Can't say the Wings are wanted anymore...

[This Is Bida 0]

I find it funny that all year long all the Wings fan complain and say "ohhh, the league hates us, the media hates us, bettman wants us to lose".. blah blah blah. But so far, last game they had that questionable non-call that could've gone either way (please don't get into an argument about this anyone, I'm simply stating it could've gone either way). This game they have another questionable non-call on a goal that could've counted. Again with Holmstrom in the blue when Lidstrom (right?) scored. I just think the calls have DEFINITELY gone our way and it seems to me like the league doesnt want Nashville here (which they shouldn't.. its a horrible hockey market). Personally, I really don't think there's any kind of conspiracy going on where Bettman demands certain teams to lose, but if there is, he's definitely trying to get rid of Nashville.

I do love what Babcock just said in his press conference though.

He basically said "well, there was a call where a Predator shot it in from their own end of the red line but it wasnt an icing. You can sit there and pick apart the whole game if you want to but its really pointless. You just gotta keep plugging along". Which is true. Trotz can complain and whine till he's blue in the face but in the end we've beat them 3-1 and 4-2 while outshooting them by a large margin.

Personally though, the Wings really need to learn to play with some intensity. Basically how Holmstrom plays. The way they're playing they could get thru this round but playing a better team, they dont have enough intensity to hold up.

All stupid cliché's aside, I truely thought we would sweep these guys. Regardless of how tight they've played us all year. We still have a chance of that but going back into Nashville the Wings are gonna need to turn the tempo up cause you know Nashville is.

P.S. Anyone else notice how the commentators on NBC didnt mention what the Wings were doing right, it was what Nashville wasn't doing. Or what the Wings did do right, it was Nashville not doing things right. It seemed to me like all they did was talk about Nashville. Maybe I'm just used to Mick and Ken (along with John Keating and Murph) but god do I hate the NBC guys!

edit: Title should say "can't say the wings ARENT wanted"

Edited April 12, 2008 by This Is Bida

[akustyk 84]

I too think some call here went Wings way. especially seeing 2 quite similar goals

counting in for Wings and not for Preds makes one clear why Trotz might be complaining.

and to some extent he's right.

the thing is, Wings deserved those wins anyway. as much as Preds put pressure on

us in 1st period this game it was Wings who were winning the runs for pucks and it

was us who were tougher on generating chances. just to mention Stuart's dive to

save the puck and compare it to Zanon's defensive lapses - but there are plenty

of other examples.

so yes the Preds have their justified reasons to complain about the refs. but they

simply can not use this to justify their 2-0 hole. they played some good hockey today

but for most part of the series are still outplayed by the Wings. I don't think those

calls are that much responsible for Wings series advantage

which of those two teams the league would like to win? that's conspiracy theory

but considering the fact that NHL capitalizes on playoff audience and this audience

is drawn by skill and adversity I'd say it's the Wings. on the other hand

Gary the Commish is strong on supporting Nashville market. but in all fairness

I'd (again) point to Wings as the team which is being favored (sp).

I'm not gonna agree with you on toughness. I like the way Wings are playing.

basically all our players play hard and don't shy away of physical play. I mean...

Hudler trying to mix it up and scrum???

[Yemack 1]

Firstly, if anything I thought Doc & co were pretty neutral for the whole game. If you thought that was biased, just watch TSN coverage of Wings game. You will find a new meaning of biased media.

Secondly, I think this game was as good as it is going to be in first round, intensity wise, against Nashvile

All stupid cliché's aside, I truely thought we would sweep these guys. Regardless of how tight they've played us all year. We still have a chance of that but going back into Nashville the Wings are gonna need to turn the tempo up cause you know Nashville is.

Lastly, it is still possible for Wings to come out of this series looking good.

[edicius 3,269]

Firstly, if anything I thought Doc & co were pretty neutral for the whole game. If you thought that was biased, just watch TSN coverage of Wings game. You will find a new meaning of biased media.

I dunno, all I heard from McGuire's mouth was, "Tootoo Tootoo Tootoo. Tootoo Tootoo, Tootoo? Tootoo, Tootoo Tootoo!"

[Majsheppard 203]

They totally want us to advance, that goes without saying.

Yet they want Sid or Ove to go futher then us and always want a big market team to get further.

Right now they are trying to figure out how to get the Capitals, Penguins, and Rangers into the finals together...

