Firehawk

I was telling my sister's boyfriend (from Chicago, and a total homer Hawks fan, like, the definition of homer). I told him the Q has no clue how to beat Detroit, and as long as you have him as the coach, you aren't winning s***. I told him this before the series, and I doubt I need to remind him tonight. I think I might anyways... .

I never thought I'd say this, but I'm so glad the Datsyuk - Hossa line didn't end up with that 3 on 1 break. They'd still be passing the puck around as we speak. Kills me to say that...

The wings might have ripped the heart out of Chicago with that win. Go get game 3 and really stick the dagger in them.

In my opinion, I think that's about the best Chicago THIS YEAR, can play. They're going to cough the puck up at times like they did in OT. They've been doing that all playoffs. They played far more solid tonight on defense overall. I don't think they can play better than this, this year. The wings are molding into that type of machine we have seen them turn into during all of the cup runs.

I thought Ozzy was stealing this game, or stole this game for the Wings. Finally he gets a good win when he stops over 30 shots on net. Now people won't complain. Both goals not his fault tonight at all. Blackhawks must be wondering now what they have to do... I'm glad we won cause I didn't want to go 3 days hearing "the comeback kids" again.

I can't believe Chicago gave up the 3 on 1. But you know, they have been notorious for defensive breakdowns all playoffs. They continue to do that against the Wings and they're dead in 4. YES!

I think the Chicago speed has alot to do with us looking 'slow'. I don't think we're playing that slow, honestly. But I did think they decided to sit back a little bit with the whole 3rd period to go, and it burned them. You could feel it was coming. 2 goal posts tonight...that's the story.

Perfect time for one of our big guns to break out. You just know if Chicago wins in OT we'll hear nothing but "THE COMEBACK KIDS" for the next 3 days.

I like how buffy tries to act like he's not interfering when he's clearly blocking Ozzie out completely. Imagine had a goal been scored there. Priceless offsetting minors there. PRICELESS

That double call was priceless.

Dumbs***, nobody's mad at Lidstrom, we're mad at the refereeing.

Yeah, or at least call the things that are pertinent to the play. One of the wings was hauled down, no call, a few minutes prior to that incident which took away an offensive rush. I am willing to accept the Lidstrom penalty, since it 'looked' like he was hog tying him, but in reality it had no bearing on the play. There have been many incidents tonight that they have let go which DID have bearing on the play. One that comes to mind is the 2 hander on Cleary in front of the net.

Oh really? I wouldn't know, with the inconsistency. lol I mean, Anaslime did it all series and never got called. Are you sure it's a rule?

Heh, I bet you Lidstrom has never had 2 minor penalties called on him in 1 period in his career.

See Babs griping like crazy about the call on Lids? I mean, it should be enough for the league to look at these 2 refs with 2 penalties on Lids in 1 game, and both were questionable. Especially, meanwhile you have other far more significant things going on that aren't called. It's just unbelievable. I don't really know what else to say. It's an embarassment. For the record, I thought the sh*t going on that wasn't called, then they call Chicago on a ticky tack hold on Hossa was ridiculous.

It's awesome that Cleary takes a 2 hander and knocked on his ass when the puck gets shot at the net, never touches it...no call. But then the refs call a penalty on Chicago with a tiny hold...that really had no bearing on the play. You gotta love it.

Uh, it was a pass across the front, hit the skate and bounced in. That's a fluke. But I agree, it should never have happened on account of the bad clear.

People, lay off the PK. The goal they got was a FLUKE GOAL. nothing you can do about that.

Other than the penalties by the Dumbass Devorsky (hmm coincidence that there's another 5 on 3 in this game, like the last one (game 7) he refereed)? Chicago has to start thinking they just played their best period of hockey and are tied, and got a goal on a fluke, one that I can live with. If thats the worst that happens all game, we're in good shape.

Bulin is the most beatable goalie the wings will face this playoff. That being said, I thought the Wings would have a major struggle today with the inevitable downer from coming off the 7 game series with Anaheim. I was quite impressed with the wings getting it going after 1/2 of the 1st period.

This series is already more exciting than the Ducks / Wings series. Fast skating, good clean hits, skill on both sides... I'd look for Datsyuk to revel in this type of series. Awesome so far.

Bowman might as well coach their team for this series because the Q has no idea how to beat Detroit. Also, I think people are blowing this up more than it is. Bowman can't beat Detroit for them. This is a mismatch more than people want to let on, because it's a great story for the Blackhawks. But the reality of it is, their story is going to end in this round. It's been nice, I think the Hawks will be a serious cup contender in a year or two, but right now, no way.

For a bunch of thugs and bullies, Anaheim sure does complain alot, don't they?

DET/CHI 4-2 PIT/CAR 4-2

On freep.com, "the other side" article, all of the ducks were quoted as complaining that cleary pushed the goalie into the net with the puck. I don't see how they can say that. Maybe they hadn't watched the replay yet, becuase that didn't happen at all. It amazes me that the ducks gripe at all about the refereeing. But whatever. Thank God we won that series. It would have been a tragedy if we hadn't.