Zeta Power 40 1 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 we must forget about it. The series isn't over yet. Lilja and Franzen have learned from there mistakes and they won't let it happen again. Wings in 7! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted May 21, 2007 I blame neither for the loss. It takes a team to win and it takes a team to lose. In addition, Lilja really faced all this in the press last night. He made himself available and took it all 100%. Could anyone of us imagine what that would be like? He didn't have to do that. That takes real balls and integrity and yet there was none of the Legace-esque "I want to hang myself" self pity crap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-Dub 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 While Lilja and Franzen's plays didn't lose the game, they sure can piss you off. Man, losing a game like that! I am almost more pissed off at Datsyuk though for taking that penalty. Way to NOT keep your legs moving to block the guy. That was almost a bigger blackout than Lilja's... And then of course the lucky bounce goal, man! The hockey gods most really hate us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 The reason why Lilja made that mistake isn't entirely all his. The Redwings have played a puck possession style for many years now. A style that is loathe to give up the puck in any situation. When he carried that puck out and tried to dish it off, it's because they practice and execute that play 1000 times a year. I've seen him and all the other Wings dmen make that same play over and over again. But in this case, he fanned on the pass. What the coaches need to do (and have been doing slowly) is get the players used to making a safer play in certain situations. In OT that play should never be made by anyone not named Nick Lidstrom. Everyone else should be firing it off the boards and simply lifting it out of the zone. Mike Babcock has been trying to get the team to make safer plays for a couple of seasons now, but it's a work in progress. As far as Franzen, yeah, he F'd up bigtime. But he's a very inexperienced player still. You could make an argument that he shouldn't have been on the ice with such an important game on the line. Ce La Vie. Mike Bossy said this morning on XM204 that in all intents and purposes Detroit should have finished this series off last night. But a series of unlucky bounces, a few bad decisions and the inability to capatilize on countless 5-on-3's have them down 3-2 instead of heading to the Finals. I hope that Babs and the crew can settle this team down and maybe get the 5-on-3 working. That alone should be the reason for all the fans and players disgust at this point. And if I'm Hasek I'm really steaming about that more than the Lilja giveaway and Franzen brainfart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lets go pavel 2 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 Agreed. While they might be the most obvious scapegoats, I think we could find plenty of others if we tried, starting with Pavel on that penalty, and everyone on our PP units, and ... but what's the point? Both Franzen and Lilja have played well for us, mistakes are part of the game. Hopefully both will have a big game on Tuesday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfall 871 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 I agree with your thoughts. I am thoroughly convinced that a majority of the people on this board don't even play the game of hockey to know that "s*** happens" more in hockey than in just about any sport. Its the kind of sport thats very unforgiving at times and the Red Wings have been at the forefront of that. Heck, I have been in that position more than a few times in my rec leagues. A shot bounces off my defenseman or off a skate and goes in. s*** just happens. I am not blaming Lilija for the loss. In my mind, it was a team effort out there and the wings just didn't have it. The Wings are hitting goal posts while the Ducks are getting breaks. The puck can bounce just as harshly against you as it does for you, like in game 3 when the wings won 5-0. They are going to come out with a strong effort on Tuesday. Lets just hope they get some bounces to go their way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted May 21, 2007 Well the very least... this may teach him to NOT go up the middle in your own zone with 2 ducks in front of you.... He did that several times yesterday and games before... it was only a matter of time that he got burned for that stupid play. Lil' Ja... Hero to the Zero in no time flat..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
