I hate Red Wings fans. *RANT*

[trapin]

This is the only place I feel I can let out steam so bear with me folks. I have to decompress.

I hate em…I absolutely hate them with an unbridled passion. I’ve been following this team for 25 years of my life, back when they were terrible, back in the days of Jacque Demers and going to the Campbell Conference Finals against the Oilers where we got backhanded by the likes of Gretzky and Kurri. The Bryan Murray days and then the return to glory when Bowman jumped on board and we won 3 cups. It was a real magical summer in ’97 when we won that first cup…but something else happened; Bandwagon Fans. Through the years they’ve become like a cancer, spreading throughout Michigan and the country. People who know NOTHING about hockey and have never even played the sport much less laced up a pair of skates at 11pm at night for a pick-up game at the local rink. It’s gotten so bad that they pushed out the real fans and swallowed up all the tickets. They sit in bars with their McCarty and Osgood jerseys and jump out of their seats to hoot and holler when the Wings score a goal……in November. IN NOVEMBER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! This year Illitch was having trouble moving tickets so they decided to sign a “novelty” to the team to try and get some of the slappies back in the seats. In comes Darren McCarty who left 4 years ago. Fresh from a disappointing stint in Calgary where he basically smoked pot, drank himself half to death and then left his wife with $20,000 of credit card debt that he racked up gambling. This guy is unimaginable b*stard yet of course all the slappies have come out of the woodwork and are just happier then a pig in sh*t because they think the good ole days are back. It makes me sick. I remember 3 years ago I was up at the bar and some of these slappies were watching the game and the Red Wings were losing real bad and one of these half-wits actually starting talking about how it might be time to trade Nicklas Lidstrom. That was it….that did it for me. I had to get up out of my seat to confront this idiot. For those who don’t know me, I am perhaps the world’s biggest Nick Lidstrom fan. I have an autographed jersey framed in my basement and have met him several times. A terrific human being and I don’t care what anyone says, one of the Top 5 greatest defenseman in NHL history. I exploded on this guy. When I was done he was a whimpering little puppy who couldn’t apologize enough. I hate em. They are the worst thing to come out of all our Stanley Cup runs. I worry one day they’ll make me hate the Detroit Red Wings just to spite them.

Anyway…I’m now starting to get in arguments with these newbies about our current team this year. I think they’re fun to watch and I certainly appreciate all the winning but they don’t have the stability in goal to go all the way. They made a huge mistake passing on Roberto Luongo when he was available 2 years ago.

We got any other hockey fans on the board? Oh…and thanks for listening, I feel much better now. LOL!!!!

[Rybar]

Vancouver Canucks Hockey fan here and I know all about the bandwagon jumpers. Have stuck with them through thick and thin.

You sound like a Canadian hockey fan talking about 11pm pickup games. Hockey is all that is talked about here 24 hours a day on the radio, newspaper and TV.

At least the Red Wings made the playoffs. We have Luongo and the guy is by far one of the best Goalies in the WORLD. But he can't score goals. And that was the Canucks problem this year....lack of offence.

Wanna trade your offence for ours? lol

[69TAPoser]

That's one thing I can't complain about here in Boston. We have had no reason for jumping in over 15 years, so there are no bandwagon jumpers! :hmm:

And now we have Montreal for the 1st round...the 1st game went so well. :squint:

Phil

[2yellow69]

:poke: I here ya. But you won't like this either.

GO AVS!!


My family is from Chicago so I was/am originally a Blackhawks fan. I loved watching Amonte fly on the ice.


Matt

[trapin]

Oh I don't mind the Av's so much anymore. Most of the cast of characters on both teams are gone.

Rybar...11pm hockey games were a way of life for me for a lot of my life. Same goes for a lot us that live around here, hockey is huge in metro Detroit. There's nothing like throwing your gear into the back of your truck at one o'clock in the morning with your clothes sticking to you from all the sweat and finishing off a cold one with your buddies in the parking lot before hittin' the road. Ahh the memories.

I still say nothings more disgusting than a hockey locker room after a game. LOL!!!

[chicane67]

Oh yeah 4-2... and the Wings are 2-0 in this series !!

