I should be writing my position paper, so of course I'm writing a blog post! Some thoughts:
-I'm still annoyed about the call in the shootout on Saturday. It's okay, Ken Holland is too. Apparently he reamed someone out during the first intermission of the game yesterday. Hopefully it was someone important and not the coffee peon or something.
-This weekend felt like the playoffs. I don't know if the wives are withholding sex or if the players finally figured out that they are OUT OF FUCKING PLAYOFF POSITION but they were actually trying. It was weird.
-The Red Wings suck at shootouts. Apparently Babcock is protesting their existence by not working on them in practice. I appreciate the sentiment, but holy hell we need work (Z, I'm looking at you here).
-Fortunately shootouts don't exist in the playoffs (which we are going to make goddammit). And even more fortunately, this weekend led me to believe that in a playoff situation, Detroit is still competitive with any team in the league. You can't win in the playoffs with a skills competition. You have to outskate and outshoot the other team- and the Red Wings did that in both overtime periods this weekend. They just ended before they could put the puck in.
-I think Osgood might actually start a game this week. It'll be the first time since before Christmas. The mommy in me wants to give Jimmy a break. Maybe Ozzie has stewed enough that he'll actually redeem himself!
-I saw a kid wearing a Kopitar shersey today. I didn't realize there were Kings fans in Michigan. It made me think of Erika.
-Living in my house is hysterical. A couple of minutes ago, this happened:
Scene: I am in my room screwing around on the internet. Danielle is in her room across the hall. Action!
My phone: *ringringring* Me: Hello? Mom: Hi honey! How are you? Danielle: ...hello? Me: Eh, it's Monday. Mom: I know that. Danielle: ...it's Monday? What? Me: *hysterical laughter* Mom: What's so funny? Danielle: WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT? Me: I'm on the phone! *more hysterical laughter* Mom: Never mind, I'll call you back. Danielle: ...oh. *joins in the hysterical laughter*
We laughed for a good five minutes AND my mom just texted me instead of keeping me on the phone for half an hour. Win.
Okay, I know that I am still very, VERY upset about this, but I want you all to consider how you would feel if this happened to the Pens, Sens, Hawks, or whoever else you may be cheering for.
The Red Wings/Stars game today went to a shootout. This in itself is frustrating because the game-tying goal was iffy at best, but whatever. The point is that we got to a shootout. The first eight thousand or so shooters for each team missed (it was actually five or six).
Steve Ott skated out to shoot for Dallas. His shot was smothered right around the goal line. The ref on the goal line was not behind the net, but rather off to the side, and skated in so close to see where the puck was that he almost bashed his head on the post. He called a save. The other ref, who was out at center ice, skated in and said it had to go to video review. Understandable, refs are fallible and from the benches it probably looked like it went in.
While we were waiting for Toronto to figure out what to do, FSN showed us a replay of the shot from several angles. Because of the way Jimmy Howard was positioned, you can't actually see the puck from most of the cameras. We thought that was why the call was taking so long. Incidentally, the best camera angle was from the penalty box side, very similar to the line of sight the ref had as he skated to the post.
After the review, the ref skated out to center ice and called the goal good.
None of us knew what was going on until Ken Daniels and Mickey Redmond were notified during the postgame show that:
1) the ref at the net called no-goal 2) the film in Toronto was inconclusive 3) the other ref, who was at Center Ice, CALLED THE GOAL GOOD
The on-ice call was overturned, not by conclusive video evidence in Toronto (IE the way the rules say it should be overturned), but by the other ref who was half the rink away and could not have possibly seen where the puck was at the critical moment.
Clearly I never learned from my many aborted LiveJournal attempts in high school that I suck at keeping a blog, haha.
But I just wanted to tell everyone that Jimmy Howard is a BAMF and Darren Helm can teleport. (Seriously, there is no other explanation for his goal last night... he teleported.)
Also, winners come from Newfoundland!
<3 <3 <3
Friday, May 29, 2009
A final post to this blog before I venture off tomorrow, with some thoughts about my beloved Red Wings, this series, and why I hate June 13th.