[This Is Bida 0]

I never said anything how their physical play. I was talking more about passion! They've played great physically and anyone who says the Wings are still a soft team obviously don't watch the games. I just think they need to turn up the desire and passion.

And yes, I agree, it is still possible for the Wings to come out looking good. I just hope something lights a spark under their asses and they kick it into 4th gear and start dominating some games the way they SHOULD dominate games (granted, I know, its playoffs and that doesn't happen often, but I hope you get my drift).

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

As I've said in the two other threads where Coach Trotz is the main subject...

I think it is perfectly fine more often than not to be critical of questionable calls as inconsistent officiating is a part of every game.

You got to overcome those questionable calls/no-calls though yourself. It's not just the refs. Your team has to step up as well.

Because to expect the refereeing to be 100% perfect or even close to it is unrealistic. I'm not saying that NHL referees are garbage, it's just a given that there's going to be uncertainty and questionable calls.

[Uncle Danny 155]

They totally want us to advance, that goes without saying.

Yet they want Sid or Ove to go futher then us and always want a big market team to get further.

Right now they are trying to figure out how to get the Capitals, Penguins, and Rangers into the finals together...

Well put. Barring a change in rules that allows two Eastern Conference teams to play for the cup, we're their number one for the Western slot in the eyes of NHL brass.

I think, in order, they'd like to see these matchups:

1) Wings / Rangers (biggest out of market team versus the biggest market team = ratings. The original 6 thing doesn't hurt)

2) Wings / Montreal (arguably the two most storied franchises in hockey, and two solid markets in two countries)

3) Wings / Pens (Crosby, Malkin, duh)

4 - 12) Replace Wings with, in order, Dallas (great market), Anaheim (decent market, but Cup Champs angle), Colorado (good market and national recognition both for the team and their stars)

13 - 16) West / Caps (AO, AO, AO...and a great David and Goliath story. The only reason I can see them rooting against this, assuming it was even possible (which it isn't, given the Caps talentpool) is that any Western team would sweep them like grandma's kitchen)

I might be willing to swap 2 and 3, but I think the number 1 slot is a lock. Every major sport gets wood when a New York team makes the finals.

[Gizmo 21]

I too think some call here went Wings way. especially seeing 2 quite similar goals

counting in for Wings and not for Preds makes one clear why Trotz might be complaining.

and to some extent he's right.

However, you have to balance the calls that went our way against that bogus "holding the stick" call against Hasek that was the genesis of the Preds 1st goal on the PP.

And with regard to NBC, in the first period they couldn't stop gushing all over the Preds.

Edited April 12, 2008 by Gizmo

[Uncle Danny 155]

However, you have to balance the calls that went our way against that bogus "holding the stick" call against Hasek that was the genesis of the Preds 1st goal on the PP.

And with regard to NBC, in the first period they couldn't stop gushing all over the Preds.

Agreed on the first period, but by the third, they couldn't stop talking about how deflated their bench was. Aside from some play by play snafus, I really didn't have much of a problem with the commentary.

[akustyk 84]

However, you have to balance the calls that went our way against that bogus "holding the stick" call against Hasek that was the genesis of the Preds 1st goal on the PP.

and the call on Stuart for skating alongside falling Radulov

then again - we're not talking here of calls having immediate

impact on goals. which does make a difference

IMHO, Trotz has some right here. but is not doing well about

voicing it. he gives his players a pat in the back when they

actually deserve some bashing. they made a lot of lapses

today and were way too often outmuscled to the pucks.

Trotz should not be giving excuses and let his players think

it's OK to make mistakes

Edited April 12, 2008 by akustyk

[SweWings 45]

Like Akustyk says, Trotz can complain all he wants but the calls aren't game defining.

[Superman54 91]

Trotz almost reminds me of the 2002 canuck series

Shows how much success whining gives ya

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

This isn't the NBA. In hockey, it's next to impossible for refs to purposely send a team to the Finals.

[CAredwingsfan91 28]

who cares its about time we start getting breaks from the refs...think about all the times homer got called for goalie interference when he wasn't even NEAR the goalie!

[akustyk 84]

as for Preds first nogoal today - there's video analysis at TSN where they

make some valid points. this actually looks like it could've been a legit

goal but the ref was too fast with his judgment and should've rather

send it for review.

this could surely change the game. but again - I don't see Preds winning

it then anyway

Edited April 12, 2008 by akustyk