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May 14, 2006
Well, There's Always Next Year...
My Dad used to say, "well, there's always next year", in response to one of our favorite teams losing to end their season. It's true. The New Jersey Devils have been defeated by the Carolina Hurricanes four games to one in their best of seven Eastern Conference Semi-final game.
I have loved the New Jersey Devils since I was a kid, when they moved to Rutherford, New Jersey, from Colorado. Most of my friends were either Rangers or Islanders fans, so, to "stick it to the man", I went with the unknown, the unproven, the unbelieveable colors the Devils wore then, which were red, green and white. It was tough being a Devils fan for so many years, through awful seaons, and awful teasing from my friends, as we watched the Islanders win four Stanley Cups in a row! (Rangers fans weren't all that excited either.) But then along came Martin Brodeur, a man who will certainly be known as the Greatest Goalie Ever. (My opinion.) The Devils have won three of Lord Stanley's Cups, and for that, I will be eternally happy. I am sad that their season, which started poorly and ended up fantastically, is over. But the Devils have nothing to hang their heads about. They carried a fifteen game win streak into the playoffs, and stole the Atlantic Division title away from the Rangers. (Or did the Rangers give it away?) They played a team in Carolina that was faster, stronger, and hungrier. That's the way it goes in sports.
It is very difficult to really like and support a few teams. I live here in Carolina, so I always support and root for the 'Canes, just not when they play my Devils or the Buffalo Sabres. I am thrilled that the 'Canes will be going to the Eastern Conference Finals, but I am even happier that they will face the Sabres, who deserve a Cup more than any other team in the league. Why? Why not? The Sabres had one stolen from them against Dallas, and let's face it, Buffalo needs a shot in the arm, not only for this team of relative unknowns, but for the city as well.
Anyway, my congratulations go out to the Carolina Hurricanes, and a great big thank you goes out to my Devils, who will certainly be back next year. Watch out then, 'Canes!
Posted by Jon at May 14, 2006 09:38 PM