This story was tired during round 2, but the media keeps hammering it like it has the narrative of a Philip Roth novel. The passing of St. Louis mother was tragic, as is any unexpected death. Or death in general. Death is tragic. Thats why tragedies end in death. This is a narrative trope older than the playoff beard. But did it "galvanize" the Rangers efforts? Perhaps. But when reporters answer their own questions by asking players, "Did the passing of Martys mum bring this team closer together?" the story is being written and not reported. Its one of the tragic flaws of sports journalism. Additionally, part of the story being left out is how St. Louis sulked like a petulant child when not named to Canadas Olympic team, played poorly when added to the squad justifying managements decision to leave him off in the first place as he did not fit into their system, and then forced his trade to New York. Good player and teammate? Maybe. Virtuous hero of a tragic narrative? Hardly.Celebrities(Source: FameFlynet Pictures)Welcome to TMZs NHL final. With the Stanley Cup being played in New York and Los Angeles, the opportunity presents itself for endless celeb spotting. Coverage will no doubt be tirelessly freckled with shots of Robert De Niro, Michael J. Fox, and Wayne Gretzkys daughter. "Oh hey, look! Its venerable character actor ?eljko Ivanek! He watches hockey just like a normal person!" I fully expect at least one, if not two, Scott Oake "Inside Hockey" features on Matthew Perrys beer league for displaced Canadians in L.A. If somehow Jay-Zed and Beyoncé make it rinkside, NHL media types might actually spontaneously combust, leaving a trail of iPhones and unwritten columns about who will play Marty St. Louis in the movie version of the postseason smoldering in the press box.Major Markets(Source: cgodley - Hollywood Reporter)Yes, L.A. and New York are the two largest media markets in the league, so ratings for this final should get a bump from years past, at least stateside. But in actuality, a Stanley Cup final on NBCSN 7 or whoever it is who televises hockey poorly in the United States these days still rates lower than a Reba marathon on CMT. Add in the fact that the NBA finals feature a rematch of last years epic Heat-Spurs series, a compelling Lebron as Jordan narrative, and the dichotomy of the Heats talents in South Beach and the Spurs team first philosophy, some Americans might not even find time to watch Reba. Certainly a major market clash is good for the NHL, and good for hockey. But it wont be the epic sea change in the sports national visibility and popularity that the media will portray it as.Canadians (Source: nhl.com/kings)In the absence of Canadian teams in the final, the nationalist hockey media will do its best to attach Canada to the series narrative as best they can. Theyll count the amount of Canadians on each team. Theyll do a feature on the Sutters, how theyre cheering on Darryl from Viking, but cant make it to the games because the spring crop needs a plantin. There will be mention of how many Canadian Olympians are on each team. Stephen Harper will somehow make an appearance. Therell be something about a loonie at centre ice. And, of course, the annual Bettman-MacLean smug-off where Ron will ask about Quebec City and Gary will wish he were still with the NBA. If it goes 7 games, the contrived Canadiana will get thicker than a beer commercial. The Unmentioned(Source: Dirk Shadd - Times)The final will be notable not just for the tired recycled stories of rounds past, but also the issues facing hockey that will not be mentioned. Sure, a wedding isnt the place to discuss your partners flaws, but during its second biggest moment of the year (to the inexplicably popular outdoor games) certainly some of the sports challenges could be included in the pre-game and intermission discourse. It would be interesting, and beneficial, to have the pundits debate why fighting barely exists in the playoffs yet is apparently crucial to the game, if Zenon Konopkas PED use is an isolated case or hockeys dirty little secret, or have an open dialogue about concussion protocol, or the lack thereof, especially in the postseason. And Dominic Moores story is a truly heartbreaking tale, but some moment should be found to mention how it has been ten years since Todd Bertuzzi ended his brothers career, how Dominic was at times ostracized from NHL circles because of it, and how the case has yet to go to trial. But, you know, Don Cherry trying to pronounce Anze Kopitar is interesting in its own way.The Stanley Cup final matchup promises an entertaining series. Both the Rangers and Kings are built around speed, hard forechecking, and timely goaltending. There will be plenty of stories that will grow organically. This is the beauty of sport; the story writes itself, and that story will be best told if its storytellers eschew the contrived and indulge in its evolution. Cheap Shoes Black Friday .twitter.com/xBTpoAKLJk — Daryl Zerr (@darylzerr) May 29, 2014 @BarDown I give to you the @SquirrelsNCHL aka the Fighting Squirels. Shoes Black Friday Deals 2020 .Y. - The NFL has fined Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch $20,000 for making an obscene gesture during last Sundays NFC championship game, a person with knowledge of the fine told The Associated Press on Thursday. https://www.cheapshoesblackfriday.com/ . