RedRockit

Hmm, the definition I was looking at was worded differently: " Taking more than three strides and/or jumping before hitting an opponent. " It was the "and/or" that confused me. But under the offical rule you posted, then I DO believe the penalty(s) assessed on Rob was correct, even though I've seen that most people don't-- probably because it's an all too typical hit that rarely gets called (witness Alfredsson's injurious hit on Tallinder in Game 4, for example-- but then Tallinder didn't openly bleed). I think I'll take your advice about saving that file-- thanks much.

I thought Rob deserved the penalty for charging, but a friend sez no, because he never lifted his skates off the ice. Could someone please clarify the charging rule a bit better for me?

I'm from NWO, and back in the 80s, I used to watch hockey but had no particuloar fav team, and since no one I knew cared anything at all about the sport, it wasn't all that much fun with no one to watch with, talk over the games, etc. Then (coincidentally in Scotty's first year as coach), my young son became best buds with two boys who both came from families of Wingnuts (one had occasional access to season tix, and they took RockitSon to many games-- lucky kid! The only time I've been to The Joe was to see Alice Cooper), and I started watching and cheering for the Wings in earnest, and calling the kids' Wingnut mommas the next day for game analysis. in fact, it seems to me now that I became completely addicted to 'em overnight: watching HNIC on a then-often snowy Channel 9 or Mickey on an even-snowier Channel 50 (no cable in the country, but Windsor's channel usually came in well enough over the Lake) or listening to the game on the radio and of course, never missing a nationally televised game. Re the overnight addiction: there's just so much that's special about the Wings and I wish I could say I've been a fan my whole life. I deeply regret not being there for some of the great times of the past, but I've enjoyed all the great times that I have been privileged to witness. GO WINGS!

Gotta love Hockey Afternoon In Canada! Go Sabs! SabFriend was just saying today how much she admires Maxim--- but she's taping the game, think she's gonna be screwed about the OT, but she turned both her phones off so I can't reach her. That absolutely sucks... I simply can't believe it. What a slap in the face for hockey.

I missed the first half, out buying nursery plants (bought a red rose, guess why?)-- did I miss the interview? If so, what did he have to say?

IIRC, one game was delayed because they couldn't get the ice up to temp, and there were even some issues with letting ticketholders in the building because just opening the doors caused an instant 10 degree drop in temperature. I believe they fixed the problem, but maintenance was literally sweating bullets trying to get it together in time.

What's a Blue Jacket? Actually, my best friend is a longtime Sabres fan and loathes the Wings (certain players excepted-- like the one in your sn!), but other than that, yeah.

I live in NW Ohio-- lots of Bucks/Blue, Bengals, Browns, and Indians fans, but I really know very few people who follow NHL hockey whatsoever. "Hockey? Do they even play that anymore?" (seriously, I was just asked that the other day by a guy who is sport-mad -- of course he was kidding, but just goes to show the climate that makes that a joke to a non-hockey person). In my own experience, around here it seems to be either/or not at all-- the very few people that I do meet that follow hockey are all extremely knowledgeable-- again, just this week, I met a guy who modestly claimed not to know much about hockey, then proceeded to enthusiastically talk Yzerman, Scotty vs. Babs, the Russian 5, the Av rivalry, Hasek, etc. etc. It doesn't seem like many people get it around here, but those who do, really, REALLY get it (maybe that's the 'it' Corey Perry was talking about?!). It's like the Harley saying: "If you have to ask why, you'll never understand."

See, that's why I said 'forgive me in advance"-- I knew I was being bitchy when I posted, probably should have stfu. It's just that there have been so many similar stories that I'm soulsick re the subject. It might be far worse in Europe, where people have actually died in riots at sporting events. You are completely right to call me out on this-- if something like this ISN'T worthy of discussion, it would be a sad commentary on the human condition. In my defense, however, I DID refrain from bringing up Africa or the Middle East or global warming or Paris Hilton...

