BlueMonk

I made a similar mistake. I left my seat during play. I NEVER do that when they're winning. So, I go kill a spider on my pantry door and... bang! Anaheim goal. I recovered in time to save them, though. Whew.

What a game! Great energy, both teams bringing it. Penalties were a problem for the Wings, that's one thing they have to clean up. Dominik Hasek!

What a hockey game! Damn, that was intense. Great energy. Dominik Hasek!

The XM 204 guys were talking about how the Lang goal was the most pivotal goal of any playoff series so far, and I'm inclined to agree. Think about it. That goal doesn't happen, the Wings are down 3-1 and the Sharks have 3 tries to close out the series. But it does go in, and it breaks the Sharks' spirit. They've blown another lead, the Wings dominate the OT and go on to win it. The series is now tied, the Wings have regained home ice and the Sharks never recover, losing the next three games.

The Lang goal was the turning point in the series. And we don't agree Lidstrom's the only choice. Lids or Hasek, it's a toss up for me.

I love Nick, and I'd have no problem giving him the award. But I think this is overstating things a bit. For one thing, I'm still not convinced that puck was going in the net. I've seen a lot of replays, and it looks like it was going through the goal mouth and out the other side. Not that it takes away from what Nick did in anyway. It was a phenomenal play, and it ensured that the puck would have stayed out. But saved the season? The Wings were up 3-2 in the series and 1-0 in the game. It may have been a pivotal play, but I don't know about saving the season.

That's because somebody made it up.

This is turning into a personal argument, plus the graphics are getting out of hand.

These polls have more to do with how many fans there are of each team than what the public really thinks. Wings fans are all over the country and a lot of them will vote for the Wings. They're also one of the more famous hockey franchises, a name that everyone in the U.S. knows. So even people who don't follow hockey will pick them by name recognition alone. It doesn't mean much.

I might mix up the arenas with the ticket price, but they were talking about the costs of seats in various arenas on WXYT during the first round. I heard that some teams, I think Dallas was one, were offering cheap seats for some incredibly low price like $13. Man, I'd do standing room only (which I've had to pay $40 for during the regular season at JLA) for every single home game for that kind of price.

Through two rounds, Lidstrom and Hasek are my front runners for the Red Wings.

It's kind of getting off topic, but the Michigan economy hits home with a lot of us. The situation in Michigan with the economy is something you have to experience to understand. And for those of you who haven't experienced it, I'm happy for you, and I hope you never do. It goes beyond disposable income. There's no comparison between living in Michigan and living somewhere where the cost of living is high but you've actually got job security. The situation here makes people spend their money differently. I have family who have had to leave the state because they couldn't find work. The jobs are disappearing. The industries that sustained people in this region are stumbling. If you have a job, you're not sure how much longer you're going to have it. You have to prepare for the worst, and save/spend accordingly. Even health care costs are rising because of the stress people are under, wondering what's going to happen to them. So even people who haven't been forced to leave yet, are considering doing it now, before they have no choice. Of course, that makes everything worse, because the confidence of consumers continues to be driven down. Where I work, we went through a brutal wave of layoffs over the past year. It takes its toll, wondering when the hammer is going to hit next. You worry about supporting your own family, but you also worry about your family and friends. You can't sell a house. Nobody is willing to invest in something like that, with the economy so shaky. As far as attending games, I can only share my perspective. I've been to a playoff game this year and it's not like I couldn't come up with the money to go to another. But with the uncertainty right now, it's just not the same dropping that kind of money on tickets. It feels less like plain old entertainment and more like an excessive splurge during times like these. You never know when you might need that money for more essential things if times get even worse. So, it makes me a little more reluctant. By the way, the Wings sold out regular season games all year once again, despite this economy, at still-pretty-high ticket prices. They also still lead the playoffs in attendance, last I checked. Build small arenas and sell cheap tickets in a U.S. city, you're going to be able to sell out a lot easier. Doesn't mean much though, eh?

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I feel like the whole world of hockey has taken a crazy pill when it comes to this subject. You look at the goalie equipment today and tell me that's all necessary to "protect" the goalie? Come on. Al Iafrate was firing slapshots at 105 mph 15 years ago, and goalies were half the size then that they are now. It's a complete exaggeration to pretend that these guys need pads that gigantic. Forget about the nets. Just make the equipment reasonable and goal scoring will go up. It's beyond ridiculous.

I think he means Lou_Siffer. Who is, in fact, a guy.

Consider me duly cautioned.

Where are any of the guys who complained about this team not being able to handle a playoff grind? Seriously, have you seen any of them around? I mean, other than me. I thought they were doomed. I'm pleasantly surprised so far. I'm with Matt, I said there were three teams the Wings needed to avoid in the playoffs if possible: The three they're playing so far.

I guess every fan base has a few "Samadelphias."

YEAH!!! Great win. On the road, in a tough building, elimination game... damn. Dominik Freakin' Hasek. Cripes, what a game by Hasek.

Hahahahaha.

Outside of getting badly burned playing the puck instead of the man once in game 5, Quincey has impressed. I think there's something to be said for putting a young, hungry player in a position like this, where he's thrown into a playoff game and has to perform. There's no replacing Schneider, especially his offensive contribution. But it's amazing what some of these call ups can do when given a chance. I do think the return on the investment of throwing in the GR boys diminishes over time, though. The longer the playoffs stretch on, the harder it's going to be for them to sustain the performance level.

This is world class. Nice job!

Oh, it's just the latest in a long list of stupid things he's said over the years. Great goalie, but not the brightest guy.

After his ridiculous shots at Emery after game four, I was pleased to see him have to eat his words. Since 2003, Marty hasn't done squat in the playoffs.

QUOTE(spaMgobLiN @ May 5, 2007 - 07:12PM) * THAAATS RIGHT MOTHER F*&^ERS !!!!!!! NO COME BACK TODAY!!!!! Good call, champ.

I watched a lot of their games on Center Ice this year. I think the Sharks played down to the level of their opposition a lot. I was saying all season that they were the class of the Western Conference, along with Anaheim. You can't get too wrapped up in seedings. There are teams built for the playoffs, and teams not built for the playoffs. I felt the Sharks were one of the best suited to create huge problems for other teams. In a Salary Cap league, it's hard to amass the kind of talent, size (especially) and skill they have.