The Game by Ken Dryden

The Game by Ken Dryden is widely considered the best hockey book of all-time as well as one of the greatest sports books of all time.  I'd seen the book come up over and over on those lists and when the 30th anniversary edition was released I jumped on it.  First and foremost it really is a good book.  I get why it's at the top or near the top of all those lists.  That said Ken Dryden is a mega smart dude and it shows in his writing.  For me while it was a fun read it was a tough read.  He puts a lot of thought into the different situations and those thoughts are put on paper.  I think hockey fans would really enjoy this book but the more casual fan like myself may would like the book but maybe not get the same enjoyment out of it.  Again this book is very well written and I think it deserves all the accolades it gets.  

By the way Ken Dryden is a six-time Stanley Cup Champion as a goaltender for the Montreal Canadians.  He's a member of the Hall of Fame as well as multiple NHL award winner.  His off the ice accomplishments are too numerous to go into but he was just as accomplished in his non-sporting life.  Tonight the 2019-2020 NHL season kicks off what better way to kick off the season that revisiting Brett Hull's rendition of Gloria at the St. Louis Blues' championship parade. 

   

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.