Wings finish off the Canes for 10th Stanley Cup

Bowman calls it a day. Swede take Conn Smyth. Rick shoots 71 (on 9).

DETROIT, MI  JUNE 13, 2002

The talk before the game was of when and where for the parade route, of who Stevie Y. would pass the cup to first, and of who would win the Conn Smythe trophy for playoff MVP.  There was little talk of what if Carolina actually won.  

So, like professionals, Detroit took the ice and finished off the playoff weary Canes to claim the cup and answered the above questions.  

First - for the Conn Smythe, many argued for Hasek and some made a case for Federov.  Don Cherry himself felt Yzerman deserved the honor.  

Defenseman and Swede Nicklas Lidstrom ended up with the award and I agree.  Here is how I would have voted:

1. Lidstrom

2. Yzerman

3. Hasek

4. Federov

5. Hull

Yzerman handed the cup to legendry coach Scotty Bowman because he had just told his players of his retirement.  Canada's CBC scooped ABC big time on the story when Bowman announced his decision in an on ice interview minutes after the game.  Immediately the story and the cameras turned to Bowman on CBC, while ABC was still oblivious.  They eventually caught on, but it was great to flip back and forth between channels to see the how the coverage changed.  

Some sports radio callers this morning criticized the timing of the announcement.  I think that is a weak take.  Bowman had every right to make the announcement when he did.  I guess the alternative would have been to say something today, but what a better time?  He did become to the center of attention, but why not?  Look at his record.  The players respect the heck out of the guy (witness Yzerman passing the cup to Bowman).  Conversely he could of made his intentions known back in February when he claims he made the decision.  Then, throughout the playoffs, we would have been talking about it.  I think he did it with class and rather than taking away from the post game festivities, he improved it.

At any rate, the parade is Monday at 11:30 and the cup is back in Detroit for another year.