[Rybar]

Oh I don't mind the Av's so much anymore. Most of the cast of characters on both teams are gone.

Rybar...11pm hockey games were a way of life for me for a lot of my life. Same goes for a lot us that live around here, hockey is huge in metro Detroit. There's nothing like throwing your gear into the back of your truck at one o'clock in the morning with your clothes sticking to you from all the sweat and finishing off a cold one with your buddies in the parking lot before hittin' the road. Ahh the memories.

I still say nothings more disgusting than a hockey locker room after a game. LOL!!!

That is pretty cool Tony, I know those nights are exactly as you decribe them. I know Detroit is a BIG Hockey city. Pretty much any city in Canada is all about hockey, even the small towns.

What other US Cities have big hockey following besides the Original 6? (Detroit, Boston, Chicago & NY Rangers) I would guess Buffalo, I KNOW Minnesota is huge on Hockey (BTW I can't stand that team). And maybe Cup winning teams?

[23corner_blitz]

sounds like michigan fans

[2yellow69]

Rybar,

Believe it or not Denver is a HUGE sports town. Although I must say a lot of people here are bandwagon supporters. Most of our population here is made up of people from other cities. Tons of people are from the mid-west.

Football - Broncos
Baseball - Rockies
Basketball - Nuggets
Hockey - Avalanche
Arena football - Crush (owned by John Elway)
Soccer - Rapids
Lacrosse - Mammoth
And huge followings of the same sports at the college level.

Matt

[2yellow69]

I just wish we had the same car people of the mid-west or Cali.

Matt


By the way ESPNHD has the NCAA hockey championship (Notre Dame vs Boston College) starting at 5 pm denver time today.
Go N.D.!!!

[zbugger]

Sharks fan here. Only real complaint I have is that they don't play with the heart that they should half the time. They have trouble keeping their heads in the game until it's too late. It's not a huge hockey town here, but I watch.

[The Rook]

GO WINGS!!! I totally agree with you Trapin. In 97 it was amazing, only real hockey fans sitting in the bar in the middle of summer screaming like maniacs.....now, I dont even go to games anymore.

It's getting to be the same with the Tigers. Oh well, we always have our Lions.

[BobB66SS]

This is the only place I feel I can let out steam so bear with me folks. I have to decompress.

I hate em…I absolutely hate them with an unbridled passion. I’ve been following this team for 25 years of my life, back when they were terrible, back in the days of Jacque Demers and going to the Campbell Conference Finals against the Oilers where we got backhanded by the likes of Gretzky and Kurri. The Bryan Murray days and then the return to glory when Bowman jumped on board and we won 3 cups. It was a real magical summer in ’97 when we won that first cup…but something else happened; Bandwagon Fans. Through the years they’ve become like a cancer, spreading throughout Michigan and the country. People who know NOTHING about hockey and have never even played the sport much less laced up a pair of skates at 11pm at night for a pick-up game at the local rink. It’s gotten so bad that they pushed out the real fans and swallowed up all the tickets. They sit in bars with their McCarty and Osgood jerseys and jump out of their seats to hoot and holler when the Wings score a goal……in November. IN NOVEMBER FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! This year Illitch was having trouble moving tickets so they decided to sign a “novelty” to the team to try and get some of the slappies back in the seats. In comes Darren McCarty who left 4 years ago. Fresh from a disappointing stint in Calgary where he basically smoked pot, drank himself half to death and then left his wife with $20,000 of credit card debt that he racked up gambling. This guy is unimaginable b*stard yet of course all the slappies have come out of the woodwork and are just happier then a pig in sh*t because they think the good ole days are back. It makes me sick. I remember 3 years ago I was up at the bar and some of these slappies were watching the game and the Red Wings were losing real bad and one of these half-wits actually starting talking about how it might be time to trade Nicklas Lidstrom. That was it….that did it for me. I had to get up out of my seat to confront this idiot. For those who don’t know me, I am perhaps the world’s biggest Nick Lidstrom fan. I have an autographed jersey framed in my basement and have met him several times. A terrific human being and I don’t care what anyone says, one of the Top 5 greatest defenseman in NHL history. I exploded on this guy. When I was done he was a whimpering little puppy who couldn’t apologize enough. I hate em. They are the worst thing to come out of all our Stanley Cup runs. I worry one day they’ll make me hate the Detroit Red Wings just to spite them.

