GROwl

When my spouse and I traveled to Stocholm two years ago, we were greeted warmly and treated well by everyone we met. I wouldn't think of doing otherwise should any Swede visit here.

Yeah, Ryan dislocated it in a game last Spring. When he came to training camp in the Fall, the Wings realized it hadn't quite healed correctly and sent him for more surgery.

This will clear Ryan to play for the Griffins. He had his hip surgery last September while he was still on the Red Wings roster. Therefore, he's been on the Red Wings LTIR list (you can't be sent down while on the LTIR). Now that he's ready to come off the injured list, he has to clear waivers to play in the AHL. We'll be happy to have him back in GR. He's a key part of the PK. One of the best defensive forwards who has ever played for the Griffins.

Here's the link to the page that the video is on (thanks YAK19): http://www.letsgowings.com/forums/index.ph...3301&st=780

I've never heard someone so excited about an empty netter. You'd have thought Doc himself got credit for the goal.

Exactly. The risk of injury is present for both men and women. However, it increases with the huge differential in skill level and age. There are dozens of mens leagues where one can select the appropriate age group and skill level...some allowing checking and some not. If the ladies wanted checking, they could change their league rules (trust me, the women are not shy about voicing their opinions...about anything!). However, they are smart enough to realize that if they want to sustain having a league to play in or possibly grow, they select the rules that are appropriate for the most number of players...not for the few.

Adding checking to women's hockey would only further hurt the development of the sport. It's difficult enough already to keep girls/women in. From what I understand, there is one women's league in all of the whole West Michigan area. It covers ages 18-60 and a huge range of experience...from almost beginner level to college players. There are 5 teams. For years, they have wanted a 6th one. But the attrition due to job and family changes offsets the new entries. Adding checking to the game would result in fewer entries and more exits. Its one thing to leave the kids at home with Dad so that mom can get out for some good exercise and fun. Another whole ballgame if injuries and concussions became the norm. While adding checking to the game might make it more entertaining to watch, fan entertainment isn't a big concern to the sport...when the only people who come to watch are a small handful of boyfriends and husbands.

At least he finished the season here (unlike Dick Axelsson and Johan Ryno - twice!). Stefan also didn't spend the year whining about playing in the AHL, the long bus rides, the food, etc. like some of the others!

He actually wasn't any better or any worse than most of the goalies we had in GR. Stefan was brought in to play second fiddle to Jimmy Howard and was kind of treated like a second class citizen from the start. Following Jimmy and Joey MacDonald was difficult - they are still the two most loved Griffins goalies ever. I don't think he was immature (at least not apparent to fans/season ticket holders). He was just a nice, quiet guy - married with a small son at the time. At the request of his teammates, Stefan had his mom bring over the gold medal he had earned from the 2006 olympics when she visited from Sweden at Christmastime. That would have been sweet to see. Stefan did have a lot of helmets. I think he said a good friend was a designer and painter; at the time his main one was far cooler than any we were used to seeing. Granted, Drew McIntyre's pink care bear one was pretty funny.

Is that Doc guy going to ruin the Olympics by covering all of the hockey games? I'm watching the women - Canada vs. Switzerland. He just explained in his whiny voice what a Shot on Goal is...a shot that would have been a goal if the goalie hadn't stopped it. Just kill me now!

10-1 Canada so far. Switzerland finally changed goalies. Doc has already talked about Sidney Crosby way too much.

Lashoff should finally be old enough.

Dude, if the Red Wings/sports has affected some of your relationships, consider finding a girl that shares your passion for the game. Plenty of them out there who are just as beautiful as the ones who aren't sports fans. It also reduces the number of disagreements in the future when you leave to go to yet ANOTHER game...because she's right there cheering next to you. Matter of fact, she's the one who stood in line to buy the tickets. Granted, I've only been married for nearly 20 years, but having a "hobby" that binds you together rather than pulling you apart is pretty special. Happy Valentines Day, Sweetheart!

Ritola too. Maybe Kolosov. Brad May.

I remember Kent McDonnell. He signed with Detroit after playing for CBJ, but stayed in GRR the whole year. 2005-ish. Only a fair player at best - even against other AHL'ers.

DMac is doing Hockey Central. That Doc guy isn't broadcasting. Maybe I won't have to mute the volume afterall!

I was wondering just the opposite. The jacket seemed too tight to be his own. Maybe he borrowed from Maltby this time.

As requested...

Sorry for the random thread, but I can't resist...Has anyone seen the new Jonathan Ericsson Bobbleheads that the Griffins did as their recent promo? My kids were trying to guess if he'd be wearing his Red Wing jersey or his old Griffins jersey. Neither - LOL! Do you think he posed wearing such an ugly suit or was he photoshopped into it? Comments?

Anything is possible. Meech was sent down for a conditioning stint a few years ago after being a healthy scratch for a long time in Detroit. He was re-called early due to an injury in Detroit. Same thing with Joey MacDonald when he was the third goalie in Detroit. Dom pulled a groin muscle and Joey went back before his stint was scheduled to be done. That being said, it is unlikely in Lilja's case since there are still salary cap issues with his return, I believe. Someone else has to go first-not just a short term injury.

No. A couple of punches, but that was it. Not even enough to earn a roughing minor. Lilja did get a delay of game penalty for hitting the puck out of play from his D zone and a slashing later on. But the slashing was more of a good acting job by the Houston Aero than a true slash.

For those of you who also saw Lilja last night against Houston...what were you thoughts? His puck skills were clearly far and above the other defensemen on the ice. His breakout passes were crisp, tape-to-tape, even after almost a year off. He seemed to have a lot of chemistry with Ritola and Mursak especially when they were also on the ice. His energy level was consistently there. That being said, I believe he was on the ice for both of the Houston even strength goals. On defense, he doesn't stay in the areas where I'd expect him to be (down low?). Several times, he was up near the blue line covering the Aeros' defensemen, rather than their forwards. He was buzzing everywhere, to the point of almost being out of position. Maybe trying too hard to impress the Detroit bosses who were at the game? p.s. Lilja's going to break the Griffins' stick budget. Twice on defense, he snapped his stick. One time, Jan Mursak handed Lilja his. It was a foot too short and curved for a right hand shot. I guess that's where its the thought that counts.

The Griffins have really done some cool ones (okay, excluding the Moses Bobble head at the Faith & Family promo night - I still can't quite get there on that one!). The Abdelkader one is great, as are the McCarty Hat Trick and Filppula Superman goal ones. Even the Obama and McCain pair dressed as Griffins were clever. But Ericsson in a Miami Vice suit? The irony was that the bobble head was supposed to be the give-a-away on 80's Night. But the statues didn't get shipped to the Griffins on time - so I received mine yesterday. With the connectin lost, Ericsson just looks silly.

We've got tickets to Saturday's game also. It'll be great to see both Abdelkader and Lilja!

They couldn't connect a pass last night to save their life. The pass was behind the receiver or in his skates, bounced off the tape or was right to the defender. Turnover, turnover, turnover.