3/20 GDT: Red Wings @ Flames

[russianswede919293 95]

It wasn’t interference at all, our goalie tried to draw the penalty and he dove and they shot it in the net,†Babcock said. “Embellishment is something that happens in our game, probably too much, and when you try to draw a penalty and it doesn’t go your way and they shoot it in our net it’s a tough one.â€Â

Its alright other than that it seems Hasek played a pretty solid game and Kipper stole the show...not to upset by anything in this game, Calgary just played better it happens sometimes...

But yeah on Hasek, that is what I was talking about earlier in the year, BUT the few times it bites us in the ass I've accepted that many times it doesn't...Still don't like the guy, but hey we're winning, and he still didn't have a bad game yesterday. I'm more upset when he goes to play the puck and ballses that up than on this one...

It wasn’t interference at all, our goalie tried to draw the penalty and he dove and they shot it in the net,†Babcock said. “Embellishment is something that happens in our game, probably too much, and when you try to draw a penalty and it doesn’t go your way and they shoot it in our net it’s a tough one.â€Â

Its alright other than that it seems Hasek played a pretty solid game and Kipper stole the show...not to upset by anything in this game, Calgary just played better it happens sometimes...

But yeah on Hasek, that is what I was talking about earlier in the year, BUT the few times it bites us in the ass I've accepted that many times it doesn't...Still don't like the guy, but hey we're winning, and he still didn't have a bad game yesterday. I'm more upset when he goes to play the puck and ballses that up than on this one...

[eva unit zero 271]

This outcome is not a cause for concern, and I'll tell you why.

Calgary's only goals came on the PP, one of which was a result of Hasek trying to draw a penalty.

The Wings were short Zetterberg.

Hasek was trying to draw a penalty because up until the middle of the third (ten minutes after that goal) there were zero penalties called on the Flames, while Huselius' goal was scored on Calgary's FIFTH power play.

If anyone seriously believes the Wings committed five penalties that should have been called, and then can turn around straight faced and say that Calgary only committed one that should have been called....

Anyway, hopefully the officiating will straighten out by the postseason.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Calgary (and the rest of the playoff contenders) are all hoping for the same officiating the Flames got last night during the playoffs.

I think it's slightly pathetic that Babcock is publicly pinning the loss on Hasek. Perhaps the coach is frustrated by two straight losses where the Wings produced exactly one (1) goal per game? I would be. Wait. I am. It's fine, Hasek's had far dumber things blamed on him and he has handled it. He'll handle this situation, too.

Better luck to Ozzie tomorrow night, on all counts. Perhaps the Wings will be able to score more than one goal for him. Otherwise, Dom and Ozzie both better start cracking down and post some more shutouts.

[Zion 93]

I disagree.

Calgary looked like the puck-possession team, especially in the 1st period. We saw the Wings get knocked off the puck with ease in the offensive zone, shot harmless long wrist shots in the zone and were really no threat to Kipper.

Physical teams put an end to our style pretty well, and while we skated with the Flames much better than I thought we would, we were still ineffective, and our inability to win in the northwest will assure us that we go nowhere in the playoffs, unless we get lucky and draw Dallas or Minnesota in the 1st round.

[eva unit zero 271]

I think it's slightly pathetic that Babcock is publicly pinning the loss on Hasek.

Hasek was trying to draw a penalty instea of trying to stop a shot. It resulted in the game winning goal, a goal that should not have been scored.

Hasek's fault.

Hasek can not be faulted for the fact the Wings only scored once. But Hasek can be faulted for the fact that his bad decision to attempt to draw a penalty while the opposing team as attacking in a 1-1 game resulted directly in the game winning goal of a 2-1 game. It's not unreasonable to suggest that the Wings could have won in OT or the shootout had Hasek not screwed up.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Hasek was trying to draw a penalty instea of trying to stop a shot. It resulted in the game winning goal, a goal that should not have been scored.

Hasek's fault.

Hasek can not be faulted for the fact the Wings only scored once. But Hasek can be faulted for the fact that his bad decision to attempt to draw a penalty while the opposing team as attacking in a 1-1 game resulted directly in the game winning goal of a 2-1 game. It's not unreasonable to suggest that the Wings could have won in OT or the shootout had Hasek not screwed up.

