2/1 GDT: Red Wings 2, Avalanche 0

[puckloo39 5,686]

for those who thought this game looked like playoff hockey, none other than Henrick Zetterberg agrees with you:

Windsor Star game story

"It's good for us mentally to get these kinds of games," Zetterberg said.

"Often this is how teams will play against us in the first round of the playoffs. It's a good test for us to have these kind of games."

[Hiei 192]

:zzz: :zzz: EH? Did I miss Something?

Never Mind..... :zzz:

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

'Tis was an interesting game indeed. The way it was going, I would've been happy if the Wings just got 1 point out of the deal even though it was a game they controlled for the most part, b/c they just couldn't get many breaks and bounces, and whenever they got them Budaj played splendid. Thankfully it did not come to that though.

[TRD604 8]

congrats to hasek for his 80th shutout

[wingnut22 81]

my prediction was a bit off..... . I liked having Downey back in the lineup. I would pick him over Drake any day. It is so frustrating to watch us out shoot them like no other to have the big double '0's up on the score board. But Budaj played very solid for them. It sucks for him that he played so well only to lose, but dont get me wrong I am glad we won!

[hak 21]

thought i'd just share a quote i found on a avs board in their GDT thread

"Let's see how many quality scoring chances Detroit manufactures without Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom in the line up. A team of AHLers and a back up goaltender took Detroit to overtime if it wasn't for the refs."

[Lou_Siffer 1]

I was on my feet, beer in hand, waiting intensely for Downey and McCormick to come out of the box and drop 'em.

[Grittzkey 1]

I was on my feet, beer in hand, waiting intensely for Downey and McCormick to come out of the box and drop 'em.

haha who wasnt? McCormick probaly punked out though.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

haha who wasnt? McCormick probaly punked out though.

When they announced 2 minutes each...i was like HELL YEAH! I love these refs! Not sure anything beats the anticipation of watching the time tick on a 4 on 4 with two fighters in the box...and praying that the refs dont call a penalty in the meantime.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

thought i'd just share a quote i found on a avs board in their GDT thread

"Let's see how many quality scoring chances Detroit manufactures without Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Holmstrom in the line up. A team of AHLers and a back up goaltender took Detroit to overtime if it wasn't for the refs."

honestly I don't think they're that far off. The Avs were depleted with injuries and basically playing ultra conservative the whole game hoping they'd catch a break. Budaj definitely kept it as close as it was. They're wrong about the Dats Z and Homer comment though.

And watching the replay in the highlights, the refs did blow that call. Lebda clearly pushed the Avs player into the net, and he mostly hit the side of the net and made a fair effort not to hit Hasek. Yes Hasek was interfered with, but it was a result of Lebda's push.

Ahh well, it couldn't have happened to a nicer team.

[hak 21]

honestly I don't think they're that far off. The Avs were depleted with injuries and basically playing ultra conservative the whole game hoping they'd catch a break. Budaj definitely kept it as close as it was. They're wrong about the Dats Z and Homer comment though.

And watching the replay in the highlights, the refs did blow that call. Lebda clearly pushed the Avs player into the net, and he mostly hit the side of the net and made a fair effort not to hit Hasek. Yes Hasek was interfered with, but it was a result of Lebda's push.

Ahh well, it couldn't have happened to a nicer team.

i read your comment over and over and finally it struck me! god damn im stupid. i thought he meant the wings as "a bunch of ahlers and a backup goalie". the backup goalie part did seem weird to me as hasek was playing.

my reading comprehension was not at top notch today i think.. i feel like an dumbass!

Edited February 2, 2008 by hak

[theman19 47]

honestly I don't think they're that far off. The Avs were depleted with injuries and basically playing ultra conservative the whole game hoping they'd catch a break. Budaj definitely kept it as close as it was. They're wrong about the Dats Z and Homer comment though.

And watching the replay in the highlights, the refs did blow that call. Lebda clearly pushed the Avs player into the net, and he mostly hit the side of the net and made a fair effort not to hit Hasek. Yes Hasek was interfered with, but it was a result of Lebda's push.

Ahh well, it couldn't have happened to a nicer team.

yes but if you look carefully you see as the avs player goes down, he punches hasek in the head. Hence why it was called interference. That call would never get made in the playoffs though, i saw a million times worse in that series vs. the ducks.

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

I was on my feet, beer in hand, waiting intensely for Downey and McCormick to come out of the box and drop 'em.

That's what I was waiting for!! I was like OMG 2 minutes..that means the second they come outta the box they are going to get at each other. Then I kept waiting..and waiting and nothing happened. I was shocked by this.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

That's what I was waiting for!! I was like OMG 2 minutes..that means the second they come outta the box they are going to get at each other. Then I kept waiting..and waiting and nothing happened. I was shocked by this.

Yeah i was watching where the puck was too and who had it, cause they wouldnt come out swinging if there was a scoring oppurtunity...but there wasnt. I was shocked myself! I guess maybe Downey felt the message had been sent that he'd be held accountable even if no punches were landed. I was playing cards and listenting to the game after that, so i dont know if McCormick got fiesty at all after that, but i dont recall hearing his name anymore.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

yes but if you look carefully you see as the avs player goes down, he punches hasek in the head. Hence why it was called interference. That call would never get made in the playoffs though, i saw a million times worse in that series vs. the ducks.

TSN.ca has a great replay angle looking straight down on the net. I don't see any punch to Hasek's head.

Still, I agree that usually those calls are going against us when Homer does it, but our opponents can usually push Dom into the net with no call.

[Kp-Wings 3]

Yeah i was watching where the puck was too and who had it, cause they wouldnt come out swinging if there was a scoring oppurtunity...but there wasnt. I was shocked myself! I guess maybe Downey felt the message had been sent that he'd be held accountable even if no punches were landed. I was playing cards and listenting to the game after that, so i dont know if McCormick got fiesty at all after that, but i dont recall hearing his name anymore.

No, McCormick didn't do anything after that. He was pretty much unheard from the rest of the game.

As much as the "anti-Downey" crowd on here wants to deny it, I will still stand by the fact the fact that Downey does make a difference in the lineup. After that little incident, McCormick did nothing the rest of the night, where as before he was constantly hitting guys after the play. Coincidence? I think not...

Considering the Wings are playing a tough team like Boston today, the Wings better put Downey back in the lineup (it sounds like Babcock might do so, which is good). There are plenty of guys Downey might go with on Boston, as I'm thinking of someone like Jeremy Reich.

Edited February 2, 2008 by Kp-Wings