Wing Whiner

Fight For Your Right

2010-03-19T05:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's been awhile since I posted, but let me say this, GO WINGS!

The Wings find themselves in a position that they have not been in for almost 20 years and are battling to make the playoffs. As a life-long Detroiter and Wings fan I am confident they can get a spot as an eighth or seventh seed and go far in the post-season.

Just hang around long enough, like Crosby camping next to the goal, and you'll see the Wings in full playoff mode. I predict Detroit faces Chicago in the first round and goes the distance in a seven game do-or-die fight. From there we'll just have to see how healthy and hungry they are.

It's been a long season but it's almost time... GO WINGS!

The Mule Down & Out

2009-10-10T10:15:00.000-07:00

Wings' Johan Franzen out 4 months

The Detroit Red Wings found out yesterday that forward Johan Franzen will be out at least four months after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Thursday’s 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

This sucks. I was going to draft him early in my Fantasy Hockey league which starts this week.

I'll have to give him a call and see if he needs a meal or anything while he's out.

Go Wings!

Warming Up

2009-08-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

I've been away and have started preparing for training camp.
With the return of the NHL season just around the corner, get ready for some more rants.

Go Wings!

Toooooo Baaad Hudler.... Can you say Awkward?

2009-07-11T14:48:00.000-07:00

The NHL is contesting Jiri Hudler's contract with Moscow Dynamo of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, believing he is contractually obligated to the Red Wings. The NHL has approached both International Ice Hockey Federation, seeking its intervention.

Because Hudler filed for arbitration on Sunday, the NHL believes he is obligated to remain in the league next season, nullifying the two-year, $10 million deal he signed with Dynamo.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown said in a statement: "We believe that Mr. Hudler remains contractually obligated to the Detroit Red Wings.''

In an e-mail, IIHF communications director Szymon Szemberg said: "The IIHF has been informed by the NHL about the Jiri Hudler case. Upon this, the IIHF has informed the Russian Ice Hockey Federation about the NHL's position and the case is under investigation. As this is a transfer to an IIHF member league the player will be needing an International Transfer Card (ITC), approved by the IIHF, to complete the transfer. Only upon the IIHF's signing the ITC, the transfer would be finalized and approved.''

According to Szemberg, a fully approved ITC is signed by:
a) the player
b) the new IIHF member national association (in this case Russia)
c) the old IIHF member national association (USA Hockey)

When all those signatures are in place the IIHF puts a stamp on the ITC as final approval.

"During the process, USA Hockey would ask the NHL whether they approve the transfer,'' Szemberg said. "If the NHL says no, USA Hockey will most probably not sign and the ITC would be incomplete -- no IIHF approval.''

He added: "If the KHL, through the Russian federation, disputes the NHL's/USA Hockey's refusal to sign, they can take the case to the IIHF and ask the IIHF to intervenve. An investigation would follow.''

Hossa?

2009-06-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hossa will probably walk, which will mean even more crow for him to eat. His whole "I want the best chance to win a cup thing is more important than money", will blow up in his face, cause he's in the same spot this year as he was last season but now he has a bad playoff behind him to bring his value down. Not good to be Hossa right now, Detroit is the only contender that he can save face with by winning next year, it ain't going to happen in Edmonton or Minnesota wherever else he's rumored to go if he signs somewhere else. He needs to man up & except that he didn't help himself in the bankroll dept. he should have played out of his mind & stepped up to win a cup & his value would be through the roof right now.

It's really rather simple, here is his choices...

1.) Strong chance of winning cup & a 3.5 million paycut down to 4 million a year for 7 or more years & multiple chances at winning the Cup
or
2.) No chance anytime soon to win the cup & still take a pay cut & make about 6 million a year for a long term contract on a team that may have a chance at it in about 3 to 5 years, maybe....

If he's about being a champion then he'll stay with Detroit but if he's about making some money then he'll bolt, either way we will win another cup in the next year or two with or without Hossa, we're just that good.

Regardless what he chooses to do, I think he's a very good player & he had a great season although he choked when it counted most, but I do think he learned something from it & if he stays, he'll be a terror in the playoffs next year but if he splits, he's not gonna get a glimpse of the Cup for many years.

Over & Out

2009-06-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

The Red Wings season is over and so is this Blog... for now.

