GROwl

Sounds like a pretty brutal game. The AHL reported the following story: Referee Cozzan injured in Norfolk 03/27/2009 10:00 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last updated Fri Mar 27, 11:00 p.m. EDT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ... American Hockey League referee Chris Cozzan was injured during Friday evening's game between the Norfolk Admirals and the Grand Rapids Griffins at Norfolk's Scope Arena. With 5:34 remaining in the first period, Cozzan was accidentally cut in the neck by a player's skate blade. He was immediately tended to by emergency medical personnel and team trainers and doctors, and was transported to Norfolk General Hospital to undergo surgery to repair the injury. Cozzan is expected to make a full recovery. No other details are available at this time. The GR Press said that the teams ended the 1st period at that time and then tacked on the additional 5:34 to the second period.

Dallas, you're my new hero! Actually, I've seen you around the arena this year with your kid's TC hockey team. So you've probably already had your share! ~ Aaron Downey

Mike Chegwidden, the subject of the article, wasn't a Wings draftee. Jeff Mikesch, with whom he went to high school and who was quoted in the article, was a Wings draftee. Right? Chegwidden was already 22 years old when he committed the crime.

That should be about right. The last AHL regular season games are on Sunday, April 12 (though the Griffins finish up in Peoria the night before). Attendance isn't usually good for the first few rounds when they start the series on week nights. Therefore best guess is that most of the first round games will start on Friday the 17th.

How many times has he cleared waivers this year...with no bites...and making just about the league minimum in salary? He'll be even a year older next year. Which NHL team do you predict? I'd love to continue to see him as a player/coach in Grand Rapids. Sounds like he had a ball the other day at ChuckECheese in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton with the GR boys.

Yep. The hope is that he will be able to fly out to meet the team in Norfolk or Philadelphia.

That's quite a list of reserve players. And three Griffins in the playing lines. Kind of implies that the Wings didn't make the best decision when re-signing Kopecky, Maltby, Chelios and Meech - and then also in sending Leino, Helm and Ericsson to Grand Rapids last October. If they are good enough to be in the lineup for play-offs, I'd argue that they should have been in Detroit all season long. Its even a multi-year bad decision for Meech & Maltby since they will be taking up roster spots for another year.

Well, Steve, since you're stuck down here in GR with me, I can show you all the local bars. I've been to every one of them this season...at least twice. We also run a pretty good promo here at the VanAndel Arena on Friday nights...$1 beer/$1 dogs. If you really piss off the Wings Management, you get to be a healthy scratch and can imbibe in all the $1 beers you can drink while watching the game from the 3rd level "special" seats. Just remember to duck everytime Jiri Fischer walks by scouting the young boys! ~Aaron Downey

I have to go with Aaron Downey. Not much skill, but a heck of a lot of heart...and my butt is sitting in Grand Rapids ... when all I want is to be in Detroit!

Leino would be a good addition to the Wings next year. But he couldn't fill the Mule's shoes. Even though Leino played in front of the net while in Detroit, its not his natural role. The Mule has more size and strength than Leino; like Holmstrom, he can take being consistently bashed in the back by the goalie. He'll crash his way to the net to score. Leino has more finesse. He'll dance around with the puck and patiently wait for the right opportunity to nicely deke the shot in. Leino is more similar to Hudler than Franzen.

If you think Ozzie has been inconsistent this year, just wait...Jimmy Howard is even more inconsistent. I've watched him play for the past 4 years in GR and he's no better/no worse than when he first came. He has a great month. Then follows it up with a very mediocre month. At best, he should be a back up for a very strong NHL goalie. Somehow a duo of Ozzie/Howard doesn't bode well for next year. While I've only seen Daniel Larsson for one year now, it sure appears that he has more long term potential than Jimmy. Especially since he's had to adapt to a different size rink. I'm also looking forward to seeing Thomas McCollum in a game or two when his Jr. season finishes.

Meigray.com is the "official" source for game worn jerseys - though it looks like they are out of DMac right now. Just keep checking back every now and again. There are 8 more away games and one more home, then the last batch should get shipped to Meigray. With the AHL, you can't buy jerseys in normal retail stores - the AHL keeps pretty tight control of team licensing.

Bob Kaser said that Aaron Downey didn't travel with the team to Cleveland. Nor will he be in W-B-S on Wednesday. If all goes well, he may fly out and join the team next weekend. Kolosov's been upgraded to day-to-day, Jamie Tardiff about 3 weeks out yet and Ritola 4-5 weeks.

