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Okay gang, I've been reading a lot of comments about how the Wings truly lost this series through their inability to win faceoffs, their terrible defensive zone turnovers, and their inability to get to the dirty areas to score goals. I agree 100% with this assessment. The Wings were not even near their best for 4 of the 5 games in this series and, as such, their losses COULD simply be chalked up to that. However, to nullify the refs of any responsibility in the outcome of this series because of the fact that the Wings were not playing as well as they should seems to me to be simply insufficient. In fact, I would say that such a claim does a disservice to the game of hockey in general. The fact of the matter is that the Wings lost all four of their games in this series by one goal, and in three of the four games the refereeing had a direct influence on the end results. For me, tonight was the most painful example of this. A disgustingly obvious interference penalty on Murray was missed about 20 seconds prior to the eventual game winning goal. We can all argue that it was Rafalski's fault for coughing the puck up behind the net as he seemed to do far too often throughout the year; AND IT WAS. However, that does not excuse the FACT that the faceoff should have been at the other end of the rink and that the Wings should have had a man advantage. Do I think that the Wings would have scored on that powerplay? Probably not. The powerplay was incredibly weak tonight and that was another reason that we lost. But this game, like the entire series, was decided by inches and, like every other close game in this series, the opportunities that the Sharks capitalized upon were provided to them by the referees. The Wings sloppy play was the killer, but I will am infuriated that the refs gave the Sharks far too much to run on. Now, at this point I realize that I sound like a sore loser, and I'm sure that there are some on this board who will write me off as just that. By no means am I a conspiracy theorist; I am not deluded enough to think that the league was hellbent on keeping the Wings out of their fourth straight conference finals. I have watched enough hockey this season to realize that the refereeing in this entire league is pathetic. Standards change from game to game (or period to period) and calls are made and missed on the excuse that, "It's such a fast game". Refs are never held accountable for their terrible calls and no improvements are made for the betterment of the NHL experience. This phenomenon is not confined to a single team or conference, but rather serves to degrade the reputation of the league as a whole. Unfortunately, in this series, the NHL's terrible refereeing was against the Wings far more than it was for them. While I realize that it is simply an unfortunate coincidence, I think that it is reasonable for us to be disappointed/mad. I have known a number of die-hard hockey fans to stop watching games because the refereeing simply reduced the sport to near-WWE levels, and I am now on the verge of doing so myself. I sincerely hope that this is a series that is watched over and over again as a tutorial of how NOT to ref in the playoffs so that a series like this is never duplicated in the future. PS - I know that there have been a number of awesome, insightful Sharks fans posting on this board throughout the series, and I would really appreciate hearing your input. In the end, the Sharks certainly played well; as much as it pains me to say it, guys like Thornton and Marleau actually carried their weight. I try to be as unbiased as I can in looking at such issues, and I hope that was reflected in this post.

sharks fan, weighing in on the series. This series was close. Close close close. They only things that were not close were Game 4 and the series outcome . 4 out of the 5 games were decided by a single goal. Despite the outcome, I think these teams were very evenly matched. This series turned towards the Sharks for good in Game 3. A two goal lead in the third period at home has to be protected in the playoffs, but the Wings failed to protect it. Instead a good move and shot by Thornton and the flukiest soft goal of the series (ok, maybe the one off Murray's skate was flukier, but that game was already out of hand by that point) let the Sharks come back. Sharks then caught a break when that shot from the point missed the net, came right to Thornton who was late coming off the boards on a bad change and was beautifully delivered to Marleau who sent the Sharks to an insurmountable 3-0 lead. If the Wings protected that lead as the should have, they take game 3, probably still take game 4, and then it's a whole new series. Sharks had some puck luck, Sharks had some calls go there way, but they also were tough along the boards and had guys step up when they needed to. Joe Pavelski was a beast in the first couple games of the series, but then slowly that top line of Marleau Thornton Heatley found their stride and played their absolute best game of the playoffs in Game 5. "No-show" Joe was a difference maker all series. I understand you guys must have been pissed when he was out their mucking it up in game 4 when the Sharks were being flat-out destroyed, but that's what a good team leader does: he makes his presence known and sets the table for the next game. Joe showed up all series and I think impressed the hockey world who are so used to him not being a factor in the playoffs. Sharks contained Zetterberg well all series. My guess is he must be hurt somehow, because I have never seen him kept in check so well by the Sharks even in the regular season. Datysuk, however, was a FORCE all series. His puck handling skills were driving the Sharks D nuts. That guy is amazing, sign him til he's 45. Franzen's performance in Game 4 was impressive, but Datsyuk, in my opinion, was the true MVP for the Wings this series. Howard has a bright future. He wasn't perfect by any means, but he made some big saves especially early in games. I don't think you guys were out-coached or out-goaltended, you were out-fought in close games. You obviously have the skill to blow out good teams like the Sharks like you did in Game 4, but you needed more defensive consistency and desperation to win this series. Feel good about your team, feel good about your future. Wings are still an intimidating force in this league and I doubt that image is going to go away anytime soon.

