Experience is apparently the difference-maker and is probably a prime factor in the Red Wings‘ Stanley Cup victory. Whenever possible in the series, the old men from Detroit took early leads and then sat back and played safe and boring (but effective) hockey. It clearly frustrated the (normally) high-flying run ‘n’ gun youngsters from Pittsburgh. This win also marks a couple of firsts; Lidstrom becomes the first European-born captain to lead his team to a Cup and Cleary will be the first Newfoundlander to have the opportunity to bring Stanley to “The Rock”.
I guess the city of Detroit might benefit from this as well. As one of my former roommates from university pointed out:
its very tough economic times( Michigan is ranked the second worst state next to Louisiana) and a city mayor under perjury charges. This state and the city of Detroit needs a very positive thing
While I don’t know of any statistical data that backs that up, it’s obvious that Detroit is very much becoming a ghost town, and there were a lot of empty seats in Detroit during this year’s playoffs.
You have to give the Pens some credit, though. Their pluckiness almost made up for their lack of experience.