Nic

I agree with everyone, it's obnoxious for him to ask people to cheer against the team they have loyalty to for the local team. It's stupid. The 'just this once' makes him sound like he doesn't have much faith in his beloved team, though. I'm aware it's the first time they've been in the playoffs in a while, but it sounds to me like he doesn't see the opportunity coming again. Man this handful of Yotes fans are giving themselves such a bad name already. Do they not see the hypocrisy in calling us douchebags, but then trying to rally as many people as possible to be douchebags to us? (this being directed mainly toward the other article.)

Agreed! I even stopped making my own because when I see his, I use that one anyway. Always great work

Octopus etiquette: -Only to be thrown during the playoffs. -Boil the octopus first, double bag it and smuggle it in. -Only to be thrown after the National Anthem, after a Wings goal, at the end of a game. After a Wings goal is most acceptable, but a many have chosen the end of the game to avoid being ejected. -Never to be thrown at a person on the ice of any team or any official.

I'm just waiting to see who else on an opposing team dares to touch our beloved octopus. It hasn't worked out well so far, has it? lol

The tradition lives strong for sure! I would suggest boiling it to get rid of some of the smell if you don't want to stink like raw octopus for a week if you do it, though. most people saran wrap it to their torso in a bag since there really isn't frisking at JLA to get it in. Superior would sell it raw, obviously.

No idea, to be honest. I've never been there, either. I went to my first playoff game last year and thoought 'i should have brought an octopus! all i had to do was walk through a metal detector and let them peek into my purse!' lol While technically it is illegal to throw anything on the ice, i'm under the assumption that JLA turns a blind eye to octopi. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is OUR beloved tradition. You never see news reports here about crying Wings fans being ejected from a game. It's everywhere else we play against in the playoffs. http://www.superiorfish.com/id65.html

Superior fish market in Royal Oak gets interviewed by the news every playoff season as the 'official place to buy octopi'.

If you're on the east side, I know some of the Hamlin Pubs and Dooley's did ticket and shuttle packages last year. I haven't done it this year, though.

Following I'll give the blog a read-through when I get a chance. Looks good!

While I agree, at least the 08 song had a little energy. the 09 one was totally melllow and didn't inspire any motivation. I'd take a cali band over what we got in 09. I'm seriously contemplatig asking the bands I work for to contribute.

exactly why I havent posted anything. Sometimes, we don't have enough time to keep up with all wings games, let alone the whole league. people are trying to contribute. let it go. some help is better than none. if the OP hasn't thought of it, post this on a few other team's boards as well for some help. HF may help for a wide range.

A+

ANYTHING is better than last year's song!!!

Exactly, you have a lot of options downtown. I almost always park at greektown and either walk or take the people mover. $1 round trip beats the hell out of $15 to park.

Man oh man. The Wings at the Palace? NO thank you. I haven't been to the Palace in years, but the last time I went it was $15 just for parking alone. I shudder to think what it may be these days. Another downfall is that I personally boycott Ticketmaster and have for years. At the Joe box office you can get tickets to anything for face value. The Palace still charges all of Ticketjokester's fees (or did when I used to buy tickets there). 2 MAJOR reasons why I personally wouldn't ever go to a Wings game at the Palace. Also, I-75 traffic for any Palace event SUCKS. (I also live MUCH closer to the Palace than I do to downtown.) When someone said something about losing the feeling of the 'Hockeytown atmosphere', I agree. Being in the Joe with all the statues and photo pillars and all the banners in the rafters. All of the solely Wings decor in the Joe definitely helps the atmosphere.

LOL!!

This may or may not sound stupid to some of you, but I have a question. I know Third Man In posted the rule, but... Just for the sake of logic [stupid, i know], anyway... If refs are allowed to disallow goals because they 'lost sight of the puck', how is it that a goal that nobody saw without a stoppage of play allowed later? That makes absolutely no sense.

Team store? The one in Troy? It's called Hockeytown Authentics. There's also a small one in the Joe. 1845 East Big Beaver Road Troy, MI 48083-2007 (248) 680-0965 Best thing to do downtown is Greektown. Use the People Mover stop at the Joe (just ask someone where), and take it there and back. It will take you to the casino. The restaurants and shops are all on Monroe street. OR, you can park at the casino for free and take the People Mover to and from the Joe.Just remember to validate your parking ticket in the casino. There's also a concert venue right there called Saint Andrew's Hall. Also, you will be in town for the last couple days of the North American International Auto Show at Cobo. Right next door to the Joe. If you have a passport, you can drive or take a shuttle over to Windsor, Canada. There's a lot of cool bars there. I would personally recommend Pepper's for food and The Honest Lawyer for drinks. Both on Ouelette St. Again you can park at Caesar's Casino for free. Ouelette is only a couple blocks walk. It's COLD, but i've done it that time of year many times. Just dress warm.

haha. for being 5'2 and still getting scrutinized for ciggs at 25, i'm quite ballsy when it comes to walking around bad areas, myself. i don't know if i would do it with a $600 camera, though! I grew up in the burbs and am PLENTY used to the bad areas of downtown from going to shows. I'm comfortable with them, but always advise friends against the areas without company. Sorry for grave robbing this thread, by the way, but i just kinda felt like replying since i checked back, esp since maybe the op may have lost it. Again, gravey, let us know when you come here!