I think this series will go to seven. I'm not making predictions about who will win it all, or who will win what games, because I am honestly not sure. The only prediction I am making is that the Conn Smythe will go to the goalie of whichever team wins, because they'll have earned it.
I never feel like I can talk about why the Red Wings could win it all without soapboxing, so I won't. You probably saw why they could win it all last year.
The Pens could win it all because their top players are actually performing (Malkin, I'm looking at you), they have experience, both in the Finals and in Guerin, they have the coaching (I still think Babcock can outcoach Bylsma, but not by as wide of a margin as with MT), and they want it. They really really really want it.
Excited as I am to be heading off on my adventure, I'm sad that I won't be able to watch the games. I know they'll be archived on Hulu, but watching games when you already know the outcome just isn't the same. I love hockey. I love my team. I want to sit in front of the TV with pizza and beer and yell and laugh and scream and cry- with sadness or with joy yet to be determined. For the second year in a row, I am missing out on the final games of my team's season. It sucks.
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I was going to do this post on June 13th, but since I have no idea where I will be on that day, or if I have internet access, I will have to post it today.
A few weeks ago, Mer posted a video about the Pittsburgh Penguins playoff run this year. I'm not sure if it was made by the franchise, or a fan. I watched it just for the hell of it (lord knows I'm as neutral as you can be about the Pens) and I was shocked to see the video end with the slogan Believe. Since then, I've noticed it a few other places- LJ icons, desktops, etc, involving a few teams, but mostly for the Penguins.
I don't care if other franchises want to try to take Hockeytown (it's trademarked anyway), or bitch about the octopus, but Believe does not mean to any other franchise what it means to Detroit, and my seeing it next to any logo but the winged wheel feels like a slap in the face.
This is why.
Spring of 1989 was huge for the Detroit Red Wings. The Cold War was coming to a close, and all the owners and general managers were desperately trying to guess if Russian players would be allowed into the NHL soon.
The Red Wings were still in their rebuilding stage; they hadn't won the Stanley Cup since 1955. Between 1967 and 1983 they only made the playoffs twice. They were known as the Dead Things.
In 1982 the team was sold to Mike and Marian Illitch, who used the first pick of their first draft on Steve Yzerman. He was named Captain in 1986 and things were looking up- they were making the playoffs, at least- but they couldn't make it to the only thing that mattered, the Stanley Cup Finals.
In 1989, the Red Wings drafted, in order: Mike Sillinger, Bob Boughner, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Federov, Shawn McCosh, Dallas Drake, Scott Zygulski, Andy Suhy, Bob Jones, Greg Bignell, Rick Judson, Vladimir Konstantinov, Joe Frederick, and Jason Glickman.
It was considered a shallow draft year, and half of Detroit's picks never even made it to the NHL. Among those that did were the two best defensemen that will play for Detroit in my lifetime.
Obviously, one is Lidstrom. The other is Konstantinov.
They both played their rookie season in 1991-1992, and were both selected to the NHL All-Rookie team. Lidstrom finished second in Calder voting behind Pavel Bure.
As other draft picks, free agents, and traded players joined the team, Lidstrom was eclipsed, falling to the second defensive unit behind the Russian Five.
Coach (and genius) Scotty Bowman was intrigued by the old Soviet style of hockey, in which players were on five-man units. He put together Vyacheslav Kozlov (LW), Igor Larianov (C), Sergei Federov (RW), Slava Fetisov (D), and Konstantinov (D). The Russian Five were noted for their speed and puck control, based on talents they had perfected while playing for the Soviet national team.
Konstantinov was known for his grit. He had impressed a Detroit scout at the 1987 World Junior Championship. When a fight broke out during a Soviet/Canada game, Vlad was the only Russian that actually hit back. He was aggressive, and excelled at throwing opponents off their game. He once said, "For my game, I don’t need to score the goal. I need someone to start thinking about me and forgetting about scoring goals." We fans called him Vlad the Impaler, or the Vladinator.
He had a reputation as a pest, but he was also one of the most skilled defensemen I have ever watched. In the 1995/1996 season he finished at +60, the best +/- since Gretzky's retirement. In 1996/1997, he finished second in voting for the Norris Trophy. Lidstrom finished fourth.