My words are simple & direct to Kenny Holland & somewhat obvious- If Hossa will sign for around 4 million a year, lock him up, if not resign Hudler & Samuelson, after all we finished the big dance without Hossa & with those two guys. Overall I think injuries were the biggest opponent this post season for the Wings, so regardless of which way Holland goes with things as long as we can stay healthy next Cup run, we should be fine.
The only other issue is how the Wings can beat the refs, actually the refs present a problem for all teams, their inconsistency wreaks havoc on these series but such has been the case for some time now.

In closing, it's been fun, it didn't result in the outcome I would have liked, but at least I got to go to an excellent game 7 that the Wings actually won vs. Anaheim. Good Times & until next year.
-Later

Go Tigers!

Game 7 "I'm so excited"

2009-06-12T14:10:00.000-07:00

In the words of the pointer sisters "I'm so excited & I just can't hide it" I can't wait till tonight, this is so awesome, nerve-racking but awesome... Game 7 Stanley Cup victory would be so cool for the Wings.

Good Times

Go Wings!!

Game 7: Preview

2009-06-11T05:44:00.000-07:00

Wings date June 10th, 2009... Exactly 2 days prior to what will surely be a historic game 7 in Detroit. It hasn't happened in Detroit for over 50 years & the statistics are truly on their side in this one, not only has the home team won every game so far in this series but the Wings are 11 - 1 in this post season & in Stanley Cup Finals history the record for the home team winning the Cup is 12 - 2. But the Wings need more than math, they need passion. Game 6 they slept through the first period & a half & then decided to make it a game. If they try something like that on Friday, they stand a good chance of blowing this. It's all on the line & I believe the Wings team that made the pens look silly in game 5 is the wings we'll see this Friday.

Make no mistake, bad officiating isn't what got us to a 3 - 3 split, it's been a combination of determination, complacency, terrible schedule (3 games in 4 nights - stupid 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here') & home ice advantage with all it's benefits. In the beginning many didn't think that Pittsburg measured up to the wings but they are better than what we've given them credit for but if you really examine it, they aren't equal to the wings cause when we can play our best guys against their best guys, it results in a win for Detroit but with a game 7 comes the potential for anything, bad calls, disallowed goals, crazy bounces off the back boards, thunderous hits from Kronwall or goals from overdue hero's like Hossa.

Yes, this is make or break for Hossa, if he's going to send a statement to Pittsburg that they weren't good enough for him, then he better produce himself. Overall, I think he's a fantastic player & I think he's a bit overwhelmed with the way things have transpired with his old team & the rematch but regardless, the entire playoffs, he's only scored two goals in all of the game 4's, giving him a total of only 6 for the entire playoffs, we need more from him & for his own sake I hope he shows up on Friday with his best game of his career. Regardless of what Hossa brings the Wings with Datsyuk back in their line up with home ice advantage, getting last line change & face off advantage, I sincerely believe they will win this game & hoist their 5th Stanley Cup in 12 years...

With that being said, if nothing else after Friday, we won't have to hear the name Crosby for another season, we won't have to watch the shameful manlove of Pierre McGuire for the rest of the summer. And we can let NBC get back to what they are good at, lame TV reality shows.

Wings 4
Penguins 3

Game winner - Franzen

Go Wings!!

Game 6: Close, But Not Close Enough

2009-06-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hockey is game of inches. Tuesday night, Detroit was only inches away from winning their fifth Stanley Cup in twelve years, and as the series goes, it was the home team who won.

Pittsburgh took advantage of their opportunities and scored, Detroit did not.

Zetterberg had a shot at tying the game, inches away from the net, the sound of puck-on-post caused Wing fans to stand and shout, then quickly sit down frustrated with the same thought, "so close."

Finally, after a bunch of other scoring opportunities, which including Osgood being pulled with less than two minutes go, Pittsburgh won 2-1 when time ran out.

Now with one game left, Detroit has to come out with the same sense of urgency they showed in the third period with five minutes to play... otherwise, there will be no partying in Royal Oak Friday night. No Woodward parade. No more chances.

And don't blame the refs, it just makes the NHL look stupid.
Plus, the NHL doesn’t need any help looking stupid.

