Bird Teams Win

I know the title is a bit strange, but it was a crazy night as I was watching two very different sports teams win their games.

First, it is playoff season in the NHL and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets to win their opening round series of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Penguins are the defending Stanley Cup Champions! The win was even more exciting because they accomplished the feat by laying their "back-up" goalie. It is important to note, however, that their back-up has helped the team win the Stanley Cup, so Marc Andre Fleury is one of the best goalies in the game. I wish the defense would help him to a bit more because he stopped 49 of 51 shots on goal last evening.

The Penguins are now awaiting their opponent for the second round of the playoffs. It will be either the dreaded Washington Capitals or the Toronto Maple Leafs. That best of seven series is tied 2-2. It will be a few days until the winner is finally determined.

My other bird team is, of course, the Orioles! The Orioles completed a 9-game road trip last evening with a 6-3 record. The Orioles continue to have the best record in baseball, but as the standings show that only makes them one-half game better than the team "whose name shall remain unwritten from up north." I am excited because I have tickets for tonight's game against the Red Sox and it will be my first Orioles game since Opening Day. 

The Orioles are off to a strong start, but then so are most of the other teams in the division. I am reminded that both of the American League wild card teams came from the American League East Division last season. The division remains one of the toughest in baseball. The top three teams in the division are a combined 30-15 .667 right now. 

I guess I like teams with bird logos because my favorite football team is the Ravens (another bird). 

Let's Go O's and Pens!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD