* Disclaimer: The title is borrowed from author George R. R. Martin.
Well it ain’t over yet.
I am of course not happy about being down 3-0 in the series. In fact, it outright sucks. Being shut out 4-0 last night just adds insult to injury after the two overtime wins by the Kings. But even I have to acknowledge the wonderful performance by Jonathan Quick, the amazing goalie of the Kings.
The Kings’ reaching 3-0 so quickly (Quick-ly? 
) also cut short the series I planned to pen. I initially planned to write five pieces, counting on the series go to at least game 6: prelude, overture, crescendo, finale, and postlude. Now it looks like finale will come much quicker than I thought.
So I struggled to think of what to say. And then I saw this post from another Devils’ fan on Facebook. This said all I need to, and I will just copy and paste the post after the jump.
Honor, civility, sportsmanship, and candor, important qualities to possess even in the heat of the game and especially when frustrated by the prospect of elimination. I will try, knowing that many times I will fail, to carry these qualities with me in my life and my games.
Post From Facebook:
A. We all know this, and while the odds are very heavy against us, we need to remember the IMPORTANT truth: IT’S NOT OVER!
B. That said, (and that being enough reason for me to dawn my gear and watch game 4) I’m also going to recognize reality and say that I would be very, very surprised if we won this series. Facts are facts and the Kings are on an AMAZING run and they have the most awesome goaltender I’ve seen in a long long time. While all fans of sports worldwide know that anything can AND JUST MIGHT happen… We need to be grown-ups and face the facts.
C. When I was younger my dad reprimanded me when I ran to my room to cry after the Colorado Avalanche beat my Devils for the Stanley Cup. He made me come back out and sit through the entirety of the trophy ceremonies and postgame coverage. I had to learn that along with being a proud winner (as I was just a year earlier) comes being a similarly proud loser. As Devils fans we’ve been uniquely fortunate to have (along with other awesome players and coaches) who we know is THE GREATEST GOALIE OF ALL TIME winning games for us for what us approaching 2 decades of hockey! We also have the unique experience of having to deal with other hockey fans who are entirely disrespectful of our team and beloved net-minder. From those who are simply ill-informed and can’t recognize the brilliance of Marty’s play to those who, for some reason, harbor an unhealthy hatred for Martin Brodeur… We’ve dealt with them all.
For this reason I think it is necessary that we recognize what just might be happening in L.A at this very moment. Are we witnessing the birth of hockey’s next great goalie’s career? I have been both hugely frustrated by, and held in great awe of Jonathan Quick’s play this series, and the rest of the playoffs. We should refrain from trying to find excuses like Officiating and ‘bad bounces’ and respectfully recognize that our team, who we love, has been unable to beat the Los Angeles Kings (thanks, almost entirely, to their outstanding, young goalie) through the first 3 games of these Stanley Cup Finals.
Keep in mind that when you act otherwise, you are acting in the exact same manner that many Rangers fans have been acting since we proved to be the better team in the Eastern Conference Finals.
…These are my thoughts. Thanks for reading and feel free to disagree. GO DEVILS!
[...] Comments « A Song of Ice and Fire* – Crescendo [...]
When someone plays with honor and sportsmanship that player is remembered by the other team and the public. When you play with honor and sportsmanship, you earn respect from others which has never been easy.
[...] mentioned previously that honor and civility are good qualities to live by both in games and in life. Well, as I acknowledged, actually doing [...]