gcom007

I'm not one of the Doan-lovers that's been around these boards through the years and that's not why I'm saying this, but Doan's definitely not like that. He's a classy guy, and their captain. Remember, they also scored a goal. I think it's INCREDIBLY unlikely that he was laughing about the hit or injury.

There was nothing dirty about the hit. Doan's not an ass. I wouldn't get too worked up...

Wow.................unbelievable......just unbelievable.........

I miss Hossa...

Nothing fishy. We were looking pretty solid for awhile. Kronwall went down and things got really ugly for a stretch. Words were said. The team responded and they've put in a great effort the last few games. They should be happy and proud of what they're doing right now. They're continually battling to find ways to work with the guys they have available and win games. The depth of this team is getting so much development right now that once we do have a healthy roster (here's hoping at least...) down the stretch, we're going to be scary heading into the playoffs.

Probably better than these last two jokers have...

Like I said, Osgood is really, really, really under-appreciated around these parts...it'll be 5-10 years after he retires before most realize how good we had it.

I give every goalie one goal that's not the prettiest. But even that said, the play was just awkward. Not saying he couldn't have gotten it, but I certainly wasn't pissed over it. It wasn't horrible by any means.

On the topic of Bert's contract, if he keeps playing strong, I think think there's a good chance Bert will be resigned to a 2-3 year deal by February 1st.

Bert knows that hoisting the Cup over his head in June after a strong season will do wonders for his legacy. That will keep him working and proving himself and if he helps put us over the top after all he's been through, it's going to be tough for anyone to not give him his due. Redemption is a beautiful thing.

Oh, and Osgood looked real good tonight stopping 33 shots for something close to a .950 sv.%. You can't place much fault on him for the two goals allowed either. Definitely good for him to get out there after not playing much lately and have a good game. I'm not worried about him down the stretch, but I want both our goalies to feel good and confident going out every night of this regular season. We need it more than ever. Howard's been solid lately and Osgood met him right there coming in cold. That's a real big positive for this club to have two goalies that are going to give you a chance to win every night.

We're definitely on the same page on this one.

I agree about 2007. The guy was underrated/under-appreciated then because we lost and he left, but he was definitely solid for us in that run. If not for so many injuries, some horrid calls and hell, a HORRID game 6 by Hasek in the Anaheim series, I really think we could've won it all with that squad. That was a great team that just didn't catch the breaks, but that's hockey. I feel the same about Hossa as well. He wasn't as great in the playoffs as some expected and he left, so he automatically sucks. It's silly if you ask me, not to mention profoundly inaccurate. But anyways, it's definitely good to see Bert get things going lately. Like you said, he's been doing a lot of things right this year but just wasn't catching a break which lead to him maybe pushing a little too hard, again, much like Hossa at times in the playoffs last year. It takes time but you get through that. These last couple games are just huge for him. Not only does he get two goals a game, but they're both game-winning overtime goals. I was thrilled that he just got the game-winner last night! I was really hoping he'd get a goal tonight to prove to himself, the team, the fans, the league, hell, the world, that he still has what it takes to be a dominant force out there, and truly, a star. I was thus thrilled that he scored the one goal tonight! But as soon as he caught that pass from Dats, I knew this game was over, and I knew Bert was back. All he needed was to get his heart back in it, and you better believe it's alive and kicking now. He's loving this. I'm incredibly happy for him and proud of him for all he's done this season to put himself in this position. I can't wait to see how this continues to play out.

I just posted this in the GDT, but it's probably more relevant here... I had a feeling when he signed with us that he'd likely retire a Wing. There's no better place for him to redeem himself than Detroit if you ask me. And considering he said he's feeling his healthiest in years and the docs confirmed that he was in good shape, I just had a feeling that he'd be able to get things going this season at some point. And thus, I had/have little doubt that he'll make it too difficult for the Wings to resign him to finish out his career a Wing. We won't want to see him go and I don't think he'll make the same mistake again. He's going to want to finish his career on top and go out with as much reclaimed honor as possible. Again, there's no better place to regain his honor than Detroit. I'm telling you all right now, this could be a huge, huge, huge story for this team and Bertuzzi in June. I absolutely believe we are a good enough team to go the distance in the playoffs, but it will be tough to win it all. However, a guy like Bertuzzi playing like the star he's still capable of being could very well be the difference that puts us over the top. The Wings know it, but more importantly, Bert knows it. And you better believe he's starting to believe that it's possible now. And you know he's loving it and cherishing every second of it, so don't expect him to quit working harder and harder anytime soon. It's only up from here...

