2012 Championship Stories from Kings Fans - What it Means to You [Merged]
I've been a Kings fan before Gretz laced them up with them. Despite the 93' run, they never had a well rounded team. Until now. The way the contracts are, with the key players, they can be a force for a few years. This is the first time the team has been built from within since I've been a fan. They are big, young, and fast and finally firing on all cylinders.
I think fans go threw phases. You first become a fan for whatever reason, you begin to like the team. You start learning the rules of the game, and gain more of an appreciation of it. You go past the "star" players and wanting all of them on your team, and start looking at the role players. Then you take a look at coaching and systems. Understanding the difference in styles of play and the teams which use them. Basically the longer your a fan of the game, the better understanding for what the team is.
Now that being said...
I consider myself a good fan to the Kings and the game of hockey. I've been to the Forum, Staples and of course, the Honda center (Pond). The Kings had a lot of Hollywood while they were in the Forum in Inglewood. (Anyone remember the $5 tip to park with the players/vip section)? It was A lot more cozy and intimate. I met Bob Miller I don't know how many times while at the forum. I feel that I learned more about hockey there than anywhere else because of it. They took that away at the Staples Center, but I think the fans were very knowledgeable of the game, and it became more of a fan brotherhood at Staples. The Pond to me was more of a "thing to do" more of a trend, and it was really geared to kids. The fans weren't as experienced as King fans. When I would go to the Pond, with all the shows and attractions, I felt like I was inside a Vegas slot machine rather at a hockey game.
Now during all this, the Kings were up and down, like many teams are, and I cheered on my team. Win or lose, good or bad, (more lose than win, more bad than good) and I guess with any team, and I think any fan might agree here, you LONG for the good. The Kings time is now, and I've been waiting 27ish years for this time. This is as much of a moment for me as it is with the organization. I've payed my dues just as much as they have, and to think the success they have made thus far (finals have yet to start) and how they are built now, I can't help but form a tear in my eye and smile from ear to ear thinking I had a small roll in getting here.
Ive been a fan since I was 10 and my dad made me sit down on a trip to the beach and watch the Kings and the Leafs in the WCF. I went out a few months later and spent my allowance on NHL 94 and never looked back. The sport put me in awe and set in motion what has been a mostly disappointing 20 years as a fan (aside from the 2001 Detroit series). Seeing as how its only been 20 yrs for me while several others have been around for over double that... I can understand the excitement.
As a long time Kings fan I grew tired of the way that various management groups would bring in players because of their name recognition and star power because they felt that is what the Kings needed to get noticed in LA.
The idea of lets just make the playoffs and then anything can happen was the mantra.
That all changed with Lombardi's arrival. Patience became the watch word. The Kings started hanging onto to draft picks and put their money into scouting and player development. Six years later it has finally paid off in a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, along with the possibility that this team can go on many deep playoff runs over the next 5-7 years. UFA signings and trades have been made, but for the most part it is the Kings home grown talent that is leading the way. It's been a lot of fun watching those kids grow up into bonifide NHL stars over the last 4-6 years.
As a fan I can't really ask for more than that. I just hope that as the inevitable changes occur at the top that the philosophy that currently is employed by management remains in place. Hextall or Futa would be excellent choices for GM someday.
Like many people in LA, I was a transplant from Detroit in 84. I remained loyal to my Wings, but considering nobody was broadcasting them in LA, the purple and gold became second. Back then there was very limited local hockey, and you would always run into lots of people from the clubs (all 6 or 8 of them in LA county). We all wore our club jackets so you could spot us everywhere, which wasn't hard considering the Forum was half full.
The old teams regularly were showing up at local rinks to interact with kids. I remember skating with Marcel Dionne, Anderson Hakansson, Bernie Nicholls, Mark Hardy and I can't remember much more.
There was always a celebrity charity game in Burbank, and there were celebrities and their kids at the local games too. I played against Michael Eisner's kids, Alyssa Milano used to come to my bantam games because she dated an opponent, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn were always at Bay Harbors watching their nephew or something.
When Gretzky came there was obviously a huge bandwagon. People don't often acknowledge the effect of rollerblades on hockey in LA, but it helped the Gretzky boom happen. When they first came out around 86 they beta tested rollerblades at the hockey camps (anyone remember McMeekan and Turcotte?).
