Or something. Unlike Bird, I did not see the game at the St Pete Arena. I watched it on TV. Or someone slipped me a micky. Or hit me on the head withn a frying pan. In any event, the papers are all full of bad lightning puns today so I'm assuming they grabbed the cup and bolted. Sutter meanwhile is extremely upset that Gary Bettman hired a thug to knee-cap the girl singing the Canadian National Anthem but, as he was not able to back up his accusations, Bettman was allowed to skate which was priceless as he chose the score to Jurassic park, complete with roaring dinosaurs, for his music and then broke a lace and had to stop in the middle of his routine and ask for a do-over.

In any event, Bird will surely be along later today with pictures which should be more fun than the game itself. Meanwhile, The Hockey Rodent is so despondant at Calagry's loss that he's handing his column over to DSS Jim.

Leedsy kept a running diary of last night's game. As with anything written by Leedsy, it's not to be read while drinking coffee. Here's a sample:

Gary Thorne, Bill Clement, and the venerable John Davidson recap the two Conn Smythe finalists, Jarome Iginla and Brad “Boy Band” Richards. Two of the game’s best, no question. Even their playoffs beards are going whisker to whisker. Richards looks like a gay warewolf, while Iggy's sporting the patchy "Bubbles the crack addict in The Wire" look.

It just gets better from there.

There are articles all over the web. All the Bolts articles and videos you could ever want are here. Calgary does not get a link because they lost. (Harsh I know but history is written by the winners and Modin sent me an email to let me know that Iginla crapped his pants during game 6.)

Larry Brooks wins the award for best pun of the day and gives a nod and a wink to the fact that Hockeybird and Rustybird were in attendence when he says, "The Stanley Cup is going to the Early Bird special." Rock on Larry.

The New York Times thought now would be a good time to depress the crap out of you. If there is no season next fall, Bird, Rocha and I will be covering the 1968-69 season here on the front page so stay tuned for that.

Finally, Bridget Wentworth had a Ranger article last Fruiday which I don't think we linked to. I like Bridget. A LOT. Anyway, not too much new in there but, for people who like to hear what Hugh Jessiman has to say or get the latest on Blackburn (he's working out), there you go.

Well, I'm going to go celebrate the Lightning's win by enjoying the Florida weather here in Vermont. Congratulations to both teams who demonstrated that youth, hard work and discipline are the formula for success and that little engines can in the NHL.

-- Rightbug

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