WILLIAMS: Our streak on the line with black and gold

We’re one Steelers victory away — OK, one Steelers upset victory away — from something we may never see again. Should the Steelers defeat the Patriots tonight in Foxborough, Mass., that will make four consecutive championship series/games for Mahoning Valley regional sports teams.

What a ride it’s been. The Pittsburgh Penguins are Stanley Cup champions and the Cleveland Cavaliers are kings of the NBA. In November, the Cleveland Indians came sooooo close to winning the World Series for the first time since 1948.

Tonight, the Steelers, the only NFL franchise with six Super Bowl wins, are hoping to earn a chance for a “Stairway to Seven.”

Of course, few Indians fans here are cheering for the Steelers. Probably not many Penguins fans embraced the Cavs last June. Does it really matter? This is a special time if you love sports — we’re experiencing a streak to savor. Even if you hate the Steelers, can you look away?

Our run started last spring when the Pens, behind the inspired play of 22-year-old rookie goaltender Matt Murray, upset the top-seeded Washington Capitals in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Pens needed seven games to oust the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL’s Eastern Conference Final, then won their fourth Stanley Cup championship since 1991 when they bounced the San Jose Sharks in six games.

Few saw the Pens going so far when the regular season ended. The Pens entered the playoffs with backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff in net because Marc-Andre Fleury had a concussion. After they split the first two games against the New York Rangers, Pens coach Mike Sullivan switched to Murray who had spent most of the season with Wilkes-Barre in the AHL.

Murray won 15 times, including Game 6 on June 12 in the Shark Tank.

Also last spring, the Cleveland Cavaliers were earning a rematch with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. This was not unexpected. Once LeBron James returned to Cleveland in July 2014, a championship for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame City seemed quite possible.

In June 2015, the Warriors defeated the Cavs in six. Twelve months later, the Warriors had a chance to win in five. Then the Cavs produced a magical week Cleveland fans will never forget.

One night after the Pens clinched the Cup, the Cavs won in Oakland to force Game 6. The Cavs won three nights later in Quicken Loans Arena, creating an incredible Father’s Day finale.

That Sunday was one for the ages. Some Valley golf fans watched the U.S. Open’s final round at nearby Oakmont Country Club along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, then raced home to see the Cavs win Cleveland’s first championship since 1964.

Two championships in eight days. Two parades a week apart. How could anything be better?

Four months later, the Cleveland Indians delivered. The Indians powered through the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in the American League playoffs to earn a World Series date with the Chicago Cubs.

An epic streak was guaranteed to end as the Cubs had not won a championship since 1908.

This time, the 3-1 lead backfired on Cleveland as the Cubs rallied to win Games 5 and 6.

About 90 minutes before Game 7 began, it felt like spring so I walked from the auxiliary press box in deep right field to the ice cream stand at Progressive Field’s Home Run Porch. Walking by the center-field gate, it was stunning to see how many Cubs fans were streaming through the gates. Indians broadcaster Tom Hamilton estimated the Game 7 crowd was essentially a 50/50 split.

The Indians came so close, wiping out a 5-1 lead to force extra innings. But the Cubs won 8-7 in 10 innings, crushing hearts but offering hope. The Indians are sooooo close.

As for the Steelers, they were expected in the preseason to compete for the AFC crown. The Patriots were as well, but Tom Brady’s four-game suspension made some feel they might be vulnerable.

Not exactly!

The Steelers rolled to a 4-1 start, then lost four straight. Then they got hot. The Steelers haven’t lost since Nov. 13 when the Cowboys beat them by scoring a touchdown with nine seconds remaining. That night, the Seahawks beat the Patriots 31-24 at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots have won every game since.

It should be a fabulous game. The team that wins will be the first to earn a ninth Super Bowl trip.

But the streak is in jeopardy — Brady and Bill Belichick pretty much have been kryptonite to the Steelers since the AFC Championship Game after the 2001 season.

Another streak is always possible. Maybe the Pens will compete for another Cup this June or maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets will win the NHL’s Eastern Conference. The Cavs are the favorites to return to a third-straight Finals. Many are picking the Indians to win it all this fall.

Who knows what 2017 will bring, but we’re off to a good start with tonight’s game. Here we go.

Tom Williams is a sportswriter at The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Williams_Vindy.