I fell off the kings bandwagon when Gretzky came (because of all the bandwagoners), but over the years the organization has been great andkept on being interactive with the clubs, and the amount of hockey in socal has exploded.
I can tell you this...in 93 there were several teams and several players who trolled us so routinely that you never knew if you would win or lose. Toronto was scary with Gilmour, Vancouver was scary because they were so big, Calgary was scary because they had a lot of star forwards like Roberts and Fleury, all of that.
Ironically the first half of that regular season, the Kings were the most dominant team in all of hockey, even more than the 93 Penguins. That was with Gretzky on IR still. Then the Coffey trade happened, the Gilmour chop on Sandstrom, the injury to Mike Donnelly (I think) and suddenly our team sucked.
Then in the playoffs, the team was good enough by itself and in key games Gretzky was huge. But it was very shaky.
With the 2012 Kings team, I have never felt this confident about any team in the history of my 20+ years watching the NHL. The only one that comes close is that first Cup run by the Devils when they played the trap. I've seen a lot of talented rosters go down to better teams...1980 USSR to USA, 82 defending champs Oilers to Kings, 89 defending champs Oilers to Kings, 90 defending champs Flames to Kings, 01 Red Wings to Kings...
As a Team USA fan and a Kings fan, I know all about heavily favored teams losing to massive underdogs.
That being said, I have no worry of this with this Kings team. They will get it done against the Devils, who may be our weakest opponent we've faced this playoffs.
I've been a fan since 88. It's been a long bumpy road. Not sure what else to say. As bad as things got, as many bumps in the road there were, I always stood with my team. There's just something about the Kings. I guess every fan feels that way about their team, yes?
At any rate, I share the feeling that I am just waiting for the fail. Sucks to say that, but in all the years I've been a fan, I just come to expect it. So this year has been not only a surprise, but as others have said, surreal. I didn't expect this to happen so fast, nor in so few games. I'm hoping for the grand prize, but not so confidant to say that "it's ours!"
It would sure be sweet to win the cup though, finally.
Moved to Manhattan Beach in 1968 the summer before I turned 5 when my parents divorced. The next year, someone gave us tickets to go see this new sport called hockey. I loved the bright yellow uniforms and Butch Goring and Whitey Whiting. My favorite players were the goalies, Dennis DeJordy & Gerry DesJardins but I remember not being able to pronounce their names. My brothers would try to help me but I couldn't say them.
We were hooked. 1st my brothers and their friends would make sticks, then we started ordering street hockey equipment out of the Sears Catalog as no where in LA could you buy hockey stuff.
In 71, they made the Rogie trade and he was my idol. I used to put #30 on the back of all my tee shirts. We would sit in the Colonade and dream of being rich so we could sit in Loge. When we didn't get tickets, I used to watch road games on a 9 inch black & white tv about 2 inches away so I could follow the puck.
I remember when they were on the cover of Sports Illustrated and I thought they had arrived! I was sad when they lost those tough series to Toronto & Boston. Rogie was amazing and not being in HOF is a shame. He was as good as anyone in the league.
All through the Triple Crown Line, the Gretzky years, The run in 93. All amazing stuff. In the last 15 years, I just kind of realized that I was like the Cub fan. The Kings were Bums, but they were my Bums.
As my kids got older we started going to a few more games. We live 90 miles from Staples now so it was a haul but it became the thing we would do and my kids loved it. My daughter works at Staples so she and I go to a lot of games together. We have season seats now and go to as many games as we can. My kids are 26, 23 & 17 and I have gotten more satisfaction watching them enjoy this latest run than my own enjoyment. Even my wife gets it now how important this whole thing is to us. I got her a new puppy in December and we named him Kopi.
She & I were in Kauai for the 1st round games against Vancouver (My sons got to go to the home games!) and our entire trip was scheduled so I could be in a bar on game day at 4pm so I could watch the game, scream and jump up and down when we scored.
My sons and I road tripped it to Phoenix for game 2 (I threw my hat on the ice when Carter got #3) then drove right back home that night.
When Penner scored, We had a family hug on the couch and both my wife and I had tears in our eyes.
Cannot imagine what our reaction will be if we win this thing. I have not allowed myself to think that far ahead.
Part of me will be that 10 year old boy, the one who had that full size poster of Rogie above my bed, who went to sleep at night listening to Bob Miller and dreamed of Loge seats and Stanley Cups. Whatever the outcome, I am gonna enjoy it because as I can tell you, it doesn't happen very often for us die hard lifer King fans. Hope that changes!
