O.K. article, just loved the last line

[Guest octopusdank]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...7/1054/SPORTS06

glad we arent a cocky bunch

[PROBIE4PREZ 58]

lazy liike me? good

Unfortunately, the Red Wings will simply be the Red Wings if they don’t win the Stanley Cup. As great as this franchise has been over the last decade plus, many in hockey circles still think of them as a bunch that loses early in the playoffs. The Hockey News even had a question prior to last years playoffs asking, “Who will be this year’s Red Wings?” meaning which favorite will lose earlier than they should.

The Pats were on the verge of history. The debate was already on in terms of their place in the football hierarchy. Their quarterback shows up on TMZ.com and Entertainment Tonight as much as he does on ESPN. They had become the Yankees of football, either beloved or hated. So their demise is almost a Greek tragedy for some.

The Wings are just the best team in the league having another great season. As well as they’re playing though, there is no feeling that they are THAT much better than the rest. When the playoffs start, they will be the favorite to win, but you’ll hear from plenty going with the Ducks or the Senators as well. Plus, it’s hockey. The favorite tends to win in football. The favorite often loses in hockey because of a bad bounce or a hot goaltender.

To put it simply, the Pats expected to win the Super Bowl. The Wings hope to win the Stanley Cup. That’s the key difference.

[auxlepli 17]

glad we arent a cocky bunch

I think that stems for the coach and the captain. It's also the difference between a hockey player mentality and a football player mentality. It's funny people think of the Wings as losers or chokers in the vein of the Atlanta Braves or Buffalo Bills. That's ridiculous in my opinion. One, the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win. Two, no other NHL team has been as successful as the Wings in the last 16 years.

[Guest octopusdank]

I think that stems for the coach and the captain. It's also the difference between a hockey player mentality and a football player mentality. It's funny people think of the Wings as losers or chokers in the vein of the Atlanta Braves or Buffalo Bills. That's ridiculous in my opinion. One, the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win. Two, no other NHL team has been as successful as the Wings in the last 16 years.

for sure

[jim3033 1]

Football players play 16 games in a season and just run into each other for 60 minutes or so. Then everyone squables about the quarterbacks for a week until the next game.

How can they possibly compare football to hockey?

[irishtemper14+25 11]

nice article

[kylee 727]

hey, now i remember why i dont read the free press!

and where was this guy? the Wings getting knocked out early in the playoffs?

thats so 2006.

[wingnut40 176]

How can they possibly compare football to hockey?

They can't. My dad, who doesn't usually watch hockey, came in when they were interviewing Cleary and he says "Look at these guys compaired to football and basketball players. They talk about their teams acheivments and not their own" Cleary could have said "Good thing I was there to tie up the game. My team is so lucky to have me." But no, he talked about the entire team effot. That's the biggest difference in hockey. Most of the players are so humble you want to smack them.

BTW - anyone else remember those black/white commercials for the NHL on ESPN? Those were great!

Like this....I love this one!!!

[auxlepli 17]

That was funny! I don't care who you are.

[Lou_Siffer 1]

This article is ridiculously just pointing out the blatantly obvious. No NHL team can "expect" to win the Cup. Hockey is a sport where a team can be outshot 50-10 and totally outplayed, yet win 1-0 because the goalie steals it. Its also unique in the sense that what it takes to win in the regular season is not the same as the playoffs. Games tighten up, become more physical and passionate. Football on the other hand, if you're a top team, consists of winning 3 games. Stupid comparison.