The Hockey Dream

The morning After

The Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup champions. Sounds great doesn't it?

Riding in the cab to the Philadelphia Airport, itching to get back home and share in the celebration with all the people of Chicago who have stood by this team and this sport. Sharing the ride with Mark Giangreco and Ryan Chiaverini who've worked such long hours bringing this story home to you.

For a boy from Canada, who now proudly calls Chicago home, being able to tell you about your Stanley Cup winner is a dream come true. We watched the players carry that chalice around as the embodiment of their dreams -- and I can't help but think those images will fire up the imaginations of another generation.

When your team wins a championship, it feels like anything is possible. In Chicago, that's our reality now.

Going back to Philly

I am getting ready for a return trip to Philadelphia.

After Chicago's stupendous, self-actualizing victory in game five Sunday night, the Blackhawks have a chance to win Lord Stanley's cup with a similar effort Wednesday.

There is no doubt in my mind Chicago is the better team in this series. But hockey is a sport where often a more determined foe can win a game over a superior squad through heart.

The heart to ask a winded body to push harder on the upper legs for accleration that results in getting to an open puck faster. The heart for a defenceman to jump into an offensive rush and go deep in the offensive zone to make a play happen -- and then get back. The heart to block a shot with a part of the body not well-covered by equipment.

The Hawks did all of this Sunday night and more. Now they must approach game 6 with the same sense of urgency, and grind the Flyers down with good passing and lunch-bucket shooting on net to make Stanley Cup dreams a reality.

I'll be at Wachovia Center Wednesday and it will be crazy no matter the outcome. We've asked for police protection.

Game 2 -- Chicago 2, Philly 1

That was power hockey all around last night. And you can't win the Stanley Cup without a hot goaltender. And that's what we have.

Just arrived in Philadelphia to cover games 3 and 4 and the ribbing starts with the car rental shuttle bus driver.

He says I better get rid of my Blackhawks bowling shirt if I want to get out of Philly alive. This as we plot our way out of the airport, headed to Chickie's and Pete's, ostensibly Philadelphia's premier sports bar.

It will be interesting to walk in there in the hours after lunch but before the post-work crowd. There might be some bruised feelings being nursed.

I'm live at 6:00 and 10:00pm tonight with my reports. That's offered hopefully.

Ravi

That was power hockey all around last night. And you can't win the Stanley Cup without a hot goaltender. And that's what we have.

Just arrived in Philadelphia to cover games 3 and 4 and the ribbing starts with the car rental shuttle bus driver.

He says I better get rid of my Blackhawks bowling shirt if I want to get out of Philly alive. This as we plot our way out of the airport, headed to Chickie's and Pete's, ostensibly Philadelphia's premier sports bar.

It will be interesting to walk in there in the hours after lunch but before the post-work crowd. There might be some bruised feelings being nursed.

I'm live at 6:00 and 10:00pm tonight with my reports. That's offered hopefully.

Ravi