Grew up poor in San Pedro, my dad struggling to pay off student loans as he studied architecture after leaving the service in Vietnam. Went to my first Kings game as 6 or 7 year old at the Fabulous Forum in the cheap seats, and snuck down to the lower bowl in time to see JP Kelly tie a game late against the North Stars, and was hooked ever since.
Spent nearly every single allowance at the only local Stop N' go that sold Topps NHL trading cards, trying to find a JP Kelly, being such a naive kid that no one in their right mind would make a JP Kelly card back then. I think the first French pronunciations I ever learned were Marcel Dionne and Andre St. Laurent.
The Kings, and eventually the NHL became my life-long passion. I've got a picture of myself in my high-school yearbook from the late 80's in my Ulf Samuelsson jersey pretending to trash a freshman. Cancelled a prom date to catch a Kings/Flames playoff game one year.
It's been a struggle, never really thinking that this would happen and trying to build an understanding of what it takes and wondering why previous management groups could never put it together. 1993 never seemed "real" - it was store-bought with stolen money, a collection of players from another franchise who had already won, with just a few "real" Kings sprinkled in. It was as though the LA kings were rented out for a few years, then returned to us when the fervor died down.
This year is why so many of us have been so patient with what Lombardi has been trying to do, and why we have argued so hard in favor of his plan with the out-of-marketers who didn't understand why they didn't go for a quicker fix.
This is our team, for the first time EVER developed from within, along with players acquired from the picks earned from those hard to stomach years.
It hasn't been easy, but it's always been worth it. I hope this is our year, finally, and that the others who have waited as long and thru as much turmoil and mismanagement get their turns as well. It's why those clowns who bash Phoenix for their small fanbase are the worst kind of hypocrite - they also have fans who dedicate as much of their lives to their teams as those of the more successful franchises. Sure, there might not be as many, but it doesn't discount their hopes and dreams as well.
I started as a Kings fan in 1973 (and despite what that nasty lying piece of plastic passing off as a license says...I'm STILL 39) and it was a game on KHJ that sparked me in being a lifelong KINGS fan... I think it was about 1975 that I truly had KINGS hockey flowing through my veins and even getting to know the rules a lot better...
I was there for most of the glory days of the Great Western Forum (and even went to about 200 games during that time...some of which I ditched classes in order to make the games in time)... Sadly...no playoff games...but I was there in spirit and watching on the boob tube...
I'm sad to say that since the Staples Center opened...I've only been to two games (both losses in OT)...and even moved to Vegas for health reasons in 2003... YET the love for my Kings did not die down... Through thick and thin...being called the Redney Dangerfield of hockey fans...I gutted it out along with the rest of the diehards...though from a slight distance...
I'm probably one of the few Kings bell ringer fanatics out there every Christmas season with THE Salvation Army and if you hear a LET'S GO KINGS chant out of me...it's sincere...
I also may not agree with every move the Kings make...but the worst ones are the ones that I'll keep harping on until they're gone...
1987 here. My Dad used to take me to Lakers games with his company's tickets. I caught a Kings game on tv and was hooked. After a lot of begging my first game was a game against the Oilers. The next offseason, the Gretzky trade happened. I really thought '91 was the year. I was also a senior in HS and it would have been a cool bang bang and they were out on the first round. '93 still hurts. 94-96 was like watching your team slowly going down the toilet in a slow death like rotting in the sarlaac's belly.
As much as I hate our ownership, I have to thank them for finally sticking to a rebuild and spending to that cap. I've been Tim Lieweike's biggest critic and I saw him on the day of Game 4 and didn't mercilessly beat him with his own shoe(baby steps).
I've watched at least 70 games a year since '93 and oh if they can pull this off!!!!
I've worn the same clothes for every playoff game; my first Kings jersey ever, a Chevy logo Starter jersey that I bought in High School with a Mike Richards shirt underneath.
I live in "Leafsnation" but I have been a fan since the mid 80's probably around the time Simmer was dealt to Boston and Bernie Nicholls began establishing himself with the Kings.
Something about watching games on HNIC from the dimly lit Great Western Forum and the seeing those purple and gold uniforms had me hooked not to mention seeing guys like Dionne, Taylor, Fox, etc.
Also, always opening a pack of OPC hockey and when I got a King I would put it aside from the pile of the rest of the cards.