Did anyone else find this a little absurd? Referee Jeff Smith appeared to give the players the option throughout the game of going to the bench or to the penalty box. Only one player (a Marlie - go figure!) seemed like he was going to select the box option - after nailing Daniel Larsson pretty hard in goal. But after going there, changed his mind and skated back to the Marlie bench. I think he may even have sat down in the box for a second before leaving. While I'm opposed to calling penalties on almost every play like some referees do, I thought not calling any penalties was a bit extreme.

So, what did you think? The boys played well last night - I really enjoyed the game. I'm just sad that there is only one home game left in the regular season. Its a $1 beer/$1 dog night on 4/10/09. It was announced last night there that are only a few remaining tickets left.

I just took one of our 4 out of the box to put on my daughter's shelf alongside Flippula and DMAC. I had to laugh. The advertisers are getting in on the action. There is a big ol' Comcast sign on the base in front of Justin and Reebok has been written on his stick. Its too bad the Season Ticket Holders party was last Sunday before we got the bobbleheads. I would have liked to have Justin autograph the base like DMac did.

He's got a very colorful/black eye right now. You don't mind, do you? Just wait another week or so before you bring him home to meet mom. On Sunday, there was a long line of people (both male and female) who wanted to talk with him/get his autograph at the season ticket holder event. Maybe he was interviewing the women for the open position. It would have been a good time for him to work on his issue!

Haydar's numbers are a big deal - even in the AHL. Darren's been among the scoring leaders pretty consistently over the past several years, averaging over a point per game in each season. That being said, I agree with you that he's unlikely to get much time in the NHL, unless there are multiple forwards out for injuries. 1.) He's very small 2.) He's almost 30 years old - clubs tend to want to bring up the young guys for development and to see how they do in the NHL 3.) He's -18 in an organization that has prided themselves on solid defense. The -18 stat is unusual for Darren; however, its still a fact. Darren had planned to play in Europe this year. However, with his girlfriend's medical situation, he decided to stay close. He signed with Detroit because Detroit has the reputation for giving veteran's another chance if they earn it (Langfeld, Hartigan, MacLean). With all the depth this year in GR ... and his -18...he hasn't earned a spot.

What's up with this random post? We do NOT want Grigorenko back in GR any more than he would want to come back. He lasted less than a month when he was here to start the 07-08 year. He had an escape-back-to-Russia clause in his contract if he didn't make the Wings. When you show up to training camp in terrible condition, you don't make the Wings' lineup. So he took his $1 million tax-free escape to play in Russia rather than the $75k he'd make in GR. Smartest move he ever made.

How much was attributable to DMac, and how much to the $1 beer/$1 dogs? Just kidding, Oulahen referred to DMac as Mr. Friday Nights after the game because DMac always plays so well on Fridays (Hat Trick, etc,).

Speaking of Haydar, have you seen his stats lately: GP G A PTS PIM 67 26 43 69 24 Haydar has really stepped it up with all of the injuries and call-ups. 4th leading scorer in AHL. No sarcasm. I believe that was Griffin McCarty with his dad at the season ticket holders event after the game. Maybe that's why Darren keeps coming back...he's just waiting for his son to join him on the team. Griffin traveled and practiced with the Griffins last year on spring break. Bring him on. Lets draft the kid now!

I don't know where they are posted...but I think I can remember/tell you what they were: Leino-Abdelkader-DMAC Lemieux-McGrath-Pare Haydar-Helm-Ritola Oulahen-Gagnon-Downey Pyett-Kindl Galvin-Peterson Kolosov-Stafford Larsson was in net I could have the defensive pairings mixed up.

Yep. He seemed in good spirits though after the game tonight at the season ticket holders gathering. Leino was sporting a nice shiner. Kolosov was tired. Ritola and Oulahen were gabby/very friendly tonight. Larsson super quiet. Emmerton a little red after a female had him sign the front of her shirt while she was wearing it. PJ chose her shoulder.

Really great pics, Poke! I also like the Emmerton one best - though the one of Galvin with his tongue hanging out is the view I see the most. That didn't come out right. Lets just forget it. P.s. my daughter is offended at Tiger Woods' quote in your signature block. She insists that hockey is not just for white MEN!

Sorry - my response double posted!