TheUkranian, stay out of the cold, doll! there's a people mover stop IN Greektown! haha. Your pictures are aweome Everyone is mentioning the Metro Times, which is a great thing, as is the Real Detroit. These are small, weekly alternaitve newspaper/magazines that can be found in most bars. I know for a fact that Pizza Papalis in Greektown has em right inside their door. And one thing we all forgot. If you come here in Mid-Jan, There's always the North American International Auto Show at Cobo! Not all chicks would be impressed to go to this, but hey, some would! I love going! kmac, I agree with ya. While, knock on wood, I've never had any problems walking around downtown at night, it's not necessarily a good idea. My friends and I only really take the risk on nights like Cup Final game nights while downtown is packed. On a regular night, I probably wouldnt. If you stay on Monroe and just hang in Greektown, you should be fine, though. and Saint Andrews is pretty much part of Greektown, that's about all the walking around I do down there. It's cool to see a handful of you live up here around me, we'll have to get together for a game sometime! Lastly, I agree with Hank Dats N Homer. Let us know when you come to town! I'll be around the area til early Feb myself.

I also agree with everyone that advises renting a car. Car rentals can be pretty cheap. I'm pricing ot for myself and finding around $15/day through Enterprise. Cabs are available, but kinda scarce. Being from NYC I'm sure you're comfortable enough with cabs if you stay downtown to utilize them, but as many others have said, seeing the suburbs as well is a great idea. You most likely won't be able to hail a cab, you'll have to call one yourself each time you need one. Staying in the suburbs anywhere is pretty much a better option and offers a lot more to do. I'm on the North side so my best advice is gonna be on that area. If you want a lot of quirky shops and cool bars, I suggest Royal Oak to hang out. It's not very far from downtown. I haven't been there in about a year, but Memphis Smoke is a cool place to eat, and so is Mr. B's. Mt. Clemens also has a good bar scene and the kind of shops you might like. Downtown Birmingham has a lot of shops, bars and restaurants. Near Birmingham, There's another Hockeytown store in Troy. There's 3 good restaurants in that shopping complex. I forget the name of the place right next to it, there's a Buffalo Wild Wings, which I know is a national chain, and a Regional chain that I absolutely love called Olga's. Sterling Heights/Macomb Twp has a very busy shopping/restaurant area with hotels on Hall Rd. That getting further out into the suburbs, though. However, if you do choose this area, there's a bar called Dooley's that sometimes does shuttle/ticket packages for Wings games, as do a chain of bars called the Hamlin Pub. There are 2 Dooley's and 4 Hamlin Pubs on the East Side, I believe. Windsor, Canada, if you have passports is also a great option. it's right across the river via the tunnel at the base of the Renaissance Center. Our only 'public transportation' downtown is an above ground train that some others mentioned called the People Mover. It loops around a part of Downtown, really. If you rent a car, you can park at Greektown Casino for free if you validate your parking ticket before you leave. Greektown has a People Mover stop that will take you straight to the Joe. My friends and I do this all the time. This also gives you direct access to Greektown the casino and the actual area. My favorite Greektown spots are The New Parthenon, Pizza Papalis, The Old Shillelagh, Niki's and Mosaic's. Also, the Atwater Brewry is a great place. The Hard Rock is really nice, And don't forget about Cheli's Chili near the stadiums. If you're going to be wandering around, definitely stay around the core downtown area between the Joe/Ren Cen/Greektown/The Stadiums on Theaters on Woodward. (Hockeytown Cafe is on Woodward near Comerica Park and The Fox Theater) As far as the casinos go, Greektown is the best, I think (mostly for easy access to everything else). Followed by MGM Grand and lastly Motor City. MGM Grand has some really cool bars. And whoever said to find a Coney, much agreed! If you're into concerts in the downtown area, look up what's playing at Saint Andrews Hall, The Shelter, Alvin's, The Magic Stick, The Majestic and Blondies. (Be careful about going to the the last 3 though. Park in maintained lots.) If you're into Metal, there's Harpo's and the I-Rock. These are in TERRIBLE areas, though. I wouldn't reccomend going without a local or a rundown of the area/situation. If you see a show you're set on at either of these places, please, send me a message I'll help ya out (hell I may even be attending, so seriously, feel free). Suburb clubs that I know of around me are: The Hayloft and Emerald Theater (Mt. Clemens), The Ritz (Warren), and New York New York (Chesterfield). And one last one. The Machine Shop in Flint, MI is one of the best small clubs in the country. It's about an hour and a half from downtown, but if you rent a car, like the underground rock scene and a band you like is playing, it's WELL worth the trip. Hope you have fun! I'll try to check back if I can think of anything else.

Oh WOW! Thank you SO much for posting this! Gonna be a life saver next year! Just installed it on my G1.

Sounds awesome! Have a great time! The Wings will be in Sweden on my brithday, and I'll be in Virginia, anyway. Lame.

I know a bunch of you went for game 6, but I couldn't get my group down there before the line went around the block, so we ended up @ Detroit Pub instead. Anyone going to Hockeytown tomorrow night? My brother, his girlfriend and I are getting there between 4 and 5 this time!