Anyway…I’m now starting to get in arguments with these newbies about our current team this year. I think they’re fun to watch and I certainly appreciate all the winning but they don’t have the stability in goal to go all the way. They made a huge mistake passing on Roberto Luongo when he was available 2 years ago.

We got any other hockey fans on the board? Oh…and thanks for listening, I feel much better now. LOL!!!!

I'm with you all the way, Tony. The shadowboxed autographed Yzerman jersey I have in my rec room and the one I want of Lidstrom is because of the way these guys play the game and handle themselves on and off the ice. If anyone watched the Yzerman jersey retirement ceremony you saw everything about him that people respect - - the whole thing was supposed to be about honoring him and he spoke about everyone but himself. Totally selfless team guy and Lidstrom is the same way. I also agree Hasek and Osgood are going to be their problem. They've improved their toughness which used to be their playoff nemesis but one or both goalies is going to have to stand on thei head for them to get by SJ or Anaheim.
Bandwagon jumpers are a part of every city. You're right, it's worse this year because for the first time in forever Wings games weren't all sellouts and Ilitch pulled several stunts to fill the building. That brings in even more newbies. The same bandwagon thing is going on with Tiger fans (or it was until the season started!).

[surlyjoe]

oilers fan here. it always seems the loudest guys in the bar are also the dumbest. Can't say I am a big Lidstrom fan but the stats don't lie. Since the oilers tanked yet again I am rooting for Pittsburg.

[EFI69Cam]

Rybar,

Believe it or not Denver is a HUGE sports town. Although I must say a lot of people here are bandwagon supporters. Most of our population here is made up of people from other cities. Tons of people are from the mid-west.

Football - Broncos
Baseball - Rockies
Basketball - Nuggets
Hockey - Avalanche
Arena football - Crush (owned by John Elway)
Soccer - Rapids
Lacrosse - Mammoth
And huge followings of the same sports at the college level.

Matt

I remember going to Colorado Rockies games back in the early 80s. I did not play hockey as a kid, but I love the game.

The Rockies moved to NJ and became the Devils. That was a bummer.

[ZL-1]

Go Tigers!!

[trapin]

I can't believe what's happening with the Tigers. Yikes. I knew they might have trouble with their bull pen but I never thought they were going to have it with their hitting. This is a real surprise.

[jknight16]

Tony, I've been a RedWings fan as far back as I can remember, even growing up in New Mexico. My dad has been a fan for 40 years and used to go to games back in the late 60's. The "16" in my user name was my number in hockey growing up that I chose (I was a defenseman) in honor of Vladimir Konstantinov after his accident. He was awesome to watch as well.

Lidstrom is an amazing defensemen, no doubt about it. While Zetterberg and Datsyuk are amazing to watch for their puckhandling and goal scoring exhibits that they put on 2-3 times a game, you can pretty much pick out something Lidstrom does well each and every shift. In adddition, I'm still amazed that he learned english so quickly and so well, its become hard to imagine that just 12(?) years ago the guy didn't know a bit of the language.

My dad and I go to every game that Detroit plays against the Coyotes here in Phoenix, and the sad thing is that it's basically a home game for the Redwings...Nobody is actually "from" Arizona so the visitors are always the home team it seems like. But just you wait, as soon as they have one good season (a la Diamondbacks 2001 season) everybody here will be clamoring to claim that they were fans when they sucked...

[trapin]

Vlad The Impaler. Another beauty. So sad what happened to him. He would have been a potential Hall Of Famer if his career hadn't been cut short.

