90 minutes until the puck drops...Will Wilkes Brarre take a second Win?

Powderhornhockey
There was joy a plenty in Mudville last night. Local hero and goalie mighty Curry far from struck out, with the score a tenuous 3:2 he hung on and denied the Wolves over time. In short the Wilkes Brarre Penguins tasted victory for the first time in the Calder Cup Finals.

The game was not without it's controversies, first referee Dean Morton awarded Chicago 28 minutes for 10 infractions, Wilkes Brarre-Scranton 14 minutes for 7 infractions. Possibly a bit lopsided, however worth nothing more than a raised eyebrow. But it is worth mentioning with 4 minutes left in the game Chicago Center Andre Deveaux was again singled out when he was cross checked into the glass by WBS Ryan Stone and lay on the ice motionless for by my count 20 seconds. Referee Dean Morton had a clear sight line 1/2 way to the blue line, on the same side of the ice. Maybe his head was turned, his attention was else where, however as Deveaux was within a few feet of the puck the lack of a call is is glaring. Andre Deveaux did not return to action for the rest of the game. Tonight Brian Pochmara will be the main man in stripes, in the best of all possible worlds Candide, Dave Andrews would open his wallet and spring for another referee to partner him on the ice. Well, we can live in hope.

This morning my favorite collegiate nettie Larissa Gazinski and her mother Kristine called from Wilkes Brarre with the local news. They report it is hot, hot, hot with a lack of air conditioning in the local hotel rooms. Ouch! The crowds at the Wachovia Center largely have been knowledgeable and friendly with the expected idiots mixed in. Most of the local fans seemed to think the series was over as the game started last night. With many of the numbered 6718 fans coming dressed as blue seats. Yet as the game wore on these same depressed fans created such a din my friends "ears were still ringing" from all the noise. Now that's the 7th man I have heard so much about! They had to cut their conversation short as they had to check out this morning. It seems all the visitors including the Wolves will be leaving right after the game, all hotel rooms in WSB and Scranton are going to be filled with NASCAR fans and a local event. Hope they like it hot.

Lastly on a personal note a Wilkes Brarre-Scranton journalist and blogger Jonathan Bombulie is reporting that he is the last " professional hockey beat writers in North America who covered a game on opening night in October and are still covering games on June 7. Go me. (Thanks for the plug, Mike)." Woops, hate to burst your bubble Johnathan but there are at least two other hockey beat writers still standing. Kissaine and I cover our favorite sport as you all know for the Chitowndailynews.com as well as our own blogs. Do I need to mention that our season started for the last two years in September at the Redwings Rookie Tournament and not at an opening game in the middle of October? Ah, the pond is much bigger than the east and those that cover it, wake up and smell the West boys!