puckloo39

these are great pics, Dmitriy, thanks!!

The Wings are too smart to let Pronger's return be a factor, just as his absence in the last game wasn't a factor. The Wings just were not up to snuff and made some mistakes that cost them. Anaheim didn't get to be where they ended up in the West by being a bad team. But the Wings are better. As for Hasek, he did not have a bad game by most peoples' standards. Do Wings fans consider a 1 goal loss (I don't count empty netters) to be a "big loss" 5-0 is a big loss, 1 goal games are just frustrating. Hasek, however, couldn't care less if the score was 2-1 or 8-1 if they lose. A loss is a loss. He only cares about the "W." He will be there tomorrow, as he has been all season long. I am hoping the other guys in Wings sweaters are ready, as well. They're professionals, know they messed up, and they will be better prepared tomorrow. Wings top five: 1. Go to the net, crowd the goal, get Giguere moving -- he's not that good 2. Stay out of the box, somehow... I hope the refs are not gunning for us in this game 3. Stop passing the danged puck around during the PP and shoot, shoot, shoot. Forget the pretty goals. 4. Exploit the Ducks' lack of discipline, and play smarter since they supposedly can play tougher than us 5. To all Wings: look over your shoulders a lot when you're out there, and if you see Neidermeyer and Pronger together anywhere near you... duck! - no pun intended. Go, Red Wings!!!

In case there actually are folks posting here who've never seen what Dom does during the anthem: he stands at attention between the dots, his hands behind his back like a soldier -- here you go, courtesy of VIB16 (thanks vlady, for the pic!!) Yes, his helmet is on. Big deal. He couldn't be more respectful and attentive. And he's done this every game since I first saw him play in 1991 in the NHL. GO, RED WINGS!!! amen.

Of course, I was! Someone asked if we wanted Manny back. No. It's also been suggested that we run out and grab Biron instead of Dom. Uh, really... no! Both are good goalies who crumble when you put them in the #1 spot. I think Ozzie is perfectly capable of either stepping in for Dom, or starting in Detroit if Dom decides not to come back. Ozzie wants to stay in Motown, that's obvious. Currently, the management favors Dominik over anyone else, should he choose to return -- Holland's already said he wants both Dom and Cheli back. But, I expect (and hope) Ozzie and Dom will be the sexy tandem again in Detroit next season. I can't imagine a better scenario - why fix what ain't broke, right? I may not be in the majority here, but Dom leaves, I hope Kenny offers the #1 to Ozzie first.

I loved Manny, he was a doll. One of the best back-ups the league ever saw. He enjoyed what someoone here referred to as beloved back-up goalie syndrome -- it's easy to be popular when there's no responsibility involved. But Manny's a lot like Biron. As long as he has someone who is a true #1 in front of him, he's great. Turn on the pressure of holding down the crease alone, and he loses his edge. Literally. I don't know if that's true of Ozzie, but I sincerely doubt it. Yes, to the beloved goalie syndrome. No, to the loses it when faced with pressure. JMO. As for Dom, look for things to be a lot better tomorrow at the Joe. The Wings realize they blew it and Dom couldn't save them from everything -- “We’ve got one of the best goalies in the league  if not the best,†Chelios said. “But we somehow found a way to make him look bad, and we’ve got to find a way to correct that.†They will correct it, I have no doubt.

I dunno about the Twinkies and grapes, thing, not sure where that rumor came from. But he's a become a health nut about his diet and exercise, since he's gotten older -- so I am not too sure he'd do that now. I do know (reported by several sources last Fall) that when Kenny Holland called him over the summer to ask him to come back to Detroit, Dom was out riding his mountain bike in the country with friends. They had stopped to rest and were picking cherries off of a tree and eating them, when Kenny called with the surprise offer. Dom said, hey, red cherries, Red Wings -- it's a sign! Seriously. yes, he's odd. That's what is so fun about him... there will never be another Dom. I know lots more weird Dom stories, but I don't want to bore anybody.

all of whom are playing golf right now. Hasek wants a Stanley Cup, not another **yawn** Vezina.

I understand that you're not attacking me, Flip. You're one of my favorites on here. I am trying to point out that this guy had his way with you, amazingly enough. OK, making up things, insinuating things, implying things... take your pick. Regardless, what was the point of questioning Hasek's respect for the league or the US? If he'd asked why Dom didn't take of his helmet, I would simply have said because of the straps and the way the helmet fits, he probably doesn't want to take the time to try and get the helmet back on in the crease before the puck drops. He'd get a delay of game if he took too long, most likely. In the interest of keeping the peace: I wish you wouldn't encourage this poster by validating him this way. He's no innocent, and I'll bet he loves it that you jumped on me -- and made my explanation about Dom's "disrespectful" habits seem less valid by pointing out that he was asking an innocent question. It's what he wanted, I suspect. I am sorry, to you, if I upset you by defending Dom. I am not sorry to original poster.