[matty b]

Well being from California I have watched the Red Wings as long as I have had the patience to sit through a game so I guess 10 (im now 27) My dad was born in Detroit and we even cheer for the Lions although its gotten VERY hard over the years. Anyways, I can totally see your point about bandwagon fans, we had them here in Sacramento when the Kings were playing very good and as fast as they came they left just as quick. I waited 7 years to see them win the cup and it just so happens it was the day after I got my drivers license so it was a very special weekend. I remember the bad days and then the uprising of power as they put together the russian line, back when Federov did more goal scoring then cradle robbing, Vladdy was dropping a$$holes like Lemiuex flat on his back or into colorados bench, Shanahan nailing one timers from the blue line like it was practice, Yzerman could bring you to tears with heart, leadership and skill (and yes I think The Captain was better than Gretzky). I agree that the new team is good but they just dont have the same aura that the team that won the cup in 97-98 did. Getting back McCarty kind of takes me back but it really isnt the same, Marty and Vlady did it for me back during those years. I wish Shanahan woulda hung his #14 in the rafters at the Joe but instead he went to the Rangers of all places. The Wings of the late 90's would never have gotten beat down like they did last year against the ducks. When Pronger was in St Louis he got manhandled everytime he was on the ice against us and now hes kickin the shti outta our big guns. Babcock is a great coach and the team is awesome but I somewhat agree that they may not be able to win the cup if they end up against the Ducks or another team that hits hard and plays dirty. However they are still the best in the NHL and that goes a long way especially when you are in the Western Conference (sorry east coast guys but your teams suck). I will be rooting every goal just like the other fans and I will continue to spend 350 bucks a ticket to sit center ice at the Sharks vs Wings games in San Jose because I am a through and through fan, regardless if I know how to ice skate. So although I agree with you a little bit I think anyone that has stayed with them for all these years should be able to get excited about every goal, especially for me when they dont show many wings games on VS and FSN detroit blacks out the freakin games. I woulda slapped the crap outta that guy that said its time to lose Lindstrom though there isnt a more rock solid consitent reliable smart super talented leader I can think of. Keep the faith though trapin if they go into a slump you can be assured that the good-time fans will go away with the losses and the true fans will still be there supporting their favorite team!! GO WINGS!!!

[The Rook]

The thing that really started to bother me, was a few years ago when every playoff had to have a them, "Let them see red", and the big stuffed purple octopus, it became a giant freak show and the Wings were the side show. I used to go see a few games a year but don't anymore. I can't stand it when theres tons of open seats 5 rows up, center ice and these @#$# $&*^$* @*^#& *#&^4 idiots come walking in halfway through the second period just to be seen, then leave with 5 minutes to go to beat traffic......okay, I'm done. Thanks for bringing this up Trapin I have been repressing this for too long.

[Rybar]

Rybar,

Believe it or not Denver is a HUGE sports town. Although I must say a lot of people here are bandwagon supporters. Most of our population here is made up of people from other cities. Tons of people are from the mid-west.

Matt

Ah yes Matt, can't forget about the Avs. They have beat up on the Canucks for many years.

I am sure since they won a couple cups, but they moved from Quebec to Denver in the early 90's right? And before that was the Rockies in the early 80's?

[Damn True]

My best friend in the world, the best man at my wedding (even though she's a girl) is from Frankenmuth, MI and is a HUUUUGE 'Wings fan.

All I gotta say is GO SHARKS!

[jknight16]

Well, the love of my life and current girlfriend is a huge Calgary fan, and after the amazing comeback tonight...Go Flames!!!

[Scatpack]

Man, bandwagoners are the worst. When the team is kickin butt, they're the most vocal about the fact that "this has been their team all along." It's times like that when I hate talking about the team I've loved for so long because you automatically get lumped in with the newbies. But when the team starts to suck, they're the first to badmouth the guys.

See, I've been a hardcore Toronto Maple Leafs fan since I was about 5 or 6. I still bleed blue and white. They've sucked continually through the years, but I still love em and root for them every year.

One day TML will hoist that cup.

[2yellow69]

Rybar,

You are a true hockey fan if you know that the Rockies were our hockey team, not our baseball team. Most people here will never know this!

