Heroes of Hockeytown

Just need to jump on the vine at the center ice face off dot. Ride it up into sky, jump from cloud to cloud up to the top and find the hidden block. Done it a million times.

Can someone torpedo the f*** out of this thread, pretty please?

Are you talking about the Bertuzzi play? Absolutely a penalty. As blatant a slew foot as there ever was.

I agree, watching the replay he bit on the fake shot pretty badly but was in close enough to poke-check Cheechoo. Unfortunately, the Wings faced so much pressure in third I could only sit and watch and know it was a matter of time until something broke down; a penalty, a big shot from the point, a rebound, in the net. Indeed. It was much more fun than watching the point and half-wall play catch in a fruitless attempt to drive a bomb down the goalie's throat. Hopefully with Homer's return Wednesday they can keep the heat on and really bust this thing wide open.

Well, the Wings got what they deserved there. Peaking in the first period is usually a bad plan. It started to turn in the second because the Wings stopped playing playoff hockey. Instead of chipping the puck up off the glass or flipping it into the air to clear the zone they tried cute little passes to wingers (covered) or up the middle (nobody there). Sharks did a great job of disrupting the breakout and the Wings couldn't adjust. And wow, utter domination by the Sharks in the attacking zone. The Wings could not get the puck off them to save their lives; any rare times they did usually resulted in them turning the it over. No easy solutions to that problem other than play better puck possession; they can't attack if the other team has the puck. I think getting back to basics--chipping the puck out and making the safe play for easy clears--is the key to turning this one around. Elsewhere, I think this was Hasek's best game in the playoffs so far. Unfortunately his effort was wasted on a miserable day for the Wings. Time to rebound for the rest of the crew, since we all know now how pivotal Game 4 is. Go Wings!

I believe high-fives are in order.

Because he scored a hojillion kabillion points. I didn't say it was a good reason...

Willie Mitchell hit Franzen; it was a late hit, but all shoulder. This is insanity. The mother of all elbows.

You win many Internets.

That was lousy to watch. What an elbow. I'm in awe of that shot, lemme tell ya. Brutal. Hank is right, Weber isn't a dirty guy, but this was just baaaaad planning, Shea. Holy moly.

Ha, yeah, that was my old tag line. I dropped it cause the Wings lost to the Oilers.

A number of reasons. For starters, I don't have anything against 4-on-4 hockey, it's pretty OK, but: 1.) I would be loathe to watch 4-on-4 hockey for twenty minutes or more (assuming continuous scoreless play). It's OK in bits, great change of pace, but in whole it's not better than 5-on-5 hockey. There's way less grinding and cycling, it's all about rushes and odd-man situations, which are fun, but are both present in regular play and better in moderation. 2.) Why are we trying to end the game so quickly? I know why the players might, the sponsors might, but whatever: we're the fans, we're what matter. So between you and me, why should we want anything less than the occasional 6 or 7 period game? 3.) Beyond those things, I'm opposed to ending the game in extra sessions differently than how it was played through regulation. The team that's best at hockey should win, not whatever silly thing they decide to put in to end the game in a hurry.

I think eye injuries are a different animal than most; you pretty much have to be 100% ready to go to play.

This is as close to the truth as any one human being will ever come. Thank you for saying this toby, it is not possible to articulate it any better than that.

Point is that all the sponsors aren't going to leave because of multiple overtimes; endless overitme has been around forever and the NHL has managed to stay afloat. It's basically a non-issue.

Pffft, retroactively award the trophy for all the years of the league's existence and you get: 5 for Mr. Hockey, 1 for Terrible Ted, 1 for Sid Abel, 1 for Norm Ullman, 1 for Larry Aurie.

Haha, you think? We'd be eating him alive, myself included...

I knew one of me had to find it eventually.

Alas, I have no quantum mirror with which I might gaze into that alternate universe, but simply applying my above logic I would say no. The above being that it only makes sense to play the overtimes under the same rules as regulation (in the playoffs).

You win this week's Hyperbole Honor. f*** sponsors. I mean seriously, who cares about those guys? For the players - that's kind of the point. Game ends eventually cause everyone is so dog-tired. Don't care, sudden death is way too cool, no matter how poorly you think the quality becomes (for the record it isn't a big drop off if you ask me). Proof? Somebody wins everytime: problem solved. Sorry, some goofy nonsense shouldn't be foisted upon the game so that it gets done quicker. I want a legitimate winner, and that means ending the game the way it started: five skaters a side.

Some of us just happen to be on the inside. Por ejemplo: On my speed dial, I possess no fewer than three (3) ways to contact Robert Lang - my hetero lifemate and super duper bestest pal - via the phone in his home, in his car, or on his cell. I also have his AIM and MSN (we usually just use it to swap porn, though). I was talking to him before he went to sleep (as is customary for him after downing three Hot 'N Readies) and laid upon him my wicked awesome Mike Babcock impression. In one swift blow, I crushed his hopes and dreams: "DON'T EVEN f***IN' SHOW UP. FIL'S OUR GUY NOW." What I wasn't prepared for was his reaction: "Nobody benches Robert Lang! I will see yous Mr. Mister tomorrow at the Tank. You tell that Finnish son of a beetch to watch his back!" *CLICK* An angry and inspired Robert Lang in Game 3? IT IS NOT OUTSIDE THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY GUYS.

Great photos. Hero:

Shanny, you crazy hobo, we love endless 5-on-5 overtime, and you'll be changing it over my dead body! Grab your torches and pitch forks! Today we march to New York.

Expert... uh... analysis from the Flip-man.

Somehow I think they'll find it within themselves to garner the energy to play Game 3...