This article has been submitted by the debuting Chris Pope. I dropped the ball not posting it before a trio of Game 7s, my bad.
At the beginning of every NHL playoff season, fans gather across the globe to park themselves in front of the TV set to lock their eyes on their favorite team, flinching with excitement at every shot on goal, hoping that their team will hoist the illustrious Holy Grail.
Some teams are lucky enough, like the Penguins, to sweep their opponents and others battle it out in five or six games, but it’s the small fraction of teams that end up facing off in game seven that always seem to steal the show.
When that game seven comes around, regardless of the seeding or what has happened previously in the series, all bets are off. Both teams come out playing balls to the wall and put everything they have accomplished all season into one 60 minute battle. Most players show up to that forever dreaded game seven nervous and unsure of what to expect, others were born with ice in their veins and welcome the challenge.
On the eve of the first game seven in the young 2007-08 NHL playoffs that showcased the Boston Bruins trying to finish the comeback from being down three games to one to the Montreal Canadiens, we were treated to the anticipation of yet another game seven as the Washington Capitals evened out their series with the Philadelphia Flyers after also being down 3-1. This game, partnered with the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks game seven on Tuesday night, make for a great way to end off the first round.
Carey Price became just the fourth rookie goaltender to post a shutout in game seven of the playoffs and Alexander Ovechkin broke out of his playoffs slump by burying two goals. Both silenced all critics that have been doubting them as Price had shown a lack of closing ability and Ally-O had done everything but what he is prolifically known for, and that’s bulging the twine.
I personally love game sevens. You would be hard pressed to find any fan – other than Bruins fans and the odd Leaf fan – that does not love to sit down and watch a full 60 minutes with everything on the line.
In the five year span of 2000-01 and 2004-2005, the Stanley Cup final had been decided in seven games. In 2000-01 it was Ray Bourques first cup followed by Jersey knocking off the Ducks in 2003. In 2004 it was “Vinny” and the gang taking the Cup to Tampa Bay.
The most recent was the Carolina Hurricanes win their first Stanley-cup in 2005 against the Edmonton Oilers in the seventh and deciding game. In game sevens, 11 of the 13 home teams have won game seven in the Stanley Cup finals.
So maybe George Castanza had the wrong reason for wanting to name his kid Seven.
This article has been submitted by the debuting Chris Pope. I dropped the ball not posting it before a trio of Game 7s, my bad.
