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Been there, done that Yzerman, Bowman know where 'Canes are coming fromPosted: Monday June 03, 2002 7:44 PMUpdated: Monday June 03, 2002 8:08 PM
DETROIT -- The sign on the wall says "Hockeytown, Established 1926". The self-titled Red Wings marketing slogan actually goes back no further than 1996. No matter. It has been accurate while in existence, as the Wings have been the standard of excellence over that period. Folks from other locales look on and derisively call it Cockytown, an envy-tinged handle if ever there was one. It is also a name aimed at the fans, I’m sure. It has to be -- the origin can’t be any arrogance attributed to anyone associated with the team -- especially when judging the comments of captain Steve Yzerman and coach Scotty Bowman. Both men were relaxed on the dais, but never once did either man even hint at this series being a foregone conclusion here in Detroit on media day. On the contrary. Bowman, in fact, provided some unique insights. Three broomings in the finals lend themselves to having a well-rounded perspective. We tend to forget that along with his eight Stanley Cups, three losing ventures in four straight also are part of his experience.
Bowman hearkened back to his days at the helm of the expansion St. Louis Blues, when most hockey pundits viewed his teams almost with disdain -- completely incapable of competing against the champion from the ‘Original Six’ East. Yet, he remembered fondly how well his team performed even in defeat, challenging their opponents, taking the Montreal Canadiens to two overtime games in 1968. And from 1970, Game 4 -- one that most of associate with the indelible image of an airborne Bobby Orr after scoring the game-winning-goal -- Bowman recalled that his Blues actually led late in that game. Yzerman, for all his late career success as a two-time Stanley Cup winner and revered captain, also had plenty of disappointment to draw upon: surprisingly ousted in 1994 by the upstart San Jose Sharks; enduring a sweep at the hands of the Devils in the 1995 finals; unable to run the table in 1996 after a record-setting regular season. Interestingly, Yzerman referenced 1997 -- the first of the Wings' successive Cups -- from the standpoint of the buildup that year. His recollection referenced the prevailing sentiment that year, giving the Wings little chance of success against the bigger, tougher, stronger Philadelphia Flyers. He flatly stated that the team disregarded the conjecture of the time, which was obvious by the end of the series when the Red Wings won their fourth successive game. Yzerman’s message and meaning was obvious -- the Hurricanes believe in themselves and that is all that matters -- just as it did for his team in ’97. Granted, both Yzerman and Bowman are perceptive enough to protect against inflammatory comments. Neither is predisposed to inciting the opposition in print anyway. Yet, each spoke from the heart, without self-consciousness or guardedness. They genuinely understand and recognize the Hurricanes' point of view entering this series. They recognize their own situation as the favorite, but there was almost a wistful tone in their reminiscing about their respective days as the underdog. It had little to do with strategy and everything to do with competitive perspective. They remember that singularly gratifying feeling that comes from a team banding together and accomplishing postseason success as defined by reaching new heights and realizing its potential. Well, on Tuesday, Carolina steps into the underdog role, a Stanley Cup possible because its belief in one another has earned it that opportunity. Today, two hockey legends recalled their own histories -- mirroring the Hurricanes present in the process -- underscoring that anything is possible where it matters: on the ice. Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason for CNNSI.com. Eliot will be joining Sam Rosen and Gary Green on NHL Radio's broadcasts of the Stanley Cup finals. |
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