It's Getting Better

Okay, this photo might need some context...

I was out for the evening on a Sunday, trying to find some last-minute groceries before my stomach rebelled. I knew that there was a game that night, but a part of me wondered if it would be worth my time to see the whole thing after an early goal was let in by the wunderkind Jakub Dobeš (more on him later). In less than a minute, my beloved Habs were already down by a goal and it looked like the return to the hometown battlefield would be wasted.

How wrong I was.

By the time I hit the above home on my way back to my own place, the team was up 5-2 against the Buffalo Sabres. One goal had been disallowed, and the officiating was awful - as is always the case during the playoffs (I wonder why) - but the team ended the game with one more goal, and a roaring and standing ovation for the kid between the pipes. I found myself screaming and laughing with a group of completely strangers who appreciated my jersey and hat and love for front-porch antics. And also, our many in the crease...

Our Dobeš...

I had some doubts about many things with this teams after the last few games. The series was tied 1-1, and they somehow managed to beat the Sabres at home without scoring a single goal in one period (they ended the game a winner with only nine shots on net in the entire game). This is very odd, but something that I should have expected with a team that traditionally plays defense when chasing the Cup. But for all of that, I still had to wonder what they would do with the top team in their division in the second round.

They came through, and this city will not forget it...

Tonight, with a 2-1 lead in the series, and one more game at home before heading south for the rest of the game, I think that we are going to see something remarkable in the rest of this series. I'm not saying this as an expert on the game, but because of the reactions of those online figures who just cannot understand what is happening on the ice. These are usually so-called fans who cannot understand a game that changes between the regular season and the playoffs. And many of them are not even fans of these teams.

The funniest one, for those in the know, is from Mr. Steve ''Why Do I Do This to Myself'' Dangle (middle name my invention), a long-time Toronto Maple Leaf fan who just cannot admit his sublimated love for another Canadian (Canadien?) team. And then there are the Buffalo Sabres fans; the ones who expected being top in their division to lead to a simple cakewalk to the cup. I have included two links here to entertain you, but take some time to watch as many of these athletic Aristotles as the games continue.

So, that's where we are at...

And I want to thank Mr. Dobeš for proving that you can be a regular guy, and still provide miracles to the Red, Blue and White (known here as Les Bleu-Blanc-Rouge).

All right, that was fun... But we have work to do...

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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