Matt

[newbaa]

i love watching hockey. never played it growing up, and rarely do i get to watch it on tv (i don't have cable or satellite), so when i do get to watch it i usually stop whatever i'm doing and sit down to enjoy the game. i don't have a favorite team because there is no team in washington, so i just randomly pick a team and root for them.
the way those guys can find the puck is beyond me, or when they're standing in front of the goal and can deflect the puck while it's traveling so stinkin fast is incredible.
lol, this is gonna sound retarted, but i've always told myself that if i was ever a girls basketball coach i would make them sit down and watch a hockey game! lol. just because every girls game i've seen they don't improvise and they, well, pretty much just suck. so i'd make them watch a hockey game and see that improvisation is something that is a huge part of the game. sure you can have set plays and everything, but that doesn't mean you know what the defense will do... and i think watching a hockey game would maybe in some small way help teach them that.

[Damn True]

More importantly; The Giant's are currently ahead of the Dodgers in the NL West.

I may not be able to say that again all year so I'm sayin it now!!!!

[69TAPoser]

I just wanted to take this opportunity to point out that the Bruins beat Montreal in overtime the other night after dropping 13 straight to them. :naughty:

The Bruins may not win the series, but if you haven't been watching it, damn they have been good games. :box2:

Phil

[Brandon Miller]

I know how you feel. Although I am glad my Preds came back to beat the Wings last night. It's the same with the TN Titans here. There are the loyal die hard fans such as myself and then there are the posers. Once Vince Young came on board, you saw VY jerseys on people who had no clue what football was. Then they would complain about the way the Titans played. Hello it was a rebuilding year. Every true fan knew that. I know how you feel with the poser fans. One statement you made about some hockey fans kind of affects me. I have never once played hockey a single day in my life. In fact I could have cared less about hockey. Then 3 years ago I got talked into going to a Preds game, and I was hooked. I try and make it to as many games as I possibly can each season, watch them on TV, and keep up with their stats. I never thought that would be me. I love the game now. I even talked my dad into going to a game. He's a huge UT football fan. After the game he said that was 100x better than any UT football game. With all that said, Go Preds! Beat the Wings!!

[Hartz]

Tony,

Did you hear Stoney and WoJo yesterday? They were talking about this very thing. They equated D Mac to that friend you have who screws up royally, but you've known him for so long, and you keep hoping he turns his life around, so you sort of turn a blind eye to his faults. But they did admit it felt a little "dirty" to be rooting for him after everything that has transpired.

[6'9"Witha69]

Don't get me strarted about bandwagon fans. I am not a hockey fan, never liked it. But I am a huge Basketball fan!! I play, I watch, I cry. I have been a Lakers fan for as long as I can remember. Lots of great years and a lot of rebuilding recently, but a loyal fan none the less. All the sudden we get Gasol, start winning games and the flags start coming out again. Pansies.

For those who played as a way of life regardless of which sport, don't you love those same noob fans who yell at veteran players about what they should have done or how to play? I was trained as a Big man and Power forward and love to see the 5'6" a*hole at the bar yelling at the big men for not defending the paint properly. If only they knew they were Idiots.

[Damn True]

Nick,

The Warriors really need a power forward that can run. You busy next year?

[6'9"Witha69]

For that money, I'll make myself available. Hell, I'd try it for free to see how good I really am. I have a league playoff game tonight. I still play so I am in shape and run the full 40 minutes of every game. I had college scholarships in HS to UCLA, UA (Wildcats) and UCSB. Blew my knee out and lost them all. Would have gone to UCLA toward the end of the OBannon brothers era.

Just shows how much I still live the sport. And how much idiots who know nothing but how to chime in about the hot thing now aggravate me.

[Damn True]

I fully admit basketball ignorance. I grew up in the Bay Area. The Rick Barry championship was before my time, and the Run-TMC era was when I was out of the area in the Coast Guard. Other than those two periods the Warrior have sucked, therefore I never got into the game. Better to not watch basketball than to in any way support an LA team!

I played football and feel much the same as you do about basketball. Particularly about the running back position. As I get older though my preference is increasingly for Baseball. Quite frankly, I'd rather be at Candlestick with the 15,000 hardcore Giants fans who know and understand the game than go to Pac-Bell and have to put up with 30,000 buffoons who don't get it.

[Rybar]

Rybar,

You are a true hockey fan if you know that the Rockies were our hockey team, not our baseball team. Most people here will never know this!

Matt

I am a big hockey fan, but it is the No #1 sport for most Canadians. I sure do remember the Colorado Rockies hockey team.