Hire a commissioner who knows nothing about the sport: Check.
Add more teams to the league including towns with no interest in the sport: Check.
Lose TV coverage from Entertainment Sports Programming Network: Check.
Allow a lockout followed by salary-cap: Check.
Change rulebook and officiate inconsistently on a consistent basis: Check.
Market the league to resemble the NBA on ice: Check.
Market and over-saturate viewers with a young player who hasn’t won anything: Check.
Hire a former Scout and Assistant Coach for biased commentary while no secret he favors his old team: Check.
Insist Canadian players are the only players on the ice and ignore all others born outside of North America: Check.
Allow former prejudiced coach who calls European players “soft” to give intermission thoughts wearing flowered suits and Mickey Mouse ties: Check.
Speak only of one team on the brink of bankruptcy during the playoffs and ignore other on verge of a dynasty: Check.
Game 7: Check.

Go Wings!!!!!!!

Game 6 Preview

2009-06-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

So here it is, game 6 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. With the Wings up 3-2 in the series, they are on the brink of winning another Stanley Cup— five in the past 12 years. Could this be it? A preview of things to come tonight?

Many questions come to mind before the puck drops at 8:00 tonight in the Melon Arena. This has been a "home ice" series with both teams winning in their respective town. Game 4 was an embarrassment for Detroit; Game 5 the same for Pittsburgh. What will the scoreboard look like tonight? I believe we will see both teams playing like their backs against the wall knowing this is a make-or-break game with Detroit finishing the job final score 3-2.

How often will Crosby be mentioned or shown on NBC and by his boyfriend Pierre McGuire? This is it. Even though Hank Zetterberg has been the better player, nothing will top tonight as it may be the last. It will be saturation mode, Crosby, Crosby Crosby. NBC will get the most out of their endorsement deal with Bettman before it's over.

I expect the Penguins to rough it up, play dirty, and cry about penalties. It's gonna happen in the beginning of the game but they will fly right at the end as they try to catch up. Also, and this is important, Mike Babcock better keep an eye on Pierre McGuire and his yellow Volkswagen. When Detroit wins tonight, I have a feeling he might take a run at Zetterberg and later meet Crosby for dinner at the local Red Lobster... he's already been heard on ESPN radio in Pittsburgh saying of the Wings, "you suck you jackass."

Who nets the game winning goal? The man that is due, and the player that Pittsburgh fans would hate to see hoisting the cup in their igloo, Hossa.

As for who wins the MVP, sorry Malkin, Osgood has been the difference throughout the playoffs including a couple of shutouts.

Fans in Pittsburgh will be loud and the players will feed off the noise, but ultimatly it won't matter. The only question, will the noise be louder if the Penns score or from the booing when Hossa skates around with the cup above his head?

Sadly, this might be the last time we see some players celebrating wearing the Winged Wheel. It's no secret Chris Chelios is playing beyond his years and is being benched in favor of the younger defensemen. IF he returns to the NHL next season, most definitely he won't be signing with the wings that's for sure.

As for Marian Hossa, it won't be critical to a win tonight and I don't think it'll matter to Holland, but it sounds like a deal is all but done and he will return, but who knows.

Bottom line, Wings will take care of business tonight, no need for game 7, but expect NBC to hype it in favor of a Pittsburgh victory. Sorry Bettman, not this year.

And just a reminder to all, please no texting me tonight, I can't afford another $30 night of texts... I get 400 texts a month & with all these playoff games I've blown way past that number.

Go Wings!!!!

Welcome Back Mr. Datsyuk

2009-06-08T07:16:00.000-07:00

Though they won only two of them but the Pittsburgh Penguins looked to be the superior team over the first four games of the 2009 Stanley Cup finals.

Then Pavel Datsyuk returned to the Red Wings, the league's rightful most valuable player, got in the game.

The moment when the series shifted, when Detroit established itself as the team that would almost certainly win the Cup, came at 8:11 of the first period, Game Five, when the Russian star of the Red Wings cranked the Russian star of the Penguins, knocking him over and knocking Pittsburgh off its high horse.

The 5-feet, 11-inch, 200 pound Datsyuk nailed the the 6-foot, 3-inch Malkin, who had dominated the series until that moment, but stopped dominating for the rest of that game, at least.

