WCSF Game 7 GDT: Red Wings 2 at Sharks 3

[Vladiator 116]

All aboard the Tampa bandwagon!

Go team Yzerman!

Yeah this board will probably become the unofficial letgobolts board now. Dissapointed we lost, but even though I watched every preseason game that was aired, all 82 games, and every playoff game, I'm really proud of this team....Go Wings.

Go Bolts!!

[VM1138 1,921]

So was it Hudler during that power play(or slightly after, it is a little fuzzy) who dropped that puck back behind the net while he was going away from it? He dropped it right into two Wings and two Sharks when he had all day if he continued up around the boards.

Hudler looked terrified every time he touched the puck. I understand that he has the skill and so had to be out there, but it seemed like a waste to be feeding him the puck or having him carry it in. He blew several great chances to pass to a Sharks player.

But then again, that was the story of this series, every pass being intercepted, and a force field around the open net while Niemi was way out of position.

[xtrememachine1 795]

MAJOR props to Jimmy. He's earned my complete confidence with his playoff performance.

Yeah, I feel much better about Howard going forward. He was solid, consistent and much better in the playoffs than last year.

[dragonballgtz 273]

Off with Hudler's Head

[bdavis 28]

1. Nick's not retiring. He's a Norris finalist. Again.

2. Z is a lock for the C. Though Dats is arguably best player in the game, he just cannot vocally lead the team like Z will.

I dunno man, Nick's wife may be kinda pissy about him playing at age 41 lol. Also, I'd love to see Dats as captain instead (instead of Z that is), because he has such great heart and talent. He always turns the game back around when the team is down. He earns his money day-in and day-out.

Edited May 13, 2011 by bdavis

[MTU_Huskies963 398]

Hudler looked terrified every time he touched the puck. I understand that he has the skill and so had to be out there, but it seemed like a waste to be feeding him the puck or having him carry it in. He blew several great chances to pass to a Sharks player.

I don't get how you pick huds over Mo. So frustrating he would be a huge boost to the PP.

But then again, that was the story of this series, every pass being intercepted, and a force field around the open net while Niemi was way out of position.

[brennan17 64]

The way the wings battled the last part of the game without cleary, bert and franzen was pretty damn impressive. Im upset at the moment but also proud of what these guys did. And datsyuk and zetterberg are just absolutely fantastic players to watch..Im excited for next year and maybe we can see some nice young talent come up.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

It's nights like this that I miss Mindfly.

[reppintealtown 3]

Great series, much respect to you guys and your team. You guys showed a s*** ton of heart and resiliency, something I hope my team can learn from these last few games. Hold your heads high. I have no doubt (barring a collapse on our end) that we'll see you around this time next year.

[puckbags 863]

Much much much worse. I am pretty proud of the wings tonight. I have never been more angry or upset with the team after the 09 loss.

I agree 09 was worse because obviously it was for the cup but this is a close 2nd and leaves a pretty stinky taste in my mouth !

[SaCkaveli20 275]

Yes Hudler was pretty bad tonight, but Rafalski was down right awful. Get that plug off the team. Ericcsson is terrible as well. Pavel was simply amazing like usual, never ceases to amaze me. Hank was terrible in the first, but definitely picked his game up.

Jimmy...well, he has a bright future ahead of him I think.

...Go Bolts!

[Nightfall 871]

It's nights like this that I miss Mindfly.

Whatever happened to that guy?

[robat 13]

I'm just bummed.

[xtrememachine1 795]

What really bothers me is the whole injuries thing. It seems like every friggin year we're getting injured in the playoffs. I know, "everybody is injured this time of year", but like Franzen, Bert, Cleary all get injured. Clowe gets injured, he's back after one game. Heatley gets smashed twice by Kronwall, he's fine. Doug Murray block like 18 million shots, he's fine. Its like that movie "Unbreakable". We get injured so easily, while other teams pretty much never get hurt no matter what. Yes, I know I'm ranting, its midnight and I'm pissed.

[GMRwings1983 8,794]

Saddest part of the night.....

