Matt

I remembered it as soon as I posted, haha. It was *Maltby* that capped the 2-on-1 with Kocur. I think it was Kjell Samuelsson that fell down (blew a tire) with Kocur breaking in alone. You're right rwfan... Just had the goals switched up.

It did seem like the Predators spent their load in the first period and the Red Wings gradually started to control more and more of the play since then.

When they showed him on the bench you could clearly read his lips while yelling "FRATZ! FRATZ!" to get Hasenfratz's attention. I'm sure it was something along the lines of calling it both ways, but I'm sure it included a few colorful metaphors that'd make ME blush.

It was. Kocur and Maltby went in on a 2-on-0 (if memory serves) and made two quick passes between eachother before Kocur redirected the last pass into the top corner short side.

For the first half of the game (well, most of it overall) the Predators controlled play 5-on-5. It was aided by a BAD discrepency in the penalty-calling (some of it was undiciplined -- and some of it was undiciplined and justified) so the Wings were shorthanded frequently in the 1st and 3rd period. I guess the best way to look at it is that the Red Wings played a gritty (!) game that -- despite giving up 2 goals -- was strong on the penalty kill when it counted and when they did get scoring opportunities they closed the deal. Osgood came up with the big stops when needed. Very high marks for Kyle Calder and Valtteri Filppula -- Flip especially -- as both had their hard hats on and went to work all night. (I'm still surprised some people were so upset about the Williams swap for Calder... Has this guy been dynamite or what?) Basically, it was the kind of effort expected after laying that egg on Sunday.

You think so, eh? I've always felt that Baligian was one of -- if not the -- best radio show host on hockey between the two stations. If I recall right Regner is going back on the air with WDFN soon.

I've listened to him since I was attending the University of Toledo myself as well while he was at 1370, if I remember right. Overall I think hate is a strong word, but I can definitely see -- as a fan of an opposing team living in the Metro Detroit area -- that back during the 1997-2002 period the exposure and boasting of fans would've been a bit much. As for ownership -- if they can milk it with the "Hockeytown" bit, more power to 'em. I think Shep does it just because Brady makes himself an easy target. Man, I haven't heard that in a while. I personally prefer the sound effects ("Jaws" theme for San Jose, etc.).

I don't see how Sean being a Habs fan really has anything to do about it since I think that would even futher bolster the argument that his opinion comes from a relatively neutral perspective. Brady, on the other hand, I'll agree with you on in most instances. I prefer to think he just likes playing devil's advocate regardless of what he really thinks. It does seem like Brady and Shep have a new drop every other week of them shouting at eachother, doesn't it? "You're a jackass." ... Though, I guess we could revisit the infamous "Sergei Fedorov is better than Mario Lemieux" shouting match Baligian and Brady had a few years back. "You're a liar! NO YOU'RE A LIAR!" /it's Shep-shep-shep

Instead of overreacting, realize that the post was tongue-in-cheek -- since Cleary and Franzen aren't going to return to the lineup for another week or two. Kind of hard for them to score when they're sitting at home in Detroit tonight, eh?

Quoted for truth. Prior to the start of the season I had pretty much written this year off as a "transition year" with some of the older vets would eventually be phased out heading into the 2007-08 season (Lang, Schneider, Chelios) and more ice time would be handed down to the youngsters. This summer the Wings would complete the roster turnover by going with younger free agents. That said... the performance of the players on this roster this season has been a very pleasant surprise and the moves Holland made at the deadline gave this preseason doubting Thomas reason to hope. But A LOT has to work out for the Wings to win the Stanley Cup. Hasek needs to play like 2002 (or better), Bertuzzi needs to be healthy and a force and the club can't afford any injuries. Even with that in mind, and looking at recent playoff exploits, I think it's perfectly reasonable to predict an early Wings' roster, especially if they face a team like the Sharks that -- regardless of their record -- have had Detroit's number as of late. I wouldn't lambast what Greg or Sean have to say at all -- it's probably the most realistic outlook I've heard at this point.

