I wish I could explain it.

How awesome is this? For the first time since the Pirates won the ’79 World Series, and the first time I can remember and really appreciate it, I have a favorite pro team win a championship. I have a whole post figured out dedicated to how a kid from NW Ohio can become a Whalers fan, but that’s going to have to wait.

Nineteen years as a fan, with more missed playoffs than I can count, the haunting memory of Russ Courtnall’s double-overtime winner in ’92 and the “delayed sweep” by the Red Wings in ’02 and everything in between in my mind, the freaking Hurricanes have won the Stanley Cup!!!!

Thanks to the folks for taping the game for me, CBC-style (hopefully they stuck with the celebration longer than NBC did), and to Kurt for sacrificing precious hours of sleep to head out for celebratory beers after the win. Just freaking awesome!