WingsZR2 1 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 (edited) 34.7 The number that will forever be etched in my mind. A half minute away from capturing Lord Stanley at home, in front of thousands who for that one night had no problems dragging them down, no worries about what bad news might be presented to them tomorrow. “ We want the Cup†resonating throughout Joe Louis, everyone standing, hugging each other, jumping up and down like a kid on Christmas morning. You could tell they wanted it, at home with all of us there to celebrate with them. Sometimes things don’t work out like they should, sometimes it takes a little longer to get the job done, sometimes it can’t be done that day. One person needed to respond, more so than anyone else, Ozzie. He did, and with that #11 was in the books. While the Wings were partying, taking the Cup to places it’s never seen one man stayed behind, never content that his job is finished. Ken Holland pulls off one of the biggest free agent signings in recent memory, Marian Hossa, the guy that almost derailed the train in Pittsburgh. He wanted to win and turned down millions of dollars for a one year shot, the smallest window possible to win a championship. “Go ahead and give them the Cup†the analysts would say, “Detroit is the early favorite to win in 09â€. However the games had to be played and no one backed down to the mighty Wings. They got the best effort from every opponent, every night, everyone wanted their shot at the kings. The Wings were the measuring stick to which all others tested themselves against. Some nights it was no contest, almost unfair the way the Wings methodically picked apart the other team. Other nights is was downright atrocious the effort they gave, lack of heart all along the bench. Statically the worst season of Chris Osgood’s career, the PK struggled like no other, rebounds left ripe for the picking in the slot all day long, turnovers for days. Ty Conklin tried to win the starting job but couldn’t. He won countless times at JLA, some thought we might be looking at another 1A 1B rotation like the year before, it didn’t pan out. Our captain, arguably the greatest defenseman in the history of the game had a bum elbow, Hank’s back flared up, Kronner and Stuart weren’t destroying everything in front of them. Players got hurt, it happens in such a fast and physical game. In November the hangover questions started to come up, wait until December they said, then January, then February. As the season progressed the questions kept coming up, can they get it together, are they just toying with us? Well my dear friends, the time is now upon us. If there is a switch that can be flipped I believe this team can do it. On paper we’re stacked, scorers upon scorers, grinders ready to go to work, a goalie who has been there and done that, twice. The next two months aren’t necessarily a journey because these guys already know how to get there. 07 was a blend between too many injuries and not enough time, 08 we took nothing for granted and left it on the ice every single night. We’ll get the answers to the questions we’ve been asking all season, I can only hope that the Wings have all the right answers. “We don’t want to win a Cup, we want to win Cups†Ken Holland Edited April 15, 2009 by WingsZR2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PROBIE4PREZ 58 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 nicely done Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwin 240 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 Well said! :beerbuddy: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chunkylover 26 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 Nice piece. I appreciated the fair distribution of blame for this seasons struggles: Ozzie did have a bad year, but the team also played sloppy. Great quote from Holland at the end there, where is it from? I've believed all season that once the playoffs arrived the Wings would take it to the next level. We'll see starting tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingsZR2 1 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 Great quote from Holland at the end there, where is it from? I can't remember what story Kenny's quote came from. It was recent, it went along with his answer as to how he can get players to take discounts. The jist of his reply was that they have Redbird making travel easy on the team, a passionate fan base but one that lets the guys live their life and that the money they save on individual contracts will go towards signing other great players. Last line of the quote was about winning cups. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 That was deep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted April 15, 2009 i like it dude. not too much to say in response. god, i'm so giddy this time of year. they'll be ready. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
