puckloo39

now you're catching on!

I think you just don't like Dom and are looking for excuses and reasons to cast blame. As if it's his fault alone if the Wings fail to score and disappear for entire periods of hockey at a time? Trying to tell Dom how to play goal is as senseless as telling Lidstrom how to defend. But, whatever... enjoy!

This focus on Hasek needing to be pretty much perfect in order for the Wings to win this series is pretty strange, IMO. He's let in fewer than 2 goals per game, good enough for virtually any other team in the playoffs. It's lack of offense that killing the Wings, not Hasek's play. Honestly, it's a tad unrealistic to expect Dom to be flawless -- even though we know he's capable of it. Sometimes the other team makes a great play and they're going to score. That's hockey. Here's the other thing: if the Wings allow San Jose to cycle the puck around our net and don't fight for it and clear it, and they spend all but 2 minutes of each period in just that situation -- the Sharks will score. It's inevitable. Hasek can't leave the net to clear the puck, but the rest of the team sure can.

If you don't blame Hasek, then stop posting about blaming him. Holding Hasek responsible for not winning every game via a shutout (which is about all he can do to play "better" than he has) is the same as blaming Datsyuk for not getting a hat trick every game. It's not all about one player, and clearly, to get "better" Hasek will have to let in no goals. It's impossible, if the rest of the team isn't perfect as well. sigh ~ PS - if you think the Wings lack confidence in Dom, you've not been paying attention at all. That is so far from the truth, it's hilarous.

I've said all year that limiting Hasek's games would put him out of contention for a Vezina. Most of the six years he won it, he played all but a few games, just like the current goalies in line for the Vez. It's a shame he will get no recognition for his accomplishments this season, but that's the reason he's not considered. Who knows if he would have gotten injured playing more? I kind of doubt it, but it wasn't worth the risk, in any case. Dom won't care, I bet. While individual awards are nice, I suspect he prefers the big team award -- the Cup!

group hug!! It makes me really happy that people I respect (that's you guys!) are able to enjoy Dom now and know what I always have known - he's a decent person and a friend/mentor to his team mates. I love that Dom and Ozzie are really friends, and give Ozzie the credit for allowing that to happen. Win-win situation!

It's political, Shadow... I guess. Dom won't be considered, 'cause he's not the flavor of the day anymore. He's just a great goalie.

I still don't know what else anyone could ask of Hasek. And I will have to disagree with your last sentence. If the Wings win, Dom will probably be the last to receive any credit. There are folks in this forum, to this day, who believe Hasek had little to do with the 2002 Cup win. But, you are right, that it's easy to blame the goalie and people will do so, regardless of facts. I don't know that Dom can "pick it up" anymore than he has already. I think he's doing the best he can with limited offense, D who leave rebounds on the doorstep, killer turnovers, penalties taken by Wings at horrible times, and (at least last night) a team which quit playing after 40 minutes. It's more subtle and situational than "Dom just need to step it up." http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/features....html?post=7285 ^^ Here is an article I found interesting, by Bob Duff. It's about Cujo vs. Dom, but addresses the issue of accountability, trust and will to win, in relation to goaltending. "Hasek was brutal in the opening minutes of Detroit’s 3-2 playoff victory Saturday over San Jose - allowing a 40-footer to skid under his leg and then turning over the puck for a tap in moments later - and was the first to admit it. “I tried to help my team (by playing the puck) and I made a mistake,†Hasek said. “I was very disappointed in myself.†From that point on, Hasek closed the door and didn’t allow the killer third goal that would have finished the Wings off . “We should have had three or four more, but they have a world-class goalie who made the saves and kept them alive,†San Jose coach Ron Wilson of Windsor said of Hasek." Anyway, Dom will do his best. If it's not good enough to suit everyone, then so be it!

great article, I couldn't be more pleased with the way things worked out this season. Ozzie is a huge part of the great friendship that's been forged between two elite players. Oz is an exceptional person and athlete. Ozzie sets the record straight: "Everything I’ve heard before hasn’t been close to the truth. Both on and off the ice he’s been a great guy.†Maybe now that Ozzie's said it, naysayers will finally understand that Dom's not a terrible person? I've always known it.

I don't need to say much, most people here understand Hasek didn't lose the game. If anything, he's usually the reason the game is even close and not an embarrassment. "He's great, but..." is such a cop-out. You can't win if you don't score. If you don't score more than one goal, you're still probably not going to win in the playoffs. Hasek can't leave the crease to go score a goal or two (or even look too hard at the corners beyond the trapezoid without being penalized), so he can't do much more than he's doing. He has a sub-2.00 GAA, lowest of any goalie in the playoffs as well as the entire season. Anyone know who has the best goals-for in the playoffs? I bet it's not us! Homer may or may not give them some sort of edge in Game 4. We'll see, I guess.

I think we're all pretty much in agreement here. Night, kids... better luck (and some passion and will to win, maybe?) on Wednesday, or else it's gonna be a long flight home for certain people.

beyond pathetic. Do they actually think they can win with 1 goal per game? Hasek did what he could to give them every chance, and they didn't show up in the third. Hopefully Homer being back in game 4 will do something for them. The Wings threw this game away, sorry to say, and I don't understand why?

well, good. I have to go to the office early tomorrow. Unlike the Wings, I have to show up for work.

I am not a real big fan of 3 SOG on SJ, myself. Rag on Hasek all you want for letting in two goal, with the entire SJ squad all over him on yet another PP. 1 goal per game is just ridiculous.

like, Wednesday? This really sucks. Dom stood on his head, and the Wings have 3 SOG for the period?

this sucks. We can't score. So I think we are done now, sad to say. Sorry, Dom.

please kill this, Wings. A shortie would be real nice, too!

we suddenly have no O-fence as the vs. guys say it. Dom.

they're doing it again... get the puck out! It's a matter of time and averages, and they're going to get one on us.

I wish they would quit messin' around in their own end and go shoot some pucks at Nabby. It makes me nervous when they let the Sharks lurk around our net.

couldn't agree more. Wings must jump out there and score, or the Sharks will just bide their time and find a goal. We need to win this in regulation. Only 6 turnovers so far, though, to SJ's 12. That's a good thing...

depends on who you ask, but yes, he did. Homer's in the house... he gives the guys a boost, just by being in the locker room! I do hope we get an early goal in the third.

I saw that one coming...

good thing Dom was still awake.

are SJ fans boo'ing their own team's PP?