I had a feeling when he signed with us that he'd likely retire a Wing. There's no better place for him to redeem himself than Detroit if you ask me. And considering he said he's feeling his healthiest in years and the docs confirmed that he was in good shape, I just had a feeling that he'd be able to get things going this season at some point. And thus, I had/have little doubt that he'll make it too difficult for the Wings to resign him to finish out his career a Wing. We won't want to see him go and I don't think he'll make the same mistake again. He's going to want to finish his career on top and go out with as much reclaimed honor as possible. Again, there's no better place to regain his honor than Detroit. I'm telling you all right now, this could be a huge, huge, huge story for this team and Bertuzzi in June. I absolutely believe we are a good enough team to go the distance in the playoffs, but it will be tough to win it all. However, a guy like Bertuzzi playing like the star he's still capable of being could very well be the difference that puts us over the top. The Wings know it, but more importantly, Bert knows it. And you better believe he's starting to believe that it's possible now. And you know he's loving it and cherishing every second of it, so don't expect him to quit working harder and harder anytime soon. It's only up from here...

He's been busting his ass, all year. He's an easy target for many here, but for those who aren't out to rip guys for no reason, it's been pretty clear that Bertuzzi's been doing a lot of things right this year. More than a few of us have actually been predicting this. I made a point of it quite fervently a few weeks ago and of course, AS USUAL, got berated for it. The guy just needed to break through and get excited and confident again because so many other things were starting to line up. He got that goal a week ago or so and I thought that was a great start to get him thinking positively again. After last night, I was really hoping he'd get one tonight because I don't think this is a fluke and the more he can believe it, the better. To get TWO and another game-winning overtime goal...man, it's HUGE!!! REDEMPTION!!!

Man, I love being right so often...I seriously couldn't be happier for Bert! I want this guy to find his redemption this year. He's been doing everything right. He's been busting his ass and putting in the hard work in practice and he hasn't given up despite so many missed opportunities early on. If you keep working hard when you've got Bertuzzi's skill, size, strength, etc., good things are bound to happen. I really think it's only up from here. There's absolutely no reason why Bertuzzi can't be a big-time force again if he stays healthy. With Clearly going down in addition to everybody else, there's never been a better time for him to get it going. Again, SO HAPPY FOR BERT!!!

TODDDDDDDD BERTUZZZZZZZZZZZZZI IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Definitely hit something...damn...

OK, MILLER!!! But nice play by Dats to make sure that goal was a possibility. Good goal!

ljksdalkasdl;jkasfjkl;a DATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's so great about this is that every goal Bert scores is going to make him more likely to keep it up. This guy just needed to get his heart back in it. Again, he's got plenty of skill still and he's been working hard and improving on his weaknesses. If the guy can get back to playing with the kind of heart he played with before "the incident," the guy WILL be a force for us. I can't say it enough, there's no better combination than hard work and genuine hockey skill.

MAN OH MAN! LOVE IT! So glad my wishes came true. Bert's too skilled and he's been working too hard to not get rewarded eventually. This has got to be GREAT for his confidence. LOVE IT!!!

I'm kinda glad he wasn't called; I liked the play. Call me crazy, but I don't mind guys going at it hard like that a bit. No one was hurt, it wasn't that ugly. It was intense and he was gunning for the play. It's not like we don't/shouldn't do the same thing...play hard, play tough, play intense.

Strange. I always forget that he spent more time here in Detroit than Chicago. It's still crazy how that all turned out...