Detroit ended its Stanley Cup drought in 1997, sweeping Philadelphia. They would not, could not have done this without the Russian Five. During the 1997 playoffs, the Red Wings went 16–0 when any of the Russians scored a point and 0–4 when they did not. I had just turned eight, and my parents let me stay up late to watch the final game. I watched Stevie Y, my Captain, accept the Stanley Cup and thought that nothing could ever feel better.
Six days later, the team had a celebratory function; a golf outing, followed by a dinner party. They had been drinking, so Vlad, Fetisov, and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov rented a limo together to take them home.
We found out later that the driver's license was suspended for drunk driving.
He lost control of the limo and smashed them into the median of Woodward Avenue, the same street that makes up the majority of the parade route after Cup victories.
Fetisov made it out with minor scrapes and bruises. Vlad and Mnatsakanov were both in comas with serious head injuries; no one knew if they would make it.
Both men woke up later that summer, but I will never forget the surge of disappointment when I would watch the news every night with my dad in the meantime, and hear that Vlad was still in his coma. I was young enough that my team, and my favorite players, were heroes, practically immortal. I didn't understand how this could possibly have happened.
Fetisov was able to return to the ice for the 1997/1998 season. Vlad and Mnatsakanov were both in wheelchairs and beginning the long process of physical therapy. The Red Wings dedicated that sesason to their missing pieces, wearing a patch on their jerseys that said Believe in both English and Russian, complete with the initials VK & SM.
When Stevie Y hoisted the Cup at the end of that season, the first person it went to was Vlad in his wheelchair. I will never forget watching Larianov push his countryman and friend around the ice with the Cup.
The Illitches had Vlad's named engraved into the Cup as a member of the 1998 Championship winning team. His number has been unofficially retired; no other Red Wing will ever wear #16. His locker is still set up in the locker room, complete with a small rock which says Believe.
For the rest of the teams, Believe simply represents a faith in the team's ability to win. For Detroit, Believe represents the strength and will to overcome all odds, to avenge a fallen comrade, and to convince the Hockeytown nation that this team can, and will, perservere. Through anything.
When Yzerman retired in 2006, his number was retired with him. Vlad was able to be a part of the ceremony with the help of a walker. Nine years later, he was still a part of team. He is STILL a part of the team.
This video makes me cry, every time- but it's a better representation of what Believe means to Detroit, to me, than I could ever write.
Maybe it's selfish of me to feel that other teams shouldn't use the slogan. I'm probably far too attached to it than I should be. After all, it's just a word.
But it's a word that inspired a team and a city to reach for the impossible. To stay strong. To have faith.
10:38- So, since I had so much fun live-blogging the other game, I'm going to do it again! Starting line-up for Detroit is Holmstrom-Datsyuk-Hossa with Lidstrom and Kronwall. Interesting defensive pairing. Rafalski is stil out with his mysterious day-to-day injury.
10:41- So Hossa is on the left, Holmstrom on the right, and Lidstrom immediately left the ice for Stuart. We're less than a minute into the game and I have no idea what's going on.
Oooh, nice hit by Datsyuk!
10:42- And Detroit is going on the power play. Don't mess with Zetterberg.
10:45- What in the hell happened to our powerplay? Good lord.
10:46- I love Mickey Redmond, and his commentary on the fairly BS penalty just called on Lidstrom.
10:51- How does Pronger have no penalties so far in this series? Awesome PK by Osgood and Stuart, not so much by anyone else.
10:55- The fourth line looks good, at least. I'm going to be very annoyed if Helm is not playing in Detroit full-time next year.
10:57- Samuelsson just missed on the best Detroit chance of the game so far. He tends to be very streaky with scoring... must still be on a bad streak.
10:58- And Anaheim is going on the powerplay AGAIN.
11:05- After lots of back and forth, we are still tied at 0. The Datsyuk line has been basically nonexistent.
11:06- And on a terrible turnover by Detroit leading to a breakaway on Osgood, Anaheim goes up 1-0. However, in the first two games the first team to score lost the game, so it might not be the end of the world.
11:14- Some beautiful stops by Osgood- I'm glad to see he's not rattled. Ozzie and Pronger joke around after Lebda and Brown mix it up. My team is ridiculous.