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Wholesale Shoes Black Friday Free Shipping . -- The Washington Redskins coaching staff distanced itself from other coaches Thursday by siding with ownership -- and not the players -- in the NFLs labour dispute. Discount Shoes Black Friday .C. -- Only two Syracuse teams have won their first 20 games, and C.KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Slugger Jose Abreu, All-Star left-hander Chris Sale and closer Matt Lindstrom are on the disabled list. But the Chicago White Sox are still finding ways to win. Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer and the White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-6 on Tuesday night. "Any time you can expand a lead I think that those are a lot more meaningful," Dunn said. The White Sox needed those extra runs as the Royals answered with three in the eighth and one in the ninth. "Six runs were not enough," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "The eighth inning put a damper on it. We were trying to keep the score at two runs. "This is a club you go up and down their lineup, you make a mistake and those guys are going to hit it a long way. I guess you call it we caught a break, but it hasnt helped us any missing (Jose) Abreu. Hes got a ton of power, too." Abreu leads the majors with 15 homers, but Dunn and Paul Konerko have hit three-run homers in the first two games of this series. "Obviously, hes really good," Dunn said of Abreu. "I think Paul and I hopefully can put some runs on the board." The White Sox out-homered the Royals 5-0 in winning the first two games of this series. "Theyve got a lot of power," Royals designated hitter Billy Butler said. "They live and die by the long ball. They hit a lot of home runs and when they dont, they usually lose." Andre Rienzo (4-0) limited the Royals to two runs and five hits over six innings. He struck out a career-high eight. "He had some really good stuff today," Dunn said. "Hes kept us in pretty much every ball game. ... When he has three or four pitches working like he did tonight, hes tough." Ronald Belisario gave up a run in the ninth, he stranded the tying run at second base to pick up his first save of the season. The Royals record dropped to 5-15 against American League Central opponents. Gordon Beckham and Conor Gillaspie, who each had three hits, singled before Dunn homered in the eighth off right-hander Aaron Crow, who had allowed two three-run homers in hhis past two appearances.dddddddddddd. Beckham has hit safely in 13 of his past 15 games, while Gillaspie increased his average to .347. Royals rookie right-hander Yordano Ventura (2-4) took the loss, allowing four runs and seven hits, including a Tyler Flowers home run, in six innings. Ventura threw three wild pitches in the White Sox three-run fifth, the last one allowing Beckham to score. Danny Valencia doubled home Butler and Alex Gordon with the first two Kansas City runs in the second. White Sox relievers Scott Downs and Frank Francisco combined to retire only one of the six batters they faced in the eighth as the Royals scored three runs. Gordon and Cain had RBIs, while Cain scored on a Francisco wild pitch. Zach Putnam restored order by retiring pinch hitter Mike Moustakas on an infield popup and Nori Aoki on a ground ball that shortstop Alexei Ramirez made a diving stop with runners on the corners. Belisario, who threw 21 pitches in two innings Monday, allowed a two-out single to Gordon, scoring Butler, who had doubled. Jarrod Dyson ran for Gordon and stole second. Belisario struck out Cain on three pitches to end the game. "Its the same," Belisario said of setting up or closing. "Its the same going in. I do my job. I feel the same." Notes: Sale felt fine after a bullpen session Tuesday and could come off the disabled list this weekend to start against the New York Yankees. ... Royals All-Star C Salvador Perez is sidelined with inflammation in his right thumb. The Royals are hopeful Perez could return Saturday, avoiding a trip to the disabled list. They did recall C Francisco Pena, the son of Yankees bench coach and former Royals manager Tony Pena, from Triple-A Omaha. Pena made his major league debut, catching in the ninth. ... The Royals optioned IF Johnny Giavotella to Omaha. ... Lindstrom, who injured his left ankle trying to field a bunt in the ninth inning, was placed on the 15-day disabled list. The White Sox purchased the contract of RHP Javy Guerra, who had 21 saves for the Dodgers as a rookie in 2011, from Triple-A Charlotte. ' ' '