DETROIT ADVANCES TO STANLEY CUP FINALS

I don't know many Hoosiers, or anyone, that watches hockey. I know I usually do not. However, last saturday I was stuck at work and things were slow. The managers are all from Michigan, and they were tuned into the Red Wings game. I came over for a few minutes, which soon turned into most of the afternoon.

So those of you who are missing out on the Stanley Cup playoffs, you are not seeing hits that would make Ray Lewis cringe. These players have the grit and determination of Michael Jordan while having enough grace to skillful skate across the ice handling a little pick with sticks. Watch one game, if you don't like it you don't have to watch any more. But give the NHL a chance.

Now that I got my plug for the NHL out of the way (I was not endorsed in anyway to write the above the statments), I can get to the real story. The Detroit Red Wings are now on their way to yet another Stanley Cup Finals, where they have won four times out of the last eleven years.

The raced out to a solid 3-0 series lead before dropping two in a row. Many people began wondering if the mighty Wings were falling apart. But they responded with a 4-1 spanking of the Dallas Stars to send them home crying to their moms. 4-1 may not sound like a lot, but the Red Wings scored three goals in the opening period. Then they added another in the second to go up four to zip. A mountain to overcome in the this league.

After watching the Red Wings twice now, I think they have a good chance of beating the Penguins in the finals. Even as I was watching the Wings lose game 5, they had a ton of awesome shots on goal, missing by just inches. Their defense was pretty solid, Cromwell delievered several blows that made me say "ow."

I am no expert or anything, but I think this is the year the Red Wings bring home the title. The Penguins are good, but the Red Wings are more experienced and more dangerous. My prediction for this series is Detroit Red Wings winning in six games.