Ryan

[fast Ed]

Sounds like Leafs fans, except Detroit has won in the last 40 years. :lmao:


I'm rooting for Calgary this time, gave up on the Toronto team years ago.


cheers
Ed N.

[69TAPoser]

Bruins 5 Montreal 1 :cool:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[trapin]

I remember the old Colorado Rockies hockey team. Don Cherry coached them for a few years. They moved out of Colorado in the 80's and are now known as the New Jersey Devils.

I think most Red Wing fans feel a kinship with Maple Leaf fans. Some don't want to admit it...but we're almost like family. Toronto has always been our main nemesis and it just sucks that we are not in the same conference with them anymore. Our two teams belong in the same division. Back in the day my buddies and I always took a trip up to Toronto to see the Wings and Maple Leafs duke it out at the Gardens. We even got to meet Bob Cole once stepping off an elevator at our hotel. That was awesome. It was a real thrill because I truely believe that Bob Cole is one of the greatest play-by-play broadcasters in history. CBC and Hockey Night In Canada is a way of life for hockey fans in Michigan. Hockey on NBC? Forget that sh*t. Gimmie Bob Cole and Harry Neale every single damn time.

By the way....Wings will lose this series. They're too small and their goaltending is unstable. You're starting to see it show.

[The Rook]

"Are You In?" is this years Wings slogan for the playoffs.....Sounds more like what a Avalanche fan's wife asks him on his honeymoon!!!!!

[2yellow69]

Awww, come on now:) I love watching the Avs and Red Wings go at it. Want me to send you a Red Wings suck! bumper sticker?

Matt

[Rybar]

I don't want to know what RED WING FANS were saying last night when the Preds tied it up with under a minute left :banghead:

[Damn True]

San Jose now leads the Western Conference Quarterfinals, 3-2, as the series heads back to Calgary for Game 6 on Sunday.

[dropit69]

well with the Blackhawks basically sucking since the early 90s..when we got spanked by the pens in the finals..we have been overshowded by the 6 trophies the bulls won and the whitesox title..but this year after wertz is now gone they are gonna telavise all home games next year on tv..so Maybe we can get some people back into it and i wlecome new fans if they are gonna stick by them like i have thru thick and thin but not the bandwagoneers like we had with SOX title..auggghhh..and i being a blackhawks fan says yes the WINGS fans suck..lol..

[69TAPoser]

On to game 7! :jawdrop:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Whooooooooo!

[The Rook]

Awww, come on now:) I love watching the Avs and Red Wings go at it. Want me to send you a Red Wings suck! bumper sticker?

Matt

I may take you up on that...I'll put it on the bumper of my buddies truck see how long he drives around with it on there. Those were some good games / good times though huh?

[The Rook]

I don't want to know what RED WING FANS were saying last night when the Preds tied it up with under a minute left :banghead:

I got hollered at by the wife because she said my "S... O....B......." was a little too loud with the windows open.

[2yellow69]

P.M. me with your address and I'll get that sticker for you!

Matt

[Scatpack]

I remember the old Colorado Rockies hockey team. Don Cherry coached them for a few years. They moved out of Colorado in the 80's and are now known as the New Jersey Devils.

I think most Red Wing fans feel a kinship with Maple Leaf fans. Some don't want to admit it...but we're almost like family. Toronto has always been our main nemesis and it just sucks that we are not in the same conference with them anymore. Our two teams belong in the same division. Back in the day my buddies and I always took a trip up to Toronto to see the Wings and Maple Leafs duke it out at the Gardens. We even got to meet Bob Cole once stepping off an elevator at our hotel. That was awesome. It was a real thrill because I truely believe that Bob Cole is one of the greatest play-by-play broadcasters in history. CBC and Hockey Night In Canada is a way of life for hockey fans in Michigan. Hockey on NBC? Forget that sh*t. Gimmie Bob Cole and Harry Neale every single damn time.

By the way....Wings will lose this series. They're too small and their goaltending is unstable. You're starting to see it show.

Don Cherry IS hockey in Canada. He's an absolute icon. As a kid, the saturday night double header was one of the few reasons my brother and I could stay up late. Coaches Corner, the Satellite Hotstove......those were good times.

