That was about as cool as it gets. Ryan Getzlaf punching Hossa along the boards. Scott Niedermayer elbowing Datsyuk and then the two squaring off and Corey Perry getting a few rights in on Brian Rafalski. That is the definition of Playoff Hockey!

The exciting conclusion sets the stage for a do-or-die Game Seven to be played back at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit tomorrow night. Man oh man. How I am looking forward to that along with the other Game 7′s with the first delicious one on the entree list featuring Sidney Crosby and the Pens visiting Alex Ovechkin and the Caps later tonight. Gary Thorne once said there’s no better theater than a deciding Game 7. How right he is. Both teams laying it all on the line. One goes home for the summer while the other battles on.

For as tough as the conclusion of the opening round was in these parts, that’s how much fun the Conference Semis have been, providing some of the best playoff hockey in years. Add three more series going the distance following our two Hudson clubs falling in Round One. That’s already five Game 7′s! How awesome is that?!?!?!?!?!

Let’s not forget how exciting the conclusion of the Blackhawks and Canucks was with Game Six as unpredictable as it gets. That tells ya how great this round has been. Every match-up has gone at least six and Boston has finally shown the heart we thought it had forcing a seventh game back in their place against Carolina.

Whatever happens, the other three teams who move on to the Conference Finals will have really earned it. As the hated Terrell Owens would say:

“Getcha your popcorn ready!”