Well, the Stars get back to the Western conference finals tonight for the first time since 2000. And they have done something I greatly appreciate…make me forget about the Mavs flameout, for a little while at least. As I’ve said, I’m not the biggest hockey fan in the world. I’ll watch maybe a handful of games during the regular season. But watching the Stars in the playoffs the last month as been fun. The town, which is usually talking about the Mavs or looking forward to Cowboys training camp, seems to be zeroed in on the Stars which is kind of cool to see again. The last time this town was abuzz with this kind of enthusiasm for hockey was 2000 when Dallas lost in the finals to the New Jersey Devils. It hasn’t been the same since then…but then of course neither has the team.
Hockey used to be one of the ‘Big 4’ sports. You had football, basketball, baseball and hockey. However, in the last 3 to 4 years, NASCAR has really pushed hockey to the back burner, just a tick above professional soccer. The strike that cancelled the 2004-2005 season did a lot of damage to hockey and as a result, many of the fans the NHL once had, disappeared. The NHL is trying to get back to where they once were, as one of the major sports in this country, however it’s a slow process. The cities that have the tradition rich franchises like Detroit and New York will generally still have the die hard fans they always have. However, I’m sure the NHL is pleased about having a southern team back in the spotlight as a possible Stanley Cup winner, especially since Dallas is a top 5 media market, so their exposure will reach some of the ‘fringe’ fandom, like me.
The Stars have been an underdog the past 2 playoff series and are, again, an underdog to advance past Detroit and on to the finals. But playing the underdog role is something this team relishes in. Dallas opened up against division foe and defending Stanley Cup champion, the #4 seeded Anaheim Ducks, who Stars bested with in 6 games. Then they moved on against the #2 seeded San Jose Sharks, again a division foe, who were the trendy pick to win it all this year. The Stars, once again, won the series in 6 games. Now they move on to face the Red Army who is the #1 seed and probably the best team in the league. And while Dallas has faced the #2 and #4 seeds, Detroit has only faced the #7 and #8 seeds in Colorado and Nashville, respectively…so facing Dallas will be a step up in competition for Detroit.
However, under Dave Tippet, Dallas is 4-11-5 in the last 20 games against Detroit and Marty Turco is 2-10-5 and winless in Detroit. So, it looks like the deck is stacked against Dallas which I would agree with. But if any team is in the perfect position to defeat the Red Wings, Dallas is it. In order to do that, Dallas MUST exorcise their demons, erase that mystique Detroit has and win at least 1 of their first 2 games in Detroit. I think they can and I think they will.
My prediction: Dallas wins in 7 and moves on to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
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2 comments:
I am really enjoying the Stars run as well. Great timing with the Mavs flaming out... again. What a disapointment.
I do have to take exception to one of the things you said about hockey being the top 4. It is true that in the south, where the closest road trip the Stars take is to St. Louis or Phoenix, hockey has taken a back seat. However, after living up here in the Northeast (which I wouldn't suggest for anyone), I have realized that hockey is still BIG up here. If you ever think that it's not, just go up to Pittsburg or Philly when they are playing each other. Go to Buffalo during hockey season. Even DC went nuts with the Capitals this year. So, while Detroit and New York are still big with hockey, it's big other places in the Northeast as well.
Lastly, watch out for soccer. It's gonna get big soon. Yes, I know that people have said that since the 60's, but there is actually money in soccer here in America now. Moeny from multiple sources.
Well, hockey is going to be big in the markets where the team is in the playoffs. I kind of discount Buffalo because they have nothing else besides the Bills and they typically are done in late Dec. Hockey really does take a back, back seat to the other 3 sports as evidenced by the fact that ESPN had higher ratings for women's college/pro basketball games than NHL hockey games. That's why the NHL had to sign a contract with VS. for their games b/c ESPN wouldn't touch them with a 10 ft. pole after the lockout a few years ago.
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