And Bob Cole and Harry Neale will never be topped.

This makes me want to break out my Rock'em Sock'em tapes again.

[trapin]

Well hats off to Ozzy....Wings pulled it out.

But then again...how long will he stay hot? And the playoffs don't get any easier from here on in. Whoever we get in the 2nd round is going to be a monster. If they Wings thought the Predators were hard, they're in for a rude awakening.

[newbaa]

Well hats off to Ozzy....Wings pulled it out.

But then again...how long will he stay hot? And the playoffs don't get any easier from here on in. Whoever we get in the 2nd round is going to be a monster. If they Wings thought the Predators were hard, they're in for a rude awakening.

that was a fun game to watch! i really liked Lidstrom's goal from center that bounced over the goalie's shoulder!:jawdrop: :worship:
i hope they have more playoff games on NBC, cuz that's the only time i get to watch them.

[trapin]

Lidstrom is amazing. Scotty Bowman gave him the greatest compliment. He said that he was the closest thing he ever had to a perfect hockey player.

[fast Ed]

San Jose now leads the Western Conference Quarterfinals, 3-2, as the series heads back to Calgary for Game 6 on Sunday.

Back to San Jose for the clincher ...


GO FLAMES !!!


cheers
Ed N.

[trapin]

Flames/Sharks is going to be a beauty. The earth might crack during that contest. I'll be glued to the set.

[Rybar]

i really liked Lidstrom's goal from center that bounced over the goalie's shoulder!

LOL Lidstrom did the exact same thing to Cloutier and the Canucks a few years back, it changed the series...

BTW I am so happy the Avs beat the Wild. Playoffs are just awesome to watch this year.

[Happyfunballs]

As a fan of the Mike Luit days of Blues hockey in the Barn, I've been programmed to hate the Redwings and loath the Blackhawks, so I can't help you.

[Damn True]

Flames/Sharks is going to be a beauty. The earth might crack during that contest. I'll be glued to the set.


Yeah, gonna have to watch that one.

Brent Jones is on the Board of Directors for the Sharks. He is supposed to have Ronnie Lott in the locker room before the game. If he can't get the Sharks fired up enough to run the flames right out of the tank, nobody can.

[monza]

Yeah, gonna have to watch that one.

Brent Jones is on the Board of Directors for the Sharks. He is supposed to have Ronnie Lott in the locker room before the game. If he can't get the Sharks fired up enough to run the flames right out of the tank, nobody can.

Hopefully that's all they got to fire them up...:poke: an old football player!!

[Damn True]

Care to wager a six pack of corresponding local beer?

[monza]

Care to wager a six pack of corresponding local beer?

Sounds good, consider it done!

[Rybar]

Dave, I still owe ya! Flames cooked the whales thats for sure. What do you want?

[trapin]

I know the Canadians brew a good ale but whatda they got cooking in California? Don't be sending him no wine coolers True. LOL!!!

[monza]

I know the Canadians brew a good ale but whatda they got cooking in California? Don't be sending him no wine coolers True. LOL!!!

Funny I was thinking of adding some conditions, but I figured True doesn't drink to many coolers...

GO FlameS GO

[Damn True]

I know the Canadians brew a good ale but whatda they got cooking in California? Don't be sending him no wine coolers True. LOL!!!

The guy from MICHIGAN is asking if we have good beer in CA:seizure:

[trapin]

That's right buddy. Michigan is loaded with microbreweries including one that brews my favorite beer; Oberon. And don't forget, once upon a time Detroit was home to Strohs. Plenty of brewing experience around here, sir. So yes....the guy from MICHIGAN with the brewing pedigree is asking the guy from CALIFORNIA (wine country) if you have good beer. :razz:

Bells Brewery in Kalamazoo, Michigan (yes...where Elvis lives).
Makers of Oberon...the greatest ale brewed in the midwest. I
http://www.bellsbeer.com/index.php/home

[Damn True]

http://www.beer-lover.com/database/norcal.htm

Just a couple in Nor-Cal

Some of the best small & "craft" breweries in the country.

