Game one notes...

[Dawgs 0]

I was at game 1 against Dallas and game 2 against the Avs. Those games were packed. If you know the situation with concession sales and bathrooms at the Joe youd understand why at the beginning and end of periods the place looks empty. The fans are all out on the freaking concourse. People dont get into thier seats until the 5:00 minute mark and start trickling out again at the 15:00 minute mark so you end up with a full looking house for about 10 minutes/period.

Also the great majority of the lower bowl seats you see on TV are corporate owned. Those ticket holders often have much less of a vested interest in the actual game so spend more time away from thier seats.

Pile on the economy here in Michigan which is by far the worst in the nation and among the highest gas prices in the country and your typical blue collar hockey fan must decide on 200 hundred bucks for a ticket or putting gas in your car so ya can get to work.

[Graybeard 0]

I don't understand why everyone rips on nashville? Besides being from a non typical hockey area, the preds so far have played better than any team we have faced in these playoffs. That also includes the first game by Dallas Stars. So until the Stars play better than the Preds against us, it shouldn't be brought up. We won the right to play the lower seeds in the playoffs because we won our conference period. Yes we had an easier path to get there, but that just means we will be fresher, more energized and by the looks of game 1, alot more hungry for it.

Exactly what I've been thinking. With different seeding Nashville could very well still be in it. They would most likely have beat San Jose with a lot less effort. When it's all said and done, the Nashville series will probably be our hardest in the Western Conference.

While I'm talking about San Jose why is it that no matter how good their team is, they choke when it comes to the playoffs? I was really hoping they could make it to the WCF so I could go see Detroit play them out here.

[tweekvp 0]

I don't understand why everyone rips on nashville? Besides being from a non typical hockey area, the preds so far have played better than any team we have faced in these playoffs. That also includes the first game by Dallas Stars. So until the Stars play better than the Preds against us, it shouldn't be brought up. We won the right to play the lower seeds in the playoffs because we won our conference period. Yes we had an easier path to get there, but that just means we will be fresher, more energized and by the looks of game 1, alot more hungry for it.

I agree that Nashville is the best defensive team we have played so far. Their D combined with Ellis has been the only things slowing the Detroit offense this post season.

However I think Dallas is the best team we have played as far as offense. The Wings got some breaks on situations that could have easy goals.

The biggest problem for Dallas is they are actually facing a team with some offense this series. The bottom of the league offenses for Anaheim and San Jose made Turco look good but the Wings will not.

Combine that with the fact that Detroit does have a hot goalie and great D and I think this series will not be nearly as competitive as the analyst think.

[CAWingsfan25 0]

While I'm talking about San Jose why is it that no matter how good their team is, they choke when it comes to the playoffs? I was really hoping they could make it to the WCF so I could go see Detroit play them out here.

I'm just down the hill from you and I was hoping for the same thing. I was looking forward to watching the fish lose to the wings in the tank. It was my only hope at catching a playoff game this year..So much for wishing!

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Well, we got whooped.

Im not quite sure what team boarded the plane to Detroit, but it sure wasn't the Dallas Stars. We looked like an adult instructional league all night long. We have got to stay out of the box. 3 powerplay goals? Seriously? What the heck happened to our penalty kill. I know one of the came on a 5-on-3(which shouldn't have been IMO), but still...unacceptable. Not to mention our powerplay hardly occupying the offensive zone.

Top to bottom we were outplayed. We looked tired(i dont know why), and just flat-out uninterested.

We need to come out game two and play Stars hockey. With the heart and grit we've come accustomed to seeing. That was bush. Although, I think it's silly some of you guys here and over on our board are talking sweep.

On a side note, I know this has probably been beaten to death already, but where in the heck did ya'lls fans go? Is there a bar or something in the arena( I know thats where alot of our folks go). I was expecting it to get better and it never did.

Well, here is to a better game two.

Just wanted to say welcome to the boards. It's good to have fans from the other team who are not trolls, and make informed posts (moreso than many people here). We're full of beans because of the winning streak right now, but fear not, if the Wings lose a game, people here will rip the team to shreds better than any Stars fan could hope to.

I agree the 5 on 3 was pretty weak. They both should've gone if the refs wanted to send a message, or there should've been no call. The Wings played well, got a couple breaks, and most importantly capitalized on them. For whatever reason, the Stars didn't bring their A-game, and I'm guessing they'll be closer to form today. The good thing is, I honestly don't think Detroit was completely firing on all cylinders either. Should be a good one.

[DallasStars 0]

I was at game 1 against Dallas and game 2 against the Avs. Those games were packed. If you know the situation with concession sales and bathrooms at the Joe youd understand why at the beginning and end of periods the place looks empty. The fans are all out on the freaking concourse. People dont get into thier seats until the 5:00 minute mark and start trickling out again at the 15:00 minute mark so you end up with a full looking house for about 10 minutes/period.

