Hank

The thing is, Giggy isn't the only goalie that has outrageous (but still legal) padding. Luongo, Miller (the dude is so skinny he could pick locks with his calves), etc. But like you said, Giggy gets the brunt because of how rediculous his equipment was in '03. It also doesn't help his case that he never makes hard or spectacular glove saves (or any upperbody, or sprawling saves). Kelly Hrudey said last night that Giggy said publicly that he has no athleticism and has to rely on making himself 'big' while using sound positioning. I hate how big a lot of the goalies equipment are but if they did shrink them down to normal levels players like Luongo and Miller would still be in the league and probably thrive. Not Giggy. He's all pads and he would be lit up like Paris Hilton on her birthday if they were the same size as goalies from the 80's. Giggy = no talent+giant pads+2 Norris dmen in front of him. Put him in Broduers equipment and stick him on Chicago and his GAA would be over 6.00.

I understand. And again, I seriously didn't mean to misquote you. Cheers!

Sorry our economy doesn't centre around fake breasts and microchips. We're a blue collar town that's down on it's luck with many people having issues with shelling out hundreds of dollars for nose bleed seats. And before you go off spouting about tradition come talk to me when you're team has done more than 28 consecutive sellouts. We were up to 452 before the playoffs started.

If you did, I wouldn't care. We're not solving world hunger here. We're discussing hockey. I did a poor job of paraphrasing what you said and for that I apologize. And for the record I thought you were being serious with only adding on that we did play well shorthanded against them. I'm sure this response will lead you to misquote something I said. Just make sure you did what I did and respond to it in a positive way the way I did. Otherwise I couldn't care less. I've faced things in my life, and currently do, that bordered on life and death. I'm not going to lose any sleep over someone misquoting me on a hockey message board. Have a nice day and it won't happen again.

I agree. It's not only the media but Ducks fans seem to forget that we dominated them in 03 but they were saved by Giggy's pads. (Maybe a lot of those Ducks fans don't remember because several of them just got on the bandwagon this year).

Wow. You really, really need to relax. I thought you were being serious about us not being able to handle them 5-on-5. Because in the first two games that's exactly what happened. Chil bro.

Absolutely, we can't. I hope it's the fact that we were just drained but I believe it has a lot more to do with how Anaheim is playing us. Here's to hoping I'm wrong though. Concerning Pronger, I'd love to have him on my team but he's not as good defensively as many think. He's still prone to mistakes and I've seen him get beat 1-on-1 several times in this series alone. Now Neidermayer? He's worth the price of admission. He and Lidstrom are so close in comparison. I'd take either Neids or Lidstrom over Pronger 1000 times out of a 1000. For us to beat the Ducks 5-on-5 we really need for Bertuzzi, Lang and Franzen to get going. We need those big bodies banging and using their size to win puck battles.

Thank you. I complained in the GDT about some of the stuff that the Ducks are getting away with, but officiating isn't what's hurting us. The Ducks deserved to win yesterday as they outplayed us. Give credit where it's due. I know that I would absolutely love it if we had a team that played as hard and on the edge as the Ducks do. It reminds me of the old tough Wings from the Harold Snepts days. That being said, I think the Wings will be better on Tuesday. We're just banged up right now. Hopefully Hasek can steal us a game in Anaheim.

Giggy's pads are legal but it's a joke that they are. He's the main reason why there should be no crying or complaining if the NHL ever increases the size of the nets (which will happen in the next 5 years). I thought it was great that Kelly Hrudey called him out yesterday saying that he has no athletism but uses his large pads and sound positioning to be affective. Seriously, when's the last time anyone saw him make a spectacular glove save? It's because he has no upperbody reflexes. J.S.Giguere is the one of the sole reasons why hockey isn't as exciting as it was in the 80's and early 90's. It's also the NHL's fault for letting players like Giguere push the envelope as far as 'legal' equipment goes. The nets will be 6 inches wider and longer by 2010, in my opinion, and when that happens, goalies like Giguere better learn a trade or save their money because they won't be the NHL for long.

