Nightfall

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/66432/20-years-of-awkwardness-a-celebration-of-gary-bettman-stanley-cup-presentations I thought this article was really good. I love the analysis. I thought the most awkward was indeed correct. I love how Rod just grabs the cup and lifts it over his head with no photo op.

I guess it depends on what you call a model franchise. Every franchise has high points and low points. If you think about it, the Hawks fans have had to endure just as much turmoil as the long time Wings fans have. The Wings had their low point back from 67 to 83 when the Wings only made the playoffs 2 times. Bruce Norris really did run the team into the ground. It took Illitch years to dig out from that hole and get a cup contending team in Detroit. Even then, i twas a full 15 years before they won the cup. I wouldn't call Chicago a "model franchise" to be honest. They are on the upswing though with the ownership investing in the team, Bowman at the helm, and Joel is a great coach. IMHO, a model franchise is one that has had 20+ years of success. It has less to do with cup wins and more on player development, community service, making the playoffs, being profitable, and so on. The thing is that no franchise is a model franchise forever. Teams change hands. Ownership doesn't invest in the team like they used to. The focus of ownership shifts. I could go on and on here..... The point is that I consider the Wings to be a model franchise more than Chicago. It has nothing to do with their cup runs, but more with the years of success they have had. Just keep in mind that nothing is forever. In another 20 years, the Wings could be back to the "Dead Things" while Chicago has made the playoffs for 20+ consecutive seasons. Chicago would then be a model franchise.

Every Boston fan was booing Bettman. Every Hawks fan was cheering.

Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and nuclear weapons. Wings got close, but that was about it.

Until then, the Hawks fans will have many reasons to gloat. Hawks have won 2 Stanley Cups in the last couple years. Its 2-1 since the salary cap hit. Hawks beat the Wings when down 3-1 in the series this year. Got to hand it to the Hawks, they deserved it. Crawford, the goalie who is viewed as weak, is now a cup champion. I wouldn't be surprised to see him win the Conn Smythe.

I don't find it surprising at all that the loudest boos are related to if the away team wins the cup. The fans are already upset.

While I agree, I really have to wonder what Holland really CAN do about the situation. Lets face facts here. We are going to have to trade talent for talent if we want to hit the trade market. If you look at the players on the two teams in the finals now, they are relying on younger players to carry the team along with their vets. You have Krug in Boston that is a very capable defenseman. You have Leddy and Shaw in Chicago who are also proving themselves. We need our young players to step up and help our vets out, which Nyquist did with Detroit this post season. The disappointing fact is that our Vets didn't do very well in the Chicago series. I don't mind seeing Holland make some moves, but I don't have any lofty expectations of us being able to get everything on our needs list. Pittsburgh loaded up last season and mortgaged their future for sure. Wings fans love consistency. Would fans as a whole approve of moves to make us a Cup contender for 1-2 years only to not make the playoffs for 2-3 years after our stars retire? I know I would.

Blashill is expecting to be with the Griffins next year. To that I say, thank god. He is the best coach Grand Rapids has had in years. I fully expect our prospects to be better so long as we have a good coach and good developmental people such as Chelios, Maltby, Draper, and Osgood at the helm.

BOOM!

The Griffins appear to be playing the prevent defense. Thats going to make for some nervous fans.

Wow, Mrazek huge saves to keep the Griffins in front.

Turn on WoodRadio streaming like I did. I hear the future and then watch the past as another poster here is doing. Griffins in front 3-2 on a screened shot from the point. Looked like a similar shot that beat Mrazek to tie the game.

I think that Syracuse is getting better scoring chances than the Griffins, but its hard to tell. Both of these teams are pretty even.

Speaking of the Conn Smythe..... I can look on the Bruins and see that Rask is probably the front runner for the award. Then you have Krejci and Horton and Bergeron. Who do you award it to on the Blackhawks if they won? Crawford maybe? He did bail out the Hawks defensive blunders last night. Bickell and Sharp I suppose, but they aren't lighting it up.

Before this series started, I predicted the Crunch would win this series in 6 games. The Griffins are the ones up 3-2 though. At this point I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if this series went 7 games. I am hoping the Griffins get the bounces and put this game away today though.

This is just like people saying that they want a no helmet law when it comes to riding a motorcycle. These perfectly intelligent and trained adults know the risks. So there should a no helmet law right? If someone gets into an accident and has a head injury which puts them in a care facility for the rest of their lives, they will be going after the insurance company, the driver, the state, and everyone else they can get money from. The problem is that these hockey players are going to be fine with it until one of them takes a stick to the eye and then their career comes to an abrupt end. Like Manny Malhotra who has played in 9 games since his eye injury and it looks like his career is finished. He is going to get as much from NHL disability as he can. There are times when people must be protected from themselves. Just like people should be forced to wear a helmet when they ride a motorcycle, players should be told to wear visors. They aren't growing eyeballs in petri dishes, and all it takes is one stick to end your career. I think that visors, like helmets in the past, should be grandfathered in.

Welcome to the NHL and the AHL.

He really is the kind of player you want on your team. He scores, he hits, he hustles every shift, he has speed, and so on. The guy is on fire in the postseason. I really hope the Wings brass is watching this guy because he is a great prospect.

Wings are getting outshot 40-17. Hawks the hungrier team by far.

Griffins win to take a 2-1 series lead over Toronto. Griffins have 4 and 5 at home on Friday and Saturday.

I think I will stop when I reach 10

The 5th time in LGW forum history that I agree with GMRwings. The world is ending....

Brunner! Blame the refs!

Blame the Griffins too while you are at it.

Giveaways cost us there.