russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 If you feel punching someone in the head after the whistle is going to help you win then that's what you should do. That's not the way we go about our business,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "Is toughness punching someone in the head after the whistle, or is toughness having the puck, or running over someone, or being in the right places, screening the goalie? Very good quote, and if that is team toughness we have plenty. If teaam toughness is cheap shots, well we weill always be lacking. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tommingthepuck96 1 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Seriousley the best coach in the NHL right now, wouldnt say best of all time but babcock is the man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Very good quote, and if that is team toughness we have plenty. If teaam toughness is cheap shots, well we weill always be lacking. QFT. While I'm definitely all about "standing up" to people and the like, the first "team toughness" aspect that Babcock described is much more important I think. This team showed it last year in the playoffs going to the WCF so nobody should be all too surprised to see them displaying it again this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sixer 37 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Seriousley the best coach in the NHL right now Couldn't agree more! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Secret 304 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Babs is a great coach.... Coach of the year this year if you ask me! But I am enjoying seeing the Kronwallian KO hits (that are boarder line illegal) and hope we can get a few more of our guys making the opposition think twice. I'm waiting for Stuart to start dishing some. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Exactly. I couldn't agree more with Babock. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 That quote will get under Ott's skin for sure. Modano too, since he referred to the Wings as a non-physical team or something like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueMonk 102 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 Team toughness is hugely important, but the crap we saw between Osgood and Ribeiro is what bothers me. This particular situation is tough, because even though the Stars had a man in the box, it was still a one goal game and you need good players out there. But things were getting chippy, thanks to Ott's antics, and the Wings had nobody on the ice to really deal with it at that point. I'm not saying it was the right time to put a goon on the ice, because I don't think it was. But the point I'm getting at is, when you don't have anyone to answer for something cheap like Ott was handing out, players tend to resort to cheap shots. This is still an issue for the Wings and I think they've been pretty fortunate not to have been burned by it throughout these playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 I still don't know what the phrase "team toughness" means. The teams toughness mostly comes from a select group of guys. I mean, if you're telling me Samuelsson and Lebda are bringing toughness to the lineup, well... honestly, I wouldn't have a response for that, because I'd be too shocked that people would think that way. I guess it's just an expression, more than anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 I still don't know what the phrase "team toughness" means. The teams toughness mostly comes from a select group of guys. I mean, if you're telling me Samuelsson and Lebda are bringing toughness to the lineup, well... honestly, I wouldn't have a response for that, because I'd be too shocked that people would think that way. I guess it's just an expression, more than anything. "Team tougness" means that when your players are getting their ass kicked and are being run from behind by the opposing team, to not retaliate, but to instead point at the scoreboard with an emphatic gesture, in order to show the other team what really matters. There. I've finally found a working definition which I myself just made. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 "Team tougness" means that when your players are getting their ass kicked and are being run from behind by the opposing team, to not retaliate, but to instead point at the scoreboard with an emphatic gesture, in order to show the other team what really matters. There. I've finally found a working definition which I myself just made. I figured it would be something along those lines. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 The Stars are suffering from Holmstrom Syndrome -- they've been pissed the hell off about "goalie interference" (not to mention getting their asses handed to them) since game one, and it was very clear in Game 2 that they were trying to "send a message" about it. With the game being so close in the Wings' favor, you just knew this message would turn ugly at the other side of the rink. Even if Ozzy hadn't initiated, something would have happened. I guess my point is that this whole thing sort of goes beyond the "toughness" issue. But Babs said what he should have said. Gotta work that PR machine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MississippiWing 14 Report post Posted May 12, 2008 The toughness thing reminds of a quote in todays Dallas paper from DMac about Ribero. GUTLESS. oh I can't wait to see what happens tonight. I think we will stay on game plan, but there may be some extra hits going around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
