oldredbarnman

Long story short, I'm not so sure that I do want to trade CHI, MIN, and STL for BOS, TOR, and MTL I can see your point. We've been rivals and division opponents for 30 years(Except of course the time Minnesota moved to Dallas). The Norris Division years were great, but being in my 50s, I can also remember being in a division with Montreal in the late 70s. I'm kind of torn myself, but for me, getting away from Columbus and Nashville is a good thing. The history of the Detroit franchise was used to get them started, now it's time for them to sink or swim on their own.

If being put in a division/conference with Toronto, Montreal and Boston, I would be happy with it. Although I would definately miss Chicago and St. Louis. We've had some memorable games and playoff series over the years. Since we'll play 44 games against teams outside of our division, and if we play each team inside 5 times, maybe with the extra 3 games we could use those against "old" divison teams. I guess now we'll see if Columbus and Nashville can make on their own. And with the realignment, I may even get my season tickets again.

I guess I'm just showing my age, but I won't be too disappointed in leaving the Joe. I have some great memories of the games I saw there; the 1980 All Star game, the two Stanley Cups, all of the great players and seasons, (the place where I was a long time season ticket holder) which I will always be grateful to Mr. Ilitch for putting together. But the atmosphere of the Olympia, even with the bad Wings' teams of the late 70s, was great. For those who enjoy the sight lines of the Joe, you would've loved Olympia. Yes, there were obstructed views in spots, but you were right on top of the action, in both the Arena and Mezzanine seats. The sight lines were fantastic. So here's hoping to a modern new building, with the "retro" look. I do hope that the outside resembles the old Olympia, the Joe always looked like a warehouse to me.

For anyone interested in reading up on that historic series, "Cold War", by Roy Macskimming, is a really good book on the subject. Also, "Canada's Team Of The Century" dvd set, which has all 8 complete games. I also have the documentary "Summit On Ice", produced by CBC, which I believe was first shown in 1992.

I've heard there is so much interest from past players that there may be two alumni games. The more the better! When the teams played during the lockout, it was a great turnout. Marcel Dionne, Mickey, Johnny O, Dino, Burr, Fedyk. Don't know if the Mahovlich brothers still play, but it doesn't matter, whoever DOES play will make it a fantastic event.

Actually, there IS something we all can do about it. The professional teams get taxbreaks, and our tax dollars for their buildings. The public universities get our tax dollars. They in turn sign contacts with merchandising companies that produce the shirts, hats, etc. that they count on us to buy. Well, almost, if not all of it is now made outside this country. If we all take a stand, and refrain from purchasing their non-American(and to our friends up North, non-Canadian) made products, they WILL notice. These teams and schools want us to support them, to spend our hard earned money on them. They count on us to support them, and we should demand the same. They make a lot of money from the merchandise sales, but they don't seem to care that it's not made here. I personally will not buy any merchandise, from any sports team, that is not "Made In The U.S.A." I am not advocating a boycott of their games. We are all fans, and should enjoy our teams. Just don't spend your money on anything else.

You are correct. Since the inception of the 4 round, best of 7 began in 1986/87, the 87/88 Oilers have the least amount of losses in route to the Stanley Cup. They went 16-2. The 86/87 Oilers, 91/92 Penguins, 92/93 Canadiens, 94/95 Devils, and the 96/97 Red Wings all went 16-4. The 91/92 Penguins won their last 11 games, 3 vs. NYR, and sweeps vs. Boston and Chicago, to capture the cup.

CBC's HNIC will be broadcasting exhibition games the next two Saturdays. Saturday, Sept. 25th- Anaheim at Vancouver 10pm Saturday, Oct. 2nd- Detroit at Toronto 7pm

Some teams may stay at the Atheneum in Greektown.

Each cup has it's own special feeling, but '97 was pure ecstasy. Being a Wings' fan for as long as I could remember, it was an unbelieveable feeling watching Stevie raise the cup, and the emotion of the building letting loose that Saturday night. Free beer from the vendors too!! No more "1955" chants & signs, no more game 7s against Toronto and San Jose, no more choke label. The cup was OURS!!! My best friend had died in 1990. He was a huge Wings fan, a hockey fan, and a hockey player. So when we won it, I did tear up, for both the Wings victory, and also that he wasn't there to share it with.