11:16- Four on four, as Lebda and Brown head to the sin bin.
11:18- And Pronger finally heads to the box after trying to destroy Filppula. Seriously, screw you. (Flip is my favorite active Red Wing, for those who forgot.)
11:20- And Detroit almost gives up a short-handed goal at the end of the first. Why does our passing suck tonight?
11:39- Start of the second, and the end of a scoreless PP for Detroit.
11:53- More back and forth, and now Stuart is in the box on a nonexistent interference call. The refs are driving me nuts.
11:55- And after some missed goaltender interference, Anaheim scores on the powerplay to go up 2-0.
12:04- Detroit is going on the powerplay, finally. Wisniewski is hurt, but not unconscious- looks like he maybe took Holmstrom's elbow to the face.
12:08- Apparently Wisniewski is NOT okay- he just went off the ice on a stretcher. As much as I hope it's nothing serious, that's a huge loss for Anaheim.
12:10- SCORE! 2-1 Anaheim! Looks like it was Zetterberg that tapped it in after a shot by Samuelsson from the point.
12:15- Kronwall going to the box. At least that's kind of an okay call... kind of.
12:18- The most exciting part of that powerplay was Hossa nearly getting a short-handed goal. Apparently they're analyzing playoff beards during the intermission. Ken Daniels is growing one!
So, I'm giving up on the live-blog for tonight. This game is too intense and I'm too tired to do it. Maybe when the games are back in the EST.
Late edit: That call was complete and utter bullshit. I can handle losing to the Ducks, but I can't handle losing to the refs. That game should have been tied up.
This game was a series shifter, and there is a very real chance that Detroit will not be able to bounce back from this. Detroit's season might end because of incompetence from a referee.
I don't believe in the anti-Detroit conspiracy theories, but you can bet that they'll gain some followers after tonight.
Since the All-Star break essentially marks the half-way point for the season, I'm assigning grades to the Red Wings. I may assign grades to some of the other teams later this week.
Forwards
Pavel Datsyuk- A. He has essentially been almost perfect this season. He leads in points and assists and continues to be one of Detroit's strongest defensive players... all while centering the top line and generating buzz about the Selke, Lady Byng, and Hart trophies.
Henrik Zetterberg- A-. Has struggled to adjust to playing without Datsyuk, though his rotating wingers may have something to do with this. He's looked a lot better since Hossa was bumped down to the second line.
Marian Hossa- A-. He's had some pointless streaks, but he also carried the team earlier in the season when the Stanley Cup hangover was very obvious.
Johan Franzen- B+. He needs to figure out how to stay healthy, but last I heard he was leading the team in game winning goals and has adjusted well to playing on both the first and second lines.
Jiri Hudler- A-. Some bad defensive play, but he's having a career season for points- he's already passed his record for goals in a season. I'd be more impressed if he could maintain that level of play for longer than 12 minutes or so per game.
Valtteri Filppula- B. I really wish I could give him an A, because he's my favorite Red Wing, but he just hasn't earned it yet. He needs to shoot the puck more. However, his defensive play has been excellent, and his point totals are decent considering that he's centering the checking line.
Mikael Samuelsson- B. He is SO streaky, but he gets the points when it really counts. I feel like he won't be around next year due to salary cap issues.
Tomas Holmstrom- A-. He's essentially still fulfilling his same role on the team, and has been an instrumental part in the power play this year. I wish his defensive play was stronger, but since he usually plays with Datsyuk his +/- is decent.
Dan Cleary- B+. He'd probably get a higher grade if he wasn't switching lines so much. I think his production will increase a lot in the second half if he stays with the same line for several games.
Tomas Kopecky- B. Plays decently well, but his hits haven't brought the same energy Drake's did. He's another player I expect to see traded or lost to free agency.
Kris Draper- B-. Still wins a lot of face offs, but has a horrific +/- and 2 of his 3 goals were empty netters. Overall the fourth line's defensive play needs to pick up a lot before the playoffs.
Kirk Maltby- B-. Basically the same issue as Draper- he doesn't usually produce offensively, but he doesn't need to. If he can tighten up the backchecking he'll be fine.
