Finally Downey is playing

[Dominator2005 558]

Yes, the Wings scored two goals and San Jose none after the fight. But the Ellis goal was a fluke dump on the net, and THAT is the play that deflated the Sharks. Dats' goal was a few minutes later on a 5-on-3...neither goal had anything to do with Downey's fight and it's only the anti-skill crowd that thinks so.

Did you watch the game???

[vangvace 12]

Please, and the same could be said for the anti-fighting crowd saying it DIDN'T have anything to do with it. The Wings played tough tonight all around including Downey. Downey's fight, Dats hitting Big Joe from behind, Lilly and Drapes coming to Maltby's aid when Michalek sticked him on the ice, Cheli's elbow to Big Joe's face late in the 3rd, Maltby throwing a few big hits as well, etc. It's a wonderful thing to see the Wings playing tough and sticking up for each other, but I'm sure it's just coincidence that we played physical and won though huh?

esteef

There is no statistical evidence to back that up. (Sorry couldn't resist the poke)

[esteef 2,679]

There is no statistical evidence to back that up. (Sorry couldn't resist the poke)

Sure there is, all of those things happened in a game in which we won.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Yes, the Wings scored two goals and San Jose none after the fight. But the Ellis goal was a fluke dump on the net, and THAT is the play that deflated the Sharks. Dats' goal was a few minutes later on a 5-on-3...neither goal had anything to do with Downey's fight and it's only the anti-skill crowd that thinks so.

Is this the same ant-skill crowd that wants Kopecky and Lilja out of the lineup because they have no skill? What skill are you talking about? Nobody wants our top players out of the lineup, we just don't want jobbers on the 4th line who don't bring anything to a team. Downey may bring only 1 thing, but that's one more thing than what some other players are bringing right now.

[Mickeyisms Rule! 0]

Is this the same ant-skill crowd that wants Kopecky and Lilja out of the lineup because they have no skill? What skill are you talking about? Nobody wants our top players out of the lineup, we just don't want jobbers on the 4th line who don't bring anything to a team. Downey may bring only 1 thing, but that's one more thing than what some other players are bringing right now.

I loved seeing Downey out there going after McClaren after all the BS that he was pulling out there. He was going after Hank all night and the hit he put on Drake was over the top, to say the least.

BUT

I can't agree with the bolded statement above in the part that I don't think that the guys that have been out there "bring nothing to the team." Last night 2 of those "jobbers" as you put it were involved in the outcome of the game. Ellis scored the GWG (yes it was a fluke goal), and Kopay was on the ice when it happened and was working hard along the boards. In fact, I thought that the Ellis play loast night was partially as a result of Kopay's hard work just up the boards a little ways from there. The defenseman on Ellis was forced to try and play it differently because he was right there on top of the play.

Oh, and thank God that Krinwall finally got a goal last night.

[Dabura 12,232]

neither goal had anything to do with Downey's fight and it's only the anti-skill crowd that thinks so.[/font]

You generally make very intelligent posts, eva, which is why it surprises me to see you making a statement like this. If you know anything about hockey (and I know you know a thing or two), you know that scrapping and fighting can give an entire team an intangible boost. I didn't watch last night's game, so there's only so much I can say about this specific case, but I suspect the fight counted for a little more than what you're giving it credit for.

Also, I think it's pretty silly to call Downey fans "anti-skill."

[Dominator2005 558]

Yes, the Wings scored two goals and San Jose none after the fight. But the Ellis goal was a fluke dump on the net, and THAT is the play that deflated the Sharks. Dats' goal was a few minutes later on a 5-on-3...neither goal had anything to do with Downey's fight and it's only the anti-skill crowd that thinks so.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ron_downey.html

"It's great to see," Zetterberg said. "I think all of us got a little extra energy when he did that and it was a great fight. It changed the momentum back to our side. It doesn't happen that often, but now we've had four fights this year (Drake has the other three). It's good, it belongs in the game. The fans like it and we like it, too."

Babcock said.

"He knows how to play. He's never going to be accused of being overly skilled or overly fast, but he is overly determined and he's a great team guy, says good things and does good things and makes our team better."

Downey is not one of those tough guys who will fight just for the sake of fighting.

"I hate premeditated fights, they're useless, they're stupid," Downey said. "If you're fighting just to go out and premeditate and fight the other team's tough guy, with no reason and no bearing on the game, it's ridiculous. There's a time and place for it. It's like Gladiators. It becomes a real sport then. If it gives the guys a lift, that's awesome."

Eva you still didin't answer to my question - did you watched the game???

It seems like there is plenty ''anti-skill'' fans around here...

[Lou_Siffer 1]

Time to admit you were flat out wrong about the Downey fight not having an impact on the game eva...or are you going to disagree with the european star player on the team?

[Dominator2005 558]

Time to admit you were flat out wrong about the Downey fight not having an impact on the game eva...or are you going to disagree with the european star player on the team?

hehehehehe

With our next captain...

[CdnWingsFanEh 2]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...ron_downey.html

"It's great to see," Zetterberg said. "I think all of us got a little extra energy when he did that and it was a great fight. It changed the momentum back to our side. It doesn't happen that often, but now we've had four fights this year (Drake has the other three). It's good, it belongs in the game. The fans like it and we like it, too."

Babcock said.

"He knows how to play. He's never going to be accused of being overly skilled or overly fast, but he is overly determined and he's a great team guy, says good things and does good things and makes our team better."

Downey is not one of those tough guys who will fight just for the sake of fighting.

"I hate premeditated fights, they're useless, they're stupid," Downey said. "If you're fighting just to go out and premeditate and fight the other team's tough guy, with no reason and no bearing on the game, it's ridiculous. There's a time and place for it. It's like Gladiators. It becomes a real sport then. If it gives the guys a lift, that's awesome."

Eva you still didin't answer to my question - did you watched the game???

It seems like there is plenty ''anti-skill'' fans around here...

Damn, you beat me to this one. Takes too long to read the whole thread....

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Haven't read all responses in this thread, but I'm all for Downey continuing to get his chances, but by no means am I going to go ga-ga or overhype the guy. He's a 4th liner who will hopefully always play with energy and drop the gloves every now and then.

Certainly something the Wings can continue to use throughout the season, but that's probably all Downey is going to offer to the Wings. If it makes the Wings a better team, then everybody wins.

Not trying to suggest that somebody might have said this in this thread or suggested it, but it's silly to also suggest that certain guys are taking ice time away from Downey, or vice versa, since he'll probably just play 5-7 minutes a game unless he just somehow finds a spark offensively.