Kira

With all due respect, you need to get your head out of that dark and smelly place it's been. And clean up that brown ring around the neck while you're at it. That was deliberate...and blatant. And if he doesn't get a multiple-game suspension for it, something is really wrong.

There will be another in-person sale the week after this...probably some time during the week. If you have the money you could send it to me and I could drive up there and get them. It's only a two hour drive up there.

So here we are, sitting on the shore of Grand Traverse Bay, thinking how great a day it is.

We just walked ou the door with TICKETS IN HAND! Our seats are right next to the bench,ice level. There IS a God! Surprisingly, there were not many people buying tickets. They will have another in person sale probably a little over a week from now. Check with the site...www.redwingstrainingcamp.com

Guilty as hell! I'm making plans already!

You think these other teams who throw out such things as catfish, beef and shark are just jealous of the great octopi tradition. You call them 'poseurs'. You wouldn't really throw an octopus at your daughter's ballet recital, would you????

My friend painted her room red and white and has a Red Wings logo on the wall over her bed. And she lives in Preds territory (unfortunately for her). You also spend your whole paycheck on bedding and furnishings in red and white. You have a calendar by your desk with all the Wings' birthdays on it. And you save the old calendars for the pics. Guilty of that one...Pasha is on my wall. And he's the first face I see when I walk in the room.

I had a great one written but lost it. So here goes again. Andreas...first time I saw you was when you were on the bench at the scrimmage game last year at the first day of camp. You looked over and mugged for my camera and made me laugh. I've liked you ever since. You had your nights when everything went to hell, but who didn't? It was great to see you step up in the playoffs and really be a demon. You deserve to stay. Captain Nick...you proved there is life after Stevie Y, and you wear his C well. Valtteri, you impressed me from camp on. I think you are going to be a star. You play far beyond your years. Matt, Josh, Jimmy, Darryl, Kyle, Derek and Jonathan...thanks for fillng in when we needed help. Good thing it's just a two-hour drive between Grand Rapids and Detroit. Dan, Kirk, Robert, Brett, Mathieu, Cheli, Tomas, Ozzie, Kris, Mikael, Henrik, Nik, Danny...where would we be without all of you? Dom...I will gladly eat humble pie. I was very sceptical about you coming back, but you not only erased all my doubts, you obliterated them. My hat's off to you, and if you'd pass the ice cream so I could make it humble pie a la mode... Johan, you also play beyond your years. You impressed me at camp in '05 and you still do. Homer, what can I say except I think the world of you? You're like a Timex watch...you take a licking and keep on ticking. Kyle and Bert...thanks for coming in and giving it your best...I know it wasn't easy for you, but you did contribute. Let's hope the off season brings you health. Last but not least...Pasha...what can I say that I haven't said all year long? I'm so damned proud of you, I don't know the words. You took that 'playoff no-show' moniker and just destroyed it completely. Your all around game has improved by leaps and bounds. You never cease to amaze me with new tricks every night. You made it fun to watch you every night, and seeing you play in person is something I will not forget. But the best moment was finally meeting you face to face. You are a gentleman in every sense of the word...polite, kind, generous, caring...and the gentlest soul I've ever known. Thank you, Pasha, just for being you... It was a hell of a ride, fellas...I loved every minute of it. I can't wait til mid- September. I'll be at Traverse, armed with my trusty camera. And the DVR will be ready to once again record every game. I love you guys.

My sentiments exactly. The fans from other teams are more than welcome to stay and talk with us (we don't bite, honestly), but as far as the finals go, I'm Ottawa all the way.

You have to wear a Wings shirt on game day, no matter what. Your idea of dressing up is wearing a Red Wings jersey.

Happy Birthday, Kris! Wish we could have given you a better gift. But we still love ya!

Favorite all time, I would have to say Gordie Howe, Dino Ciccarelli and Igor Larionov. Current, well, anyone who knows me at all knows where my allegiance lies...Pasha, plain and simply, rules. Non-Wings... Slava Kozlov, Mark Mowers and Manny Legace. Once a Wing, always a Wing at heart.

You plan your schedule around games and training camp. Gulity. Your phone number includes your favorite player's number. Also guilty. Your Pin number to get to your voice mail on your cell phone is your favorite player's number. Guilty of that one, too. You bought a Colorado Avalanche jersey at the Salvation Army just to watch it burn. ALMOST guilty of that one, but I didn't want to waste the two bucks.

You wear a Red Wings shirt in enemy territory and when they ask why, you say, "Where I come from this is not a problem."

Boy it sure will be nice to watch the games at a civilized hour! I might even get a good night's sleep!

Zata, I like the signature pics. And you happen to be from my home town!

There is no obstacle that enough work cannot overcome. There is no battle that enough work cannot win. There is no dream that enough work cannot fulfill.

My sentiments exactly.

It isn't Andreas' fault, whatever else anyone thinks. It's just one of those "compost occurs" things. Hold your head up, Andreas, you've nothing to be ashamed of.

My faith in the guys is unshakable. It is steady and true, and will always be that way. No matter what happens, I'm proud of these guys. They never gave up, and they won't go quietly. I feel it in my heart and soul. Tuesday night belongs to us.

40 down, 20 to go. Let's go fellas! I can't believe that it was Lilja who got the goal. Way to go, Lils!!

Why don't these jerks just admit they are in favor of Anaheim? What idiots.

Barry Melrose is a total idiot. If you listen to anything he says, you have to take it not with a grain of salt but the whole damned salt mine. There's been a consistent pattern to these series...we've split the first four games and then come back and won games 5&6. So I see that pattern continuing. I have the house to myself today so I can scream and yell and get rowdy if I want to - and I hope I get lots of chances to do just that. GO WINGS!!!!!!!!!!!

*sigh* No words. Just a sigh.

There are a few who have stepped up and given great performances. Pasha, Dan, Homer, Johan, Valtteri...and especially Andreas.