jpfalcon09

ESPN likes to market new things and kill old things. They killed the NHL when they lost the contract, and the same with poker once stations like FSN started airing their own versions. They're going to market the new things like MLS and the AFL because no one else has them. We'll see in 4 years where those two leagues are on ESPN and if they've been killed off by the station.

Say goodnight and bye bye to Nashville. That Forsberg deal will be looked on as a huge bust now, and I can guarantee he won't be back in Nashville next year.

Wes McCauley and Brad Watson are the referees tomorrow/tonight.

Listen guys, he's been out basically the whole season with injuries. He's just not going to be as effective as everyone thinks he will be. Back surgery is something that takes a long time to recover from, and even longer to get your timing and skating down. As I stated before, this season may be the start of a decline in his career just because of the injury. He likely isn't going to be much of a game changer early on, if at all in the playoffs, it's just the harsh reality. We've seen Calgary feed off him being on the ice because the crowd boos him and draws a reaction when he gets hit. Until Bert can be consistent for longer than 3 or so games, he will likely have minimal impact on the games.

Yay, another who should play/who should sit thread...wonderful. While we all are clamoring for Lang or Sammy to sit, they won't. Lang's a veteran presence and a big body, and Sammy is now on the point on the PP. Hudler's a "rookie" and therefore is the odd man out. If Flip hasn't scored 2 goals, he may have been picked to sit too. Point is, unless something drastic happens, Hudler's not going to play, simple as that.

No excuses should be made concerning last night's game, whether if it was the officiating or the fact of not getting breaks. The Wings were on their heels for most of the game, especially during the 1st period. It's understandable that Calgary would come up with more jump from their crowd, but the Wings abandoned their game plan from the first two games. There was little puck possession, the physical game was toned down for some reason, and the Wings looked to be passive and reacting rather than initiating the issues. In my mind, Game 4 is the series. The Flames tie the series and it's a whole new ballgame, and their momentum will be something to contend with. This is a good team people, and the Wings let them off the ropes last night, now it's the Wings decision to put them back there or let Calgary fire back with a punch of their own. Series on!

- Lang was bad again, his line was non-existant, and the decision to put him out there on the last faceoff was stupid - Bert looks lost and he's really a liability out there, he gives Calgary energy because the fans hate him and he isn't really doing anything - Dom was bad on the 3rd goal and Nick's gamble was not a good choice - Dats' line needs to fight through the checks and such, they were shut down with physical play and they'll become invisible again if nothing changes - Stronger forecheck will lead to more turnovers and goals, too much sitting back and letting things come to them, rather than vice versa - It's only one game and I predicted the Flames to win at least one game, I'm not too terribly upset, just need to be more disciplined and play more like the first 2 games

- Lang was bad again, his line was non-existant, and the decision to put him out there on the last faceoff was stupid - Bert looks lost and he's really a liability out there, he gives Calgary energy because the fans hate him and he isn't really doing anything - Dom was bad on the 3rd goal and Nick's gamble was not a good choice - Dats' line needs to fight through the checks and such, they were shut down with physical play and they'll become invisible again if nothing changes - Stronger forecheck will lead to more turnovers and goals, too much sitting back and letting things come to them, rather than vice versa - It's only one game and I predicted the Flames to win at least one game, I'm not too terribly upset, just need to be more disciplined and play more like the first 2 games

The Mud Hens are doing away with the Storm name and organization. It is expected that once the new arena is built, the Mud Hens will create a new team that will possibly have the Goaldiggers name back on it. But as of now, there will be no hockey until 2009, assuming there's no hiccups in arena construction.

The attendance is being blown way out of proportion by most of the people on here. To me, it's a good thing that were extra tickets available to last night's game. Not only does it send a message to Ilitch about the prices for tickets, but it shows just how cautious the "fans" are being this year. Detroit, for the most part, is a bandwagon city, the hottest commodity gets all the attention. The Wings have been Page 2 or 3 fodder all season long, and because of the recent success of the Pistons and Tigers, the marginal Wings fans have taken a wait and see attitude about the playoffs, given the prior first round exits. I think this is good for the organization, team and the fans. It shows that the Wings now have to prove to the fans that they can win to put butts back into the seats. As for Cleary's "hit", it was grade A bullplop. Kipper sold it like he'd been shot and it got his team riled up, we all knew that was his intention in the first place, but don't make it seem like Cleary intentionally lowered his shoulder into him. As a former goaltender, I've done the same team to provide a spark for my team, and 99 out of 100 times it works. Also, with all the equipment goalies have, there's no way that Kipper could even be phased by that type of contact. Iginla bumped into Hasek twice last night after he had just made a save, but Dom was composed and didn't try to sell it. Instead of blaming Cleary, let's give Kipper an Oscar for best dive of the series. Bring on Game 2.

I appreciate your knowledge about the game tonight and in general, Jiggy. It was quite difficult to see the Flames just unwilling to get involved in anything, I was hoping for a closer game, hopefully Game 2 brings that to fruition. I love your passion and love the fact that you call a spade a spade, you represent the Flames organization and their fans very well, kudos!

We all know you're frustrated, but any ridiculous statements like that just make you look foolish. All of the knowledgeable fans on here know it's just one game, we recognize that, and it's nothing to get talk or a Cup, not by any means. We're just happy that all of the talk about the Wings being soft and not physical were quickly tossed out the window. This game was 100 times better for us than Game 1 last year, regardless if the Wings won on a lucky goal. The point is, the Wings played a great game and Calgary showed little effort after it was 2-0. Own up to it, admit defeat and move on to Game 2, I'm already there.

My thoughts on the game tonight: - The Wings were definitely ready to play, this is certainly not the same team as last year. It was refreshing to see the Wings initiate contact rather than taking it. - Hudler and Flip have established themselves as the future of the team. Flip's dogged work on Conroy was something to behold, and Hudler wasn't shying away from contact and was good on the PP. - Any doubts about Hank and Dats were erased from my mind pretty quickly. Bertuzzi coming back is only going to add to the depth of this team. Lang played a solid game, as we expected come playoff time. Good on ya, Robert. - The first goal deflated the Flames and they never recovered. They seem to be very fragile on the road and basically never were able to get anything sustained going. - Jarome Iginla getting frustrated midway through the 3rd is not a good sign. Iginla is the leader of the team and needs to play with a cooler head and stay out of penalty trouble. If the Flames are going to be bothered by the Wings forechecking and hitting, the Flames need to change their game plan then. - Kipper kept it from being a 6 or 7-1 game. As mentioned earlier, the Flames really hung him out to dry in the 2nd. I expect Calgary to at least bring a better effort in Game 2, which I will be at.

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2007/04...out-game-1.html Makes the loss of Bertuzzi not as big, as Regehr was expected to key on Dats and Hank.

I just popped in the 3 OT game from the Carolina series to get myself pumped up! GO WINGS!

This is my last OT, I'm gonna crawl into bed though and keep the game on.

9:30 Weather and Climate class tomorrow morning, but this is too good to not stop watching!

Zubov was known to smoke like 3 packs of cigarettes a day. Keenan would actually leave him on the ice for like 4 minute shifts because he smoked and Zubov thought it was because he was playing well. Gotta love the 93-94 Rangers.

The other highlights seem like they happened last week. BRING ON FOUR OVERTIMES!

This is awesome, nothing better than the NHL Playoffs.

Big clear by the Nucks and we play on.

TIE GAME! LADISLAV NAGY!

Dallas is working hard, Vancouver's been on their heels a bit.

Pretty interesting chant there by the Vancouver fans.

4-3, not over yet!