“Take Another Little Piece of My Heart, Now, Baaybeee…”

Steve Yzerman at last night's post-game media interview.
Photo: Detroit News

Manny Legace
Photo: Detroit News

And so they did. Again. What looked so promising two weeks ago became just another disappointment – the third such letdown in a row. It’s oh-so-very-hard to remember the joy, the elation, I felt in 1997, 1998, and 2002 when the Wings hoisted The Cup. It’s much easier to remember the disappointments suffered in 2003 (first round loss to Anaheim) and 2004 (second round loss to Calgary). Add 2006 to the list. And you know there may be more.

What’s doubly sad is the fact that there may be no more for The Captain; Yzerman is considering retirement. He probably will retire. He’s the longest serving NHL captain in history, but his body is failing him. It must be a bitter pill, indeed, to go out in this way. Nonetheless, the words “Steve Yzerman” are inscribed on the Stanley Cup three times. Three times. Testimony enough for a brilliant career. Perhaps a fourth time would be too much to ask. Still, it would have been nice, wouldn’t it?

In other news… There IS no other news. Maybe tomorrow.