Memorial Day Weekend Musings

We're well into Memorial Day Weekend and the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are both well on their way to sweeping into the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year. The Wings beat the young Hawks handily yesterday, even without the services of Nick Lidstrom, Kris Draper and Lady Byng nominee Pavel Datsyuk, due to injury. HM didn't see the game as I was in Philly for a hockey tournament. The boys' team played hard and lost the finals to a team made up of kids one year up in age (and with a ginormous 6-ft. goalie)! Apparently, things got completely out of hand in the Wings/Hawks game and Chicago coach Joel Quenneville was dealt with a $10,000 fine for quipping about the officiating, stating: "I think we witnessed probably the worst call in the history of sports there. Nothing play."

"You know, they scored, it's 3-0. They ruined a good hockey game and absolutely destroyed what was going on the ice. ... Never seen anything like it." Game 5 might get uglier for the Hawks, if that's even possible. Watch the headhunting Hawks, and concentrate on playing your game.

Meanwhile, the Caps' much-disliked rivals, the Penguins, continue to roll against the Hurricanes, who were downgraded to a tropical depression after Saturday night's 6-2 thrashing. HM was blown away by Geno Malkin's over the shoulder goal (one of hat trick three) the other night. I am in agreement with Caps Chick in that if the Pens should hoist the Cup this year, Caps' faithful will be able to say that we stayed the course with the reigning champs (with the exception of Game 7 - but I'm going to take a sip of my poolside mojito and block that game out of my thoughts). Uncle Ted has some interesting musings of his own on the Capitals' 2008-2009 season and their fabulous future.

And a huge Hockey Mom bear hug to our own Hershey Bears, who are advancing to the Calder Cup Finals for the third time in four years after a 5-2 victory over the Providence Bruins! Spitfire Chris Bourque earned Player of the Game honors. But a sure highlight had to be the empty netter from my favorite Quintin Laing to nail it. Laing made an amazing comeback after missing 8-weeks due to a torn spleen he suffered in his one game this season as a Washington Capital! Stay tuned hockey fans to see who the Caps' gritty farm club will face in the Finals and congrats again to the Bears...

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day and make sure to remember those who lost their lives bravely serving this great country and pray for those who are currently serving!