puckloo39

the Canucks look a little more confident at home. Ozzie, nice stop, rebound cleared. Whew~

we're here for ya, Edi. Ozzie just made a nice stop on a little pitch from Morrison.

well, his whistle is healthy, for sure. Drapes already in the box...

ack. McGoooo DHZ on the ice for the opening face off. Game on!!

yeah, what is the deal? I wondered if they were doing some pre-game something or other.

Nice interview with Rafalski. Bet he's glad he's not in NJ anymore.

I think McGoo had one too many donuts... He should be eating carrots, since they also supposedly help your eyesight.

hi, E! Not gonna say the S-word thing but I am rooting for the Ozzinator tonight. I hate the Sedins - make 'em cry, Ozzie!! I still miss Jiri, don't you?

I don't think so. Of course, here in Motown, we have the Ozzie's a Bum club and the ABH (Anybody but Hasek) contingent, who would be happier with anything else besides the goalies we currently have. I wish the Wings would give Ozzie and Howard a chance, just in case Jimmy really is what the brass hope he is... a franchise goalie for the future.

Dom will be fine. I think he has tried too hard this season to keep them in games where the Wings were -- let's say, not 100% in front of him? At least this year, Ozzie is healthy and can step in as back-up, unlike last season early on. So, it's all good. Dom hasn't had a chance to get in a groove yet, with the choppy, penalty ridden games he's had to deal with, complete with bad bounce goals and deflections off his own players, no calls in the Wings favor on goalie interference, etc., etc. He can't continue to have this sort of luck all season.

Is it bad that I don't miss Markov at all anymore, with Rafalski and Lilja playing so well, not to mention Lids and Cheli on the job as usual? Good luck, Danny, you coulda stayed a Wing.

Oz on the W Canada games Ozzie has been playing well, and also knows he's been the beneficiary of the better play of the entire team: Said Osgood: "The main thing is we're winning games and are better defensively than we were at the start of the year. We're not turning the puck over as much as we were in previous games. We're getting pucks deep when we need to.'' If the Wings stay out of the box and keep driving to the net the way they have in the past few games, they will be fine. Hopefully, by the time Dom is back, that trend will continue in front of him, too. side note: The debacle of a game on Friday, Sharks v. Wings at the Joe was not an abberation. They really are just that bad right now (horrible road schedule is part of it). Columbus beat them, too. Blue Jackets 2, Sharks 1 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sergei Fedorov scored the decisive goal late in the second period, and Pascal Leclaire made 16 saves to help Columbus win its third straight. Dan Fritsche also scored for Columbus, off to the best start in franchise history at 6-3-1. Manny Malhotra added two assists. Leclaire allowed only Joe Thornton's goal, sending San Jose to its second straight loss. On Friday night in Detroit, the Red Wings routed the Sharks 5-1. The road-weary Sharks, held to just five shots in the third period, have played eight of their first 11 games away from home.

Depending on how this season goes, I expect to see an Ozzie/Howard tandem in 2007-2008. There are not really any realistic choices who will play for the same money or as well as Ozzie. The management may have to give up the idea of putting another #1 in front of Oz, and give him the nets. Wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen. As for Dom wearing his welcome out... This season, he pretty much had to come back, after a great season and playoffs -- or else he would have been viewed as "abandoning" the Wings again with no other choice in goal, due to the salary cap. He wanted to come back, too, no mistake. The management wanted Dom back, and were no other affordable #1s available. Damned if he comes back, damned if he doesn't, someone is going to complain, no matter what. So, just do whatever you want, Dom. I could see Marty Biron fitting well in Detroit, still, but he's not better than Ozzie.

Nice viewpoint of Grier killing his team mate, and the Wings embarrassing the Sharks, with Thornton embarrassing himself, primarily. edit: I can't get the link to work. Go to www.tsn.ca and check the video highlight under the Wings game report. game report

amazing pictures, thank you very much for sharing!

I hope Grigorenko realizes what an opportunity he's missed this season and buckles down, now that Dats has explained how you have to play here. I cut him some slack, since I would still like to see him get a chance with the Wings... difference is, now he has to earn it. Let's see if he does. If he's not willing or able to step up, then Girgs will be much happier in Russia. We can go find another jewel like Cleary, standing right under our noses and begging to lay their bodies and souls on the ice for the Wings, to take his place.

you're right, the Sharks were a shadow of the team they could be last night. Nice list, by the way... I think most players can have a bad night, or melt-down. There are a few who are more consistent than others. Pronger has earned my enduring . The overall environment of the game has changed with the "new NHL" and of course the worst thing is the constant whistles over things that should have been let go, balanced nicely by the lack of whistles and slow response on calls that should have been made. I suspect the frustration level of all the players and coaches must reach a boiling point some nights. We think the Wings are unfairly targeted, of course, but I wonder if other teams don't feel the same way? I know I've seen a lot of soul-killing bad calls on other teams over the years, but it does seem to be escalating this season on minor flaws. It makes the game harder to watch some nights. I am a "homer for Homer" but I know - saw with my own eyes!! - that Luongo waved his glove and hit Homer and leaned into him to draw a penalty the other night. Lost respect for him a bit on that one. No wonder Homer was so puzzled by the call -- he didn't do anything!

Friday night, and before a long road trip... whatever works, right? Congrat to the Wings for a great game, and without totally embarrassing the Sharks. I know it was hard to hold back, guys!

someone unconfuse me on the game stars tonight. #1 Flip, sure. Kronner #2 for an assist on Lils' goal. Why wasn't that Lils' star? And Lids #3. I guess... oh, well.

Dats is amazing... poor Sharks.

ah, nooo.... no shut out.

as I said. Ridiculous. Too bad the other teams never get called for goalie interference on our goalies, huh? There is something really wrong here, with these calls on Homer.

should have left Nabby out there. Ridiculous... Go, Malts!!!

Z! That goal horn woke me up...

the only one not snoozing is Nabby.