Well, hmpf--if Michigan only would have "finished the check," I'd BE in-state too! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toledo_War Instead........GO BUCKS!!!! (sorrysorrrysorry, impossible-to-resist impulse) (pre-emptive move: please don't mention about C'bus Blue Lightweight Outerwear)

Forgive me for waxing a wee bit sarcastic, but in what world do you guys live where this is even mildly shocking news? Did you not see the video last year when the peewee football father attacked a player on the field for throwing what dad thought was a late hit on his kid? Dad weighed about 200 lbs, the kid maybe 70 lbs soaking wet, but that didn't stop him from going after a child. That incident made the national news (most likely because there was video of the horrific action), but never believe this was an aberration-- happens ALL the time. Sports on any level can be tremendously inspiring, uplifting, even life-changing... unfortunately, it can also bring out the very worst in people (I was going to say "the animal in people," but that's a politicall incorrect animalist comment, and I don't need PETA coming down on me for it). "Is there no standard anymore? Re.Spect. WALK" (I've had that song in my head since hearing it played at the Sens/Sabs game the other night)

CLANGTUZZI is dead brill (I mean as a nic, but of course also major on ice last night!).... and someone here last night was calling 'em The Lumberjack Line, which cracked me up no end too. Say what you want about Bert (and you will), but he is making the most of his second (third?) chance for redemption.

I know, me either-- along with most NHL fans! But if-- and it's a BIG IF-- he plays semi-clean, as the position he put himself in may well force him to do, and if-- another BIG IF-- he is even ABLE to play semi-clean, we lose PP advantage that's been serving us so well through this series..... *sigh* Well, no need to borrow trouble, it'll find us if it's meant to, right?

I'm far less worried about the mythical momentum than I am about Pronger "playing well and interacting nicely with others." Despite his well-deserved bad rep, please don't forget that he IS talented, even if he chooses to piss it away with eejit penalties. His talent is exactly why he's paid large, and why the Duck organization chooses to excuse his inexcusables (OTOH, his BadBoy rep is also money at the BO-- Image is everything in SoCal)(lest I offend our lovelier DuckPosters here, I hasten to say that I'm speaking of parasite agents, PR reps, and such other and sundry slime that matter far far more in LaLaLand than in flyover country-- not the fans of the team. The org is trying to promote hockey in a tough, yet potentially lucrative market out there, and Pronger is a desirably marketable commodity). The prospect of a clean Pronger truly bothers me (and while I refused to let myself think it yesterday, the idea of a Prongerless Duck team bothered me all day: as it turned out, rightly so): now I worry about just how good a (somewhat-- it's too late for 'em to develop a truly good ethic at this point) disciplined Duck team could be WITH Pronger playing clean-- with him focusing on the game instead of dirty hits, as he well may have to, considering he's the proverbial marked man here. ARGHHH... is it Sunday yet? Sumbuddy pass the valium, please.

I'm not sure whether to quote Shakespeare, "Truer words were ne'er spoke" or to reply, "DUHHVVCOURSE he innit ....!"

Ehmm, the question was a "me too" from the Burnside piece. Please see: http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=43303 Don't get me wrong, I was burning fire when Eejit asked him that last night, and it was THE first thing that I thought about when I woke this morning-- not last night's loss, not the implications of same. I posted this below, without benefit of coffee: "HNIC interviewed Stevie after the 2nd period last night. After some chitchat about Team CAN, Stevie was asked,"Are the Wings better off this year for not having Stevie Yzerman in the locker room?" Stevie fired back, "You mean, are the Wings better off for not having the 41-YEAR-OLD Stevie Yzerman in the locker room?" and with his usual class, went on to calmly discuss it-- none of which I could hear because my ears were slowly filling with blood. I couldn't believe the rudeness and insensitivity of the question, but *shrug* it didn't seem to bother Stevie at all, so I suppose I'm making too much of it. I'm trying to find a clip or article about the interview, but no luck thus far. On a happier note, Stevie looked brilliant-- happy and relaxed, so youthful and vital that I wanted, and badly, to slap a pair of skates on him and drag him out to Cali. I'm pretty sure there's a piainting of him in some lost, forgotten storage room at the Joe that's doing his aging for him (along with portaits of Cheli and Dom)." [edited to thank Yzermania for the BTM link]

You... have... the... dreaded... Ellipsis... Virus... [edited to add, and to stay OT: Despite his performance last night, I realized how eminently beatable Giguere is-- trust me, if I can see it, so does the Wings coaching staff. I wouldn't call him a bad goalie, ever-- he's made it this far, and that's admirable-- but if I were a Duck, I'd rather have [insert name of nearly any past or present Wing goaltender HERE] (heh, yeah I adore hyperbole) in net.