I just said I think it's pathetic that Dom's decision was all the coach could come up with to blame this loss on. Dom could be credited with making saves that gave the team the chance to win as well.

I don't believe Hasek intended to "lose" the game for them, just the opposite -- he probably felt he had to do something to get the Wings a break. They are going to have to score more than one goal per game, if they intend to get anywhere in the playoffs, that's just the truth. It's not unreasonable to expect that from the Wings, either. I am sure Hasek was very surprised (and frustrated) to get a second game straight with no offensive support, as well. He stood on his head for them in Vancouver and was fine last night, too, except for that mistake that "cost them the game."

[eva unit zero 271]

I just said I think it's pathetic that Dom's decision was all the coach could come up with to blame this loss on. Dom could be credited with making saves that gave the team the chance to win as well.

I don't believe Hasek intended to "lose" the game for them, just the opposite -- he probably felt he had to do something to get the Wings a break. They are going to have to score more than one goal per game, if they intend to get anywhere in the playoffs, that's just the truth. It's not unreasonable to expect that from the Wings, either. I am sure Hasek was very surprised (and frustrated) to get a second game straight with no offensive support, as well. He stood on his head for them in Vancouver and was fine last night, too, except for that mistake that "cost them the game."

If Hasek is capable of being credited with stealing games because he made some easy saves and the Wings scored 7 goals, he certainly can be faulted when they lose by one as a DIRECT result of his stupid mistake. As a Hasek supporter, I would assume this is a road you don't want to go down.

[Zion 93]

I said going in to these two games against Vancouver and Calgary that they were to be much bigger tests than the home-and-home with Nashville. The Red Wings failed the test.

Anybody who isn't worried about the Red Wings in the playoffs really just isn't looking at this clearly or hasn't learned this lesson already. Talk about injuries and talk about officiating all you want, the Wings are not currently in the position to win a seven-game series with a team like Vancouver or Calgary.

This post is dead-on, with the exception that you failed to mention Anaheim and San Jose. The rest of you guys are delusional. We benefit from being in a weak division, and simply cannot afford to not play well out west:

at Los Angeles, 10/16: 3-1W

at Anaheim, 10/18: 4-1L

at San Jose, 10/19: 5-1L

at Edmonton, 10/21: 3-1L

at Vancouver, 11/14: 3-2W

at Calgary, 11/17: 4-1L

at Edmonton, 11/18: 3-2L

at San Jose, 1/4: 9-4L

at Los Angeles, 1/6: 4-2L

at Anaheim, 1/7: 4-2L

at Vancouver, 3/17: 4-1L

at Calgary, 3/20: 2-1L

Is this acceptable play to you? Don't expect the Wings to go far at all in the playoffs if these are the efforts we are going to get on the road, especially against teams that simply work harder than we do. And before you talk about how we're great at home, we've split wins at home vs. San Jose, Vancouver and Edmonton, and play Anaheim at home on Monday.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Hasek won't pull a stunt like that in a close playoff game. I think Babcock knows this, but threw his 2 cents out there to further the chances that it won't happen.

Agreed about the reffing. Same as in Vancouver.

But, as Babcock also pointed out, it's good to see the Wings playing these "playoff style" games. It can only help.

This post is dead-on, with the exception that you failed to mention Anaheim and San Jose. The rest of you guys are delusional. We benefit from being in a weak division, and simply cannot afford to not play well out west:

at Los Angeles, 10/16: 3-1W

at Anaheim, 10/18: 4-1L

at San Jose, 10/19: 5-1L

at Edmonton, 10/21: 3-1L

at Vancouver, 11/14: 3-2W

at Calgary, 11/17: 4-1L

at Edmonton, 11/18: 3-2L

at San Jose, 1/4: 9-4L

at Los Angeles, 1/6: 4-2L

at Anaheim, 1/7: 4-2L

at Vancouver, 3/17: 4-1L

at Calgary, 3/20: 2-1L

Is this acceptable play to you? Don't expect the Wings to go far at all in the playoffs if these are the efforts we are going to get on the road, especially against teams that simply work harder than we do. And before you talk about how we're great at home, we've split wins at home vs. San Jose, Vancouver and Edmonton, and play Anaheim at home on Monday.

