oldredbarnman

I have the NHL produced 1954 and 1955 Stanley Cup highlights on tape. PASS showed them back in the 1990s, with Dave Strader and Johnny Wilson hosting. There was a company in Illinois that was selling different years of Stanley Cup Highlights. I bought the 1966 Wings/Habs Hightlights from them. There are some videotape trading sites where collectors trade games. Not much from the 1950s, and none before 1959 I believe. Leafstv has shown some old games, but as for the Wings in the Cup Finals, 1963 and 1964.

Unfortunately, The FanZone at Westland Mall just went out of business. They were clearing out the store last week. Playball is still there, on the south side of Warren

You could name the team "Blackjacks", have slot machines in the bathrooms and concession stands; better yet, incorporate them into the seats. To get people to attend, have a "Chicken Ranch" in the arena. Have a "Hooker Night" promotion. The home team scores 5 goals, present your ticket stub to any street walker for half off on.........................

With the season half over, I thought I'd bring up the subject of the NHL schedule and playoff format. Even though the league has done a little better job with the schedule, I believe it can be better. I personally would like to have the opportunity to see each team every year. I would propose that outside of the division, you play a home and road game against each team, a total of 50 games. That would ensure that the East would have to make some trips to the West coast. ( The Wings would only play once in L.A., S.J., etc.) You would then play each team in your division 8 times, 32 games. I know seeing Nashville and Columbus 4 times at home isn't the greatest, but at least we'd see all of the East teams, and still have some "rivalries". It would also even out the schedule for the playoff format I would like to see. Back in the late 70s and early 80s, the league went to a tournament style playoff format. The #1 seed would play #16, #2/#15 and so on. In the new format, the 6 division winners would get the top 6 spots, so the division would still mean something. Again, some east coast teams would play west coast teams. As of this morning, the first round would look like this: #1 Boston vs. #16 Florida, #2 San Jose vs. #15 Phoenix, #3 Detroit vs. #14 Buffalo, #4 Washington vs. #13 Carolina, #5 Calgary vs. #12 Anaheim, #6 Philadelphia vs. #11 Vancouver, #7 Montreal vs. #10 New Jersey, #8 Chicago vs. #9 New York Rangers. Assuming the Wings beat Buffalo, they may play Montreal in Rd. 2, or Philadelphia, or maybe Vancouver. As a hockey fan, I think this would add more excitement and anticipation to the playoffs.

If you are playing in Wayne, there is a memorabilia store about a 15 drive from the rink. It's called Playball, and it's in Westland. They have a wide variety of hats. The # is (734) 326-3930.The address is 35121 Warren Rd. If you need directions, let me know, or ask someone at the rink. Good luck in your travels, and in the tournament.

Starting next season, the NFL Pro Bowl will be the week before the Super Bowl, in the city hosting the Super Bowl.

The Wings won't be suffering from a New Year's hangover. 5-2 for the good guys.

That's hilarious. I could definately see Chelios singing those lyrics. Even the Hawks fan would agree about the Bettman line.

Say it ain't snow, Joe-say it ain't snow! Seriously, I hope it's not too serious, love Joe Sakic.

Game #1 of the '96 WCF. Wings are up 1-0, on a Paul Coffey pp goal in th 1st. In the 2nd period, Lidstorm tries to hit Coffey coming out of the zone, but his pass hits Yelle's skate and goes to Gusarov, just over center ice. Gusarov quickly passes to Keane, and he and Yelle come in on a 2 on 1. Keane passes to Yelle on the left wing. Lidstom has an angle on him, and the puck is bouncing on Yelle. Ozzie comes out to the bottom of the circle, and goes down, so Yelle goes around him, and passes across to Keane. The puck is going through the top of the crease, and Coffey, who was caught up ice, gets back just as Yelle makes the pass, and snaps it into the middle of the net. He immediately looks up like "What'd I just do?" That ties it at 1-1, the Avs get another strange one in the 3rd to take a 2-1 lead, but Coffey's 2nd (or was it his 3rd?) ties it up at 2. Then Mike Keane scores in OT for the Avs. So if Coffey wouldn't have had a brain cramp, the Wings would've won 2-1 we at least would have had a game #7.

I remember back in the early '90s, The Bruins were playing at the Joe, and on a delayed penalty to Detroit, one of the Boston players passed back to the point, and the puck ended up going all the way down into the Bruin net. And of course we'll always have Paul Coffey's goal on Ozzie in game #1 of the '96 WCF.

My buddies and I played a lot of street hockey, and when I played goal, I was always Ken Dryden. Also liked Tony Esposito, Jim Rutherford and Rogie Vachon.

