VladyIBELIEVE16 257 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 As some of you know I gather RWNW out here on the west coast. I was pm'ed yesterday by a writer for the local paper here the OC Register. Here's the article. I wanted to share it with you! http://ducks.freedomblogging.com/2008/10/3...ghborhood/2096/ Red Wings Nation is growing in Ducks’ neighborhood October 30th, 2008, 10:28 am · Post a Comment · posted by Al Balderas, staff writer “Duckman” noticed it and made mention of it on the OC Register’s Ducks blog page during Wednesday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. Register columnist Randy Youngman and a few others seated in the high-altitude press box noticed it, too. When Teemu Selanne sealed his hat trick in Wednesday night’s overtime Ducks victory, the reaction of the 17,174 fans at Honda Center was pathetic. It took close to 30 seconds before one measly hat went zipping through the air. I didn’t see more than two hats land on the ice. By night’s end, more octopi had landed on the Honda Center ice than hats. And the Ducks were the winning team!!! By contrast, it was easy to feel that buzz in the arena that was generated by the Red Wings fans in attendance. At about 5:45 p.m., more than an hour before the game started, the cluster of Red Wings fans was already growing in section 209, near the tunnel that leads to the Wings’ locker room. They all wore their Red Wings’ sweaters. They all shared a common bond. It was a bond that was built on their love and dedication to the Red Wings. And their knowledge of hockey. Tamara McMahon moved to Orange County from Detroit eight years ago but has never once thought about becoming a Ducks’ fan. When she attended her first Ducks game, it was against the Red Wings. “I was shocked,” said McMahon, a Mission Viejo resident with California-girl looks. “The first time I came to a Ducks game, I saw so much red. It was shocking.” The majority Southern California Red Wings fans know each other and connect through the Web site letsgowings.com. The efforts of Jacqui White, president of Red Wings Nation West, matched the screen names to the faces. When Wings’ fans arrived at Honda Center for Wednesday night’s game, White greeted them with hugs and handshakes. She knows her fellow Wings’ fans by first name, not just screen name. White attended Steve Yzerman’s retirement ceremony in 2007. She vividly remembers watching Vladimir Konstantinov as he was wheeled to the ice after the Red Wings captured the 1998 Stanley Cup. Konstantinov, as a reminder to Ducks fans, helped the Wings win the Cup in 1997 but was severely injured six days later when the limousine he was riding in crashed just outside of Detroit. “The Red Wings are America’s Team,” said White, a native of Massachusetts. “I’ve suffered through horrific seasons, devastating losses and have been lucky enough to see four Stanley Cup Championships.” White’s house is the center of attention when the Wings are playing in other cities, including Detroit. That’s where Red Wings fans gather for viewing parties, where they’re treated to hockey and White’s home cooking. “I’ve had events at my house,” she said. “People come over for games and I cook for them.” While the city of Detroit is widely known for its burned out buildings and criminal element, the Red Wings Nation West wasn’t created to bash other teams or their fans. This nation isn’t nearly as obnoxious as those who consider themselves residents of Red Sox Nation. With Wings’ fans, it’s more about the hockey. It’s more about the team. It’s more about their knowledge and love for the sport. When Duck Guy, as he’s known on letsgowings.com, arrived at Honda Center on Wednesday night, he was wearing a Red Wings sweater. His heart, however, was still with the Ducks. “I hope the Ducks win in overtime because that way both teams will get a point,” said Duck Guy, known to more people in this world as Mitchell Giranda. He didn’t get beat up for voicing his wish, even after it came true. Red Wings Nation West will shrug off Wednesday’s loss and be geared up for tonight’s game at San Jose. They’d have done the same had the Red Wings beaten the Ducks. It’s a way of life from October through April (perhaps June) for those who carry the Red Wings in their hearts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladdy16 2,154 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Okay, Ducks Guy in a WINGS sweater at the game?? Someone absolutely must fill me in on how this came to be. Way to represent, VIB! Congrats. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j.hoop 64 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 awesome !! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VladyIBELIEVE16 257 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 We've converted Duck Guy even if he won't admit it. Thanks it's really cool. What a better forum to get MORE people to join LGW I plugged the site shamelessly last night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Wow that's really cool VladyIBELIEVE16! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VladyIBELIEVE16 257 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Thanks. I will say the most hilarious thing is my mother's response and I quote "Very nice write up. I didn't know you were President of RedWings WEST!! The things you find out about reading articles in the newspaper." Apparently she forgot picking up the gigantic sheet cake with the gigantic purple octopus on it that said LETS GO RED WINGS on it for the playoffs in May LOL when I had my foot surgery and couldn't drive!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 When Teemu Selanne sealed his hat trick in Wednesday night’s overtime Ducks victory, the reaction of the 17,174 fans at Honda Center was pathetic. It took close to 30 seconds before one measly hat went zipping through the air. I didn’t see more than two hats land on the ice. By night’s end, more octopi had landed on the Honda Center ice than hats. And the Ducks were the winning team!!! The best part of the whole thing...very cool article. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Awesme to hear Duck Guy was in a Wings jersey! But I think the best part of the story was that there was that more octopi had hit the ice by the end of the game than hats for Selanne's hat trick! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vladdy16 2,154 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Awesme to hear Duck Guy was in a Wings jersey! But I think the best part of the story was that there was that more octopi had hit the ice by the end of the game than hats for Selanne's hat trick! 1) Agreed. Very cool. 2) Disagree. I think the octopi are flying much too often and too early these days. First game of the season and gearing down the season into the playoffs, but anything in between and on opposing ice superfluously diminishes the tradition IMHO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VladyIBELIEVE16 257 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Click my signature to see Duck Guy in a Wings jersey. It's under the Ducks/Wings 10/29 thread I would like to point out the writer missed the essence of why I'm a wings fan. I wrote him a huge email first thing when I got the PM yesterday morning. Sort of disappoints me as there's no transition to why I'm a wings fan from Mass/CA... