The second round schedule of the Stanley Cup is set. Jim Valvano applied the term survive and advance to the NCAA basketball tournament, but that only takes 6 wins. It takes 16 wins over 4 7-game series to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. The winners are truly the ultimate sports survivors.

I had an opportunity to see game 5 of the Stars-Avalanche, but I had to decline my brother’s offer - my girlfriend has serious business travel this month and it wouldn’t have been right. It would have been my first brush with a NHL playoff series win in person. Hopefully, I’ll get another chance. I need to store up some good NHL memories for what could be an extended off season.