swedishconnection

1. swedishconnection 57 nothing else needs to be said. Friday: Toronto @ Buffalo Atlanta @ Florida Columbus @ Detroit St Louis @ Chicago Colorado @ Vancouver San Jose @ Anaheim Saturday: Montreal @ Ottawa Buffalo @ Boston NY Rangers @ Toronto New Jersey @ NY Islanders Pittsburgh @ Philadelphia Tampa Bay @ Washington Carolina @ Atlanta Columbus @ Nashville Edmonton @ Calgary Dallas @ Los Angeles Phoenix @ San Jose Sunday: Detroit @ Chicago Minnesota @ Colorado

I think its more of the fact that people feel the need to portray him in a bad light to justify his leaving detroit. Its easier to move on if they dont like the guy now, even if they did before. Schneider didn't turn his back on the Wings, even if some around here want to makes themselves believe it. He loved L.A. the last time he was out there. That team offered him more money. They play a hard nosed style that even Schneids had quoted "enforcers are like nukes... once your opponent has one, you want one too." Plus, heading to the the team that just won a Cup isnt the worst of places to head to (eventhough it seems like there is a hangover curse as of late). He was a team guy while he was here, offered additional leadership, and brought enthusiasm and humor to an already great team. To me and others, he sometimes stood out on a team that has many future HOFers on it. And that says a lot. He did what was best for him. Wings would have loved to have kept him. It just didnt work out that way. No harm, no foul. Best of luck Schneids. I'm rootin for ya...

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, PEOPLE. Schneider was the most sarcastic of all Wings players while he was here. You all know that he said that as a joke, showing his pearly whites off as he said it. As much as people read into things, this is just sad. This comment is no different than the Lilja interview after he scored the goal from the beautiful pass from Flip. "Yeah, I'm a real goal scorer." Of course Babs never showed any faith in him in the shootout. Hes a defensman. We never got deep enough into a shootout to get to the D man. Lids never went either. Schneider just has a sense of humor about it. From everything we know from watching Schneider for years here in Detroit - what makes anyone here think that he honestly meant he was pissed at Babs. He made a joke. Too bad the internet can't properly convey tone of voice. Too bad people read everything as literal.

Friday: Toronto @ New Jersey Philadelphia @ Washington Florida @ Buffalo Phoenix @ Dallas Nashville @ Edmonton Los Angeles @ San Jose Saturday: Toronto @ Montreal Boston @ Ottawa Pittsburgh @ NY Islanders New Jersey @ NY Rangers Florida @ Carolina Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Calgary @ Minnesota Chicago @ St Louis Anaheim @ Phoenix Vancouver @ Colorado San Jose @ Los Angeles Sunday: St Louis @ Columbus Nashville @ Chicago Ottawa @ Boston

I thought it was about Iginla ! Seriously, doesnt that dude look like the Rock (wrestler / bad actor)'s cousin or something? Maybe its just me....

3. swedishconnection 36 Friday: Vancouver @ Washington Montreal @ Carolina Buffalo @ Florida San Jose @ Detroit Colorado @ Calgary Saturday: Philadelphia @ Boston San Jose @ Columbus Ottawa@ New Jersey Carolina @ NY Islanders Toronto @ NY Rangers Montreal @ Pittsburgh Buffalo @ Tampa Bay Florida @ Nashville Atlanta @ Chicago Washington @ St Louis Dallas @ Phoenix Edmonton @ Los Angeles Sunday: Minnesota @ Colorado Edmonton @ Anaheim Detroit @ Vancouver

Is it scary that I revere that picture more than the ACTUAL pope? Gross. At least he plays the greatest sport in the history of man. But still, that dude in the pic is a reject-f***-stick. Also, I had a thought on the whole Chelios-length-of-the-ice stick theory. It would have to be at least 3 feet shorter than the width of the rink. Otherwise he would not be able to turn around!!