Now the only thing to be determined is if the Wings can sustain that dominance back in Melon Arena on Tuesday? With Datsyuk back on the ice, the Wings will have a much different deck of cards to deal from & this should help Zetterberg contain the two headed beast of Malkin & Crosby. Game 6 is still very much up for grabs, this has been a home series, no one has stolen any wins away from the home team but fortunately for the Wings we don't have to.

Too bad the voting for the Hart trophy doesn't include the post season cause game 5 was proof positive of just how valuable Datsyuk is to the Red Wings & he deserves to win the MVP this year.

As for the Con Smyth for playoff MVP, if the wings win it which they will definitely win in the next two games but I would have to go with Osgood, Zetterberg a close second.

One thought occurred to me during game 5, if Hossa wasn't with us & he was still with the Pens, we would have been finished, with all these injuries we've been dealing with we wouldn't be able to contain those big 3 like we did last season. I only hope Hossa can score the winning goal when the wings win the cup, it would be great if he can hoist the cup in Pittsburgh though, if he thinks he gets booed now, wait till he lifts the cup.

The sweetest thing about winning on Tuesday will be that, we won't have to listen to the love fest of Pierre McGuire as he slobbers all over Cindy Crosby anymore. Hopefully next year another network gets the finals & Wing fans won't have to deal with biased, partial, prejudiced commentary.

Go Wings!!

What A Differrence A Year Makes

2009-06-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

June 4th, 2008 : Wings win their 4th Stanley Cup in 11 years against the Penguins

June 4th, 2009 : Wings get their lunch handed to them in game 4 against the Penguins

I watched that Cup clinching game from last year, I have it saved on my DVR & I hate to say it but this wings team doesn't look like the same team that dominated last year. The body language of the wings, is a little scary, they look completely exhausted & lethargic.

I hope last years Wings show up on Saturday.

Go Wings!

NHL Assists Pittsburgh Defeat The Wings

2009-06-03T06:40:00.000-07:00

Well done Bettman. You got your way, Pittsburgh got their win.

The 6 man advantage really didn't hurt the Wings, but may have changed things if they would have scored on that powerplay. But that kind of washes out the 2 times Zetterberg covered the puck & could have had a penalty shot called on him. But the Ericson call was crap, the Pens have been doing the same thing all night, everyone had been doing that. But the truth of the matter is that, from the second period on, the Wings just looked a little tired to me, they didn't have the jump they needed. Give the Pens credit, (which I rarely do) they looked hungry, they were beating Detroit to the puck(s). I knew they would win one of the 2 games in Pittsburg, but the Wings better step it up a notch for the next game, they can't afford to let the Pitts tie the series.

That said... where was Crosby? What, is Pierre wearing his jock-strap?

As for game 4, Datsyuk & Draper should be in the line but sit Leino & Abdelkater.

After speaking with Coach Babcock, here is what the lines should be:
Holmstrom-Zetterberg-Datsyuk
Franzen-Filppula-Hossa
Samuelson-Helm-Cleary
Hudler-Draper-Maltby

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Lebda

Osgood

Go Wings!!!

Where Is The Love?

2009-06-02T12:50:00.001-07:00

Not since Johnny's love of Johnny Depp & Cher was revealed (HUH?), since Kurt's love of football players & himself was confessed, not since Phil's infatuation with JFK has their been a love so undeniable, so utterly obvious, so gut wrenchingly disgusting... Pierre loves Sidney! Like only a Frenchman can do, a love so preposterous that the world stands up & takes notice. Since Pierre Twittered Sidney's Facebook, they've been inseparable. For Sidney, Pierre has been the voice in the darkness saying 'you can do it', that warmth in the night that calms Sidney's fears of all things Red (washington, carolina & now the Red Wings), the reassuror of an over inflated ego. Now is the time that their love will be tested, will Sidney be able to go on without the poetic commentary of Pierre McGuire these next two games that are covered by versus, chances are Pierre won't even get to see the games on TV because really, who has versus? Only if the Penguins can make it till game 5 will this storybook romance be rekindled... Stay tuned.

