I realize how late this is

They say that a win is a win is a win. I couldn’t agree more with this notion. In the days of victories that are deemed ‘ugly’ or ‘easy,’ I believe that sports fans as a whole have devalued many contests for one reason or another.
Likewise, I believe that a championship is a championship is a championship. As far too many overlooked what the Pittsburgh Penguins did in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals to win the NHL crown.
I’ll be the first to admit it; hockey is losing interest in the United States. Even I was a bit surprised when I found myself tuned into the deciding championship game of a sport that had locked out its players just a few years ago. But then I realized why I was so enthralled in the match-up that I honestly knew nothing about, because it was the big game of what is still a major sport. No, it wasn’t game seven of the NBA Finals or the World Series, and it certainly wasn’t the Super Bowl, but it was still a sport, one that should be appreciated and respected.
Not only should true sports fans have tuned into the last hockey game of the season if only just for the sake of watching a new champion crowned, but the game itself was amazing. The Penguins led 2-0 in the third period, even without star player Sydney Crosby for a short time in the second. But the Red Wings were determined to come back, scoring a goal of their own with just enough time to make it interesting.
And make it interesting they did.
In the final three minutes of play, there were more than several shots that could have tied the game. I thought for sure that Detroit’s surge at the end would be enough to force a thrilling overtime. However Pittsburgh’s goalie held strong, and finished out a wonderful 23 out of 24 save performance, although with some help from the bar on the back of the net. The drama continued until the final seconds, as a face off right in front of the Penguin’s goal and two ensuing shots on goal kept my breath held until the final buzzer sounded.
Then came the celebration; that’s what unifies all major sports. No matter if it’s football, baseball, basketball, or hockey, the pure joy displayed when it’s all said and done says it all. The Pittsburgh Penguins worked hard for the honor of being the recipients of the Stanley Cup, the franchise changed coaches midway through the regular season. For a team to do that and still go on to win the championship is rare in any sport.
As Crosby and the entire Penguin team hoisted their coveted prize, I could only think of one thing. The city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania seems to be dominating sports championships as of late with the Steelers in the NFL, and the Penguins in the NHL. Now, if only they could get the Pirates on board.
-Jeremy Sharp
6/15/09