Maybe I just suck at explaining things. I think my previous argument over the longer sticks that Anaheim uses still stands. Pronger able to keep a puck in on a clearing attempt. Getzlaf able to reach further than Cleary on the half boards (2-3 inch difference in height does NOT equal the difference in lenth of sticks between the 2). Perry able to reach around Lids (one inch difference in height does not equal the difference in length of sticks) in the corners. All of these little things add up. And no, Im NOT TALKING ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN LENGTH BETWEEN PLAYERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS!! I'm talking about the lengths of sticks between players of equal heights. Be it as you may arguing about weight and size. I think its rediculous. In watching the games between Anaheim and the Wings, hitting meant nothing so far this season. Yes they tried to his us as much as they could, but I cant count how many times Rafalski, Datsyuk, Zata, and Lids ducked the check and continued thier play. There were many times the Ducks looked to rough us up but came up short. Of course they hit us some of the time, but our players were smart enough to keep thier heads up for the game because they knew they were playing a physical team. Again.... I have all of the games from last season vs. the Ducks (including the post-season) plus all of the games from this season on tape, and have watched them at least 3 times each all the way through. When the Wings force other teams to play our game vs. thiers, it doesnt matter how big they are. After watching all of that hockey between the 2 teams, I still conclude that the longer reach of players of equal height is an advantage that is sorely overlooked by members of this board. I'm not going to beat my head against a wall, as it already hurts from reading previous posts. All I have to say is watch all of the games again. The Wings make the Ducks play our game, and all but neutralize the physical game. It has a lot to do with stick length and reach. No, Lidstrom from the blue line doesn't change a series at all. Granted it wasnt for the cup, but one series further is one closer to Glory. Oh, and foot in the crease, foot out of the crease doesnt win it either. Lucky or no? Kinda depends on who you talk to. Lucky... maybe cause the whistle went your way. Here's Stanley... Hold it high. Un-lucky? Yeah cause the ref didnt agree with what you thought. Try harder next year.

Well, my question is : Is there any rule on length of sticks? I've read over the summer than Perry (a.k.a. Douchetard) prefers to use a longer than normal stick. Take a look at Getzlaf's stick too. But most of all take a look at Pronger's. His reach is unfathomable with his stick. Doesnt it seem a bit like cheating when you can reach a foot (exaggeration, but you get the idea) further than Rafalski can? And dont give me that "They are much bigger than us" crap. I'm 6'2" myself, and my stick still comes only to my chin when I'm standing on my feet (no skates). I was always taught that the stick should come to your chin. I understand that people like different lengths based on the way they play... Homer preferring a shorter stick to deflect shots, etc, but this seems to be getting out of control. At least Don Cherry is with me. He's been ranting about longer sticks for a while now. To me, it just seems like the Ducks can out-reach us... which helps with winning battles, recieving passes, shooting around other players, defending against attacking forwards, blocking passes... Zdeno Chara - I'm watching you !

Friday: Columbus @ Buffalo Carolina @ Pittsburgh Colorado @ Chicago Los Angeles @ Vancouver Saturday: NY Rangers @ Boston Chicago @ Toronto Buffalo @ Montreal Florida @ Ottawa New Jersey @ NY Islanders Carolina @ Philadelphia Pittsburgh @ Washington Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Anaheim @ Dallas Minnesota @ St Louis Detroit @ Phoenix Edmonton @ Calgary Nashville @ San Jose Sunday: Vancouver @ Columbus Colorado @ Minnesota

For all of those saying that we upgraded with Rafalski, I disagree. Thus far (keep that in mind... I can only comment on what I have seen of him so far and hope that at the end of the season I will be singin a different tune) Rafalski has been not as good as Schneids. Schneider was better on the PP with the huge cannon, long reach, and bigger body. Schneider was better in the neutral zone that Rafy has been. Rafy has given the puck up many times with his sometimes awsome threaded-needle passes, but other times it comes back to burn him. Schneider had a mean-streak sometimes. Rafy cannot handle the bigger players as far as I have seen. (re-watch either Ducks games. -- Remember, this is who we are going to have to go through to win the west.) Other teams just pound on Rafy any chance they get. Its almost like they are targeting him. Schneider whitens his pearly teeth. This is coming from a huge Schneids fan, and I really want to love Rafy, but I havent really seen anything from Rafy that Kronwall doesnt give us, SO FAR. I really hope I feel different in March. The only thing that Rafy has on Schneids is speed. Rafy is a better skater. Hands down.

They prolly removed the refs names after the way this has been going. What a travesty. Is it me, or does every game this season invovle a recalled Wings goal?

Great GDT aflac! Woot First reply MOJO! GO WINGS!