Darren McCarty- C. Has barely played, but has provided some much-needed grit when he does dress.
Defense Nick Lidstrom- A. "The Perfect Human" has lived up to his label. He had a slow start due to a preseason puck to the face, but he's looked Norris-esque lately.
Brian Rafalski- A-. He's third in the league for points by a defenseman. His passing could use some work, but he's been really consistent.
Niklas Kronwall- B+. Has been consistent, but it'd be nice to see some of those big hits from last year's playoffs.
Brad Stuart- B+. Brings a lot of energy and hitting, but his passing could use a little work. He and Kronwall seem to have communication issues sometimes.
Andreas Lilja- B+. I've actually been very impressed with him this year, his defensive play has been MUCH better and he looks great on the PK.
Brett Lebda- B-. He's looked great on the breakout, he's passing well, and he's one of the best skaters on the team. However, he takes penalties at the worst times.
Derek Meech- B+. I almost threw him in with the forwards because he's played more games there, but Babcock and Holland seem to want him to play defense.He's looked really solid, especially given his inconsistent playing time and linemates.
Chris Chelios- C. Hasn't had much effect, good or bad, other than pushing Detroit right up against the cap. I sincerely hope that he retires this summer.
Goalies
Chris Osgood- B. Extremely inconsistent, but he's had some issues with injuries. His playing has improved as he's had to compete with Conklin.
Ty Conklin- A. I would almost argue that he was a bigger signing than Hossa. He's played extremely well, very consistently.I would like to see him resigned.
Coaches and Management
Mike Babcock- A. I firmly believe that Babcock is one of the best, if not the best, coaches in the league. He's done an excellent job keeping the team focused and has found good line combinations through all the crazy injuries.
Ken Holland- A. Kept last year's team, added Hossa and Conklin, and is apparently very close to resigning Zetterberg. In Ken Holland we trust. Mike and Marian Illitch- A. The rings are beautiful, and it was very classy of them to bring Aaron Downey and Darren Helm to the presentation ceremony.
The Detroit Red Wings Overall
I'll give them an A-. They look strong, but they've lost some key games and need to regain focus between now and the playoffs, especially if they come up against San Jose in the Western Conference Final.
So, I've decided to live blog this game, because, well, I can. :-)
6:41- The FSN broadcast team is ridiculous. Larry Murphy is wandering the Joe today instead of broadcasting from between the benches. Expect some interviews with terrorized hockey fans who only wanted a beer.
6:42- A commercial break, so I'll give you some preview. Both the Red Wings and the Sabres are on win streaks. DRW goalie Ty Conklin is also riding a shutout streak. I haven't actually watched the Red Wings play since last Saturday (stupid college) so I have no idea how this game is going to go.
6:44- Zetterberg just informed Ken Daniels that he didn't get voted into the All Star Game because he isn't playing well enough. I have no idea how he thinks he can be playing better, but whatever. Incidentally his contract is up this year- currently we're paying him just under $3 million. Obviously he'll be getting a large raise.
6:48- Hakan Andersson (the DRW director of European scouting) is absolutely adorable. He's also very good at his job: our only current European that we drafted in the first round is Niklas Kronwall (D). Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Jiri Hudler, Valtteri Filppula, and some others were all later round picks.
Supposedly after the WJC this year he claimed that he wouldn't recommend Tavares as a draft pick. I don't know if that's actually true, but he brought up an interesting point in his interview just now that the Red Wings play a very European style of hockey and some players just don't fit. I have a very firm belief that Sidney Crosby's style of play wouldn't work in our current system, regardless of his (obviously high) level of talent.
6:53- Just saw the footage of the Ruutu biting incident for the first time. The whole thing is just ridiculous.
6:54- Chelios just said that he bit someone back in the day. And by "back in the day" he probably meant the 1970s.
6:55- Apparently Kronwall isn't playing and Meech is?
7:00- The Kenny Cam? Seriously? But Mickey Redmond looks nice and cozy by himself in the broadcast booth.
Kronwall is not playing tonight for an unknown reason- presumably a health issue, since he had three assists on Thursday.
7:02- Larry Murphy, I would strongly recommend that you do NOT stand there for the beginning of the game, as you will be blocking a lot of views. You also might get hit by a flying octopus.
