The last time the Red Wings were in the Stanley Cup Finals I was on a trip to Clovis, New Mexico watching my friend Rusty Brian get married and then I was on a plane to Mission Springs campground in Santa Cruz, CA where I was spending the summer as a High School camp counselor. I didn’t see a single game of their 2002 Stanley Cup victory over Carolina. It’s been a long 6 years. I know, when I… a Red Wings fan say “it’s been a long 6 years” those of you from Chicago will cringe, thinking it’s kinda like a Florida Marlins fan saying it’s been a “long time” since they won the World Series. Hey sometimes it just stinks to be from Chicago (Blackhawks – 46 year Cup drought; Bears – 23 year SB drought; Cubs – 100 year WS drought). That being said… for a kid who became a Red Wings fan back in 1995, it’s been a long time since we’ve been in the Stanley Cup. And this time, I’m not missing a game!