1. swedishconnection 13 WOOT #1 YAY! Friday: Washington @ NY Rangers Chicago @ Detroit Colorado @ St Louis Calgary @ Dallas Vancouver @ Edmonton Boston @ Los Angeles Saturday: Washington @ Buffalo Pittsburgh @ Toronto Carolina @ Montreal Ottawa @ NY Rangers NY Islanders @ Philadelphia New Jersey @ Atlanta Tampa Bay @ Florida Calgary @ Nashville Dallas @ Chicago Columbus @ Colorado Edmonton @ Vancouver Minnesota @ Phoenix Boston @ San Jose Sunday: Minnesota @ Anaheim Detroit @ Los Angeles

The return of the Aflac GDT just tops off the fact that HOCKEY SEASON IS REALLY HERE! The off-season really felt WAY too long this time around. Fantastic Job, as always Aflac! No predictions on score, but dont underestimate the Oil. Hopefully Babs layed into the guys after dropping last game.

a newer aston is like 2/3 of a years salary for Chelly (not counting the resturant buis). Somehow, with his personality... I just dont see the oober-expensive super-refined sports car in his garage. IIRC, on one of Trevor Thompson's weekly wings shows last year he had a black Ford Excursion - not that he doesnt own more than one car, but just saying I know he has that SUV for sure.

Friday: Pittsburgh @ Carolina Anaheim @ Columbus NY Islanders @ Buffalo Washington @ Atlanta Boston @ Dallas San Jose @ Vancouver Saturday: Montreal @ Toronto NY Rangers @ Ottawa Buffalo @ NY Islanders Carolina @ Washington New Jersey @ Florida Anaheim @ Pittsburgh Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Philadelphia @ Edmonton Dallas @ Nashville Columbus @ Minnesota Detroit @ Chicago Boston @ Phoenix Vancouver @ Calgary St.Louis @ Los Angeles Sunday: San Jose @ Colorado

He's one of my favorite players in the game! He brings flash and bang to a game that is in desperate need of media attention... Atta' boy AO!

Me too! I cant wait!

I'm going to try. I checked for center Ice last night (which I bought on Wed) and it still wasnt there. However, I am on my way to the tv right after I click "add reply"!

Good riddance to bad rubbish. Personally, (and I stand by this comment 100%) I would rather have Sammy play defense all the time than have Sopel get anywhere near our Blueline. In our own end Sopel was horrendous. If you thought Lang was lazy and sucks, Sopel made him look like Yzerman. Sammy had just as much power on his point shots, even though thier accuracy was terrible. However, at least Sammy TRIED on defense. He always hustles back into the defensive zone, and backchecks as good as anyone. I cant even say I've seen Sopel hustle at all, forward or back. My 2 cents.

They didn't? Maybe you were watching a different game. Transitioning positionally on the bigger ice sheet was clearly giving the NHL squad some problems. Specifically Blake and a few others of the LA's D. Thier break-out passing was off by a bit, and they didnt skate as well in thier own defensive zone. However, they did use certain things to thier advantage, such as the boards and putting guys into them. LAK tried to push the play to the corners in thier own defensive end as much as possible, where they had a decicive advantage. Karl was leading into the 3rd period, and if not for some outstanding saves by LAK's netminder, Karl would have buried a few more. There were a few NHL players that seemed to thrive on the bigger ice. Particularly Cammaleri (tying goal) and Kopitar (game-winning goal). They used thier superior stick skills and speed to create excellent scoring chances. LA would not have won if Kopitar didn't crash the net late in the 3rd, creating a turnover goal from Karl's goalie. Overall, there were a few standouts on the Swedish team, but it was most definetly a close game. Personally, I'd like to see more of this kind of action next season.

I'm really glad people are giving him his due. Do you think that even a year ago people would be mentioning Franz and top 6 in the same breath? I highly doubt it. I'm glad to have him on our team! GO WINGS!

I just called Comcast this morn to alleviate a different issue, and while I had them (actually talking to a person - and spoke great english) on the phone, I asked 'em about Center Ice. They said they were running an Early Bird special till the 1st of October - $149.00 for the season! Done. Now when I get home, I will have every game offered on TV for the season! Perfect way to augment my newfound love of fantasy hockey!! Go Wings... Go Lawson Lunatics! (my fantasy team)

Pretty much just keep hitting refresh on the box score. And make up my own announcements sitting here. I'm bored. Help me FSN-Detrobi... your my only hope! Really am pissed that no-one will broadcast preseaon. End of First 2-0 Wings