Running for Your Life: It’s Time for Stanley

Bring it on, Jeff Zatkoff! If not you, let it be Tristan Jarry!

Tomorrow (April 13) marks the beginning of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One of my favorite times of the year.

And, yes, my beloved Pittsburgh Penguins are back in it. (And, gulp, not a single Canadian team made the grade – the first time in 46 years. And, yeah, I remember that previous season of 1969-70 VERY well. With Les Canadiens out, the Bruins skated their way to the finals and Bobby Orr, a fellow Georgian Bay native, scored The Goal after being tripped by St. Louis Blue Noel Picard: one of the most memorable moments in modern pro hockey history.)

Could Jeff Zatkoff be the next Bobby Orr, and lead my Penguins to victory?

Well, it looks like the 27-year-old journeyman from Detroit, Michigan, will get the start for the Pens against the Rangers tomorrow. With No. 1 puckstopper Marc Andre Fleury and No. 2 Matt Murray out with head injuries, it’s up to Zatkoff and his backup, 20-year-old Tristan Jarry from Surrey, BC, who has never faced a single shot in an NHL regular season game – much less a high-stakes playoff game.

The time is right for Stanley. Just lovin’ Jeff and Jarry, and the prospect of these little-known heroes making their mark in the spotlight on the Can-Am sports stage!

Next: Running for Your Life: Up “Hill” Battle