There obviously have been a lot of tough years as any King fan would know and especially the ones that have followed this team longer so a Cup win would be special. The 1993 ride was great especially beating the Leafs in 7 but this year does not compare to that one, it just feels different and this team is a better one then the 93' edition.
Right now I am just enjoying the ride. GO KINGS GO!
I have been a Kings fan since I was freakin' born in LA in 92' wearing my little kings socks. I have been to so many levels of hockey games from Culver City to Easy Street Ice Arena to The Great Western Forum, and I have actually played hockey myself for over 10 years. I live, breathe, and eat hockey. I had season tickets in the 2006 season, which was arguably the worst season the Kings have ever had, and I was even happy about the Dan Cloutier move way back then. Seen them lose so much, lose so much more than they have won.
Veteran Kings fans know what it means to feel like ****, I am one, and we are used to losing. I can't even imagine what the few Kings fans since '67 are feeling right now. These playoffs honestly still have me very numb, and I can hardly believe I will be watching my team compete in the finals for the first time ever (as I mentioned I was 1 year old when we were first in the finals). This team is special, and I can't exactly put my finger on what makes them so special. Jonathan Quick is a god, I know that is one of the many reasons why, and our 4th line has been so incredible.
I'm so excited for this series, and I really hope it will be some of the best hockey I have ever seen! I do not think either team will fall easily, and it will definitely go 6 or 7 games.
I don't have the tenure that a lot of Kings fans have, but I've seen my share. I was brought not only to the Kings, but to hockey itself, by Gretzky. Not the trade -- I heard about it, but wasn't really a fan of the sport at the time, and was too young to understand why it was such a big deal. But seeing the OT of Game Six of the Campbell Conference Finals in 1993 on TV made me realize what an amazing thing the game was -- and Gretzky's OT game-winner (and series extender) is what made me start paying attention to the sport as a whole. I intellectually knew that the team had never made it past the 2nd round before, and that this was the first SCF ever for them, but since it was my first year as a fan, it wasn't as _ingrained_ in me how special a moment it was.
I started out spoiled -- I started out bandwagoning (truly, the sheer definition thereof) for a team that made the SCF, and was supposedly within an illegal stick call of WINNING it (in addition to the penalty shot that should have been awarded in OT of Game Three, but that's a topic for another time). Then they lost. Then they kept losing. And losing. And losing.
The Kings didn't have another playoff game for five years after the SCF loss. I was at their first home playoff game since that loss -- and that was the infamous Courtnall/Storr incident, and I was furious. So, the team was swept out of the playoffs.
...and the team kept losing. And kept losing. And kept losing. I started to understand that this was going to be like when I cheered for the Texas Rangers in baseball growing up in terms of frustration and never really being in a place where a legitimate challenge for a title could be raised. There was a moment of hope with the turnaround and series win in 2001, but the Game Seven exit in round two and the return to form just continued to depress me. Thankfully, during the years from 1995 to 2003, I had the San Diego Gulls WCHL team to fall back on -- five titles in eight years.
Then 2003 came along. I hated the Ucks from the moment they were founded - mostly from having a resentment of how Disney uses childhood to force-feed an agenda of corporate greed, and how they were allowed to name a major-league team after a frakkin' kids movie. When they went to the SCF, I was devastated -- especially when they won a second game in the SCF (which my Kings had NEVER managed to do). When it went to Game Seven, I thanked my lucky stars that the Ucks were still held without that ultimate prize.
And the Kings kept losing.
Then the Ucks won in 2007. I declared a personal boycott on the NHL. It was so unacceptable that they had lifted the chalice before my Kings, that I had to rebuke the NHL. Not just not pay any money for NHL games, but just not even watch them, not even pay attention. I still followed hockey, but minor league -- the ECHL while it lasted in San Diego (2003-2006), and to a lesser extent nearby (Long Beach until 2007, Ontario when they came into the league) -- the AHL when I was on the road for work. But the NHL was banned for me, until the Kings finished ahead of the Ucks in the standings (and hopefully, with the Ucks out of the playoffs).
It took a couple of years, but I finally came back around. Got to see NHL games in Montreal, Calgary, and Dallas with my job's travel schedule from 2010 on (once the Kings regained playoff status).
But the Kings kept being that middle-of-the-road, one-round fizzle team. I was convinced it was going to be that way forever. That at least the Cubs had won ONCE, even if it was over 100 years ago... and the Kings could very easily go 100 years of existence without even another third-round appearance, from what it felt like to me.
