The Pritch Who Stole Stanley

The Devils Zone Blog

Diabolically clever commentary on the state of Jersey’s Team

by Nick Casale

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The Pritch Who Stole Stanley

Every Who in Vancouville liked their chances a lot  But The Pritch, The Keeper of Stanley, did not
You see, twice in the past, the ‘Nucks were a playoff beast  But each time they fell to a team from the East
King Richard once led them destiny’s door,  But now he’s just known as “that other Brodeur”
Cause they ran into the Isles at the top of their game  In ’94, they had the Range-Oilers to blame
So as The Pritch hauled that big prize around in its box  Vancouville’s keys couldn’t open its locks
As the century turned, the Whos got a new deal  A chance to vanquish the ghosts of Snepsts, Butcher, and Smyl
For 40 years they were cheered by Who papas and mamas  Even when clad in their yield-sign pajamas
So they ditched their old colors, and donned all-new sweaters  But the whale on their crest couldn’t help them play better
The Messier era? That was a joke  Had to reacquired Trevor to rid their faces of yolk
Still The Pritch wouldn’t let them hold Lord Stanley’s grail  Every 100-point season followed by epic playoff fail
Then brave Henrik and Daniel fulfilled promise of greatness!  The Whos embraced Kesler, in spite of his “States-ness”
A President’s Trophy, another strong playoff  Despite their goalie occasionally taking a day off
For young Bobby Lu Who would let in no more than two— In Rogers Arena that surely rang true
He was awesome in games played where all the Whos lived  But in other team’s rinks, he would leak like a sieve
As Game 7 approached in this beautiful city  They tried to forget that Game 6 wasn’t pretty
From Hamilton and Georgia rose a stunned, silent shock As poor Bobby Lu, not a thing could he block
By the 10-minute mark, he was out of the game The Whos wondered if their hero would ever be the same
For what happened then? In Vancouville they say The monkey on Bobby’s back grew three sizes that day

And what of The Pritch? What did he have to say?  Simply this: “Peggy? OK, listen eh?”

Skate with your head up, Nick

June 14, 2011

Me, my ex-teammate Keven, and The Pritch —
Phil “Stanley Cup Guy” Pritchard.

(C) 2011 Nicholas J. Casale | Got a beef? Think I’m brilliant? Talk to me