7:07- Zetterberg just won the first face-off of the game. I usually take that as a good sign. Interesting that Meech is paired with Stuart, rather than moving up Lilja or Lebda and putting Meech on the third pairing.
7:11- Lots of hitting in this game. Filppula and Lebda (two of my favorite players) have both been absolutely laid out only five minutes into the first period.
7:12- Roy just scored. Conklin made a great save on Vanek and the defense failed to clear it. Really bad play by Detroit.
7:13- Roy going to the box on a hooking call. Hopefully we can even things up.
7:16- Sabres successfully killed the power play. Meech played the point on the 1B power play unit. Interesting choice by Babcock.
7:18- Beautiful play by Lebda and Hossa, followed by another scoring chance for Zetterberg. I can't believe we didn't score there.
7:19- I can't believe THEY didn't score there! Conklin comes out to the circle to poke check, three Red Wings rush to the net to try to keep the puck out, fail to clear the puck, and Conklin scrambles back to make the save of a life time. We look sloppy.
7:21- Another good scoring chance for Detroit as all three forwards rush the net.
7:26- My contact at the game tells me that someone just proposed on the jumbotron during the TV timeout.
7:27- She said yes. :-)
7:30- Finally an icing. There's only been maybe five whistles so far this game, so lots of changing on the fly.
7:32- A couple of great plays by Lebda, but nothing.
8:10- Took a break to go get food and missed the first intermission and the first five minutes of the second. Sabres are still winning 1-0 so apparently I didn't miss much.
8:18- Lots of back and forth, not much time in either zone. Meech just shattered a stick on a one timer.
8:24- Jiri Hudler ties it on a one timer after a beautiful play by Brett Lebda to get the puck in deep.
8:26- Hudler just passed his previous record for goals in the regular season (he's at 16- two years ago he had 15). He's an RFA next summer so he scheduled his breakout year nicely- unless you're Ken Holland trying to retain your team.
8:29- Second period ends with the game tied at one. The Red Wings are outshooting the Sabres 25-10.
8:50- Three minutes into the third, and Detroit looks great.
8:51- Detroit getting a power play on a delay of game penalty. Mental mistake by Rivet.
8:53- Power play over. So much for having the best power play in the league... though the Sabres are ranked very high in penalty killing.
8:56- Former Red Wing Brendan Shanahan apparently signed today with the New Jersey Devils. Good for him.
9:00- The FSN broadcasters are RIDICULOUS. They just showed Mickey Redmond on the jumbotron singing "Piano Man" by Billy Joel.
9:03- Red Wings on the power play on a goaltender interference call. It was actually a terrible call, same kind that keeps happening Detroit- a defenseman shoves someone into the goalie and they get called for interference.
9:05- Power play over, no goal. Which is really just as well since we didn't deserve it anyway. Detroit is now outshooting Buffalo 39-18.
9:12- Miller has faced 87 shots over the past two nights, and tonight isn't even over yet. He has to be exhausted.
9:15- Samuelsson! And assisted by Hudler. I can't really blame the Sabres for allowing that goal, the play made absolutely no sense. Yay for the Red Wings being telepathic and doing ridiculous things with the puck.
9:17- Hossa! Assisted by Zetterberg, I think. This goal is very important because it gives me fantasy points! Also, with only a couple minutes left in the third, being up 3-1 puts Detroit in a comfortable position.
9:18- Filppula got the second assist on the Samuelsson goal. Rewatching the play he did a great job getting the puck into the zone. Flip is my favorite Red Wing and he hasn't been scoring much lately- but I am totally okay with him being playmaker. :-)
9:19- Zetterberg did get the assist on the Hossa goal.
9:21- And Detroit wins 3-1, despite a flurry of shots in the last 30 seconds with Miller pulled for the sixth attacker. This was a really great game, very intense.
My stars are Miller, Lebda, and Samuelsson.
Whoever picked the stars went with Franzen, Miller, and Samuelsson. I was close.
I'm a sports-loving college student who is a life-long fan of the Detroit teams and is convinced that the Big Ten is the best conference in collegiate sports. Period.