Also the great majority of the lower bowl seats you see on TV are corporate owned. Those ticket holders often have much less of a vested interest in the actual game so spend more time away from thier seats.

Pile on the economy here in Michigan which is by far the worst in the nation and among the highest gas prices in the country and your typical blue collar hockey fan must decide on 200 hundred bucks for a ticket or putting gas in your car so ya can get to work.

We have some of the same problems here in Dallas...well, except for the economy one. Lower bowl and suites are heavily corporate owned. There will be patches of empty seats(usually in 4's) and completly empty suites. It's embarrassing. I wasn't trying to rip on you guys for having low attendance, because i can promise you we will have empty seats, too.

I was just wondering what factors went into it. I figured alot were in the concourse. Also, I read that just getting to the arena(construction, parking) is a hassle. And, that there is only one entrance to the arena? Is this true? That sucks if it is.

[Dawgs 0]

We have some of the same problems here in Dallas...well, except for the economy one. Lower bowl and suites are heavily corporate owned. There will be patches of empty seats(usually in 4's) and completly empty suites. It's embarrassing. I wasn't trying to rip on you guys for having low attendance, because i can promise you we will have empty seats, too.

I was just wondering what factors went into it. I figured alot were in the concourse. Also, I read that just getting to the arena(construction, parking) is a hassle. And, that there is only one entrance to the arena? Is this true? That sucks if it is.

No offense taken here, no worries. Were just a little sensitive about it because its one of the main topics among hockey pundits when they talk about Detroit. Mitch Alboms uninformed article sent in from his digs in L.A. havent helped matters.

I used to have season tickets. They were in my family since the 1949 season. I can no longer afford to keep them. I have a flatwork concrete business and there has been no work for 2 years. Its tuff when contractors are making bids that will lose them money just so they dont lose thier crews and therefore their company. Not to mention thier equipment and their homes. I bid a MDOT job at 3.85 a foot that in 2005 I would have bid 5.85 a foot. At 5.85 I make about 10% profit. Thats before fuel jumped over 1.00 a gallon in the last year. Ill lose at 3.85 but I cant lose my guys. The worst part is they had near 50 bids and I was middle of the pack. It seems every job I get is further and further from home. I did a job in Ohio last fall and in Florida this spring. Now Im considering an offer to go to Iraq as a rodbuster on a one year contract. Im 42 years old with a wife and family and a degree in construction engineering and I have to go back to laboring just to keep the things I have now. But 182k for a years work is awful tempting no matter if contractors are being kidnapped and beheaded or not.

[OsGOD 3]

We have some of the same problems here in Dallas...well, except for the economy one. Lower bowl and suites are heavily corporate owned. There will be patches of empty seats(usually in 4's) and completly empty suites. It's embarrassing. I wasn't trying to rip on you guys for having low attendance, because i can promise you we will have empty seats, too.

I was just wondering what factors went into it. I figured alot were in the concourse. Also, I read that just getting to the arena(construction, parking) is a hassle. And, that there is only one entrance to the arena? Is this true? That sucks if it is.

If somebody can spot me $215 (cause that is all thats left) then i will gladly fill a seat... just for the record that price for one game is the same as going to three(3) games in the regular season (two of which could be against these same exact Dallas Stars!)

The Joe has two entrances and construction isn't all that big of an issue (at least for me coming down to the joe) Hell coming down isn't the problem i and 25mins from it.... its the getting in part that rapes me!

I have been to 4 games out of the 6 so far... while its enjoyable as hell being there... your wallet takes it up the ass

Edited May 10, 2008 by OsGOD

[BigShooter 0]

If somebody can spot me $215 (cause that is all thats left) then i will gladly fill a seat... just for the record that price for one game is the same as going to three(3) games in the regular season (two of which could be against these same exact Dallas Stars!)

The Joe has two entrances and construction isn't all that big of an issue (at least for me coming down to the joe) Hell coming down isn't the problem i and 25mins from it.... its the getting in part that rapes me!

I have been to 4 games out of the 6 so far... while its enjoyable as hell being there... your wallet takes it up the ass

ROFL, My wife bought me two tickets to the Michigan vs. Wisconsin game this year at the Big House, cost around 3 bills each. Now I love Wings hockey and Michigan football, but the cost of ferrying across the lake, staying in a hotel, and tickets to games is just too damn much for me. I'll get to fulfill the dream of seeing a game at the Big House this year, Maybe next year I'll get to the Joe for a game or two. You guys who live close don't know how good you've got it man, I swear.

I almost bought tickets for game one of the Dallas series at last moment's notice, but my wife went into labor with our first child, so I've been busy, but I'm there in spirit, and on versus at least.