Some observations about game #2: The Ducks have outplayed us for the most part in both games. If not for Hasek in game 1 we'd be down 0-2 going to Anaheim. But that 3rd goal, Hasek should have made a better stop but it didn't help that Neidermayer pushed him in with the stick. Speaking of which, the Ducks get away with so much contact on Hasek. They bump him and smack him whenver they get the chance and there's no calls. Minnesota and Vancouver both complained about this and yet nothing's done. If anyone is familiar with my rantings in the past it's that I'm one of the guys that routinely sticks up for the refs and I hate using officiating as an excuse for anything. And let me say this for the record that officiating wasn't our downfall of last nights loss. But saying that I have a few complaints. How is it that Lilja gets called for barely touching Selanne after a clean hit and gets a minor while Scott Neidermayer hits Datsyuk and then brushes his teeth with his elbow on the follow through without one? Or how is it that in every other series (not involving the Ducks), if you breath on the goalie you get a call and yet Anaheim is allowed to do whatever they want to the opposing goalie? Todd Marchant clearly made contact on Hasek, on purpose, in the 3rd with no call. MacDonald gets shoved into Hasek in Game 1 and then gives him 2 swats with no call. Corry Perry basically doesn't attempt to stop once he crosses the blueline and uses the goalie to stop any forward progress he makes - again, never any calls. And what about Lebda on that breakaway? That's a penalty shot in every other game. He was clearly behind Pronger and he got hauled down. That is textbook penalty shot material. Maybe not 3 years ago, but since then, they've adjusted the rules and that should have been one. However, in the end, the Ducks have shown more jump and are taking it to us. They are killing us downlow with their size and speed and our depleted, battered defense corps are getting worn out. I'm still proud of our Wings for how they're giving it their all but I think the gas tank might be empty. The Ducks are playing very well and Giggy's pads are making good stops so we should give credit where it's due. Speaking Stay Puft boy, did anyone else catch what Hrudey had to say about him? He said that Giggy has no athletisim but gets by on his size and sound positioning. I loved it. You could tell he was trying to be polite but he kept reiterating how 'big' Giggy is. And lets not confuse this with "Well, Giggy's a big dude". No he's not. He's average. Brodeur is a bigger man than him by 10 lbs and yet he looks 25 lbs lighter than him with equipment on. I still remember when the Ducks went to the finals in '03 and many people said "Where did this guy come from". Then the stories started to come out how the Ducks goaltending coach basically told him "you have no reflexes so we need to take advantages of your oversized pads and make you better positionally". That's all he is, pads and angles. But you have to give him credit. He's playing within the rules and he's getting the job done. Of course, if he was any team that didn't sport the kind of defense that Anaheim has he'd have a GAA that's bigger than his chest protector. Sour grapes? Absolutely I have them. But I don't think I'm saying anything that isn't true. The guy's not a good goalie. But he's been able to be successful using artificial means within a great hockey system that works to his advantage. All in all, game 2 was a good game to watch. The Ducks deserved the W. I just hope the Wings can keep working hard and hopefully gain a split in Anaheim. P.S. I still think it's horsecrap that both Anaheim and Detroit have to play a team on opposite ends of the country. I wish the NHL would rotate 1 Eastern Conference division in the West every year. Make teams like NJ and Buffalo and Philly play in the West every 4 years and see how they like this crap.

This is so funny because it's the exact same thing I heard from Wings fans in '03. I hope we get the same result that those ducks did. And as far as the officiating, it was obvious that the Ducks got more than their share. I don't care what anyone says, Cory Perry deliberately hit Chelios. Watch the replay; Chelios doesn't see Perry but Perry sure saw Cheli. And what about MacDonald's non-call when he gave Hasek two swats to the melon while lying on him. The Wings would have, and HAVE been called for this same crap in series past. The Ducks basically got the green light from the refs to run Hasek all night. And I don't see it changing anytime soon. All in all though, Hasek won us that game. The Ducks and Giggy's pads did outplay us but I don't care. The Wings dominated the Ducks in 03 and we got swept, so it's nice to see the Wings finally win a game when they were outplayed. I see us winning game 2 on the same kind of effort and 'crap' goals. Bye-bye Ducks.

