Sherlocking with Lord Stanley's Cup
By Don Hobbs

This week marks the end of a two-year drought from the National Hockey League Playoffs. I am sure if one were to dig deep enough, our fellow Sherlockians from the Great White North, could find better Sherlockian connections than some guy could living down in Texas. I suppose any Sherlockian connection to hockey would beat mine because I don't have any to present. I simply love the playoffs.

Last year there was a labor dispute and the entire season was canceled. I missed the NHL Playoffs like Dr. Watson missed Holmes after the incident at Reichenbach Falls. It was 2 years of pretending that I did not miss it or really care one way or the other. I was letting the rational side of my brain take control. That all changed last October when the first games of the New NHL were played. On opening night, my team was behind 4 to 1 in the third period only to come back and win. They went on to win their division for the 7th time in 9 years and are now in the playoffs against one of their major rivals.

Two years ago my television started acting up and reception was iffy on any given day. The day before the last NHL Playoffs started, the reception failed completely. Never fear!! There was a Circuit City just down the road and before you could say Laura Lyons three times, we had bought a new Hi-Def Sony and were carting the little puppy home. I love those impulse buys. The thought of missing my team's first playoff game had momentarily driven me insane. After hauling the new TV inside, I found out why the old TV's reception had died. The cable-connection had come loose. I try to justify the TV by lame excuses such, "Well, we would eventually need Hi-Def anyways..."

This is the time of year when eBay ceases to exist for me. It is the time of year when my postal worker gets a break from delivering so many packages to my door. I arrange my travel schedule around hockey games. I make sure the friends we are planning on seeing have cable TV or at lease can receive radio signals at their house.  I can always find an excuse to go to the car to get something. I bring out my 16-to-1-Countdown Calendar. This keeps track of how many game are left before the ultimate prize - The Stanley Cup. When the playoffs starts, the calendar displays 16 and with every win, it counts down another number. It takes 16 wins in the NHL Playoffs to win "The Cup". This is the Holy Grail for hockey player and hockey fans alike.

Go ___________________!!!
     (fill in your team's name)

Happy Collecting!!