Media round-up & the Calder Cup Finals

Helluva run, boys. Thanks for giving us a nice, long, utterly unpredictable season. I'm beyond proud.

The last few times we've been on the brink, I was prepared for the season to end, to do some writing looking back, and then looking forward. But this time, while I'm actually kind of relieved it's over, I'm not ready to dig into it. Mostly, I just want a nap.

But here's some folks who are able to write about it:

• The Chronicle's post-gamer with great reactions from KC
• John's game write-up for the Houston Press
  
• A great story on Tony Hrkac, with a hint at the end that the team might actually want him back and that he might want to BE back.
  

• Here's the Winnipeg Sun's take (and I swear I didn't steal my lead for PHN from Wiebe... we were both just equally uncreative in our use of the Cinderella metaphor)
• And here's the Winnipeg Free Press; a replay of their live chat is at the bottom of the page.

So, now the Calder Cup will go to either Manitoba or the Hershey Bears, who have also been dominant this season. Nothing against Manitoba... they were simply the better team and I don't feel any ill will toward them... but I'm pulling for Hershey in this series, which starts Saturday night.

I think their goaltending story is more compelling. Check out their stats to see why: They're getting it done on the back of their rookie, third-string goalie, Michal Neuvirth, who only has 17 games in the regular season. Sound familiar?

Both teams have huge fan bases, so this is a dream match-up for the league and should be a great series. And while I may be rooting for Hershey, I think Manitoba wins it in 6.