The Fight Begins

So as of 10 minutes ago, Brian Rafalski scored the first playoff goal for the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of Western semi-finals. And as promised, here's a brief history of the Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup has been around since 1893 and is the oldest trophy in North America that is still competed for by professional athletes. It is named in honor of a late Governor General of Canada who was known as Lord Stanley, Earl of Preston. That's quite a fancy name to be associated with such a gritty game but nonetheless, the Stanley Cup has an amazing history. It's so exciting to see a team win the cup and there's such history and ritual behind which member of the winning team gets to skate the cup the first. Being a hockey mom of twins, it was too cool to see the Duck's captain Scott Neidermayer be the first one to skate with the cup last year and then hand it over to his younger brother Rob. I can't imagine what their mom must have been feeling!

The other cool thing about the cup is that each member of the winning team gets to take the cup for a week. Kind of like "Flat Stanley," this thing gets to go to some amazing places. There are so many things you can do with the cup too: drink champagne out of it, bathe your kids in it, whip up a batch of margaritas in it- the list is endless! Should Pittsburgh win the cup this year, the first thing I'd like to see is Sid the Kid take a bath in it. Now, you all get your minds out of the gutter! Sid the Kid is a new baby penguin at the Pittsburgh Zoo:

http://www.post-gazette.com/multimedia/?videoid=100408

I also wanted to share a super fun book - especially for the new female hockey fan. Lisa Ovens is the kind of gal you want to go out for pomegranate margaritas with and she also happens to be a huge hockey fan who diligently follows the Vancouver Canucks! Lisa has written the zaniest book about hockey from a fun, female perspective that is a must-read! Here is Lisa's web site where you can order her book:

http://www.hockeyandhighheels.com/

Lisa, you rock! Please look me up if you're ever in Caps town!

I have to run to catch the rest of the game now. More tomorrow on Eastern conference Game 1. Sweet puck dreams to you all!

HockeyMom in VA