Game 7

     A few summers ago I went to a Cyclones hockey game. The game happened to start around the same time as the Reds were playing next door. A Cubs fan looked at my jersey and asked me if there was a playoff hockey game going on. I told him yes, it was Game 7. When I told him it was Game 7, he told his friends there was a change of plans, they were going to see two minor league hockey teams play a Game 7 instead of his favorite team playing the Reds.

     That is one story of how big a Game 7 in hockey is. I have more, and any hockey fan can tell you how big these games are. Game 7 isn't just the final game in a series, its the most intense 60 minutes (or more) in sports. Hockey players are already wired differently. They are mentally and physically tough. They always play with intensity and that ratchets up in the playoffs. And for Game 7? For the greatest trophy in pro sports? To have your name forever etched on Lord Stanley's Cup? Hide your kids, hide your wife...

     The Canucks play the Bruins tonight in Vancouver at 8pm on NBC. Or CBC, watch it on there if you can. Don Cherry is awesome. He's like a reverse Jackie Robinson, breaking the color barrier on crazy looking suits. The entire spectacle of the Stanley Cup Final is fantastic to watch. And as for the teams, there is a TON of side storys.

      USA versus Canada. Will Luongo look like games 1, 2, and 5 (2 goals) or 3, 4, and 6 (15 goals)? The Canucks are the faster team, and came in statistically better. But Boston has shown to be very tough. And in the playoffs, toughness and goal tending is the name of the game.

      I think this game will be decided by one man. Roberto Luongo, the Canucks goaltender. When he has been on, they don't lose. But when he is off, man is he off. So far, he's been able to handle the pressure when he's at home. But will those 15 goals allowed, and the Boston crowd chanting his name all night Monday. That has to get to him, that has to break him down eventually. And in the biggest moment of the biggest game of his life, will he be able to handle it? We will find out tonight. Game 7.

Randy's Random Rants

     David Robinson, Rik Smits, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutumbo, Alonzo Mourning, and now Shaq. When I was a kid, it seemed like nearly every team had a big time center. And of all of them, Shaq was the biggest. He was literally larger than life. You could youtube Shaq and find tons of videos. He was a physical monster, and the way the sport has evolved, I don't know if we'll ever see anything like him again.

     If you like sports, (and judging by you reading this, you do!) you should check out the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Last night's 1-0 contest between the Canucks and Bruins was filled with action, drama, and biting! Game 2 is Saturday night on NBC and I believe you are doing your inner sports fan a disservice by not checking it out.

Other quick notes:

     Terrelle Pryor's driving privileges in Ohio have been suspended. Isn't it a little late for that? He's already caused enough trouble with cars.

     The NFL and Players Association had a secret meeting in Chicago. It was so secret, that even my lowly blog is reporting it happened. Let's just get this over with.

     Steve Spurrier floats the idea of paying players. "It worked at Florida," he said.

     Lance Armstrong wants an apology from 60 Minutes for their story on Lance taking performance enhancing drugs. I am still waiting for the "Thank You" note from Lance for defending him on my blog. So if you see him, let him know I'm waiting.

     I got a decent amount of blog hits for my (the) Ohio State University story. No death threats. I'll try harder next time.

     I'm going to watch "The Hangover: Part 2" later today. Full report tomorrow. Why review a movie before it makes over 100 million dollars in a weekend? Truth is, I got a lot of free time during the week, so I usually check out a movie midweek. If you want me to review a movie, give me 14 dollars and I'll bang it out for you.