Heroes of Hockeytown

This is what I was going to say. They've been stuck in that 8th/9th spot all year because every time they have the opportunity to pull ahead and get a big, important W, they inevitably lose. They managed to get back to 8th because Calgary lost a million games but not even that lasted forever. As a fan it's very disheartening to see your team lose in the most critical situations all season long. Even though every possible outcome went against them tonight, their schedule is still the most favorable. They have a bunch of games against the Oil and BJs and will get a shot to repay the favor to Calgary in a few days, but it was still a huge disappointment to see them have this one slip away.

Even when Hank was with Pavel and Homer they weren't kicking ass like we're used to them doing when they're together. He has no mojo this season, he's playing like a grinder out there.

I agree that Hank was a bit fortunate to be in a position to make the play off the failed shot attempt, but Willy was upright and had his stick on the ice and put it home, nothing lucky about that. A better goalie would have probably tried to block the pass that skirted inches in front of his pads through the crease though. Overall Hank had an okay game if you ask me. He made one ugly turnover that resulted in one of Ladd's goals, but he was generally good defensively and did well on the PK. He had two assists, but he still doesn't look very dynamic, shifty, creative, whatever word you want to use out there when he was the puck.

If we just break down the four games since the Olympic break, I don't think he's been awful or anything close. The Stewart goal in Colorado was bad, but it was just one softy; when you give up only two goals you give your team a good chance to win and they did. Vancouver was a disaster but that was one of those games where nothing hit the goalie -- pucks were flying in through screens and everything, it happens. Nothing to complain about from Nashville. Yesterday's game he was shaky and got scored on a lot, but the Hawks are no pushovers; the Wings really sat back and let the Hawks take it to them at the end, and the Wings wouldn't be the only team hanging on for dear life in that situation. He kicks out rebounds from everywhere and he's a bit inconsistent, but he's only a rookie after all. He's given the Wings a chance to win basically every night, and although I love Oz, I don't think if he were the guy starting every game the Wings would be in any better position than they are now.

Then fortunately for Detroit, the deadline has passed for the Hawks to make any effort to improve that area.

These ******* guys, they sure know how to make it interesting. Egads.

This has the rather unpleasant makings of a shootout loss. And here comes the PK...

What we were all dreading, I'm sure.

Pavs didn't look too good in that last shot...

Haha, awesome Lilja. "Get in there!"

Kane had a step, huge mistake to pass.

Unbelievable play.

And there goes Bert...

He must assist on half of Detroit's goals against the Hawks.

What was Willy doing right there? Peeled off the Dman for no reason and gave up the point shot.

Word. Great period so far, but it's still just a two goal lead with half a game to go. Get another or three, please.

Perhaps Flip and Bert are finally getting some chemistry here?

Wings are all over the Hawks right now. Now's no time to forget how to finish! EDIT: Thanks Willy!

It's been known to happen from time to time.

I guess our defenseman are great at scoring again.

Okay, penalties everywhere.

That's a bad call. Karma for all the goals waived off for no reason on account of Homer, I guess.

What else is new... Hank has never looked so ordinary and mundane as he has this season. Is it his back? Must be something.

Lilja made a nice play to bump Ladd off the puck from the get go, and then it went right to Lebda who did his thing, which usually means the light above Howard shining.

Nice body check by Lilja, then durrrr by Lebda. Awesome.