gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 I can't blame people for losing faith in Ozzie when his performance dipped in the regular season but after what he did for the Wings last year, I can say I was disappointed to see them express it as much as they did. He was winning after all and neither him or the defense looked that good. I did feel his play had picked up in the end and that he deserved the starters job out of respect for last year if nothing else. They did it for Dom when Osgood was clearly playing better and this year he deserved the respect. I defend Ozzie on HF a lot and have seen things like Osgood doesn't do the things elite goalies do, steal games or series for his team. Ozzie could never be needed to carry the great and mighty wings for he only wins because he is lucky enought to have play on that great and mighty team. Last night wasn't the first time Osgood has both stolen a game/ series for the Winged wheel, the first round last year is a easy example of another time he hit the switch, transformed into Os-god and shut the door. Last night on HF I posted that if any of the other great goalies they feel are/were better than Ozzie had played that game, it would have been epic. They would tell you how ***** picked up his injured team and carried them into the cup to defend their title. There would be no question as to whether or not that the goalie was elite or deserved to be in the top ten. His place in the HOF would be unquestioned. That is of course any goalie not named Osgood, he will never be able to do enough in their eyes to deserve anything. Last night a goaltender by the name of Osgood rubbed their noses in it and showed why when asked, wouldn't you rather have Luongo, Ozzie fans just laugh. Hopefully next year his critics will think twice before they spew their venom onto the keyboard because if they don't, someone is going to tell them to STFU and learn to appreciate what the man has provided. One more thing. In 97, someone brought a sing that said Mike , we're sorry. I think it's time someone broke out the majic markers for Ozzie. HA! I remember that. Good post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltgator333 3 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 Ozzie was clutch-tastic last night. I think he was gunning for the SO definitely, but hey nobody would've stopped that backhander. I think he will outplay Fleury in the finals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 Well, my name hasn't appeared here yet, but I was always careful to preface my Osgood criticism with "if he plays like this" ie regular season form. Because lets all be honest here, Ozzie was absolutely brutal in the regular season. 3+ goals conceded game after game after game after game After game. After game. Luckily for him, he was bailed out by our incredible offensive talent night after night. Luckily for us, he has not played in the playoffs with his regular season form (and I use that word in the loosest sense). He has been fantastic. Rock-solid, no softies, and making big saves at key times. Such a turnaround in form is rare indeed from regular to post-season. Well done Chris Osgood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 I'm not going to go patting myself on the back for my support, but I will always support Osgood and believe in what he can do for this team. And it is too bad how many people got on his case this regular season thinking he wouldn't be able to bring it in the post-season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LoveMyWings8 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 I've always supported Osgood. Regardless of wether or not it was a good game, or a bad game. He's one of my favorite players on the entire hockey team, even throughout all the teams the past years. I loves me some Ozzie! Nothing beats, bein' at a Wings game (Sun. May 3rd, lol), and hearing the "Ahhhh-Ziieeeeee" chant, makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
denverswingsfan 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2009 No one is going to say Osgood had a good regular season. Aside from a groin injury, he just didn't look right. Neither did the rest of the team and that didn't help. They admittedly had a cup hang over and Ozzie's was bad. Luckily, they kept winning and it's not bad to kick the offenses ass once in a while in any event. The team gets lazy on tipped, screened and rebound goals and forgets that the bread and butter is taking it to the net, making the goalie move and picking your spot. Some times they just wont skate with the puck at all. The great thing is they all got over their hangovers in time to hit the ground running for the playoffs. When Osgood said I'll be ready, he wasn't kidding. It may have been his worst regular season ever statistically but I think it's going to be forgotten quickly amongst the back to back cup runs, his entry into the top tens all time for wins and games like last nights that will be considered clutch by any tender at any time. The silver lining to his bad season is that now he has gained the reputation of a playoff goalie, a proven winner and clutch in the big games. not just to his fans, the media too. I for one won't mind if he takes a breather again next season and doesn't play like a god in the regular season. As long as he plays like a Os-God in the playoffs I'm fine with it, really. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rocket Queen 30 1 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 Yeah.. major props to Ozzie for being Tha Shiznit once again! Anyone still hung up on goals from 10 years ago or a less than stellar regular season knows where they can shove their doubt. Woohoo! Go Ozzie! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted May 29, 2009 Edit: Shoreline, I'm hurt that you didn't include me in the Osgood lovers quotes. Or is it because those 2 page rants I always do doesn't fit? Sorry dude.. I got tired of searching. