For those of you who may not know, the NHL is selling a bunch of "classic" hockey games on iTunes. Maybe I'm the last one left to figure it out. I just watched game 7 of the 2001 Cup finals, which I hadn't seen since 2001. My impressions:

1. There is something deeply wrong with the fact that the announcer made the statement: "The New Jersey Devils have the best offensive team in the league." I expected _someone_ to snicker at least. I know, Arnott was a monster and was greater than a point a game that season, and had around 2 points per game in the finals. Sykora had an even better season. But still.

2. Any Avs players that might read this: _That_ was an Avs team that was good enough defensively to sit on a lead and still win. When _you_ are on a team that is that good defensively then feel free to sit on leads. Otherwise, just stop it.

3. _That_ was a team that could clear the zone. I know, I know, the rules are different now, but still.

4. Joe's goal really was just a thing of beauty. Sure, I've seen the replay of it before, but damn.

5. Joe spent about half the game trying to set up Tanguay so he could have a home-ice, game 7 hat trick. I miss Joe.

6. I miss the young, full of energy Hinote.

7. Chris Drury could sell a dive. I don't think I really realized that. The penalty in the first period that he drew was pretty weak and he had me fooled until I saw the replay.

8. I miss watching Roy wander out of the goal crease to play the puck and make a weak pass right to a player from the other team. Okay, no. I really don't miss that. But I do miss watching Roy.

9. The game really is better without all the clutching a grabbing. That said, it was still amazing how quick the game could be despite all the defensive liberties.

On a personal note: We were in Santa Barbara that week celebrating my daughter's first birthday with her godparents. The three of us spent the morning on the beach watching dolphins swim by and playing. We were later joined by a whole bunch of people I hadn't seen in a long time for an afternoon of volleyball and general fun. Then we all went back to the house to watch game 7. What a perfect day. My daughter took her first steps the very next day, and I'm sure that it was watching Bourque skate that gave her the idea.

I do want to thank the Avs for all the good memories they've given me. I sometimes get wrapped up in the frustrations of the here-and-now, so it's good to take a step back and see where it all can lead. I promise, I won't gripe about Avs management not doing anything this summer more than 6,000 more times before the season starts. Well, maybe 7,000.