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Reactions: Game 6 Users applaud good defensePosted: Monday June 12, 2000 09:00 PM
Users loved the defensive battle of the Stanley Cup playoffs. New Jersey fans and even fans from Dallas had great respect for their opponent in this exciting series. While other professional sports are seeing an increase in scoring, hockey fans are proving that good defense can just as breath-taking as a long-hit home run or a one-hand slam dunk. A collection of some of our users' most interesting responses follows: This was supposed to be a boring series due to the depth and size of each team's defense. And other than Game 1, it was. But it was the most exciting, action packed series that I have ever seen. It was going to be hard to live up to the standards that were set in the Avs-Stars series, but it truly turned out to be an even better one. I'm proud of the Stars for all they accomplished this year. Congrats to the Devils.
It's nice that Arnott and Robinson proved their detractors wrong. But, hockey in mid June is silly. Defensive oriented, mind numbing hockey in June is inexcusable. Next year, could somebody please score a goal before midnight?
The series was great. The last two games were classics. Just more proof that hockey is the greatest sport in the world. Congrats to N.J. Thank you Stars.
The Devils were the stronger team throughout the series. If the Stars were truly the better team, when being down 3-1 in the series they would have won the games in regulation -- not OT. A true champion, when put to the test, does not allow the possibility of losing on the next goal. As witnessed throughout the playoffs, when New Jersey faced adversity and needed a win, as was the case in the Philly series, they took matters into their own hands and won in regulation so as not to leave anything to chance.
Everyone (especially Bill Clement on the ABC/ESPN broadcasts) kept touting the stats: the Stars were 11-0 at home, 8-0 after a loss, etc. The only thing in the Devils' favor was their 7-2 road record in the playoffs. Well, now score one for the "most focused" column for the Devils, and watch them skate with the Cup!
Nine homegrown players. Two homegrown coaches. 16 players under 30. Only two free agents (Lemieux and Malakov). This team has only begun to shine, and do so in historic proportions. I am so proud of my team -- a team no one expected to go as far as they did. I can't wait 'til next season (which starts in 2.5 months)!
The Devils deserve this after Hatcher's high-flying elbow that hit Petr Sykora. This one is for Dr. Mcmullen. Nice work Lou on building this great team. The Devils don't need a superstar name to win. At least they didn't try to buy a cup like Dallas did. Congrats boys, you're the best!
I am a diehard STARS fan and was very upset to see the Devils steal the cup from them. But the whole series was owned by the Devils. Dallas could never really get it goin' until it was too late. New Jersey worked hard to get the cup coming down 3-1 against the Flyers. That's hard. They had the momentum goin' in their favor and never really lost it. Although I wanted to see Dallas come back, I think the Devils deserved the cup after what they did in the playoffs. The series was hard-fought and Dallas gave them a run for their money. But they just couldn't run with them too long. But next year -- THE CUP COMES BACK FOR GOOD!
Ed Belfour kept the Stars in the series with some great goaltending, but Marty Brodeur and the depth of the Devils were too much. Great to have Lord Stanley back in Jersey!
Being in the shadow of N.Y., it makes me proud as a N.J. resident to have national recognition for my hometown DEVILS. (Now, how 'bout them NETS?!?).
Although I believe the Devils outplayed the Stars and deserve the Cup, I also believe Arnott should have been given a game misconduct on the cross-checking call late in the first overtime. He shouldn't have been on the ice to score the game-winner. Talk about blatant intent to harm!
Game 6 was phenomenal. Could you really expect both goaltenders to repeat their
Game 5 performance? Not a chance, right? It was unbelievable the way both goalies played. Trading one great save after another. The Devils once again came into the Stanley Cup finals as underdogs, not standing a chance and walk away with the Cup held high. The only thing the Devils have to fear next year is the fact that they are the defending champions. They are expected to perform. Hopefully we don't see another year like the 1996-97 season. Their run as defending champions was cut short by missing the playoffs. What will 2000-01 hold?
This victory will perhaps finally give the Devils the respect they deserve. Since winning the cup in '95, the Devils have often been noted as a non-offensive, defense-only, neutral zone trap-playing team whose name is on the cup with a strike shortened season asterisk next to it. And perhaps now they have educated the rest of the world, what us Devils fan have known all along. This team has the Heart, the offensive skill, the grit, the goaltending, the coaching, the defensive plan, the discipline, the killer instinct and desire of a champion.
I think this year is just the beginning of what's to come. The Devils are definitely going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. I hope to see them in the finals next year.
Game 6, like Game 5, was absolutely incredible! Fantastic hockey. I could not sit down. The excitement was too much. Both goalies were amazing. Modano really showed how classy he is with his comments after the game. There are many very talented teams in the league such as Detroit, Dallas, Colorado, and St. Louis. It's difficult for any team to repeat. Any team with a really hot goaltender can compete (Kolzig, Hasek, Boucher). I like Larry Robinson as a coach and the make-up of this New Jersey team, so I would not be disappointed if they repeat -- unless they are playing my favorite team, the Blackhawks.
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