One Down, Three to Go(al)
The Ducks have waddled one step closer to the Stanley Cup.
A 3-2 win in Game 1 sent 18,000 Anaheim Ducks of Anaheim fans home in a tizzy. Of course, the other 9,982,000 citizens in the Los Angeles area are probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
If they even noticed.
You can get the details of the actual game anywhere. How the Senators ran out of steam in the third period. How the Ducks came out and punished everything in sight. How 5 on 5 the Ducks carried the play and killed a key 5 on 3. How it was a very entertaining hockey game...
But I want to talk about the national anthems.
The Ducks brought in some smokin' hot blonde to belt out a fabulous rendition of "O Canada". Very talented. This girl is going places. The next big sensation!
In fact, I believe she could be a star with her mouth closed. With mouth open, the sky's the limit.
Then, someone decided to de-thaw and wheel out Stephen Stills to perform the American national anthem. Steve is apparently a two-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Let's just say last night's performance will not qualify him for a third trip to Cleveland.
I'm sure Mr. Stills has a fabulous mind for music. And perhaps he once had a great voice. But listening to him butcher arguably the best national anthem in the world was a travesty.
I had to turn away.
Oh, and then the Ducks trotted out the Governator. That was awesome. Arnie looked like he had no idea what was going on. I bet he was waiting for some maniac goaltender wielding a sharpened metal goalie stick to try and take his head off. Ten bucks says he was checking to see if there was barbed wire handy.
He also dropped the ceremonial first puck to open the series. Seeing Arnold hold a puck was amusing. I got the feeling he was looking for a pin to pull on the damn thing and heave it into the crowd of insurgent Canadians.
All in all it was an enjoyable opening game to the Stanley Cup Finals. The home team had one memorable shift where the Senators were being pounded all over the ice and the crowd was brought to a raucous apex. The fevered frenzy might have been a result of the great work of the home team, or perhaps Californians just like the concept of beating the shit out of senators.
The Ducks deserved that win. Full marks for the third period comeback and a bruising physical presence. Solid goal tending, depth of scoring and a great team commitment rounded out a complete effort by the home side.
Now if they can only find someone to sing the bloody national anthem.
AP photo by Bruce Bennett who must be very tiny to get into the net during gameplay