Unless I'm missing something, Jiggy is not at all impressive to me, despite his performance last night. It seemed to me that many of our SOGs were weak-- telegraphed waaay in advance, giving him plenty of time to get into position to make the save. Or just simply stand there with his enormous pads and block it.... saw this scenario a few times last night: RW: Jiggy, you ready? I'm gonna slam one here any sec... Jiggy: Hang on a minute.... yaa, I think I'm all set now... RW: You sure? Jiggy: Yaa, go for it! RW fires one squarely into Jiggy's pads and the (by now) hovering Duck scoops it away. Wasted effort, another missed opportunity. Get Giguere moving side to side and the net may as well be empty. Like I said, I may be missing something special about his play, because he surely DID stop a lotta puck last night, but he is eminently beatable. After all, he's given us one 5-goal game already.

HNIC interviewed Stevie after the 2nd period last night. After some chitchat about Team CAN, Stevie was asked,"Are the Wings better off this year for not having Stevie Yzerman in the locker room?" Stevie fired back, "You mean, are the Wings better off for not having the 41-YEAR-OLD Stevie Yzerman in the locker room?" and with his usual class, went on to calmly discuss it-- none of which I could hear because my ears were slowly filling with blood. I couldn't believe the rudeness and insensitivity of the question, but *shrug* it didn't seem to bother Stevie at all, so I suppose I'm making too much of it. I'm trying to find a clip or article about the interview, but no luck thus far. On a happier note, Stevie looked brilliant-- happy and relaxed, so youthful and vital that I wanted, and badly, to slap a pair of skates on him and drag him out to Cali. I'm pretty sure there's a piainting of him in some lost, forgotten storage room at the Joe that's doing his aging for him (along with portaits of Cheli and Dom).

Rudest. Question. Ever. "Do you think the Wings are a better team without Stevie Yzerman?" Me, I wanted to reach through the telly and hurt someone, but of course, our Stevie answered with his usual class. *sigh* He's such a doll.

Captain Nik mutters under his breath, "I know what I want I know what I want I know what I want... I... KNOW...WHAT... I... WANT" and pirates the GWG in OT. Wings make the Ducks walk the plank. ARRR!!!! (sorry, I surfed Pirates of the Caribbean sites today to get my mind off those pesky butterflies fluttering around the knots in my stomach-- game time canNOT come too quickly for me!!) GO WINGS-- SHIVER THEIR TIMBERS!!!

Very strong feeling Lids will score too, and I'm kinda psycho- ehmm, I mean psychIC- about these things. Might be the GWG, too, but my crystal ball is slightly cloudy re that point. Wings win by 2, but it won't be easy. [edited for sp. 'cause I'm OCD like that]

