T’was the Night Before Stanley

Here I sit in the dark, staring at this blinking cursor in disbelief. My new daughter, Caroline, is out cold – dreaming of ripping a wicked wrister top drawer to win an Olympic Gold Medal. MOL is dreaming of the day when I no longer look like a crazy Amish hockey fan exiled from the village for my refusal to utilize modern shaving technologies. Or wear pants. I’m thinking, naturally of the Boston Bruins, and the looming spectre of game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

To say I’m excited is an obvious understatement. I was not yet alive in 1972, the last time they won the Cup, but I remember my father speaking in hushed tones and with reverence when uttering the names of Cashman, Orr, Esposito and Cheevers. Gone from the chilly playing surface are those mighty men, but time and destiny have replaced them suitably with the likes of Lucic, McQuaid, Marchand, Bergeron and Recchi. This is a team that can, and will, repeat history tomorrow night – with or without their jaw-dropping home ice advantage. This is a team capable of bringing Lord Stanley’s sacred vessel back to 100 Causeway Street.

The local team has the weight of the world, or at least a blood-thirsty and slightly overweight fan base, on their shoulders. In my beyond-fevered mind, and those of many other faithful Boston fans, the team is now charged with some lofty expectations – Winning the big game for my father (who I would have thoroughly enjoyed watching this amazing playoff run with) and every other dearly departed Bruins fan. Bringing a love and respect for hockey back to an original six city that’s become awash with a disproportionate number of Sox and Pats fans. Walking on water. Curing cancer. It’s tense. It’s big.

As I type the 2010-2011 Bruins are preparing themselves in Vancouver, waiting for the chance to have their names etched on that holiest of holy hockey grails. For some, like the ageless Mark Recchi, it’s probably the last kick of the can. Players from Tyler Seguin’s generation can hopefully look forward to many more long June runs wearing the black and gold. The anticipation of what is about to take place has driven me to a level of nervousness I don’t think I’ve ever reached. I feel like I’m anticipating actually suiting up and PLAYING in game 7. I can’t imagine what the boys in BC are feeling right now.

So, my words for the Bruins now are this – Do it for Jim Cornett. Do it for all the other long suffering Bruins fans. We’re behind you. We always have been, and always will be. Finish them off for everyone fighting for our country today with a Bruins pin on their body armor. Do it for Nathan Horton, who as an aside looks fantastic for a guy dealing with the type of injury he has. Do it for all the parents and coaches that helped get you to the NHL. But mostly – do it for yourselves. You have reached the ultimate goal for a hockey player. Now, realize the dream and win it all. Believe.