And then, there was the end-of-season climb out of 12th into a playoff spot (and even a potential Pacific Division title). And then the Canucks series. This -- this is unreal. Every win is unreal. Every moment is unreal.
Late 80’s/Early 90’s. I had grown up playing baseball and soccer, mostly in West Los Angeles. My younger brother began to watch a ton of Prime Ticket and he started to really love hockey. He got me hooked as well, and we both learned the game from Bob Miller. The Kings had some really great years, from ’91 to ’93. Going to Game 6 against Toronto ensured that I would be a fan for life. I borrowed a pair of roller blades from a friend and skated for hours every afternoon after school, so I could connect with the sport more. I started to play roller hockey regularly at UCLA and Santa Monica Beach. And my love for the sport (and the for the Kings) strengthened each year, even though the franchise got weaker. I eventually learned how to ice skate and began playing on ice, and do so to this day - mostly because of how much I enjoyed watching Kings games early on.
I have followed every Kings season for over 20 years, and every single one has ended similarly, in disappointment. I have great memories, Game 4 against Detroit in 2001 is probably the best to date. Got to watch Gretzky, Luc and Palffy; Blake and Norstrom. Even heartbreakers like the Montreal series in ’93 and the Blues in ’98 and the Avs in ’01 and ’02 were still rewarding, while being devastating at the same time.
But I always thought of myself as a fan of two different things: 1) The Kings and 2) Ice Hockey. Being a fan of the Kings meant finding pleasure in small victories. A single Norris trophy, Gretzky’s career milestones, and one year of Allison-Palffy-Deader being one of the two best lines in the league. Then the Kings would exit the stage and I could watch other franchises play hockey at its highest level and compete for the Cup. And I would always enjoy watching the SC Final, but without a rooting interest. It was just because I loved the sport, but it was void of any emotion. Back in the mid-90’s, I used to say that I loved watching Kings games more than anything. But I would occasionally turn on a Red Wings game if I really wanted to see good hockey (and I, of course, hated the Red Wings, so it was brutal).
This season, suddenly, those two worlds have collided. And it’s surreal. I thought it was going to take a lot more time. I knew the Kings had the pieces in place to possibly make a Cup run at some point (maybe), but nobody thought it would be this year, especially after the way things got started this season. But to watch this group of guys come together, click, and deliver to these fans a team that, for the first time ever, is elite from top to bottom, is something I didn’t ever think was possible. Now, I can finally get everything in a single game!
Take it from me, the Kings bandwagon may be full, but there are a ton of people who have been here for the long haul.
I have been a Kings fan since their second game in team history in 1967. My dad received some tickets from a friend. The game was played at the Long Beach Arena because the Forum was not yet ready. The Kings played the Minn Northstars and won, I believe 4 to 3. The Kings have come a long way from the days of Bill Flett, Eddie Joyal, Real Lemieux, Bill White, the players I grew up watching. I sure hope the Kings win the cup this year, and I think they will.
Wow, seems like a lot of fans got on around the same time, 89-90. Born in 84 so I won't pretend I watched hockey when I was a baby but my family watched the Kings religiously after the Gretzky trade. My older brother who had moved out would come over for dinner every televised game day, cause back then we weren't so fortunate and a lot of games were radio only.
Have fond memories of listening to Nick Nickson also on trips back from San Diego. I've been addicted ever since. Remember Webbie throwing the stick at Fraser. Remember going up to Blu-Jay for Kings training camp at the Ice Castle in the McNall days. Even have a stick given to me by Daniel Berthiaume signed by a few Kings. Remember meeting McSorley, Blake, Waters, Kudelski, McIntire.
This year is awesome and compares very greatly to 92-93. That series with the Leafs and the original doughnut boy, Pat Burns is what I remember most.
2012 Championship Stories from Kings Fans - What it Means to You [Merged]
I became a kings fan in 88 at the age of 10. Didn't know who Gretzky was or his past. Didn't know much about hockey. I loved that team and most of all Gretz. Hockey literally became a huge part of my life from that point on. I have been playing for 20 odd years now and the people I have met and the bonds I have made through hockey (for me) are a big part due to Gretzky coming to LA. It is in my blood now, a part of my DNA.