Go Wings

Game 3 Preview

2009-06-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

No Pavel and Sammy a game time decision. Here was the practice lines they skated with today:

Franzen-Zetterberg-Hudler
Holmstrom-Filppula-Hossa
Draper-Helm-Cleary
Leino-Abdelkader-Maltby
McCarty-Downey (scratches)
Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Lebda
Chelios-Meech-Kindl (scratches)
Osgood
Conklin
Howard

As for the game tonight, I have no doubt that the Pens will split the next two games with the Wings, I rather it be game 4 that they win but I have a hunch it'll be tonight, they'll steal an overtime game from us. Fluery will have a very good game & Crosby will score as well. The Wings need to bring their A-game soon, I've been winning about our B-game, that can't last against Pittsburgh. I want goals from Detroit's big names also, hopefully game 4 we'll see Datsyuk & Sammy come back into the line up... The best thing about the next two games is that we'll be Pierre McGuire free. Unfortunately, the possible game clinching number 5 will see Pierre return just in time to console Cindy Crosby as he watches the Wings skate around with the Cup...... Again!

Go Wings!!!

Wings Up, Pierre Down

2009-06-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been 2 games in 2 days & one thing is for certain, Pierre McGuire has dreams of picking up the soap in the Penguins shower. NBC has truly gone over the edge in their love affair with Sidney Crosby, and it's a 3 way really between Crosby, NBC , & the NHL. The crown king & his prince Malkin have continued to dazzle, delight & oh yeah, I almost forgot: LOSE! The wings have continued to shut the Pens down & Osgood has been a tremendous part of that shut down. While flukey, I mean Fluery has let soft goal after soft goal in, I am growing more & more confident that the Penguins don't have a chance.

My original prediction was a 7 game series but the way we are playing & the way they are playing, I just don't see this going more than 5 games now. True the pens probably will do much better at home, they'll have last change to get Crosby away from Zetterberg, they'll have the crowd but the wings should have Datsyuk & they still have another gear to kick up to, we still haven't seen the Wings at their best.

My prediction is that the Wings will lose game 3 but come back & win games 4 & 5...

Go Wings!!

Finals "Conspiracy Theory"

2009-05-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

Ok, here we go again: Wings vs. Pens in the finals. I hate to give into conspiracy theories but this is just too big to not discuss.

So here we go, all year the NHL has shown the Crosby love, the commercials for the NHL was Crosby scoring on the Wings in the finals, no video of any Red Wings lifting the Cup as the victors. Throughout the Wings playoffs, we've had intermissions dedicated to interviews with Crosby or updates on the Penguins playoffs during the Red Wings games, instead of giving the teams a little rest to recharge for the biggest & best series in sports, the Stanley Cup Finals. Instead the NHL moves up the date & makes the teams play 3 games in 4 nights, knowing full well that the Red Wings are currently riddled with injuries to their top players.

Now the final piece of the puzzle, if you look at most hockey websites, you'll find the comparisons to the last rematch of teams in the finals, Islanders /Oilers, tons of interviews filled with Gretzky & Messier comparing this Penguins team to the Oilers & how it seems like the torch is going to be passed from the Wings to the Pens. Call me crazy but if this isn't enough for you, tell me why we've seen some of the worst officiating this postseason, it's simple the league didn't want the Red Wings in the way of the Penguins. Seem a bit too elaborate of a scheme? Maybe, but lets just wait & see how this one is officiated. But it probably won't matter cause Detroit is so banged up that the Penguins will have a much better chance of taking it to the Wings, they may not even need the assistance of the Refs in this one.

Overall I'm disgusted with the way this has unfolded, the best team in the league deserves a better opportunity, Detroit deserves one as well. A city that has been in a recession 2 years longer than the rest of this country, a city that has endured the likes of Kwame & a dirty city counsel, deserve better than this. Detroit needs this Cup on a therapeutic level, a distraction from the world we live in, the once strong motor city has been sold out & in the process left Detroiters, Michiganders with nothing except a sports team that has continued to entertain, continued to win & a team that deserves a fair shot at winning a Stanley Cup. It's obvious that the Wings won't get that fair shot at it, so hopefully they win it out of spite...

Go Wings!

Wings in 7

Game 5 "Chicago Stinks"

2009-05-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

The Wings will close out the series, and thanks to the NHL is it's infinite stupidity, the finals will begin on Saturday & followed the very next day, not allowing the teams to rest, we will have Game 2. For the sake of TV ratings, the Wings will probably suffer the most from this mismanagement of TV scheduling. Bettmen figured that we didn't suffer enough this postseason with flying all over the continent into other time zones, so he figured he'd stick it to us this way instead.