Officiating hasn't just been a problem in our series...it's been across the board in every series this playoff season.

As I said, officiating for this series was the worst I've ever seen.

I cheer for Boston to beat Pittsburg, cheer for Chicago to beat San Jose, and then Boston to beat Chicago in 7 games.

It doesn't matter how he is doing on another team. He sucked when he was here. Therefore, he is gone.

Go wings Go !!! Great season boys, we had our up and downs but still and will always be a Wings fan. I'm still proud of this team considering the two last 2 runs.

Good call. Love this organization and team. Second round out nothing to be ashamed of after going WCF-Cup-SCF the last 3 years - in the cap era. Sometimes you just have the enjoy the ride. Had a blast watching the Wings fight their way to the 5 seed after being at about 10 several weeks prior to the playoffs. They didn't give up either - just don't have enough in the tank to beat the Sharks this year - no shame in that. Looking forward to many more years of watching the Wings and this great organization - also saying some prayers that #5 blesses us fans with his presence for another year. Wings fan forever...

I don't really give a f*** who wins.......as long as it's not Pittsburgh.

First of all, I'm very proud of the guys. Everyone had us left for dead, and they managed to rise above it and thumb their noses at the critics. Good on them. Considering all the injuries we had to go through, the season starting in Sweden (thank GOD we don't have to do that again!), and all the adversity, I'd say we did a good job making lemonade out of the lemons we had. Second, I have to say thank you to the guys. I made it to seven games this season, and every one of them was a blast. I saw Vancouver, Dallas, Nashville, Minnesota, St. Louis, Colorado and Edmonton. I got to go to my first New Year's Eve game, and had a hell of a good time. I have a 17-game streak of winning games I've seen live. That streak will continue, I know. I don't know how many games I'll get to next season, but I plan on having a hell of a good time no matter how many I see. So thanks, boys, for the seven nights that I came home without a voice due to screaming my lungs out. Personal thanks to Jim Howard for stepping up and playing like we all hoped he would. He's got a bright future. Thanks to Drew Miller and Patrick Eaves for being lifesavers. They were absolutely invaluable, and I wish there was a way we could keep them both. Thanks to Andreas Lilja for never giving up and coming back. You were missed when you were gone, and I thank you for having the perseverence and courage to come back. And thank you to Pasha. He gave me one of the greatest moments of my life. I was at the Nashville game when he stole the puck in behind the goal and came around and scored - right down from where I was sitting. That moment was one of the most memorable moments of the whole season for me, because it gave me a chance to really see his talent up close. Everyone in our section of the building went crazy, and I would have jumped on that ice and hugged him had I had the chance. It was a moment I'll always remember. I'll be cheering for Boston, and I hope whoever gets San Jose next round will beat the living s*** out of them. Have a great summer, boys, and I will see you in September in Traverse City. I got my tickets in a safe place. I love you guys very dearly.

Thank you Detroit for another terrific season. Can't wait for next season to begin. The only thing worse than Chicago winning the cup would be if Pittsburgh wins again. So, go Bruins and Sharks. It would be nice to see the Sharks shed their demons. I hope they kick the s*** out of Chicago. Besides, I have all the respect in the world for Todd McLellan.

I'd like to see Todd Mclellan win it. Though the thought of Hossa finally beating Pittsburgh in the Finals has a certain appeal to it.

Clearly the league didn't want the Wings in the WCF again this year. Refs made sure they weren't.

Only team I was rooting for in the playoffs was the Wings. Only thing I'm looking forward to is seeing the Pens lose.

Draper and Maltby are washed up.Although they've played such a big part in championship teams past,its time for them to retire.Let Williams,Bertuzzi,Lebda,Lilja,Meech,and Miller go and bring in some guys with some real ******* passion.Find some way to get rid of Rafalski.I'm seriously sick of watching the constant turnovers.

Could Draper become the ref? He would do a better job then who ever was reffing this series

1. Chicago for Hossa 2. Vancouver for Sammy 3. Not pittsburgh

Definitely NOT Bertuzzi. I'd take Kristy Yamaguchi over Todd Bertuzzi.

NOBODY I am actually done watching hockey for the year, switching to baseball. If the league is not going to put forth the effort to have competent officials on the ice. I am not going to waste my time watching it.

I didn't know that Steve Moore was currently living in Puerto Rico.

Dear any and all Red Wings: it was fun to watch you and it won't be the same watching the other teams. You did good, and you'll do better next year!

We found a promising goalie, and going to have Hudler next year. Ritola and Kindl are probably going to be up. Future looks bright.

hossa is a classic playoff choker, nothing new here.