The Stanley cup run in 93 was magical and I was crushed when we lost. I was heart broken when we started trading away our future Hall of Famers and beloved players after McNall. I suffered thro those lean years. I had renewed hope with Palffy and Co. I jumped for joy when Kopi slid down to us in the draft. Felt blessed when Doughty was there at #2. I was amazed when this afterthought goalie named Quick came up and cemented the goalie position.
I have different feelings and emotions from my first love (Gretzky era) when everything was new and full of wonder. I am older now and have 20 odd years of perspective. My understanding is deeper. I can only relate it to a marriage. My early infatuation isn't as intense but my love is more true and much deeper now for the Kings and hockey.
Seeing so many old players, thinking on so many past memories, being grateful for Bob and Jim and their shaping of my hockey understanding. It got me thinking of how great this truly is. I was also thinking of those who have been fans way before my time and how happy I am for them and grateful for their support of LA. I firmly believe that some fan bases just need it any given particular year, and at the right time with a little mercy and grace, they get to experience that joy. Sport is not the end all be all and nor should it be, but it can be a beautiful poetic distraction from the harsh realities of this world. It is a worthy thing to enjoy.
I post this now because I am leaving town for a week and wont have much access to the hfboards. Not trying to be a jinx but I wanted to say thanks to all of you for sharing this great run and this great team with me. One more game. One more game. Get it done boys.
Came to follow the Kings as my Western Conference team with the start of the Gretzky era. My first adult hockey jersey was the white Kings one my college housemates bought for me on my birthday. Still one of my favorites jerseys to date.
During grad school my wife wore my black version for good luck during big tests.
As an Isles/Kings fan I watched both my franchises flounder for long stretches. When Lombardi chose the Kings over the Isles it was bittersweet as I knew Lombardi was a good GM. The Kings can thank Wang for that one I am sure.
Lombardi and the Kings have provided a blueprint on how a five year plan should work for a rebuild. The Kings should be a force for a long time.
This playoff run has been truly awesome and memorable. Although I have game 5 tickets I will not be sad if the series ends on Wed.
2012 Championship Stories from Kings Fans - What it Means to You
It's time to admit that I misjudged the quality of the team that Dean Lombardi assembled. Based on their regular season play, I figured that they would get stomped in the playoffs, but I was wrong - and absolutely thrilled to be wrong!
This team smashed so many truisms on their way to the Cup that it almost can't be believed - 8th seed / bottom dwelling offense / "get into the playoffs and anything can happen", etc. It is all just so unbelieveable that if it just didn't happen in real life everyone would think that it was a fantasy.
As a result, I formally apologize to Dean Lombardi for most of the things that I said This should be an excellent team for years to come (unless the salary cap and/or injuries get in the way)
... and just so that you don't think that I'm going too mushy here, I'd like those who insisted that I wouldn't be happy with a Stanley Cup victory to see that I couldn't be any more happy or thrilled!
It's time to admit that I misjudged the quality of the team that Dean Lombardi assembled. Based on their regular season play, I figured that they would get stomped in the playoffs, but I was wrong - and absolutely thrilled to be wrong!
This team smashed so many truisms on their way to the Cup that it almost can't be believed - 8th seed / bottom dwelling offense / "get into the playoffs and anything can happen", etc. It is all just so unbelieveable that if it just didn't happen in real life everyone would think that it was a fantasy.
As a result, I formally apologize to Dean Lombardi for most of the things that I said This should be an excellent team for years to come (unless the salary cap and/or injuries get in the way)
... and just so that you don't think that I'm going too mushy here, I'd like those who insisted that I wouldn't be happy with a Stanley Cup victory to see that I couldn't be any more happy or thrilled!
It's a GREAT day to be a Kings fan!
Your balls....in your avatar have gone missing!!!
Enjoy the moment bud. Lots of us who have sat through this team for decades can now proudly sit back and say, we are the Stanley Cup Champions!
I love you all. Congratulations to everyone. You deserve a pat on the back more than just about anyone PSP for your tenure and sticking with this team all the way. Enjoy it. I look forward to many more debates over future deals and moves we make, but for now all anyone should be concerned with is being Stanley Cup Champions! WOOHOO!!
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"It has not been a good day. I lost my glasses early this morning and I had to go buy a pair of 79 dollar reading glasses today. 79 bucks. You can literally get them at Costco, three-for-20." - Darryl Sutter's response to going up 2-0 in the series.
you all!!!