Thanks for posting this. I've always liked Modano and was really confused when they took his captaincy away. I've heard some commentators said it was nothing to do with Mike's play but rather the organizations way of turning a page and handing it to someone who's going to be the future of the franchise. I always thought that was a weak excuse and now I know why. Imagine the Wings stripping Stevie of the C and giving it to McCarty or Lapointe because they were losing in the playoffs too often? I hope Modano retires with the Stars. He's been a great player and ambassador for them. The one thing I regret about him being a lifer in that organization is that I always felt he had the reigns pulled on him. This guy had unbelievable offensive skills but was forced in a defensive system to hold up. Imagine what he could have done playing for a team like Edmonton? That would have been something to watch.

Not to mention that Minnesota's and Vancouver's coaches will bench any player that crosses the redline while playing 5-on-5. The Wings bring a lot more speed and offensive pressure than both of those teams combined. But in the end, all we can do is let the puck drop. I have no clue how this series is going to play out. I think it's going to be a defensive battle with special teams winning the series. Just drop the puck already.

38" is a joke. Way too long. And the longer they are the easier it is to cover it up. For larger goalies like Giggy or Luongo, when you go 5-hole the pads touch in the middle and extend to the posts. There is no room to score along the ice. This was brought up on CBC one time and they showed how certain goalies can protect the entire lower half by doing this.

I don't think it'll be a big deal. We might lose a player here or there, but NHL quality is still lightyears ahead of any other league. I've watched RSL and it's horrible. And I think players like A.O. and Malkin have proved that the best Russian players want to prove themselves in the best league in the world. Both of those guys could have made just as much if not more playing in their motherland and yet where are they? A.O.'s playing on the worst team in the NHL and loving it. I think that tells you all you need to know. The RSL will be hurt from this far more than the NHL. In fact, I could see more Russian players coming over to play in the CHL or even NCAA so they aren't slaves to their Russian contracts, making their road to the NHL much easier.

The teams all pay for the equipment and most goalies get sponsered so it doesn't cost the player or the club a dime. Also, in most junior systems (Junior C, B, Tier II, Major Junior) the clubs again all buy the players eqiupment. For the other leagues, most of those kids can keep their current equipment as it isn't as much of a problem in younger age groups. The problem in the NHL is that there is so little time to do anything with the puck in high traffic areas. Most of the time, the player will snap off a blind shot hoping to get it on net. But with the size of equipment these days, if the goalies even in half decent position his pads will make the save for him. The fact that leg pads have no limit in length is rediculous. The 5-hole is all but gone. In fact, most players have even commented that the new 5-hole is over the blocker when the goalie goes into the butterfly position.

The funny thing is, if you watch the handshakes after the Devils beat the Ducks in 03 you can see how much bigger Giguere looks than Brodeur despite the fact that Brodeur is physically bigger than Giggy.

Flames - '04 loss Sharks - '94 loss Ducks - '03 loss ??? Sens? - Rumours in '96 had Yzerman being traded for Yashin Sabres? - former goon Kevin McGuire roughs up Yzerman (and gets a Bob Probert uppercut for his trouble).

