Final starts today and Game 2 on Sunday, May 31th, both at the Joe in Detroit.
Eastern Conference - the Penguins swept North Carolina Hurricanes. I sort of feel bad for Erik Staal that he had to play against his younger brother, Jordan Staal and then scored the lonely goal in Game 4. I was happy for Dan Bylsma that he would have another chance to get his name on the Stanley Cup.
Western Conference - the Red Wings eliminated the Blackhawks in Game 5. I watched the recorded game and was glad that the Wings played real well without Lidstrom and Datsyuk.
The photo below were taken at Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2008 and the bottom photo was taken at April 6, 2008 game between the Red Wings and the Blackhawks.
Let the FUN begin - GO WINGS !!!!

WE WON, AGAIN - LET'S THE REAL PARTY BEGIN!

"You are so beautiful to me", was the tune I have been singing since Wednesday, May 27th. My beautiful Red Wings eliminated the Blackhawks in overtime in Game 5 in the Conference Finals. The Wings earned another trip to the Stanley Cup Final. These photos were taken from Game 1 of the 2008 Final. I have been checking for available tickets but decided not to attend the games this year. I kind of feel guilty spending money on such luxury items while others around the country are struggling during this difficult time. I will watch the games from the comfort of my sofa (hopefully NBC will not show some "girly" games i.e. bowling). Posting photos from last year Game 1 will make me feel as if I was there at this year's games. GO WINGS !!!!

NBA AT THE GARDEN

IN REMEMBRANCE

In memory and in gratitude to the men and women in the Armed Forces who served with honor and commitment, giving their lives for the freedom and liberty we enjoy in America and around the world.

MORE FROM THE GARDEN

I still have fond memories of in the early 1980s when I attended a tennis match between Ivan Lendl v. Boris Becker at the Garden. I don't know how I got the ticket, who were there and what other matches took place that day or exact date/year. I knew it was special because Lendl was one of the world most dominant tennis players in the 1980s. Lendl reached the top spot when he defeated John McEnroe in the 1985 US Open final.
I found an interesting fact from Wikipedia that Ivan Lendl in the 1980s was a minority owner of the Hartford Whalers hockey team which is now the Carolina Hurricanes. The Canes just lost Game 3 to the Pens 6-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. My husband said "Leave it to a hockey junkie to find connection between tennis and hockey or somehow everything is connected to hockey."

INSIDE THE GARDEN

THE GARDEN - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IN NEW YORK CITY THAT IS

During my recent visit to NYC I was able to take a few photos of the Garden. It was raining and dark when we attended the Rangers v. Canadiens game in December 2007. This time, it was a sunny afternoon when I visited the World's Most Famous Arena.
Madison Square Garden, New York City, Friday, May 8, 2009.

NHL PLAYOFFS - CONFERENCE FINALS (AND THEN THERE ARE 4)

Conference Finals -
This is it - this is when only the best teams will shine and get to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Eastern Conference - Pittsburgh Penguins v. Carolina Hurricanes - Brother against Brother - Eric Staal of the Canes will go against his younger brother Jordan Staal of the Pens.
Western Conference - my beloved Red Wings stood tall and strong against the Blackhawks. Wings won Game 1, dominated with a 5-2 victory.
Go Wings !!!!!!!

WINGS FLY HIGH (BYE BYE LITTLE DUCKIES)

It was out-of-this-world Game 7 and my beloved Red Wings took off flying, eliminated the "little duckies" once-and-for-all :)

Good Bye little duckies or little geese or whatever the h#$% you are - enjoy your golf games and a long summer!

It will be an exciting Round between the Wings v. the Blackhawks - another Winter Classic and another match-up between two of the Original Six teams - this is what Playoffs is about - this is what hockey fanatic like me live for - this is the most wonderful time of the year. GO WINGS!!!!!!!

NHL PLAYOFFS - ROUND 2 - AND THEN THERE ARE 8

I was in NYC during the first week of May and walked around the city wearing my Red Wings shirt, without being beaten by some New York Rangers fans since the Rangers (or New Jersey Devils) did not advance onto Round 2.

Here I am with my "a day late and a dollar short" summary of Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs -

Western Conference -

Detroit Red Wings v. Anaheim Ducks - It was a tough Series but my Red Wings kicked the "little Duckies" butts back to California. I paced around the house and could not sit still watching Game 7 on Thursday, May 14th. It was a nail-biting and thrilling game, down to the finally 3 minutes when the Ducks' goalie put the puck into his own net, giving the Wings 4-3 victory, perhaps thanks to Dan Cleary kept poking at it :) causing the goalie's right pad to push to puck toward the back of the net.

Chicago Blackhawks v. Vancouver Canucks - It was a sad day in Canada when the hope of bringing the Cup home evaporated with each seconds ticking.

Eastern Conference -

Boston Bruins v. Carolina Hurricanes - If I had to choose, I would prefer the Bruins to win this Series because (for the same reason) the Bruins is the Original Six team and it did not feel right that Carolina would even have a hockey team.

Pittsburgh Penguins v. Washington Capitals - I was happy when the Pens defeated the Caps in Game 7. It was a surprise victory considering how strong the Caps played in Game 4 and 5, but the Pens came back, dominated the deciding game from the beginning. Also Ovechkin started to get on my nerve with his childish behavior. Congratulations to coach Bylsma for another great job!
And then there are four!!!!!

