The older I get the more I realize how much I have forgotten or never knew in the first place. In doing a bit of research I read that when the NHL expanded from 6 to 12 teams it was mandated that an expansion team be in the Stanley Cup Finals. Huh? How was that possible? Here's how:
From Wikipedia,
"All of the 'Original Six' teams were placed in the new Eastern Division, and all of the new teams placed in the new Western Division. Each division contributed four playoff teams. Division teams then played off to produce a divisional champion, and the two divisional champions played off in the Final to win the Stanley Cup.
The imbalance between the new teams and old was readily apparent in the standings. All four of the East Division teams had a better record than the top team in the West."
And that is how the expansion Blues made it to the Finals in their first year. So although the Golden Knights were officially the second team to accomplish the feat they did it on an equal footing with the rest of the league.
The Blues were the top team in the "Expansion West" their first three seasons but lost 12 straight games in the finals. I'm not rubbing it in but after Game 1 they've run their streak to 13. In fact, I'm rooting for them to win. Before the Blackhawks 2010 Championship the last time they won the Stanley Cup I was just a year old. So I feel for the Blues fan base.
On a trivial note (no pun intended), team names related to music are very rare. There are the St. Louis Blues in hockey and the Utah (New Orleans) Jazz in basketball. Minor League baseball has the Nashville Sounds. That's all I'm aware of. Can you think of any others?
Thanks for visiting.
Can't think of any other team names involving music... but it's about 45 minutes past my bedtime and I'm exhausted. Hopefully some of your other readers can come up with some names.
ReplyDeleteP.S. The 1968-69 Topps design is one of my all-time favorite hockey card designs.
DeleteBeing the first, it's really nostalgic for me. A lot of great players as well. I'm missing a few big names that I think I had. Not sure if I lost them or sold them or what. If I had the money I might work on an O-Pee-Chee set with it's 84 more cards. Not going to happen.
DeleteThere was a question about the WC Handy song in my online trivia league this week which mentioned that it was also the name of a sports franchise. No one has come up with another example of a team named after a song. There are examples in the other direction—Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” was named after the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis, which Billie Jean King played for.
ReplyDeleteTo elaborate, the song was written specifically for Billie Jean, though it has nothing to do with tennis. I've always liked it but I'm a big Elton fan in general.
DeleteMight as well link to the song. Here's Elton in his prime on "Soul Train":
https://youtu.be/XqnGeSFhKV4
I seem to be learning a lot about hockey as of late, but this bit about the expansion teams is probably the most interesting thing that I've picked up so far :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's a good story behind the palyoff setup. Isn't it weird to think of there being a six team league in the 1960's?
DeleteSo happy they took game 2!
ReplyDeleteNow 2-2. They have a chance!
DeleteThe Utah (formerly New Orleans) Jazz are another musically inspired team name.
ReplyDeleteInteresting info on the Blues first year.
I know as Chicagoans were not supposed to root for any St. Louis team (see David Kaplan) but Boston's won enough and I'm pulling for the Blues.
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