As for Pav & Lidstom, I haven't heard from them yet, so I'm not sure if they are in or out tonight but regardless the Wings are a little beat up & the pens look pretty hungry & are clicking on all cylinders. So if you weren't nervous about playing the hawks prepare to sweat playing Cindy, Jenny & the girls... Not to mention, being one open to conspiracy theories, it sure looks like the NHL would love to see Crosby get his first cup as the Wings are the ones that would rightfully anoint him. I hope the wings spoil this pre-planned parade of the NHL. Cause if we don't, all I can say is that if you think you're sick of all the Sidney love now, wait till this messiah on skates gets a Stanley Cup. They are just waiting to green light those posters & magazine covers for all of Pissburgh...

Go Wings!

Game 4 Preview "Worried"

2009-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

So, I've been watching the unfolding of these two series & there is a scary trend that I'm seeing: Pittsburg is peaking and their best players are playing like their best players. The Wings on the other hand, haven't seemed to find all the cylinders yet. Datsyuk, Hossa & Holmstrom haven't been all that much of a force offensively, Detroit just don't look as dominant as they did last season. They are starting games slow, usually getting down early, and not as tight defensively as last season.

With that, I'm getting a little worried about this afternoon.
The Wings went from being overly respected by the hawks to now they hate Detroit cause of the Kronwell hit. That's going to do one of two things, distract the 'Hawks, as they have already indicated Kronwell is a marked man tonight or it'll energize them, cause them to put down the 'glasses of awe' that they were looking at the Wings through & really throw everything at them.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think 'Hawks have a good chance at evening up the series, today. I'm not saying they will, I'm just saying that for the first time in this series, I'm starting to get nervous.

Go Wings!

Bad Call Kills Wings

2009-05-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

It's becoming overly apparent that in order for the Wings to hoist the cup in June, they will have to beat, not only the teams they are playing, but also the refs. Once again a horrible call affects the overall outcome of a game. True we don't know what would have happened but the facts are that big hits like Kronwell's on Havlat last night usually energize a bench & makes everyone pick it up a notch, that could have been the beginning of an onslaught by the wings but instead, they had to kill off a 5 minute penalty & then another 2 minute penalty. That gave the hawks a 3 - 0 lead & sapped the wings of their mojo but they fought & got it back to an even game at 3 a piece & the wings could have capitalized on it but with the horrible beginning they had to overcome, it just wasn't meant to be.

With that loss, the Wings avoid a finals that would have been rushed for weekend viewing & now they'll be able to recover from whatever Chicago can throw at them. Wings in 5

Go Wings!!!

Brutal Kronwall call doesn't spoil 'Hawks win

Game 3 Preview

2009-05-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

Tonights game will be the only one of this series that the Blackhawks will steal. Datsyuk should take the game off, clear his head & heal his foot & come back on Sunday & rip into Khabibulanblowz... Hopefully he can snap this scoring slump finally & get this monkey off of his back. The Wings, will keep it close tonight but I think the hawks will squeeze this one out.

As for the Chelios vs Babcock thing, I don't buy it, Roenick is a big mouth, always has been. No doubt Cheli is bummed with his diminished role but he needs to read the writing on the wall & see that he's had an amazing career & retire a Wing this year & have his jersey retired. He's a legend in his own time & that's no small feet.

Go Wings

Wings Depth Prooves Too Much For Hawks

2009-05-20T05:31:00.000-07:00

I really didn't watch this game, (can't explain) so I have very limited post game thoughts other than what I seen in the OT, namely that last goal. A nice defensive play that transitioned into an excellent scoring opportunity.

I hate to say it, but I think Ken Hollands decision this off-season is becoming much clearer & easier to make. Let Hossa walk, sign Samuelson & Hudler. Having scoring depth is what is saving our bacon right now. With Datsyuk, Hossa & Holmstrom snake bit, we've really had some timely goals coming from other sources like Cleary, Samuelson & Hudler... That's what makes the Wings the best team in the league. Get Hossa his cup & let him make the big dollar somewhere else.