Amen. Watching the Flames-Wings series on the CBC was painful at times. Before each game they would show a short video montage of highlights from throughout the series. If you hadn't seen a minute of any game you would have assumed that the Flames were destroying the Wings in each game according to what they showed. Ron Maclean is also really getting on my nerves the last couple of years. If he isn't crying and whining about the 'new' NHL he's complaining about any call or non call that goes against a Canadian team. Remember that goal that got disallowed in game 5 when Maltby was thrown in Kipersoff? He swore up and down how that was the right call. Kelly Hrudey argued that it was a bad call and that he should know because he was a goalie. I guarentee you if that was Iginla getting pushed on Hasek MacLean would have been screaming bloody murder about what a horrendous call it was. I used to love MacLean but I'm tired of him now. And it wasn't only Kipersoff that received high praise but Deon Phaneuf. Maybe even more so. I like Phaneuf but he could be one of the most overrated dmen in the league. Sure, he's good on the PP and hits like a train. But for each hit he delivers I could show you a clip of when he got dumped on his ass or how he wondered out of position to make a big hit only to have his team scored on. The CBC will be showing the Wings and Ducks so they'll probably jump on the Wings bandwagon since they're an orginal 6 team. But I'll watch the NBC telecast anytime I can. Screw CBC and their homer views. And don't even get me started on how they shove Maple Leaf hockey down our throats. What have the Laughs done lately? Oh, that's right, NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS. Meanwhile there's another Ontario team that has and are now in the Conference finals. But will that change anything next year? Of course not. Thank goodness for my centre Ice package. F the CBC.

Um, I live in Canada and I could make a very similar argument about Leafs fans. All of my friends love the Buds and everytime I see them at ball or hockey I have to hear the same crap "We kicked your ass in '93!", "We have more Cups than you!". When you try to explain to them that we have actually won something in the past 40 years it doesn't deter them in the least. There's ignorant fans following all the teams and I wouldn't put one fan over another. But for my vote, Leaf-fan is the most obnoxious and annoying. Or, at least I used to think that until a few Ducks fans came trolling over here. To Ducks fans that are mature and have come on here peacefully to discuss the series, good luck and enjoy the site. The rest, I don't imagine we'll hear one word from 24 hours after the last game in this series is played.

I think Zetterbergs tenure at LW is over once these playoffs conclude. He will be our 2nd line centre next year. I also hope that the Wings resign Calder and Bertuzzi (or at least 1 of them) and if Grig's makes the team I can see him playing on the top 2 lines.

At the same time though Giggy didn't explode on the NHL scene until he exploded his equipement. Just look at his upper body protection. He has padding up to his ears. I thought this stuff was used to protect the body not protect the net? Last time I checked the human body didn't have bone and tissue parallel to one's ear. I have a friend that works for a goaltending manufacturer designing and creating goalie equipment. I spoke with him a few weeks ago at a hockey tournament and asked him about this stuff. He said it would be very easy to design goalie equipment using kevlar and even the material used in composite sticks to make slimmed down upper body protection. He said it would be just as light, if not lighter, as the current stuff but it would be the same size as what Ken Dryden wore in the 70's. Why they haven't done this yet? Because no NHL goalie would ever use them because they'd be giving up a severe advantage to stopping the puck. For the reasons you described above, Giguere is a bad goalie. He has no reflexes and relies on stopping the puck with sound positional play and oversized goalie eqiupment. He stays on his knees almost the entire game and tries to puff himself out to block the upper corners. If you shoot high you'll beat him a lot. I guarentee you if all the goalies in the league were forced to wear equipment the same size as the 70's goalies, Giggy would be in the ECHL.

Everyone loves to analyse series' to death but in the end, like you said, the game is played on the ice. It's the reason why Maggie the Monkey has owned the Hockey Panel on TSN for 2 years now. (except for this year. She's been brutal! Obviously she was taking advice from Nick Kypreos).

That's because you're a hockey fan and not some loser that read about his team winning and immediately jumped on the bandwagon. The people that come in here to flame are either young children or adults with minds and maturity of a retarded Barney doll. But I didn't even need to say that. One Ducks supporter actually admitted to betting $10,000 on his team. And from the kind of car he admittingly drives, it doesn't sound like he has that kind of money to spend. Retarded? You bet! Retarded Ducks fan? Bingo. I guess he never took in consideration that it only takes one errant shot or bodycheck and Pronger could be gone for the series. I hope he enjoys living in a cardboard box the rest of his useless life.

Yes he did. I was wondering about that too.