This is Tim Thomas hoisting the Cup after he was named MVP of the series, which caused me to get a tad emotional. Timmy and I go way back. I saw him play against RPI when he was the goalie for UVM and though I obviously wasn't a fan of him back then, I sure am now. Thomas has had a rocky career, bouncing around in the minor leagues and playing in Finland and Sweden before finally making it to the NHL. He didn't start an NHL game until age 28 and wasn't a regular starting goalie until age 31. I'm 31 now. I can't even imagine going through what he did to accomplish his dreams... the struggles and doubts he must have faced on his weird path to Stanley Cup hero. But he did it! He brought the cup back to Boston and, in doing so, became the oldest Conn Smythe Trophy winner in NHL history! Oh and he also set the record for the most saves in a single postseason and a Cup finals series. Oops... I'm getting all emotional again...It was a long season and I never would have guessed that this would be the outcome at the start of it all. I admit that I didn't watch as many games as I had hoped to. I remember at the start of the season, I told Spike that I was going to watch every Bruins game. I didn't even come close. They began their season in Prague, back in October when I was in nearby Belgium. I should have tried to get to see them there, but I was too busy eating waffles and drinking beer. That was a long time ago.... ages ago ... 107 games ago.
The playoffs started back in April and I'm happy to say that I did get to watch every one of those games. They almost killed me though... too many close calls and too many game sevens! They are the first team in NHL History to win three game sevens. Being ridiculously superstitious, I have knocked on wood and bit my tongue more times than I can count during their playoff run. I know the B's really needed my help to get through this... ha! I guess it was worth my hurting knuckles and sore tongue... the Bruins are Stanley Cup Champions!
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