Lot's of "at"s there. Shessh.

Don't forget that in a seven game series, Detroit gets at least 3 home games.

[Covenant 0]

I know they were "desperate", etc. But I feel like we gave one away. That being said, I have no problems if we draw the Flames in round one.

LOL, I'm not even bothering to read all these pages of threads, most of which are probably repeats of what was said on this particular page. "Wings have failed the test", etc. Get serious, please someone spare me and say not everyone is doom and gloom because we lost two games out in Western Canada. Sheesh, it's the same s*** everytime the Wings lose I agree.. but to say we can't "compete" or win a 7 game series against teams like Calgary or Vancouver is utter bulls***.

Goaltending? I think we more than match up.

Forwards? Check, I'll put our healthy lines out against any team, West OR East

Defense? Smallish, but super duper skilled..

We're going to be fine boys/girls.. let's get real.

[bringback91 2]

Dom cost that goal no doubt. He also saved 2 or 3 sure goals, had a huge stop on Iginla.

[Covenant 0]

Physical teams put an end to our style pretty well, and while we skated with the Flames much better than I thought we would, we were still ineffective, and our inability to win in the northwest will assure us that we go nowhere in the playoffs, unless we get lucky and draw Dallas or Minnesota in the 1st round.

This is ridiculous. I said I wouldn't read these pages because it would just piss me off, but I'm stuck at work, so why not get riled up. I thought we skated just fine with the Flames all game long - - it was a battle of attrition to see who would falter first mostly.. Hasek blew it, but w/99pts., an assured 1st or 4th finish in the Conference it's amazing to read all the negative posts though. "Unless we get lucky and draw Minny or Dallas".. come on. You heard Babcock say it the other day I'm sure, there are NO EASY DRAWS in the playoffs.

[puckloo39 5,686]

If Hasek is capable of being credited with stealing games because he made some easy saves and the Wings scored 7 goals, he certainly can be faulted when they lose by one as a DIRECT result of his stupid mistake. As a Hasek supporter, I would assume this is a road you don't want to go down.

I am sure that's your perspective, as one poster among many here who do not like Hasek for various reasons, Eva. I haven't seen anyone credit Dom with stealing anything this season, even when that did happen. He's past that point with Wings fans and media, I think. Stellar play is expected from him, not remarked upon, generally.

Credit where it's due is fine. If you're going to be fair, you should admit that Hasek's the first one to say when he's made a mistake and the last one to take credit for a win when he isn't due any. He can't control what people say and write about him as if it's the truth.

Dom cost that goal no doubt. He also saved 2 or 3 sure goals, had a huge stop on Iginla.

and he's incapable of scoring to win one goal games.

[Zion 93]

I know they were "desperate", etc. But I feel like we gave one away. That being said, I have no problems if we draw the Flames in round one.

LOL, I'm not even bothering to read all these pages of threads, most of which are probably repeats of what was said on this particular page. "Wings have failed the test", etc. Get serious, please someone spare me and say not everyone is doom and gloom because we lost two games out in Western Canada. Sheesh, it's the same s*** everytime the Wings lose I agree.. but to say we can't "compete" or win a 7 game series against teams like Calgary or Vancouver is utter bulls***.

Goaltending? I think we more than match up.

Forwards? Check, I'll put our healthy lines out against any team, West OR East

Defense? Smallish, but super duper skilled..

We're going to be fine boys/girls.. let's get real.

We've lost all but one game in Western Canada, and if you're NOT worried about the teams we're up against, you may be in for another rude awakening. I hope I'm wrong, but let's face the facts - we're not built for the playoffs.

[GuloGulo 0]

We've lost all but one game in Western Canada, and if you're NOT worried about the teams we're up against, you may be in for another rude awakening. I hope I'm wrong, but let's face the facts - we're not built for the playoffs.

The Flames haven't won in the United States in over 300 days. (vs playoff teams)

How can you tell me with a straight face they're "built for the playoffs"?

Edit: What's the point in worrying about teams to face? They're all good.

Edited March 21, 2007 by GuloGulo

[RyanBarnes! 293]

We've lost all but one game in Western Canada, and if you're NOT worried about the teams we're up against, you may be in for another rude awakening. I hope I'm wrong, but let's face the facts - we're not built for the playoffs.

