Who to Root for in the Stanley Cup Finals?

Tomorrow night begins the 2013 edition of the Stanley Cup finals.  Unfortunately, my team isn't in it.  So now, the big question is:  Who does Blizzard of Kozz officially support during this last struggle for the cup?

This might sound obvious, but the answer is:

The Chicago Blackhawks.

This isn't for the reason you may think.  It goes far deeper than the fact that the Bruins embarrassed the Penguins in the last round.  It is because of my deep seated hatred for one man:  Jaromir Jagr.

As you may or may not know, Jagr started his career with the Penguins in 1990, winning back to back cups with the team.

Jagr (right) with Mario Lemieux

 In the early 2000's, the team stunk.  He decided he wanted out, claiming that he was "dying alive" in Pittsburgh.  So we traded him to the Washington Capitals for basically nothing.  After playing for the Rangers for a number of seasons, he left the NHL to play in Russia.  In 2011, he decided to come back to the NHL, and claimed that he wanted to play for Pittsburgh as a thank you to the team and Mario Lemieux for starting his career.  It appeared that he wanted to make amends.  Instead he spat in the face of the Penguins and took a higher paying contract from our biggest rival the Philadelphia Flyers, who of course beat us in the playoffs last year.  Most Penguins fans were ready to welcome him back with open arms.  Instead he will forever be branded in Pittsburgh sports lore as a traitor.

Projectile vomit everywhere

After being traded from Dallas, the team with which he began the year at the trade deadline, Jagr joined Boston for their championship run.  However, he hasn't been that productive, only gathering a handful of assists in the playoffs and no goals.  But the point stands.  I have no interest in this man even getting REMOTELY close to another cup win.

As such, I am supporting the Blackhawks.  The Pens were in competition with the Blackhawks to lead the overall league standings for most of the season, with each team tying with 36 wins.  Chicago won the award with 5 overtime loses being worth one point a piece.  The Penguins, on the other hand, never lost in overtime, giving the 'Hawks a (36-7-5) record to Pittsburgh's (36-12-0).  Seeing them as a rival most of the season led me to root for their opponent in each of their previous match ups during the playoffs, but now the situation has changed.  Jaromir. Jagr. Must. Go. Down.

Go Blackhawks.

Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews after winning the Cup in 2010.

Taylor Swift and the Penguins Curse

     This image has been making the rounds... well, around the internet the past couple days, so I thought I'd give some insight into what the big deal here is for those of you who haven't been spending the better part of each of the last few days hitting refresh on all of the major hockey sites (like myself).

     This picture was taken in 2009, in the fall following our third Stanley Cup victory.  Since then each Penguin that took part in this iconic picture has died a slow, painful death.  One by one.  Or they each left the Pens by various means one by one.  Not sure which.

Alex Goligoski (2nd from the right) was the first to make his leave from the Penguins, being part of the deal that sent Matt Niskanen and, more importantly, my homeboy James Neal from the Dallas Stars to Pittsburgh, PA.  No complaints there.

What else is going on in this image??  Better continue reading to find out...