Game Seven

Since 1996 the Red Wings have won more Stanley Cups then played game sevens. Tonight they played their third since then and just like the previous two they won. Honestly even as the game came to an end I had to admit to myself that this certainly wasn't the most exciting. However that says nothing about how awesome this was...its just how can you beat a 1-0 victory in double overtime with a shot from Yzerman or beating the Avalanche so bad that Roy got pulled from the game. This one had somewhat of a different feel...it was close throughout but somehow even after giving up the two goal lead it was clear that the Wings were in charge. Who would have thought that Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa, and Franzen won't score but the Wings would never trail from start to finish in a game 7. I also have to give some recognition to Ozzie since he has been great throughout this playoff and I'll say it right now that he should be in the Hall of Fame.

1996 Game 7 - Western Conference Semifinals vs. St. Louis

2002 Game 7 - Western Conference Finals vs. Colorado

For Statue of Liberty Play in Game 6 start at 4:15
For Game 7 start at 4:45

2009 Game 7 - Western Conference Semifinals vs. Anaheim

Graduation

This past Friday was my dad's birthday (happy birthday dad...as well as Matt O). It also was the official completion of my formal education. I was hooded, which is basically what is done when you receive your PhD. I was able to have my co-Chair hood me, which is nice since not everyone gets that opportunity. I don't have any pictures from it (though I assume some folks have pictures for me), but I was able to borrow some from the web and Sherry's graduation last year.

Hill Auditorium last year for Sherry's graduation...same look for mine.

Prior to the start of the ceremony the graduates (master and PhD) formed a processional from the Rackham Graduate School to Hill Auditorium. This gave the photographer an opportunity to snap a picture of each graduate.

Me enjoying the graduate processional.

The ceremony was very nice and I thought the speaker did a very good job. My co-chair told me that at one point he used a long technical term and the sign language guy just put his hands up indicating that he didn't know what to do with it. Once the master students were recognized (congrats Seth), the PhDs were announced individually. The master students were given the option to do a fist bump with President Coleman instead of a hand shake due to the swine flu. However the PhDs were just given hand sanitizer and everyone shook hands with her.

Shaking hands with President Coleman...I knew that my tassel was going to be in my face for this picture.

Then that was pretty much it besides another picture off to the side and a nice dinner with the family that joined me for the day.

The culmination of 23 years of formal education.

Our Future Home

Piece by piece the details of Dem and my wedding/marriage are coming together. Recently we found where we are going to live and I think we are both very excited about the place. There are a few things about the place that we are slightly concerned about but overall its a good fit for both of us. I'm actually going to move in later this month and then Dem can start moving her stuff over as well so that when June 6th hits our home will be ready for us.

The community pool...there is also a fitness center that is available 24 hours a day.

The Buildings.

To-Do List

I'm starting to think that my short term to-do list is looking much more like my life-time to-do list.

This week
1) Interview for an out-of-state job
2) Graduate with my PhD

Within a month
3) Business meeting in Memphis
4) Move (first move in the past 5 years)

Month plus a few days
5) Get married

Let's Go Red Wings!

Well done Wings...4 down, 12 to go.

Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images