I've noticed that FSN has been putting these on during the telecasts, and since there is no game tonight, I thought I'd share this one. Tonight is the 30th Anniversary of Bobby Orr scoring his last NHL goal. Playing for Chicago in his 2nd to last NHL game, Bobby scored on Rogie Vachon. Vaclav Nedomansky had the hattrick (the first of his career) as Detroit beat the Blackhawks 7-2 at Olympia Stadium. (It was also the first Red Wing game I saw in person)

Sounds like they'll be wearing sweaters from their inaugural 1926-27 season when they were the Cougars. Wonder if they'll use the red and white"barberpole" socks as well.

Any of Brian MacFarlane's books are worth the read. I have all of his Original 6 series. Others I liked: Cold War- The Amazing Canada-Soviet Hockey Series of 1972 by Roy Macskimming Sawchuk- The Troubles and Triumphs of the Worlds Greatest Goalie by David Dupuis Barilko-Without A Trace by Kevin Shea Gross Misconduct- The Life of Brian Spencer by Martin O'Malley The Last Hurrah- A Celebration of Hockey's Greatest Season '66-'67 by Stephen Cole Overtime-The Guy Lafleur Story Red's Story- Book about Red Storey, NHL referee and one of the best and funniest story tellers(This one I haven't read but would like to find a copy of)

Just received my 08/09 Season Tickets. and are they nice. For the money we pay, they should be. Each ticket has a different player or event, with a caption of the accomplishment. Home opener is the double width ticket and has the on ice team picture from last years championship with the caption, Detroit Red Wings Win Their 11th Stanley Cup Championship And 4th In 11 Years. The Pittsburgh ticket has the Downey/Laperriere fight on Feb. 18th, 2008 with Babs and Granato yelling at each other. Some other highlights: Dec. 6th- Celebrating Gordie Howe's 80th birthday; Dec. 15th-Wings Claim The Presidents Trophy, Nick posing next to it. Starting with the Dec. 30th game against Chicago, each ticket has a highlight from the playoffs, with the Stanley Cup Finals appearing on Feb 15th. Feb 20th vs. Anaheim has a great net cam of Filpulla's goal in game #2. March 12th against Calgary, another great net cam shot of the final seconds in Game #6. Ozzie on his belly, with Hossa and the puck ever so close. March 17th has Hank with the Conn Smyth Trophy, and Nick raising the Stanley Cup March 27th. Last 5 games has Drake, then Cleary with the Cup, Cheli and Rafalski holding the Cup at the parade, and Pav and Nick at the NHL awards. I'd love to have a poster made of the whole set. As previously posted, some of the games are "premium". Although I paid my regular season price, the home opener is $20 more, and games against NYR, Pitt,Mont, and 2 of the 3 Chicago games are $10 more. Don't know why the other Hawks game is not.

Since your icon is Vals goal, I think you'll like the Feb. 20th ticket

Locke and Matt Foy were linemates in junior in Ottawa. Locke was a prima dona, but maybe maturity and a familiar teammate will help him. Still kinda small though

Does anyone know if Mitch was actually at the Joe? He's turned in articles before without being at an event, so maybe he just wrote it at home.

The Wings, I believe will be playing in a new arena in 3-4 years. Mr. I has been purchasing land on the northwest side of I75 and Woodward. The Wings need a state of the art facility. I've been to a couple of the newer arenas, heck, the United Center opened in 94 and it's a great place to see a game. The Joe was poorly designed; no press box, small bathrooms, narrow corridors. I can't see the benefits of remodelling JLA. With the Tiger's success, the money is pouring in, the time is perfect to announce a new building. Plus, it will create jobs, and help spur more revitalization of the area. I was in Chicago the last year of The Stadium, and it was not a nice area. Now, it looks really nice.

Been following the Wings since 1969. Suffered through the 70s and early 80s, but was rewarded when I watched Yaz hoist the cup in person twice. I was lucky to fulfill my dream as a fan.

A box of urinal cakes

I think Shanny would be a good commissioner, and I also would consider Bobby Orr.

What if it was Lidstrom? You want to risk further injury to our most important player? Sit him out 1 game. Chelios can more than handle it. Just remember, Nick is 37, 38 next April, plays 25+ minutes a game. Not smart coaching decision in my mind, if it were severe enough.

Why is it the Wings never have scheduled give away games? They always seem to let you know at the door if they're giving anything out. When the baseball season comes around, there are give aways at almost every game. Yes, I know there are more games and seats to be sold in baseball. But with the games not being sold out, have puck nights, shirt nights, stick nights(so you can club a Hawks or Avs fan), or whatever. People may go more if they know they're getting something.