Here's the original post: <<Hey whats the scoop on Hasek? At both games in Anaheim the guy wouldnt remove his helmet and respect the Flag of the USA . 2 games stood there with his helmet on while the Anthem was sung. Does he not appreciate the country he makes a living in ? Does he do this at JLA?>> My initial reactions: What the hell? and STFU, came to mind. This guy looks for trouble, so don't bother to defend him as if the question was innocent, since it wasn't from the tone of it. You don't think it's hostile? Read it again. The post was unwarranted, has no basis in fact, and doesn't have anything to do with Hasek or his play. It's meant to cause trouble. I think it's ridiculous to have to reach and make up things about Hasek's supposed lack of respect-- as if keeping his helmet on is an indicator? -- it's pretty sad. Sorry you wasted your time trying to tell me to back off this poster. Not gonna happen. If this is too righteously defensive for ya, oh, well... I gave him attention, you encouraged him to do it some more.

Yet another of those disrespectful Czech goalies... purge the league, I say. They are a plague on the NHL!!

Do you? I assume you've never watched Buffalo or Ottawa either, or the Olympics, or any All Star Games or other hockey aside from the Yucks. I am willing to bet on that fact, actually. Are you actually 15, because if you are, it explains a lot. He just needs to learn to watch hockey, actually, or he'd know why Hasek has one Cup. The team is actually usually involved in winning A Cup. It's not an individual effort.

Have you ever watched Hasek in the 14 years he's played hockey in the US? He's always left his helmet on - it's an unusual style and it's harder to take on and off than the molded masks. It's not disrespect at all. Hasek is the only goalie I've ever seen who lays his equipment down, skates out between the circles and stands at attention with his hands behind his back, like a soldier on watch, during any anthem, every game, season after season. No other goalie pays that kind of attention and respect to the anthem. Others stand in their crease, fiddling with equipment or messing with the ice, or in some cases, turning their back to the flag to "concentrate" on the upcoming game. I will stop short of saying you're reaching for something to complain about, since you obviously haven't seen Dom play before this round or you would know the scoop. Dom is probably the most respectful player on the ice. I understand you're looking for something to start trouble with. Don't worry, Dom and the Wings will give you all plenty of trouble on Sunday.

for anyone who's bailing on Hasek because of one less than perfect outing: try not to ignore the facts about Hasek QUOTED ^ If it's true that goalies have to have bad memories, to forget goals and losses, and even wins, as soon as they are over, then Hasek might be the best, because a lot of murky water has passed under his bridge, and his disposition is better than it's ever been. "I have lots of confidence even if I give up five goals, you know," he said. "I know how to handle the pressure, I know what to do after a bad game, what to do after a good game. So I don't really care about the game before." He will be just fine. Dom's seen this all before, and worse, and come through it. He will again. The rest of the Wings will do the same.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if it was Bryan Murray complaining about the Pronger suspension instead Brian Burke. Murray complains about everything. Just wait, and you'll see what I mean in the SCF.

thank you, exactly.

It's a shame Hasek isn't allowed to have an off night, ever. He says he likes pressure, but I can't imagine what he puts up with really. Except I know the Wings are aware that they were not there for the defensive lapses and will take the responsibility for the ill-timed penalties which lead to several of the goals. But, it is easier to put the blame and the responsibility on Dom. I understand.

Hasek and I are shocked that there was one shot on goal on the second 5 on 3, and not much more on the first 5 on 3, that's right TWO 5-3 and nothing to show for it. Honestly, unless you guys expect Dom to pitch a shut out every single night -- a tad unrealistic -- we are goners, I guess. Since when can't Hasek have an off night, and expect someone else to show up to bail HIM out? Just wondering....

don't be fairweather, YG. You know as well as I do, Hasek did what he could as well.

well, that's it. Too bad. Best of three now.

come on, guys, put the puck on Giggy... don't let them win.

Yucks seem to have the puck an awful lot here. Wrong end of the ice, guys....

the same reason people bail on Hasek when he's been consistently solid for the Wings all season and in the playoffs?

we need to stop taking penalties and allowing PP goals. And we need to score, but I am not so sure that's gonna happen. Nothing on two 5-3's makes me think we're not gonna take this one. I had a feeling the Pronger suspension would backlash and this would happen. They can't buy a goal this period.

depends on who you ask, RS. One he might could have had, but not the other two. Defensive collapse on one, deflection right in front of him on another. Dom isn't anymore the problem than the rest of the team. They're all looking better as the game goes on.

looking much better this perry-odd. I wish we could get one more to kill them in the last minute.