This team is more suited to playoff hockey than any other Red Wings team since 2002. It's not saying much, but let's not forget the most important piece missing between the 2002 and the 2003 teams was Hasek and he's back. Older, more fragile, but still very capable and with a winning attitude second to none.

[interminded 1]

I haven't seen anyone credit Dom with stealing anything this season, even when that did happen.

Loo, I don't want to get in this whole argument, but this isn't true.

Dom has certainly gotten the credit when he deserved to get credit this season.

I can't recall reading any Anti-Hasek threads or anything in that order...

[CrazyCanuck 0]

I don't understand how Babcock can call out Hasek like that when his team can't even score more than 1 goal.

I mean, honestly, as good as the Red Wings are, Hasek should be able to make a mistake every once in a while and not have to worry about it too much. Sheesh.

They dance bad too. if they did that on the ice, the opposing team would just run away in fear, then the twins would win the game alone 68-0... maybe they should implement this tactic come playoff time

Hahaha you crack me up.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Loo, I don't want to get in this whole argument, but this isn't true.

Dom has certainly gotten the credit when he deserved to get credit this season.

I can't recall reading any Anti-Hasek threads or anything in that order...

nor I, IM. I didn't say anti-Hasek. I said, his play is taken for granted, in general. It makes sense that when he does make a mistake, it's a big deal.

For all I know, Babcock went on to say Hasek was the reason they weren't totally embarrassed on this road trip. That's not what got reported, since it's more interesting and makes a better highlight to pick out Hasek's one mistake as the "reason" for the loss. The finger is pointed at the old Goat when, in fact, the real problem is lack of offensive support. It's harder to point out one culprit in that area, I suppose.

Not a worry from my perspective. Hasek can handle the flak.

Edited March 21, 2007 by puckloo39

[RyanBarnes! 293]

nor I, IM. I didn't say anti-Hasek. I said, his play is taken for granted, in general. It makes sense that when he does make a mistake, it's a big deal.

The same can, to a certain extent, be said about Lidstrom (although Hasek's position make him more vulnerable). It's the ultimate recognition in many ways.

[puckloo39 5,686]

The same can, to a certain extent, be said about Lidstrom (although Hasek's position make him more vulnerable). It's the ultimate recognition in many ways.

I suppose so. Lucky Dom!

[rwfan007 18]

I said this in a previous thread, but in the playoffs, if you want to be the best, you should have to beat the best teams. If we lose, we are not the best team. Good teams find ways to win, and since we are knocking on the door of a 7th straight 100 pt season, we know how to win. Everyone just needs to hold their bashing until we see what the full red wings lineup does on the ice together... something that hasnt happened really since december, if you dont count the new additions of bert and calder. the truth is, we wont know what kind of team we have realistically until the playoffs start, so hold your criticism until then, and just enjoy the exciting playoff push to end the season...

[Zion 93]

I don't understand how Babcock can call out Hasek like that when his team can't even score more than 1 goal.

I mean, honestly, as good as the Red Wings are, Hasek should be able to make a mistake every once in a while and not have to worry about it too much. Sheesh.

Hahaha you crack me up.

I agree. I blame the team for their losses this road trip, save for Datsyuk, Calder - who has far exceeded my expectations in rejuvenating the 2nd line - and maybe Hudler, who has clearly been skating harder.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I agree. I blame the team for their losses this road trip, save for Datsyuk, Calder - who has far exceeded my expectations in rejuvenating the 2nd line - and maybe Hudler, who has clearly been skating harder.

You and I are on the same page. Too bad the coach chose to call Hasek out publicly as the reason for the loss and excused the rest of the team for failing to generate anything that resembled offense. So be it. Perhaps the rest of the Wings are content to let Dom take the blame for this one and move on, knowing that 99.9% of the time he will be there to cover their mistakes.

I feel certain the Wings will step up, score at least 2 goals, and not make Ozzie resort to similar tactics to try and win the next game.

Edited March 21, 2007 by puckloo39

[Zion 93]

Isn't that what everyone does in Detroit : blame it on the goaltender? Now, I agree with RyanBarnes, that having Dom vice Manny in net is a HUGE difference, the offense HAS to overcome both the trap and the physical style of play we've seen the past two games.