puckloo39

I rather like Logo Hunter for Mr. April on my calendar. At least that means he's shooting the puck in the direction of the net and getting close. A shot on goal, never a bad thing. 4-3 Wings... offense and defense show up tonight for what is now the best of three. At least I hope so. This games comes at a pretty steep price, otherwise.

oddly, not only would a lot of people here like that, they would think it was appropriate.

oh, that's right (Kopay). I am really tired, working too hard, I guess. Thanks... I miss Maltby, was hoping he was able to come back sooner than later, like Homer did. Wonder if Kronner is mad enough to do his Crazed Swedish Viking hit on a Pred. watch the elbow, Nik, but take it to some Pred tomorrow night, willya? Mule, "accidentally" step on 2-2.

too bad that is what it took to wake them up. They'll be a different team tomorrow night, thank God. I hope Mac is in, and scores a goal with one hand, while wringing 2-2's neck with the other. I didn't see any effect sitting Lilja. He couldn't have been any worse than the rest of them for the first 40 minutes. Put him back in, at least he's got size if he will use it. Is Kopay out injured still, or just sitting? And where is Maltby in terms of returning?

works for me!

Really? You've talked to Holland?? What else did he tell you?

Here is Hasek's version of a canned answer, when asked if he was upset about not playing tomorrow. From Ansar Khan's blog (mlive) today. "Coaches feel this is the best thing to do to win the game tomorrow. Of course I'm not happy with this decision. I understand and I go from there,'' Hasek said Thursday, after an optional practice. "I had a good practice today. Tomorrow I'll be ready. If it gets to be my time to get back on the ice (later in the playoffs), I'll be back. But I don't want to look too far ahead.'' - I'll be ready - I had a good practice today. - If it gets to be my time, I'll be back. This doesn't sound irresponsible to me, nor does he sound like he's going to blow a gasket or go for the rope, Manny-style. This is what I want Dom to get credit for, and not be beaten up further for an offhand comment (honest talk) that he played what he felt was his worst hockey of the season. He couldn't manage to make up for the missing offense and defense, and he knows it's his job. I don't see where anyone thinks Dom was wrong saying this. I will assume that you didn't see this, E, or that all you saw was his comment about playing badly. Perhaps I am overly-kind to Dom, but I think you're being overly-critical, so I guess we're even. another quote "This is not about fairness," said Hasek of the decision [to play Osgood]. "It's about the coach's decision and the coaches feel this is the best thing to do. "Of course I'm unhappy, but I understand. I just want to be ready when it comes to my time, but this is Ozzie's time now."

yep. They are Ozzie's Team now.

yes, I would be surprised. They will step up in front of Ozzie and win the next two.

Nick, I didn't mean giving Dom credit for the game, I meant that he was trying to respond to the media. Rather than criticizing what he said, and when he said it, it might be a nice idea to acknowledge that he knows he can do better. He's down, there's really no purpose in beating him to death with the obvious. He will do everything he can to come back. If that doesn't happen, people can just be happy that he was man enough to step aside and let the Wings do their thing with the goalie they feel comfortable with. By the way, you know as well as I do that Dom is not a "happy go lucky" guy, on the best of days. He's a dour Czech and he tells it like it is. I think people here may not recognize that he isn't admitting defeat, he's just stating the obvious. They aren't used to any goalie who actually admits he might be in any way responsible for being part of a team loss.

me, too. Damned if you do, damned if you don't, eh? Too bad people don't read entire quote before adding their editorial opinions to them.

oh, Mac... OK, if you say so. I guess all the hundreds of posts exulting over Hasek's ouster were my imagination, then. YOU are not singling him out. Well, you, me and 10 others here. At least people didn't blame Lebda last night, but I think someone still ragged on Lilja for not being far enough away from the ice as a healthy scratch. j/k

and offense. They acted like a team capable of winning for the last 20 or so minutes last night. Maybe they will do it again tomorrow.

never happy... Anyone who knows Hasek know he doesn't quit. He was just saying what he thought. He's not sitting in a corner sucking his thumb, he on the ice working to get back. I personally don't expect to see him again but who knows what will happen. Dom is callng it like it is. Just like you, e. It would be nice if we could give the guy a little credit, rather than tearing down everything he's said and done... to what purpose? But, hey, why am I even trying to reason with you.

I agree... one individual did not lose that game last night, it was the team. They didn't give themselves too much of a chance until Babs kicked Dom out and got their attention. If that's what it takes to make them pay attention, then sacrifice Hasek, by all means. Too bad it took that to get them on board. I've been here since 2002. Not leaving either, much to some peoples' dismay. Tough.

I will hold you to that. No one here has ever said Ozzie doesn't "deserve" to start game five for those who are still fixated on that, so no need to complain about that. Babs has done the right thing all along, this is no exception. He knows this team better than any of us ever will.

Of course, I meant the fans here, Mac. The team knows he didn't lose by himself. They were involved (or not involved enough, to be more precise) in the loss. Can't we just allow for the fact that Hasek is taking the blame and being a man about it, and not nitpick him to death, because he didn't say the "right" thing? If he says nothing, he's sulking. If he speaks up and says what he feels, he's his own worst enemy and damaging the team somehow. Jeez, make up your minds. What exactly is he supposed to do??

as I was saying, Dom's honesty about his own play doesn't serve him well. Now he's dumb for being up front about his play. Never happy, are we?

says a lot, the unholy joy exhibited over Hasek's departure, doesn't it? Usually, that's reserved for the opponents, not your own goalie, but whatever... Dom is honest and always takes responsibility for his play if he's bad. When he's great, he gives the credit to the team. That practice hasn't served him well here, but that's how he is. Couldn't agree more with your post, Pack.

and you think Hasek doesn't? Really, now... Don't worry, you won't see Hasek back. Ozzie said Dom would bounce back, if he got the chance. I don't expect that to happen. Babcock doesn't seem to be a big fan of suicide, and that's what it would be unless the team who showed up in the third, as usual, last night decides to show up from now on. Ozzie's Team will win Friday. Game 6 back in Nashville will not be assigned to Hasek. Win the series, and that's that, regardless of what happens. Not that many here seem to understand this, but Dom wasn't the only player who didn't appear to want to win the Stanley Cup the last two games. They'll do fine in front of Ozzie. No doubt!

please tell me you're kidding...

You dared suggest that the entire blame for every goal and loss were not 100% on Dom. Therefore, you are irrational. Get it?

Stuart will be packed and headed back to California the minute he can. There are four teams there... Anaheim will hire any ex-Wing they can find, so I expect to see him there next season.

this reminds me of 2002 when the Wings dropped the first two games in round 1 to the Canucks. Widespread panic and death threats to Hasek. But, we no longer have Stevie Y or Scotty to talk sense to the Wings, and this is not the same team of veterans, regardless of what they say about composed, veteran players. I don't see things getting better as long as they leave Dom in net. If dumping Hasek is what it takes to get them to play their best and win, then that's what needs to happen. Hasek and Ozzie both won 27 games each, and let in precisely the same number of goals this season (84) each. Somehow, Hasek's wins were not as good and all the goals against were deemed worse. Very interesting. Hockey players are human, sometimes it shows. Better effort next game. I am tired of saying "play all 60 minutes" but that is what they need to do.

no, you actually are pretty smart, most of the time. But what do I know, right?