Blackhawks Knocked Out

The 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks were knocked out of the playoffs for the second year in a row, this time by the Phoenix Coyotes. Being an avid Blackhawks fan I was just as disappointed this year as I was last, when the Blackhawks went down 4-0 to the Vancouver Canucks, but fought back only to lose in game 7. You can't expect to win every year, but I always find myself doing exactly that. Is it because we have already won the Stanley Cup that coming up any shorter is a disappointment? Or is just an American expectation to always be first? In their final loss to the Coyotes, Mike Smith (the Coyote's goalie), had a shutout with 39 saves (Chicago Tribune Article) He played sensational through the entire series and was just too much for the Blackhawks to handle. The Phoenix Coyotes advanced to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. I can't quite understand the hysteria behind playoff sports as every team is competing for that one final spot, but each time your team loses it is almost unbearable. Nothing other than first is acceptable and that is an American value seen over and over again in American society.