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 Steve Kouleas, host of HHT on the Score in Canada, pretty well known guy, and hasnt always been a big Wings fan. Says if Ozzie has a strong final he should be the Conn Smythe winner, and should be the 3rd goalie for Team Canada next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MidMichSteve 1,115 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) Whoever decided, toward the end of the season, that Ozzie needed a hiatus should be considered a genius. All rumors aside, it may have just simply been because it was time to gear up for the playoffs and he could use the time off. They also rested a few of the vets when the Presidents Cup seemed out of reach. I know that it's easy to say now, but at the time there sure was a lot of chatter about how soft we were and how slim our chances for a cup were. Including me. No wonder our front office and coaching staff are envied by every other franchise. They are able to see the big picture like no one else. I can think of no words to describe the job Ozzie, and the team as a whole, have done. They've really stepped it up and made believers of us all. Thank you Detroit Red Wings. We, the fans, should feel blessed. Edited May 29, 2009 by MidMichSteve Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris L 0 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 One can say a lot of things about the Wings this post season, many of them critical. They aren't perfect and there are cracks here or there. But one can't fault Ozzie for anything. Of the Wings this year, IMO, he's been the most solid and dependable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
henrik40 76 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 I was very critical of Ozzie during the regular season at points, but as far as I can remember I don't think I doubted him. Once he told the media "Don't you worry about me, I'll be ready" I was 100% confident in him. Being at game 7 against Anaheim was awesome chanting OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE during the handshakes. I love that man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djohns74 3 Report post Posted May 29, 2009 If we win the Cup, you can bet good money on Osgood landing the Conn Smythe. If it goes 7 games, there's a very good chance that Crosby or Malkin will get it since the only way the series GOES 7 games is if the offensive dominance continues for one or both of them. Otherwise, I firmly believe that it will and should be Osgood. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gcom007 1,465 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 I've always been an Osgood supporter/believer. I've never been a slappy. I think I might be becoming a slappy. Osgood for Conn Smythe. Honestly. Not to mention Hall of Fame... Love it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 I've always been an Osgood supporter/believer. I've never been a slappy. I think I might be becoming a slappy. Osgood for Conn Smythe. Honestly. Not to mention Hall of Fame... Love it. Couldn't agree more. Osgood is punching his ticket into the hockey hall of fame. The engraver for the Conn Smythe might as well put "Chris Osgood" on there right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sixer 37 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 OZZIE OZZIE OZZIE!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drfnr14 0 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 thank you ozzy! amazing play tonight! keep it up!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 Some of us have always known Ozzie was awesome. We should have never let him go. I'm glad for what he's doing. All of the naysayers can't say he couldn't have brought us Cup Victory way back when we decided to let him go...oh well about that. Here's hoping he brings home another one! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 (edited) Offsides-sighting! Oz was a beeeeaaaast tonight. When things didn't bounce his way, Hank gave him a hug and everything was hunky-dory. Edited May 31, 2009 by Heroes of Hockeytown Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 That save on Malkin was the game IMO. If the Wings win with the status quo then Chris is your 2009 Conn Smythe winner. No debate. Which is incredible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Offsides 21 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 Offsides-sighting! Oz was a beeeeaaaast tonight. When things didn't bounce his way, Hank gave him a hug and everything was hunky-dory. I'm elusive like something that is elusive I agree on the Oz for Conn Smythe comment (of course) but I feel like it's a make-up trophy for last year now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yak19 303 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 OZZIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 Ozzie is going to get Conn Smythe. The guy is amazing. He can suck all next regular season, I'll never doubt him again. He's born for the playoffs now, whatever his past was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 Shoreline... I am stunned that you omitted ME. I mean...how hard would one of MY in-depth posts supporting Ozzie have been to find? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dynheart 42 Report post Posted May 31, 2009 Just an observation, but does it seem that Ozzie is a much better goaltender after he reinvented himself? Yea, he had a bad regular season, but he admitted that he wasn't ready to play. He wanted to enjoy the win more. Before he reinvented himself, he was pretty old school. Butterfly what? This guy was a stand-up goalie through and through. Now he's more of a hybrid goalie, but with his own style. Although his rebound control was shakey last night, I don't think he was as bad as people say it was. If there is one thing he retained after reinventing himself, it was that he deflects the shot instead of swallowing it up. Old fashion goal tending right there. And if you ask me, that takes more effort and skill than to just swallow it up and stop the play. He's been awesome this play-off run, and if he puts up numbers like this in the regular season, and god willing, an ther play-off run...that will only solidify my observation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
