Vladifan

Thanks, Loo. We did have a great time. I figured too that it was time to let the cat out of the bag (Is that an antiquated-enough cliche?!) to let everyone know how old I really am. I'm hoping that it will be a learning thing rather than a knee-jerk "Eeeuwww" reaction.. And that from my verbal history on this board, readers/viewers will understand that age is not where it's at. Where it's at is with the heart, the hopes and the interests of posters' submissions. And their involvement in life and their commitment to it. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to say my piece. Now I will just wait and see how people react, ya know? P.S. John's teeth look really protruding in the one photo, so I'm going to try to put my FB one on here that shows how handsome he really is. This is John and me at the Wings/Blackhawks' playoff game in 2009. ....I think...!!

Yep. They even made the point that now Toronto or Whoever would have more ammunition to suspend him.

Just read an article about this in our local paper this morning. ...That a lot of Canadian hockey fans don't like the Canucks and feel they're really separate from the rest of the Canadian teams. Do not know why, but that's the gist of the article.

Here's the park I mentioned earlier that's right off the shore in this city. The Volga and Some Other River meet right there. Go figure, eh?! There were some beautiful churches too, but I guess I won't throw 'em in here.

I'm just learning how to add photos on here, so bear with me. But these are pics of what I'm guessing is an outdoor rink in Yaroslavl. I have NO idea if they have an indoor one, but they must have because of the weather?! I will try to throw a couple more on here of the area itself. It's really pretty there. At least what we saw....

Another one of me in Red Square. Looks like I'm flexing my muscles (Like I had any!) but neeeuooo. Just pointing to Vladdy's name on the back.

Maybe this time it'll work! This is John and me in Red Square in Moscow, on May 10th. OH, I hope I've figured this out!!

This is a test! P5100019

I would be thrilled if Shanny were picked to take Campbell's place but I really hope he doesn't have to deal directly with the disciplinary stuff. That's got to be a difficult job no matter how you look at it. And I don't want to see him get dumped on for making decisions that will piss off at least half the fans involved.

I know that in the past I've gotten on other posters' cases about ripping away at the Wings and putting them down. Well, I've done the same with Rafalski. OK, maybe I wasn't as nasty as some I've read , but when I criticized him for passing too often into the feet of an opponent, who knows how much he was hurting and how much that distracted him? Sure as hell not me. He was and is definitely a class act, and I wish him and his family nothing but the best. He went out on his own terms and was a huge part of the Wings' past successes.

VAN/BOS: 4-3 (Only because I like Tim Thomas. Logic wins out every time... )

This "traveler" has returned and sent her money in last night via PayPal, plus an extra $5. (Touch me, eh?! ). Just waiting to make sure Vladdy received it. As I told her, THANKS for putting it together, and sorry she was laid up for a few days!! (Just read that part here!)

What is very wild about this is that we were just there about a week and a half ago. It was one of the cities we stopped to visit during a Russian river cruise. It's really a pretty city, with a beautiful large park. The Volga River meets up with another one (?!) right off its shores. And if he needs to get religion he won't have a problem. We saw lots of churches, and most of 'em were stunning to look at. But I must admit I'm a wee bit pissed since he never called. Then again, maybe the timing was bad?

I'm thinking that's pretty much what he was referring to with some of the earlier posts?

You got that right with the broken record thing. Some of you will never, ever keep the faith, and I feel bad for you. Yeah, I was screaming at players too. But I will never, ever give up on them till the last second's gone. Why the hell should I? Where does it say I have to panic or mentally run around like chicken little? They're my team and I will continue to hold out hope for them.

Babcock said in his presser that if Franzen says he can go, he'll put him in next game.

I think I just heard a reporter say to McClellan, "You had 19 minutes left and the score was 3 to 1...." I'd say our boyz ended up doing prittty good.

Well, THIS mamma was pissed!

WE LOVE YOU, DAAAANYYY, OH YES WE DO!!! And those of you who have been incessantly putting Ericsson down? Guess where it's reeeeal shady? That's where you can stick it. IF THEY BRING IT, THEY WILL WIN!!!! GO, WINGS!! GO, JUMPIN' JIMMEH!!! GO, HOMER (and Lidstrom?!) !!!!!!!!!!! This is a game, kids. ENJOY!!

Dearly Beloved Wings: If you bring IT, you will win. Thank you. Most Sincerely, Vladifan

One thing I've never figured out about "fans" in general. I saw so much ripping and tearing of the Red Wings plus rampant sarcasm on this board last night, I could easily have been on the Sharks' board. Not just frustration. Real nasty, cutting, degrading remarks. If all you can do is take their iffy play personally, as far as I'm concerned you're not a fan. You're a bandwagoner who's trying to look good via a team by riding on their "coat tails". And by god, if they don't play up to your standards, you're gonna lay it on. Well, f*** you, actually. If you're a real fan, hell yes, you get frustrated. But at least some of that has to come from the fact that you hurt for the players if they're not doing well. There's GOT TO BE A REASON THEY'RE NOT PLAYING WELL. For instance if you watched Versus's feed of Franzen trying to make sharp turns then you gotta know he's hurting. HELLO? Meanwhile, I personally feel very bad for Cleary, and I would like nothing better than to see his game turn around. He.has.worked.his.ass.off.all.year. and for some reason he's pushing too hard. I'm ashamed for some of you. You are letting your team down by your sophomoric, sarcastic commentary. Meanwhile, we'll be leaving town for about three weeks, starting Monday morning. If by some sad and painful circumstance the Wings lose tomorrow night, there's no way in hell I'm coming back here, until it all blows over. There just doesn't seem to be enough of you left here who actually give a s*** about this glorious, historic and talented team. GO, WINGS!! GO, JUMPIN' JIMMEH!!!

Not me. I wanted to see somebody - anybody - take Clowe's head off. He's an after-the-whistle-sore-loser *******.

After reading some of the previous doomsday bulls*** on here, and especially the total putdowns of the Detroit Red Wings, I really appreciate your attitude at this point in the game.

Very good guess, girlie-girl!

All kinds of things to learn from this game, methinks. When the Wings bring it, they win. They can beat anybody. I saw no diving (at least that they got away with), we got the break on the calls, and thusly and therefore, the naysayer/negative nancies can pretty much stick it with their conspiracy theories. The crowd was GREAT - especially at the end of the game. The Wings can do this. There were stretches tonight where they looked absolutely spectacular. I AM SO DAMN PROUD OF THEM. BELIEVE!!