Flip-check

Yeah, I think some of the SJ fans even get that from the board-looking I've done. They know it's a great hockey city, even though the empty seats was an unexpected question mark.

Part that, but mostly? They're young. They haven't done a great deal in their careers yet--so the general fans out there.. not the "I check LGW daily" fans... have less to go with there to know them by. Playoff losses do play a hand in "what they've done" (or not done) though, so it's both. Right, but if we had a North American player who played as offensive a game as Dats or Z, who do you honestly think would get more media and fan - not attention, not acclaim, but fondness? People can say that Sergei couldn't get it because of Yzerman, but that's a bad example: Shanahan became quite a favorite, regardless of the captain. This was in a different way than the awe that we had for Sergei's skills: Feds was a great player, but Shanahan was like the hometown guy you want to invite to your place on the weekend because there was something -outside- his playmaking that you could connect with. He strikes you as a sociable kind of guy you'd make friends with easily, and that's not at all something that doesn't exist when people interact with eachother. Aside from cultural barriers, language barriers also factor in. As "not nice" as that sounds, but I consider it a very real aspect of different cultures blending together anywhere, whether in the sports world or elsewhere. We love players like Zata or Dats because of their skills--but maybe that's precisely my point. People love them for their skills, but aside from the random fan who adores a specific player, that's all most people do: love them for their on-ice ability. This is different than identifying with them as a person on a personal level, I insist. This is also not to say no one can identify with them as a person, either: but I would argue that, say, Pavel's proficiency with English leaves less to "get" than Lidstrom's essential mastery of the language.

Vipe, never think such a thing--surely your presence contributes to the spiritual whole of the Wings' success. So too do all fans discredit themselves and their part too early when there is not rain, but shine! I hold inspirational conferences at the university of your choice for a very very inspiring fee of $20k per. Talk with my agent for schedule availability.

You're a true son of isle Erin, whatever it is you are H. It kind of seems like it'd suit a funeral though doesn't it, eh? Light Grenades from Incubus is rockin' it right now. It won't top Morning View anytime soon however.

I don't think this factors so much into playoff-purchases right now, but I think you're right that it has a hand in a broader, general fan reaction. It occurred to me last night too when thinking about how the team doesn't have any of "those guys": Because, honestly, it's a young team and no one knows who's who yet. Lidstrom? Okay. Draper? We got that. Chelios? Ozzie? Them too. They're names that have history behind them and everybody knows who they are. It'll take time with the other guys like Zetterberg, Dats, and anyone else, but at the same time... I still think there's a cultural barrier in the way though. The knocks against Feds' antics aside, it was far easier to identify with good ol' Ontario-born Shanahan than #91. I don't think that's so much because they're from somewhere else that makes the general fan sentiment less (or prejudice, in other words), but rather what it means that they didn't grow up where you did. Like the way that you may identify more with an American off the bat in a German airport than you will with most the citizens, because of that common tie. And talk about a post. I am done. But the no "identifiable heroes" is a significant thing in general, I think.

What Hockeycrazy said. Big ups, Reem! The squad is definitely different this year. Our resident Czechoslovakian will ensure this! Robert Lang disbelieves in prisoners and does not deal in peace treaties. He only murders goaltenders with deceptive wristshots in clutch games. And we are talking deceptive in the absolute breaking point of the word

I am so glad you provide explanations along with the sound fx. You are unrivaled, lady.

The guy is solid but not on the level of a team-killing threat. He doesn't have anything intimidating in that area about him. Or any area, really. What the Sharks have going for them is their defense. Nabokov already figured that if the Wings had picked up their momentum it would have been different: two quick goals were what saved the day and worked to deflate the home bench. That was it. Detroit will take this.

Cornell is so high on that one ("Have a very happy day" lol), but it brings back memories. The solo project he does again will be interesting to see. I've got a feeling it won't be as whiney as the first one he did, post-Soundgarden.

Zetter is definitely not better yet. Rabs, get in there with your toolbox.

Whatever might be said about the boys' game tonight, I think this guy's overview of the first game hits the nail on the head pretty dead-on. And definitely better than a majority of websites or newspapers will spin it: Two days til Saturday.

The Rangers are my hopes for that series, we'll see if they can pull it out in the next few games. They really got lit up with that quick bag of goals though. XXV overtimes for Vancouver and Anaheim? It is a Game 1 for Van, after all. I'm putting my bet on it.

Scrap Schneids, put Quincey back in already. The guy can't block a shot for his life

harold made a comment elsewhere about the reffing being bad everywhere so far, but yeah, it still sucks that they're screwing it up so bad, so consistently. This was hilarious though, found off the Feeder forums: "A Preds Fan posted this in the Sharks Flickr Pool. Still havent gotten the explanation but it seems like it was thrown on the Ice. A Shark dressed in Stripes - pointing out to the Refs that they are calling the game for the team they "favor" - The Sharks."

Modano, you're a chump. Willa is mine tonight.

12 minutes left. Make it happen, Dallas.

Hold the fort, Osgod. Man up and fend the lady back for a night!

Yo vipes! Who's your pick for the game? And 6OTs or 7? Same here, Offsides. Hockey is starting to feel not like hockey at all with those late games... it'd be nice to enjoy one awake.

I won't, promise. You are most certainly not Bob, Bobby. Yet I never knew Bob's family relatives were from the Lee clan! Or that you were Asian. Or that you were so well hu-... *ba-da-dump!*

Mike Modano is my homeboy. He Messier-promised a win tonight. He'll back it with his stick, too.

Whiners, all of you. Pick it up.

OH MY GOSH DON'T GO HR YOU WON'T GET THERE IN TIME

I always thought that Brett was a good old-fashioned Swedish name. Isn't it?

I've already decided to turn Cleary and Phaneuf into a verb and adjective, I am so glad you spontaneously feel the same about their potential! Waking up today: this is miniature in scope to waking up after a Cup win, this is slightly larger than waking up after lovemaking. . . Sweet, sweet summer and Round 2 is upon us!

I had it covered, sir. And then you went and chased him off. Way to butt in, buddy.