It may feel a bit strange at first, but the Tigers used to start their games at 7:30 for many years, until it was changed to 7pm not so long ago.

The Wings gave the season ticket holders a survey last year, and one of the questions was the start times. I voted for 7pm, and I'm happy that it was chosen. Gives the young ones and extra half hour to enjoy the games, and also good for people who have to get up early for work. I like that the Boston games are a home and home. Washington will be here on St. Patrick's eve, a guaranteed party. But no Thanksgiving games this year. Wings usually play the Wednesday before, and Friday after Thanksgiving at home.

Bobby Kromm, who coached the Wings from 1977-1980, died Wednesday from complications of cancer. He was 82. In his first year as coach, Kromm led the Wings to a 37 point improvement from the previous season, and their first playoff appearance in 8 years. He won the Jack Adams trophy as coach of the year, and helped bring excitement back to the Olympia with a playoff series victory over Atlanta, before falling to Montreal in 5 games. He also coached the Winnipeg Jets to the Avco Cup in 1976, and was an assistant coach for team Canada in the 1976 Canada Cup.

I got an email form the Wings yesterday. My tickets have been raised from $1026 to $1095 in the $22 seat area. An average of $1.80 a ticket. Not too happy about it. They lowered some of the $44 seats to $33 a few years ago, because people weren't buying them. But they have never lowered the price of my seats, even after the salary cap was brought in. You also have to renew by June 24th. Because they got knocked out earlier, the Wings probably need to make some interest off of our money this summer. Used to be the money didn't have to be paid until August.

I'm guessing that the Mtl/Cal game will be part of CBC's "Hockey Day In Canada" tripleheader.

Thank God for CBC!!

Day #2 of the Memorial Cup is getting underway. Calgary vs. Moncton. Livestream @ sportsnet.ca.

Memorial Cup Final game starts in 15 minutes. Windsor vs. Brandon.

Game #4 against San Jose is in my top ten games I've attended. Franzen's record 6 points, the crowd was fantastic, just a very memorable game. The other games I enjoyed this past season: The Wings 3-2 home opener against Chicago; the 3-0 shutout against Tampa Bay in December, Howard's 1st career shutout; the overtime loss to the Hawks in January. Good game, Pasha's flip goal and Bert's spin goal in the shootout.

What if Paul Coffey didn't score into his own net in game #1 of the 1996 Conference Finals? The Wings would've won 2-1, and the series would have gone to a 7th game. And after the Draper hit in game #6, the Wings would've had the revenge factor, Lemieux would've been suspended, and with the win, the Wings go on to win the '96 Cup.

I want to thank Mr. Ilitch, Jimmy Devellano, Ken Holland, Mike Babcock, and the rest of the Red Wing organization for their continued commitment for excellence. We fans have been spoiled with great teams these past 15 years or so, and I know that that will continue. I also want to thank the players for giving us fans another season of hard work. It was a struggle at times, but the pride that you all have in yourselves and in this team, The way you battled to make it into the playoffs, makes me proud to be a Red Wing fan. Next season will be my 24th year with season tickets. I've seen a lot of great games, and I look forward to another year of fast paced and high quality hockey. GOOOOOOOOOOOOO WIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got home from the game. Hope we sounded as loud on tv as it was in the Joe. Building was rocking all game long. Just 1 game I know, but with the same effort and urgency, we can make this happen. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

What needs to be played is Ted Nugent's "Motor City Madhouse" That would get the crowd pumped up. I've requested it a few times from the Wings, but it has fallen on deaf ears.................

I agree with you that Michigan and Trumbell would be a good place for a new building, though I don't know if it'd be big enough. There is an open field on the northwest side of Woodward and I75, that I think Mr. Ilitch will build the new Arena. Right across from the townhouses on the east side of Woodward. I just wish they would start building, and put us union construction workers back to work.

I cracked up when he said it, after Ken Daniels had said,"Datsyuk, that thief, takes it away"(from Wolski) Would make a humourous commercial, with the right idea