Patrick Marleau scored the winning goal.

Thank you JR, you ******* idiot for jinxing us.

[RedWingsRox 614]

Z made that fatal mistake at the end of the 1st ... it was a one goal difference.

[Wings Rule! 3]

I am so tired of the refs having it out for us just because we ave shown that no one, and I mean NO ONE is even close. We have won almost 1/3 of all Stanleys over the past 14 years!

This series should have been over in 4 or, at most, 5 games but for the refs calling ridiculous penalties against us and letting the Sharks get away with murder. No matter what anyone says, the Sharks are, and always will be, chokers. But for whomever paid off the refs, the Sharks would now be off ordering lattes or whatever it is they do in Panty Hose A.

[xtrememachine1 795]

Patrick Marleau scored the winning goal.

Thank you JR, you ******* idiot for jinxing us.

No kidding. That's like when announcers that don't want a shutout, talk about shutouts non-stop.

[Salviaman 104]

Lidstrom is going back to Sweden to play hockey there. He will not be coming back. Greatest Defender EVER!! Great career.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Allow me to join the choir... Hudler was brutal tonight, "big hit" on Cleary notwithstanding.

But, there were too many passengers in this series. And they still nearly did it, but if they had someone that could contribute besides Hank and Pav (Mule )...

The game though resembled way more Game 1 and 2 rather than 4 or 6. The Wings were outplayed, so that's the way it goes.

[MGreenberg 105]

Well I guess it will be impossible to watch any shows like Sportscenter, PTI, etc on ESPN for at least a week.

[Ram 240]

I dunno man, Nick's wife may be kinda pissy about him playing at age 41 lol. Also, I'd love to see Dats as captain instead (instead of Z that is), because he has such great heart and talent. He always turns the game back around when the team is down. He earns his money day-in and day-out.

I mean, I really don't think there is any debate that Pav is by far the better player at this point. I just think it is undeniable that literally, Z's command of the English language is much stronger and is necessary for a captain of an elite franchise. I don't even know, do you think Pav wants the C? I also think that whoever it is, they will be captain for a long time. The franchise will not be flip flopping between captains. And again, I don't think Pav is going anywhere, but because of Z's contract, you would think that only helps his chances.

Again, not an issue for another year at least. Why wouldn't Nick come back?

Thanks Wings for another great season and making it interesting. See you in October.

[eva unit zero 271]

will "eva unit zero" defend hudler yet again? he literally made the wrong play EVERY single time he got the puck this game.

2.9 million? for THAT?

I'd try and trade you for mindfly, but I'd have to give up at least two first rounders.

If Hudler comes back next season, Holland should be fired.

The general attitude around here seems to be "Cleary skated facefirst into Hudler and injured himself, Hudler needs to be off the team before he injures everyone else on the team by forcing them to skate facefirst into his elbow!"

[puckbags 863]

I will cry if it is his last game. He cannot go out like that he deserves to go out winning.

Hey Babs advice for next year. Play Fil with Pav all season and Fil will absolutely light it

I agree, get a winger for those 2 and it could be scary Fil - Dats - and any right handed shot that can somewhat put the puck in the net !

Other things I took from this series :

Jimmy Howard can play big league goal

Pavel Datyuk is the best player in the world

After watching tonight I'm almost becoming an advocate of the 3 line system, 3 that can score and 1 plugger line ....almost I said haha

[Nightfall 871]

Z made that fatal mistake at the end of the 1st ... it was a one goal difference.

Every mistake is magnified in a loss, especially a game 7 loss. Anyone can win a 1 game playoff, and thats what this was. I really don't put too much stock in mistakes because hockey is a game where a win or loss can come from them. If San Jose makes a couple mistakes, we could have blown them out tonight. I think we should concentrate less on "Player A f***ed up" and concentrate more on the positive. They came back from a 3-0 deficit to force game 7. Franzen and Dats were not 100%. They showed a ton of heart where other teams would have just rolled over and gave up. Howard had a coming out party in net. I think he is going to be even better next season. Give the wings a little credit.