For sentimental reasons, I want this Stanley Cup final between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins to last forever.
Mick, Lorne and Wick. Those are the reasons.
Mick McGeough began refereeing as a compatriot in Saskatchewan. After 14 NHL seasons he returned home to serve as a supervisor. He died unexpectedly in November; NHL officials wear his name on their sleeves as a tribute until this season ends.
Lorne Davis was my father. His first scouting job was with the Blues. In 1970, St. Louis advanced to the Stanley Cup, a series that ended with Bobby Orr famously flying through the air while scoring Boston’s winning goal. Afterwards, the Blues’ owners took their employees and families to Miami Beach for a holiday, where dad introduced us to friends Red Berenson, Al Arbour and Scotty Bowman.
Doug Wickenheiser, my all-time favourite junior player, had a career resurgence in St. Louis and scored the franchise’s most famous goal, known as the Monday Night Miracle. Wick has been gone 20 years.
Memories of Mick, Lorne and Wick will, of course, continue after this series ends, but I’m still hoping it goes all seven games.