Hardest Trophy To Win In Sports

ESPN's NHL expert Barry Melrose likes to remind audiences that he thinks the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in all of sports. My typical response to this varies. Eye-rolling. Laughter. Changing the channel. I'm from North Carolina, where we like our basketball and will root for the 'Canes when they're in the playoffs. Much like the NBA and MLB there are just way too many regular season games for me to care until the playoffs arrive. Now that the Hurricanes are in the East Finals, my interest is peaked. Maybe I'm just championship hungry, spoiled with the successes of the UNC women's soccer and men's basketball seasons.

Very few sporting events have lived up to the excitement of watching the Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup in 2006. Now I have that same feeling. I'm staying up until 4:30 a.m. watching bad streams online and screaming at my computer. I love it. I've also gained a new respect for the game. I actually think Melrose is right on this.

Winning the NHL playoffs demands a certain amount of luck and skill. Unlike the one-and-done, single-elimination style of the NFL and NCAA basketball playoffs, the NHL uses the best-of-five bracket. This helps forgive fluke, uncharacteristic days by one team or another and generally rewards the better team of the two. It's set up so that there are less upsets and a deserving, "true" champion is crowned. NHL, MLB and NBA teams and fans aren't going to go through a 100 game season only to be given one shot to move on.

Unlike the MLB and NBA, the hockey games are much less consistent. Given that games are often decided by one goal, the chance of that difference-maker being pure luck is extremely high. Say a goaltender misreads one puck, or a defenseman loses the handle in the crease or a ref gives a bogus powerplay under two minutes. And this can happen in more than one game. It's possible for a team to advance on more happenstance in the NHL than any other sport.

On the other hand, the skill and effort that is required by NHL players is unparalleled. They must have speed and agility. They must be durable and strong enough to take and deliver hits. And they must be able to locate and handle a frozen puck with a stick. All while skating on ice! I can barely stop at the local rink, so to see these guys zooming around is unbelievable. Most of the guys are missing teeth and have several stitches covering their head. Hockey players demand so much from their bodies and yet it is the one sport you never hear about steroid use.

I think Carolina's got a shot against the Penguins. Granted Pittsburgh's got speed and a dynamic front line with Crosby, Malkin and Staal. But I've seen the 'Canes in this position before and I feel like they might ride this giant-killer, we-don't-get-respect status for years (much like the Spurs have this decade). They are at their best when nothing is expected of them. Cam Ward is playing stellar in the net, Rod Brind'Amour led the NHL in face-off win percentage and Staal and Jokinen have been clutch. The Pen's best defender is hurt. Plus Sergei Samsonov is the best hockey name EVER. Yes I know the 'Canes lost the first one, but I think if they take care of business at the deafening RBC Center and make it to game seven, they'll steal another one. Then it's off to a rematch of the 2002 finals where the 'Canes again will get clobbered by the Red Wings.

[Here comes a really pathetic lead-in...wait for it...] Speaking of hockey, I feel it's appropriate to mention the band everyone will inevitably be talking about after their first record drops on August 24th...Hockey. Yup, the most un-googleable band name since Women. I saw these guys open for the band that everyone will start talking about after their first record drops today, Passion Pit. They out-performed Passion Pit and have recently toured with Friendly Fires to raving reviews. Although they've already released a couple songs that are about as perfect as pop goes, critics have claimed they don't have enough material to be as big as their hype predicts. Hell if the Black Lips and BYOP can have success, Hockey will be just fine. Plus they have the advantage of being the best band out of Oregon since...um...Everclear?

Here's a song that's good for dancing, with or without clothes/friends. Also do yourself a favor and check out their myspace.

Hockey "Too Fake" (mp3)