St. Louis Blues Win First Ever Championship

The St. Louis Blues defeated the Boston Bruins 4-3 in the Stanley Cup Finals last night.  While I am a casual fan I do root for the Bruins.  They played well but in the end couldn't overcome the goaltending and defense of the Blues.  Congrats to Boston on a great season.  I live near St. Louis so I'm far more familiar with them than even the teams I root for (Calgary & Boston).  I know all about the suffering this team has endured in it's 52 year history.  No Stanley Cup for them...until last night. 

Honestly this has been fun to watch.  From listening to the build up with coworkers, TV stations and the radio stations the city has been so excited while you knew they were just waiting for the other shoe to fall.  Losing in the Finals would have been pretty devastating, not "at least we got there".  Seeing everyone celebrate last night, all the long time fans and personalities telling their stories of years of misery, to all the individual stories that go along with anything this special it really is fun to watch.  One special story is that of Laila the superfan who the team has adopted and was there last night for game seven and celebrated on the ice with the team after their victory.  She is 11 years old and has been diagnosed with a rare disease but she been there all along this great journey. 

I would hope any fan from any fan from any sport can appreciate this long road the Blues and their fans undertook.  52 years of existence and no championship!  49 years between Stanley Cup Finals appearances.  The Blues fired their coach in November.  They were in last place in the January!  Rookie goalie.  Gloria.  And now Stanley Cup Champions.  And now that all takes a back seat to the excitement and joy last night's game 7 victory has brought to the fan base and city.  And has it been fun for me to watch.