Go Wings!!!

Game 2 Concerns

2009-05-19T09:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight's game, will be a much different game but with the same result. The Blackhawk's will try to manhandle the Wings & this too will not work, the Blackhawk's bread & butter is a fast paced, high scoring game. So once again the opposition is trying to adjust to the wings, which plays into the Wings hands.

The only concern is of course injuries & rumor has it that Chicago has put a big fat bulls-eye on Lidstrom, that is a bit of a concern. The rest of the Wings better have his back & not let him get roughed up. While the hawks are trying to take Wings out, this will force them out of position & the Wings will capitalize on this & the final score will be 6 to 2...

Go Wings

Game "Won"

2009-05-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

Sunday's game saw a slow start from the defending champs, a soft goal from Ozzie but they were unaffected by it because with one wicked wrister from Dan Cleary the Wings were up & flying & the youngins from chicago didn't know what hit them. If it wasn't for some big time save from Khabibulanblowz in the second period, the wings would have completely embarrassed the hawks. The 5 - 2 score doesn't really paint the real picture, it was much more lopsided than the score seems to indicate.

There is no team in the NHL that can run & gun with the wings, Pittsburgh maybe, the Pens may have enough fire power to do it but there is no one in the western conference & the Blackhawks tried to play the wings that way & it blew up in their face. If they have a shot of stealing any games this series, they need to study long & hard the Ducks approach to the Wings.

So the Hawks need to clog up the ice, suffocate in their man to man coverage, play dirty, pay off the refs to call crap calls, cross check the wings in the neck & head at any given time, punch them after every whistle & complain to the refs about everything the wings do cause it's this type of play that is like kryptonite to the Wings.

My only complaint of Sundays game is that Hossa, Datsyuk are still struggling to generate anything substantial. Don't get me wrong I think they will break out of this but we can't win it all this year if they don't produce.

Go Wings

Lowered Expectations

2009-05-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

I personally feel that the media & the City (Detroit) is seriously underestimating Chicago, this will not be a 4 or 5 game series, it will be at the minimum of 6 games.

Chicago's big four are Toews, Sharp, Kane & Havlet, they don't completely measure up to our top 4 in Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hossa & Franzen but they aren't far off overall. They've got some strong D in Campbell & Seabrook but again they don't measure up to Lidstrom & Rafalski.

All in all the blackhawks are similar to the prototype that the wings have instituted but they are a few years from maturing to our level yet. But the one key thing they have an edge on us in is that they are fearless, they didn't expect to be this far into the playoffs so, they have nothing to lose at this point & they play that way. All I know is that the wings will have their hands full with Chicago. It'll be high scoring & much faster than the last series.

Go Wings

Oh yeah, Datsyuk is going to break out of his scoring slump in a big way this series & so will Holmstrom!

Ducks Cooked... Pass the Blackhawks

2009-05-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

That was nuts.... What an awesome game.

Too bad the refs tried to ruin it for us, that was the main thing that kept ruining my evening, so help me if I had a towel. For those who don't know, during a playoff game against Vancouver in 2002, I was tossed from the game following an incident where I rocketed a playoff towel in disgust of a blown call. It had the misfortune of being intercepted by the head of a referee on the ice.

All I know is that the wings dominated that game & it was the ducks getting away with murder, tackling Hossa behind the net, obstruction left & right, roughing that went unchallenged & then calling goalie interference when your guy is pushed into the net, that crap call on Stuart last night, from my vantage point it looked like a clean hit. All I know is that it seemed that the league really wanted the ducks to win, com'n two 5 on 3's in the first period alone. Give me a break.

Other than the evil zebras, this was a game that showed that the wings were the better team all along & without help from the refs, the ducks would have been done a while ago....

There was a duck fan right in front of me, what a tool... Every time they scored on us, I would get visions of kicking this turd down the stairs as he's cheering them on.

Those were the only two things that made the night frustrating, other than that the crowd was very loud & very into it. It was nice to hear "Pronger Sucks" being screamed from 19,000 people, we did not take part in that but I completely supported the sentiment.

All in all, it was a great game & I'm thrilled that I was a part of such a memorable game. It was a great game 7.... Now I need to get Lara to a 3rd round or Finals game so I can convert her...

Go wings