Having first-hand experience of this the last couple of years, the color of those jerseys is very akin to formula-induced baby s***.

Rangers and Carolina? WTF? Why is it that WDIV screws this up at least one time a year?

When I was at the game on Tuesday I counted four individuals in Predators sweaters that I could see. One on the glass in our section, two on the opposite side of the arena, and a late-arriving one that sat a section over from us. Let's just say that the late-arriving fan got a proper reception with a healthy round of loud booing (in a playful way), and was getting ribbed by the people sitting all around him and his (non-jersey wearing) friend. He was giving it back 100% (bowing, waving to the fans, etc.) and was also doing it in a playful, good-natured way. Believe me, if you wear an opposing jersey in another barn you can expect it -- but at least be a good sport about it, and both parties were Tuesday.

Oh, there's no chance in hell that he'll make it past Tampa. Johnson will go #1 or #4, no doubt. Cleveland obviously doesn't have an interest, and there are minute rumblings that if Kevin Curtis falls through the Lions may entertain thoughts of taking Johnson. (I don't believe it -- though I think he'll be a BEAST in the NFL -- it looks like a smokescreen.)

Yes, please! Who the heck does Atlanta want so bad? Johnson? Peterson?

Just got home from the game -- it was great. Loud and rowdy. I do have a beef with the Road Commission, however -- since it didn't look like they salted *anything* on I-75 and it took 90 minutes to get home for a trip that normally takes 20.

I can't see the Lions drafting Branch unless Rogers is on the outs. Right now I think it's Thomas, Adams, Anderson. I think the Lions would *really* prefer to trade out of that pick. If the Kevin Curtis thing falls though it could get interesting (*dum* *dum* *dummmmm*).

I'm telling you, I just don't see Foster as a long-term answer, especially when you've got the chance to take a OL franchise-type player in Thomas. Assuming that Foster will do better "in a different" scheme is really assuming a lot... And the fact that he was traded along with Bell from a team that has a "guy that knows how to build offensive lines" could be translated as a bad 1st-round pick they were looking at pilfering off on another club. That's not to say Foster sucks, but I don't think it's enough to justify not taking Thomas at this point. Of course, there's a lot of time and private workouts between now and late April. I still like the prospects of trading down a few picks and picking of 2nd and 3rd rounders... Maybe upgrading a couple of our fifths for a 3rd or 4th. I think the Bly trade threw a wrench into everything -- and I still think Arizona is hot for moving up to #2.

Better that the trade happened now rather than back in the summer. Even though Calder would've been much better on this club the first half of the season than in Philly, it still would've been incredibly difficult to justify trading for Calder after his arbitration award.

800x600 | 1024x768 | 1280x1024 Enjoy! Please Note: There will be no schedule wallpaper for the month of April. Wallpapers will commence with the open of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!

Foster isn't the answer on the OL... He's gotten a lot of starts but he was benched at times last season and Denver has been trying to offload him for a while. Thomas still appears to be the pick at #2 and they'll move Backus to the right side. I think that the possibility of Detroit trading down to #5 with Arizona is rising rapidly. We could still get Gaines Adams there and pick up a 2nd rounder+...

I heard his wife disputes the report. /dodges incoming tomatoes

When in Rome...

I prefered the Wings to nix a Bertuzzi deal if it meant Hudler and no "preview" of how Bertuzzi looked prior to the deadline. (In other words, trading away Hudler for a Bertuzzi rental sight unseen.) I always thought it'd be a conditional trade, but thought the Panthers would continue to ask for a more high-level prospect like Kindl or Emmerton. I thought both deadline deals were fantastic for this club based upon the players we acquired AND what we gave up. The team did a great job.

Trolling does not equate to posting an opposing viewpoint you don't like. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't recall any posts from him saying "WINGZ SUCK!!!", "I saw Yzerman in DRAG!" or anything resembling a venomous personal attack. Is it a spirited, sometimes heated argument? Sure. Is that a bad thing? Nope. These forums live on debates and just because he's an opinionated Blues fans and hater of all things Red Wing doesn't mean he's trolling by posting here.