I haven't seen this posted on the forum yet, think it's a good article: http://www.thehockeynews.com/en/news/Detai...asp?xml=h05179A Veterans wonder if NHL players still hold the same respect for each other ANAHEIM (CP) - Veteran Anaheim Ducks defenceman Sean O'Donnell remembers a time when if one team got a big lead in an NHL game, they eased off the hitting and just tried to get through the night without anyone getting hurt. Not any more. "What I'm amazed at is a team can be up 6-0 and some of the players on the team that is up are still running guys and doing late hits," O'Donnell said shaking his head prior to the Ducks facing the Detroit Red Wings Thursday in Game 4 of the NHL Western Conference final. "It's gotten bad in the last couple of years. . . . Head shots seem to be more common and late hits." Detroit coach Mike Babcock raised the issue of players respecting each other Tuesday night when Red Wing forward Tomas Holmstrom needed 13 stitches to close a gash on his forehead. Holmstrom was slammed into the boards on a tag-team hit from the Ducks' Rob Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. "I don't care how much is on the line at any time, you have to look after the other player," Babcock said at the time. "When he doesn't see you and you decide you're going to bury his head off the turn buckle, that's a decision you make." Niedermayer received a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct for the hit. Pronger wasn't called for a penalty but on Wednesday the league announced he would be suspended for Thursday's game. Brian Burke, the Ducks general manager, disagreed with the suspension. He argued Pronger's hit was legal and there was no intent to injure. But Burke agreed some of the old standards players lived by seemed to have disappeared. "I think there are instances where players don't show enough respect," he said. On Thursday, Babcock seemed to back off a bit on his earlier comments. "I think the respect among the players is at an all-time high," he said. "Sometimes we react in a game in a way that, if you had a ton of time to think about it, that might not have been the best result. But I think the respect factor is there." Detroit's Chris Chelios admits he's been no angel during his long career. But he's seen a shift in how the game has been played. He blames part of the trouble on the instigator rule. "From what I remember there used to be an unwritten rule the tough guys fought the tough guys and the skill players played against each other," he said. "The rules have changed that. It's like the judicial system where it protects the criminals." O'Donnell said there are few players in the league who seem to take delight in delivering cheap shots. "We all know when someone is vulnerable, if the bench door is open or they are in a awkward spot," he said. "There are certain guys that their eyes light up when they notice a guy is vulnerable. "I don't agree with that at all." Anaheim's Teemu Selanne said today's hockey players are bigger, faster, stronger. "It's a very intense game and some bad things happen," he said. "It's a tough game but you have to be smart." Selanne said respect among players has to be bred in the junior leagues. "It has to start from junior hockey," he said. "The coaches have a lot of responsibilities in the lower league to tell them they can't hit from behind and the hits to the head are dangerous." Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf, who is playing in his second NHL season, believes there is respect among the younger players. "Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt," he said. "If you're hitting a guy from behind you will hold up a little bit." Ducks forward Brad May was suspended for three games earlier in the playoffs for punching Minnesota Wild defenceman Kim Johnsson in the back of the head. May said hockey has turned more into a business and players are trying to protect their livelihoods at any cost. "They (the league) have teams playing each other eight times trying to get these rivalries going," he said. "Guys have livelihoods and it's a much larger business than it used to be so there is much more incentive to be in the moment."

What baffles me most about the reaction of some Duck fans to the incident is the lack of spleen against Pronger-- I mean, if one of our top Wings came unglued and subsequently took a game suspension in a hotly-contested conference final--one in which his presence on the ice could well be a deciding factor-- I would be severely PO'd at that Wing. Pronger may be /strike that/ IS a very talented pro hockey player-- but where was the professionalism in all of this? the common sense? What we saw instead was a temper tantrum--granted, an extremely violent one, but ultimately completely pointless. He is paid extremely well to produce results, and he can't very well do that sitting on his arse while watching his beleaguered teammates try to make up for his absence on the ice. Knowing that Holmstrom came out of it OK, in retrospect I'm nearly more offended by Pronger's utterly selfish lack of concern for the welfare of his team than the dirty hit in itself, and I completely don't understand why so many in Anaheim, from the GM on down, aren't busting him for it. If I were a Duck fan, and we should lose this game tonight, I'd be calling for his head on a pike at the entrance to the Ponda.

Much as it irks me to agree with the man, Grapes commented emphatically tonight, when asked about the advisability of Homer's return to the ice, should he have played possum a bit to help push for a long suspension, etc: "No, because stuff like that always seems to get out, whether it's a trainer or whoever in the locker room, and then you lose credibility and get a reputation. The Wings absolutely handled it correctly."" (I put this in quotes for clarity, but I can't recall his comment exactly. It's close, though) From a practical POV, this seems about right to me-- not to mention the electric effect that Homer's return to the ice had on everyone. He's a valiant hero now, not a poor victim-- I love that.