WCSF GAME 3 GDT: Red Wings 1 at Ducks 2

[ChelisChick 174]

I literally started getting cramps in my middle fingers from giving the bird to the Ducks in the first period. 'Course my voice is going now too, but husband went to bed so now I gotta try to cool it. :flamingmad:

I guess that's one good thing about da' hubby being in Iraq. I can cuss out the tv and not have to worry!

[Nightfall 871]

The more I watch the Ducks, the more I am impressed with their play. They outplayed the Sharks the same way and eliminated them. Their forwards are out backchecking our forwards. Its the little things like that and others that tilt the ice in their favor.

I laughed at the scores of Wings fans that were praying for the Ducks to beat the Sharks so we could play them. Well, we got what we wanted and the Wings are going to have to pick up their game if they want to win this series. I guess we will see what the second and third period bring.

[Thunderpriest 8]

Folks, Babcock is losing this series for us right now.

What adjustments has he made? None.

He needs to put Datsyuk & Zetterberg back together, and I mean right now.

He's got the Wings playing a frightened, defensive game. We should be forechecking when we're backchecking. Anaheim is beating us to every single loose puck.

Watch....in their zone, we've got one, maybe two forwards near the puck and Anaheim has us out-manned by 2 players......because we're afraid of a breakout and have a third forward high.

We need to take charge and play with the puck in their offensive zone, or we're done.

I don't see the desperation from our forwards, and it's frustrating as hell.

Put Z & Dats back together with Holmstrom, play Filpulla with Hossa & the Mule,

let Hudler center Cleary & Samuelsson and throw Helm, Maltby & Kopecky together.

We're deeper than them, but Babs keeps 40 & 13 apart.

Has it worked so far?

Nope.

Damn frustrating!

[Statts 4]

We're never going to beat the Ducks --> You read it here first ... I JUST HOPE SOMEONE RUBS THIS COMMENT ON MY FACE ...

Its been noted, and yes I will

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Wings score 4 in the second. Hold me to it.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!!!!

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

The wings may be hitting, but they arent playing Babcock toughness. Taking a hit to get a loose puck, racing after the loose puck, giving everything you got to win a battle, that's what I want to see in this second period. That'll get things rolling, keep up the physical play, but get the transition game and the pucks battles into it.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

So we get what?

5 seconds of PP time left?

[Glubki 17]

Tentative/***** hockey on offense - some good checking but it looks like a pee wee team vs. a pro team when they enter the zone. I agree that Babs better switch some lines around or the ship will sink pretty fast here in the next two periods.

[Matt 1,049]

And Raffi, you must be damn hurt. I don't know what hurts more for you, the injury or watching this.

I honestly believe it's his groin again. I don't believe it's an "upper body" injury as it wouldn't explain why he's not skating. You'd think he'd keep up with that for conditioning purposes. He's already missed games with a groin issue (late in the season, too), so it wouldn't be surprising if he tweaked it. Doesn't really explain why the Wings wouldn't just call it lower body, however.

[Wings_Rule_1010 4]

Anyone know the shot total for each team?

[YoungGuns1340 1]

If the Wings decide to actually show some intensity out there instead of waiting for pucks to come to them, reaching with their sticks or waiting far too long to convert on chances.... things might be a bit different.

What I'm seeing out there is a Red Wings team that's tentative and not willing to match the Ducks' determination and intensity level at the moment. If there's a loose puck it's a Duck flying in to go after it. The Detroit player waits for it to come to him.

It's a shoulda-woulda-coulda, but Detroit could've easily had a 2-0 lead on Datsyuk's chance out front (before allowing Wisniewski to get back) and Samuelsson's interception.

No. Killer. Instinct.

Great post, Matt. The evidence was all over the place in the first period. Beaten to the puck over and over again. If they kick it up a few notches, this is an entirely different series, advantage Wings.

[Reds4Life 51]

Oh, two games then. K. Point remains.

Let's give 'em two more periods before the mashing of the panic button.

lol

another blind homer

you know, criticism != panic!

Edited May 6, 2009 by Reds4Life

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

hahah who was there tough 4th line last year? we didnt even play a physical team last year. we lost drake. datsyuk and kronwall were 2 of our leading hitters last year. the wings r hitting they just arent seein the ice well. they cant find each oither. every team has games like this. its nothin to get pissed off about and criticize our players.

You're diminishing McCarty and Drake's contributions to the team last year.

Helm is still here, but those other 2 players brought energy that our 4th line is lacking from anyone else right now.

[catbox_9 1]

How about a good period this time?

[aflac9262 211]

agreed, and they need to shoot to kill. I counted at least four misses tonight, and Pasha and Z among them. One shot on goal each, one miss each. Homer and Mule, no SOG.

I expect better in the next period (or two).

I certainly hope they don't hand Hiller a SHUT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shut out shut out shut out....

Yeah I heard that Hiller guy really likes them SHUTOUTS!

[Wingsallwin 0]

Ok, the 2nd period looks to start. If the Wings play no better than the first period, I am going to break the window

[redwashington2000 42]

Hey guys does anyone have Babs email address?????

Lets email him what we think about his actions.

[betterREDthandead 58]

I'm 100% in favor of reuniting ZDH. Who plays on the 2nd?

Gimme Franzen, Sammy, and Homer if ZDH is reunited. A Swedish trio. Sammy's looked pretty OK so far, he's had some chances.

[MidMichSteve 1,115]

Can't complain about the officiating when you get the same amount of power plays as the other team.

Power play has not been very good so far anyways. They have had better chances on the PK then our PP.

Let's get them this period. GO WINGS!

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

No. Killer. Instinct.

That's all it is right there.

It's not intimidation and it's not exactly a lack of interest like what we saw in the regular season.

It's a lack of an attitude to put their foot on the Ducks throat and finish things.

[zettie85 106]

Oh, two games then. K. Point remains.

Let's give 'em two more periods before the mashing of the panic button.

I agree.

[Jake Ryan 1]

Why is Holmstrom getting a FREE PASS with all of this line juggling and finger pointing. To me, this guy is one of the reasons that Datsyuk and Hossa are having a hard time. He's slow, and he really isn't asserting any type of real physical presence out there. Get Helm up and get Holmstrom down. Give Homer his power play time, and not 5-5 time.

[SuperNovaXll 124]

Lets hope for a better 2nd. Common Wings show some life!

[Dabura 12,232]

There's plenty of people who agree with me too.

Congrats, you're all wrong.

Again, this is not an issue of physicality. Not explicitly, at least. It's about urgency, tenacity -- HEART. And right now, the Wings just aren't showing it. And it's not because ZOMG THEYRE ALL SOFT EUROS AND THEY DON'T HAVE DOWNEY TO PROTECT THEM!!111111

[EuroTwin 240]

Start of the 2nd! GO WINGS

GOOOO WWIIIIIINNNNGGGSSSS!