Fitting ending

Bowman's exit was surprising, but graceful

DETROIT -- It’s over.

And, it’s over.

The first ending hardly was surprising -- the Red Wings winning the Stanley Cup on home ice. The postgame announcement by Scotty Bowman that this was his final game behind the bench, however, was stunning.

It was to me. I held the microphone and asked the mandatory question about his status for next year with the team and he calmly stated that this was it, that he made his decision back in February.

He hadn’t told general manager Ken Holland, or his wife, although she was hoping that his decision would be to retire. So, you’ll pardon my chin dropping to the ice when he chose NHL Radio to divulge his intentions.

Three Stars      CNNSI.com's Jon A. Dolezar gives you his three stars of Game 5.  Analysis and Opinion  • Darren Eliot: Fitting end for Bowman • Closer Look: Depth the difference More Stories  • Game 5: Recap | Summary • Lidstrom wins Conn Smythe • Wings beat 'Canes at own game • Bowman announces retirement • Line Analysis: Hurricanes | Wings • Goalie Analysis: Irbe | Hasek   Game 5 Reaction Video Click the image to launch the clip Red Wings head coach Scotty Bowman reflects on his decision to retire after legendary NHL career. Play Video Carolina head coach Paul Maurice talks about what's next for his team. Play Video Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom talks about winning the Conn Smythe Trophy. Play Video Instant Poll  Who is the best coach of all-time? Scotty Bowman Phil Jackson Vince Lombardi Casey Stengel John Wooden View Results Team Store  • Get your Carolina Hurricanes gear • Buy Detroit Red Wings souvenirs

I’m not sure I regained my composure to the level shown by the Wings. They were focused and relentless throughout. Steve Yzerman used the word "nervousness" when he talked of the trepidation heading into Game 5. He intimated that if the Red Wings didn’t perform at their best, they wouldn’t win. They did, and they did.

Interestingly, Bowman used the exact same term -- nervousness -- when discussing what the team had to overcome to be successful. A little bit of the nerves is healthy, but too much induces tension. The Red Wings never appeared tense -- simply focused and loose from the outset.

How could they not be with their captain and coach of like mind? Who wouldn’t be ready to win on their home ice in Hockeytown with those two leading the way?

Even Jiri Slegr performed admirably and effectively, under control despite this being his first postseason action of the year. He was filling in for the suspended Jiri Fischer and didn’t look out of place at all. That is a credit to him and his teammates -- they refused to let him fail.

In the end, that’s what made this team special: their devotion to each other and the goal of winning it all. Yzerman received the Stanley Cup and set off the proceedings by giving each Red Wing who had never won a Cup their respective turns in order of seniority. Dominik Hasek, Luc Robitaille, Steve Duchesne, Fredrik Olausson and Slegr were all first-timers who were elated to be champions.

Bowman took the handoff from Yzerman before the players’ procession, leaving the ice with his record-setting ninth title. Exiting bench-right for the final time.

Now, it is up to Yzerman to carry on without Bowman, carrying the torch of Scotty’s teaching forward for teams of future Wings. First, though, the expected -- a Stanley Cup celebration in Detroit.

Three Stars

1. Bowman: For the legacy he leaves behind.

2. Yzerman: For his leadership and courage throughout the playoffs.

3. Slegr: For proving that the Red Wings have it all figured out, and that almost everything they do works just right.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, will provide Stanley Cup Playoffs commentary throughout the postseason for CNNSI.com. Eliot joined Sam Rosen and Gary Green on NHL Radio's broadcasts of the Stanley Cup finals.

 

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