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kozac 10 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 1) Agreed. Very cool. 2) Disagree. I think the octopi are flying much too often and too early these days. First game of the season and gearing down the season into the playoffs, but anything in between and on opposing ice superfluously diminishes the tradition IMHO. I'm with you 100%. Too much octopi these days, and its definitely diminishing the effect. The fans should really pick their spots and, otherwise, keep it in their pants (no pun intended ). The octopi should be unexpected and effective like a Datsyukian deke. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 thats pretty freakin cool ... i love seeing the sea of red stand out at away games.. i wonder is the "lets go redwings" chant is still as big as it used to be in Phoenix? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T-Ruff 47 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) Awesome read, good work RWNW! agreed on the octopus throwing... If I'm not mistaken someone chucked one on the ice during play... thats a no-no Edited October 30, 2008 by T-Ruff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shockwave180 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Great job, Jacqui. Represent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) 1) Agreed. Very cool. 2) Disagree. I think the octopi are flying much too often and too early these days. First game of the season and gearing down the season into the playoffs, but anything in between and on opposing ice superfluously diminishes the tradition IMHO. Also agreed with you on number 2. But what I meant by more octopi than hats for Selanne is that it shows what kind of "fans" the Ducks have, the same ones who didn't know what was happening at Honda Center later one evening (the first game of their title defense in the playoffs last year) and that they were playing the Canadian city of Minnesota during the Finals in 07. Good thing that there are fans like Duck Guy who are knowledgeable and give respect to the Ducks name, rather than the majority who had no idea what hockey was until 2007. Edited October 30, 2008 by Hockeytown0001 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania 156 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 1) Agreed. Very cool. 2) Disagree. I think the octopi are flying much too often and too early these days. First game of the season and gearing down the season into the playoffs, but anything in between and on opposing ice superfluously diminishes the tradition IMHO. i agree, I don't know what the deal is, it pissed me off seeing so many octopi last night though. It's a playoff tradition, let's keep it that way, oh and it was really lame when someone through one while the game was still going on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiuDUCKSfan 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 Also agreed with you on number 2. But what I meant by more octopi than hats for Selanne is that it shows what kind of "fans" the Ducks have, the same ones who didn't know what was happening at Honda Center later one evening (the first game of their title defense in the playoffs last year) and that they were playing the Canadian city of Minnesota during the Finals in 07. Good thing that there are fans like Duck Guy who are knowledgeable and give respect to the Ducks name, rather than the majority who had no idea what hockey was until 2007. In defense of my fellow Ducks fans, Teemu's second goal looked like it was scored by Niedermayer if you didn't have the advantage of replay and when I saw it, I thought Scotty had tapped it in. When the PA announcer (who is terrible and hard to understand) repeated the goal, I believe NIedermayer was called for a penalty and the crowd was reacting to that while he was announcing it. I know that Anaheim has a bad rep in terms of their fan base and there is some legitimacy to it, but there are a lot of people out here who are passion about hockey who have been fans since before 2007 and a lot since the inception of the franchise. I am sure there are some people who jumped on the Red Wings wagon this since they won the Cup. It happens in every major sport and unfortunately, they seem to be the loudest and most obnoxious, i.e. throwing an octopus in the middle of the play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 That is freaking awesome! Way to go, Jacqui! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermania 156 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 In defense of my fellow Ducks fans, Teemu's second goal looked like it was scored by Niedermayer if you didn't have the advantage of replay and when I saw it, I thought Scotty had tapped it in. When the PA announcer (who is terrible and hard to understand) repeated the goal, I believe NIedermayer was called for a penalty and the crowd was reacting to that while he was announcing it. I know that Anaheim has a bad rep in terms of their fan base and there is some legitimacy to it, but there are a lot of people out here who are passion about hockey who have been fans since before 2007 and a lot since the inception of the franchise. I am sure there are some people who jumped on the Red Wings wagon this since they won the Cup. It happens in every major sport and unfortunately, they seem to be the loudest and most obnoxious, i.e. throwing an octopus in the middle of the play. I completely know what you're talking about, to be honest when people starting throwing their hats, I looked around like "what the f***? Do they think 3 points is a hat trick?" because I thought Neidermayer had got the 2nd goal as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hiuDUCKSfan 0 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 I completely know what you're talking about, to be honest when people starting throwing their hats, I looked around like "what the f***? Do they think 3 points is a hat trick?" because I thought Neidermayer had got the 2nd goal as well. Yeah it is easy to see it on replays, especially when they can show it from 8 different angles but when you are there in person and you have a combination of a terrible PA guy and a playoff atmosphere, it isn't as easy to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShanahanMan 473 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 (edited) Ride on Jacqui! Instant celebrity!!! Sorry I couldn't join you guys, evening college classes blow. I lost my phone last week and actually just got your texts yesterday. SORRRRRRRY! Edited October 30, 2008 by ShanahanMan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben_usmc 253 Report post Posted October 30, 2008 national recognition for the letsgowings nation sweet... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
j.hoop 64 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 thats pretty freakin cool ... i love seeing the sea of red stand out at away games.. i wonder is the "lets go redwings" chant is still as big as it used to be in Phoenix? oh hell yeah it is. that place is electric when the wings score, though i have noticed more and more coyotes fans year after year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
betterREDthandead 58 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Nice, Jacqui! Now that's publicity for RWNW. Plus I think Duck Guy's conversion is complete they're not letting him back into the (extremely tiny) club of Ducks fans now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted October 31, 2008 Groovy cool on the interview! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
