BlueMonk

My sentiments exactly. As I posted in another thread, I think most of the complaining about the officials, especially from the people who think the league is somehow out to get the Detroit Red Wings, is ridiculous. But the calls in this series screamed, "make it go 7 games," a bit too loudly for my tastes.

I'm happy for you, HC. I know he's your boy and the kind of crap you've had to put up with about him over the years, and to have him stuff a sock in everyone's mouth and do what he did has to taste especially sweet to you and the die-hard Ozzie supporters. And to start the playoffs as the backup! Amazing story. Congrats!

Yes, that was an important correct call, and Joanette deserves credit for making it. It's no small thing to get me feeling like the officiating was almost decisive in a playoff series. I'm the guy, as most of you know, who more often than not sounds the lone voice of dissent when that type of talk starts here. But Jesus F**king Christ, in this series? Unbelievable stuff. Two 5 on 3s against, none for. Calls made in critical late game or OT situations that, if made all game long, would have resulted in 350 PIMs per game. Guys doing nothing more than going hard to the net and getting penalties for it. Standing outside the crease and getting whistled for being inside it. And that's not even to mention the no-calls. I don't think it's an anti-Red Wings thing (I'm holding onto that hope by a string), but it sure seemed like extending the series as long as possible occurred to someone. I hope I'm wrong, but it's not often that the winning team and its fans are still bitter after hoisting the Stanley Cup. Even the players were talking about it in the dressing room after the game. Did anyone see the mock interview of Osgood by McCarty? And all this against a team that has the puck pretty much all the time? What's wrong with this picture? I posted a blog a few months ago that talked about the way teams like the Ducks benefit from playing physical because if every penalty they commit was called, they'd be in the box all game long. Well, I think the converse works against the Wings. They have the puck so much that if they called all the penalties against them, they'd have the man advantage half the game. Okay, I'm done.

I didn't think the NHL officials would actually make ridiculous calls to extend the series. I'm eating crow right now.

The gear could be covered in pig sh** and I'd still buy it. The Red Wings just won the Stanley Cup! F**K YEAH, MOTHERF**KERS! WE'RE THE CHAMPS! EAT IT, HATERS!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!! Sorry.

Hear, hear. Matt, you run the best fan site around. And I'm not just talking about the NHL. The forums are the main attraction, but there's so much else to love about this place. Thanks from me, too, and congrats on the smashing success this place is.

I extend my hand to the good Pens fans. Especially those who showed the class to come here after the loss and pass along congratulations. That's the way it's done. Condolences on the loss but your boys will be back soon enough.

YEAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! DETROIT RED WINGS STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS 2008!!!

One more goal, please.

We'll take it!!!!

This is very tight checking in the game, both teams.

Scott Oake on CBC just said he saw Helm riding the bike, testing to see if he could get back out for the 3rd. "Lower body injury," not formally announced, but Oake said it was obvious that's what it was. As we knew anyway, of course.

I'll be relieved if the Wings win tonight. Not just because they will have won the Stanley Cup, but because it means I won't have to listen to people here going on about how much NBC wants Pittsburgh to win. What's the status of Helm? Has he been back on the ice since the hit from Orpik?

I have no idea what a penalty is anymore.

Get it back, fellas!

FILLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Just grab onto Datsyuk with both hands, I guess.

You people wanna complain about something, instead of NBC's crew, how about the way the NHL is legislating physical contact out of the game? Unbelievable penalties in this game.

You wanna take a break from LGW? Try saying that again. Thanks.

The networks don't favor the other team. The constant talk here about that is ridiculous.

I pretty much watch CBC exclusively, but since game 3, I can get the NBC feed in HD, so I've been watching NBC since then. But I still switch back to CBC for the intermissions.

The ice surface is terrible out there.

Please be bleeding, Nick! (Just kidding... kind of)

Great PK. Wow, I was hoping that wouldn't be necessary again in this series.

Crap. Double crap.