One Dumb Tradition Down
Well, thank goodness for Sidney Crosby.
The Kid ended (hopefully) one of the truly moronic semi-traditions in hockey Tuesday night after the Pittsburgh Penguins clinched the Eastern Conference crown by sweeping the Carolina Hurricanes.
In recent years, team after team had declined even to touch the trophies for winning the Eastern or Western Conference, with the silly excuse being "that wasn't the trophy they wanted" in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Even Crosby bought into it last year when the Pens won the east. But Tuesday night, he gratefully accepted the Prince of Wales Trophy from NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly, then carried it away into the arms of his joyous teammates.
And not one of them was struck by lightning from the hockey gods. Of course, if the Penguins don't win the Cup, some dope will blame Crosby for taking the trophy.
It's a terrific accomplishment to win one of the NHL conferences, and a trophy is a suitable reward that teams and players should embrace, not ignore. Even better, it was evidence of the fact Crosby thinks for himself, rather than robotically following whatever hockey tradition "purists" believe should be followed.
Now, we'll see what the Red Wings do Wednesday night if they clinch against Chicago.
Hopefully they'll follow the example of The Kid.
Tabber,
What does your ridiculous, inconsequential rant even have to do with what Damien is writing? Cox writes his opinions and expects responses - good and bad - that's why the Star has this feature.
If anyone is an unconscionable whiner, it's you.
Posted by: Conn Smythe | May 28, 2009 at 07:36 AM
Funny how someone who calls himself The Hater would describe Sidney Crosby as a racist and the biggest cancer in the NHL. Either he's trying to act ironic, or he needs help in life.
Posted by: chris | May 28, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Damien, of course you would like Cindy Crosby. This final lacks any toughness - the season, for me ended last night. Also, I'm finding increasing ambivalence around anything NHL ... Thanks to Gary Bettman (seemingly, a good friend of yours?). It's people like Bettman, Daly and MLSE that crush fan spirit.
All the best
Posted by: Lance, Mississauga | May 28, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Considering it has been 25 Years(!) since any team has returned to the finals after losing the first time around ('84 Oilers), this is hardly a heroic act by Crosby. It would seem stupid to repeat a superstition that 'made' you lose. All he is doing is creating a new superstition - the kind that started that 'dumb' one to begin with.
Posted by: Steve C. | May 28, 2009 at 10:10 AM
Hockey fans, on average, are never happy unless they whine or cry or complain about something. Tabber is right, and "Conn Smythe" just proves it. Hockey fans must have miserable likes to complain like this.
Posted by: chris | May 28, 2009 at 10:41 AM
Everyone is entitled to their opinions, right or wrong. Whether you're whining about egos, superstitions or people who whine, thats what this is here for ....... to 'post a comment'. Cheers.
Posted by: Dannyboy | May 29, 2009 at 09:38 AM
Except that puckheads, on average, tend to leave their brains behind when they 'post a comment'. That's why we point out their mindfarts. Have a nice day.
Posted by: chris | May 29, 2009 at 06:19 PM