AND THEN ONLY THREE STILL STANDING

If you are hockey fanatics like me, you would know what I am about to write with this title "And then only three still standing". It, of course, was about the three of the Original Six teams, Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks are (were) still fighting for their advance in the playoffs. (I started this post on May 4th but could not finish it, for two reasons, I was in NYC spending quality time with my family and also because I did not want to be blamed for making any predictions or writing about my cheering for certain teams.)

Toronto Maple Leafs - It was almost a lost cause that the Leafs did not even make it into the Playoffs, again.

Round 1 - Both my Hometown New York Rangers (lost in Game 7 against Washington Capitals) and the Montreal Canadiens (Swept by Boston Bruins) were eliminated.

Only three Original Six Teams were still standing - my beloved Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks.

After the Hawks eliminated the Flames, I secretly cheered for the Canucks as it was the only Canadian team advanced to Round 2 of the Playoffs. I must admit, of all the Original Six Teams, I don't care much for the Hawks. Sadly, the Canucks did not make it past Game 6.

Currently, it is all old news as the Bruins lost to Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 on Thursday (May 14th). It was an exciting game with Eric Staal scoring the winning goal.

My Red Wings kicked the "little Duckies" butts at the Joe in a heart-stopping, breath-holding Game 7 and now ready for a great match-up against the Hawks.

And then, only TWO still standing - - - GO WINGS!!!!!!!

WINGS MEET DUCKS - ROUND 2

Round 2, Game 1 - Red Wings v. Ducks - tonight on Versus.

GO WINGS, GO WINGS, GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NBA IN NEW YORK CITY

This is the NBA store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. I don't have any photos of a NBA game because I have never been to a professional basketball game, I could only post these photos for the NBA playoffs. We went to the Superbowl, the World Series and the Stanley Cup games but never even went to a regular NBA game. I almost went to a New York Knicks v. Orlando Magic game, but did not. I will share the story of what happened in future post at an appropriate time :)

NHL PLAYOFFS - SWEET 16

I have gotten the Playoffs Fever way before April 15th. I was so ready for the long excruciating, yet thrilling of seeing teams being eliminated or swept in each Round. It was the best time of the year when hockey fanatics like me really live the hockey life.

As most of the Teams have asked me not to show my support because I was known around NHL rinks that I would "jinx" any teams if I was to cheer for them. So here is what happened in Round 1 and my thoughts, disappointments and of course, celebration as my beloved Red Wings moved on to Round 2.

Western Conference -

Wings swept Blue Jackets - no surprise there.

Canucks swept St. Louis Blues - I felt bad for the Blues but more for the City as we really need the economic boost if the Team at least make it to another Round. I am happy that the Canucks advanced to Round 2. Canucks is not one of the Original Six but it is a Canadian Team.

Blackhawks eliminated Calgary Flames in 6 games - I cheered for the Flames because I wanted Canadian Teams in the Playoffs.

Ducks swept Sharks - no lost love there, I did not care for either Teams. Besides I knew the Sharks gotten the curse of the President's Trophy for being the best team in the league. This is not the first time the Best Team got swept or eliminated from the First Round.

Eastern Conference -
Boston Bruins swept Montreal Canadiens - I was heart-broken because if I had to choose between two Original Six teams, I would choose Canadiens to advance in the Playoffs. Also because Montreal is Canadian Team.

Penguins eliminated Flyers in 6 games - it was an exciting series with the Flyers came back strong but was not enough to win. Of course, I cheered for the Penguins because of Dan Bylsma, even though Martin Biron has much pretty eyes compared to Fleury :)

Game 7 - Carolina Hurricanes eliminated Devils in a out-of-this-world - the last 80 seconds in the 3rd period of game 7 - how much more nail-biting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat would a hockey fanatic like me could ask for? I felt sorry for Martin Brodeur, must be hard for him to think about this game for many years to come.
I was disappointed because I was looking forward to the Devils meeting the Rangers in Round 2. Besides, Carolina is Barney Fife and Gomer Pyle country, not playoffs hockey!

Rangers v. Capitals - this is my give-me-a-box of Kleenex series. How could the Rangers allow a two game lead, then won the 3rd game and could not finish up the Caps. I was so sick after watching the Rangers falling apart in the 3rd period that I went to bed, crying with a thick towel to soak up all my tears!

Well, that is a long and grueling, painful life a hockey fan has to live until June when only one team will raise the Stanley Cup in celebration of being a Champion. And then there are 8!

WINGS SWEPT BLUE JACKETS

My beloved Red Wings swept the Columbus Blue Jackets in 4 games. It was a great series even though Game 3 and 4 were not shown on Versus or any of the channels in St. Louis. The reason could be because the St. Louis Blues team did not want to show how much better the Red Wings are since the Blues were swept by the Canucks. Thanks to Johan Franzen "the Mule" with his power play goal with 46.6 seconds left in the 3rd period in game 4, the Red Wings completed the Series in style. It was good to have a few days off but I hope the guys will be ready for the next Round. And then there are 8!