[6'9"Witha69]

You should really find a good Stone ale. Aarogant ******* is great but they have quite the variety.

www.stonebrew.com

[Damn True]

Arrogant Ba$tard is one of my favorites.

See if you can find Speakeasy Brewery's "Prohibition Ale". Really nice.

[6'9"Witha69]

Arrogant Ba$tard is one of my favorites.

See if you can find Speakeasy Brewery's "Prohibition Ale". Really nice.Had it. Next time you are in the Pasadena area let me know. There is a place in San Gabriel called the stuffed sandwich. hundreds of beers from all over the world. Food isn't half bad either.

http://www.stuffedsandwich.com/beer.htm

[Damn True]

I don't make it down that way much any more. Changed companies and in my current role I (thankfully) don't have to spend 30% of my time away from home.

But if I do I'll look into that.

[monza]

I'm getting thirsty.... had some great brews from Oregon, some of the Nor Cal. links look good!

[The Rook]

Strohs and Oberon...WE WIN!!!!

[Damn True]

Strohs? Are you kidding?

[BonzoHansen]

I would just like to add I hate Flyer fans.




Go Rangers.

[matty b]

By the way....Wings will lose this series. They're too small and their goaltending is unstable. You're starting to see it show.

eating those words now?? Osgood seemed to settle out the team, you could tell the difference in play in the 3rd period of game 4. oh and then of course the shutout in game 6. For a Wings fan you sure are rooting against them though

[Damn True]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/GreatWhiteShark002-1.jpg
Looking forward to a 6-pack of the finest Alberta has to offer.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
I prefer ale. Ideally a moderately hopped IPA.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/04/190495486_78dd6a9438-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[monza]

:Alchy: Nice win. Good luck in the rest of the playoffs!
PM your mailing address and I'll send you some great ale.

[trapin]

eating those words now?? Osgood seemed to settle out the team, you could tell the difference in play in the 3rd period of game 4. oh and then of course the shutout in game 6. For a Wings fan you sure are rooting against them though
I would never root against the Wings, but I am a realist. I'm glad Ozzie dug down deep and got them out of the first round, but the reality is that he probably won't keep it up. The Wings also played a realitively soft Nashville team. Colorado is going to bring the steak and if they can somehow manage to get past them...I just don't see how they get past Dallas or San Jose in the Conference Finals. To me they just look like the same team from two years ago. Suspect goaltending, not enough hitting, and too much reliance on Power Play goals. My Cup Finals prediction is San Jose and Pittsburgh.

Hey...nothing would make me happier than to be wrong, believe me. And - of course - I've been wrong before...I don't profess to be an expert at hockey or anything. But I've paid my dues with this team for over 20 years, I think I've earned the right to be hard on them if I want. Just as they've earned the right to make me eat my foot. No matter what though...I'll still be glued to every game, cheering the goals and throwing my hat at the TV set when things go wrong. Like I said...I'm no "fair weathered" fan by any stretch. I was scarfin' down hot dogs at The Joe back in '89 when this team was atrocious and the only thing to cheer about was watching Joe Kocur rain blows down on Marty McSorley's head.

[Brandon Miller]

I hated to see the Preds lose after that huge comeback to tie the series. With that said I think they did a tremendous job this year with everything that went on, losing some key players, and not knowing if their future was going to be in Nashville or not. I'm anxious to see what happens in the off season. There have been local reports here that Forsberg could possibly return next season. I kind of find that unlikely. It's still up in the air if Steve Sullivan will return to hockey at all. I'll pull for anyone but the Sharks now.

[Damn True]

My Cup Finals prediction is San Jose and Pittsburgh.



That would be a good one!!!

[monza]

What hockey? It's golf season :banghead:

[Rybar]

What hockey? It's golf season :banghead:

Dave you need to stop wagering on the Flames. lol

[matty b]

The Sharks mowed over a tired elderly Calgary team, however I do think that they will make it to the conference final. Colorado doesnt have much of a chance against the Wings and I call it in 5 games. Dallas is the dark horse and they really have a shot at it this year going off their play versus the Ducks. However, Dallas capitalized on the Ducks dirty play by scoring most goals on PP's. If Dallas makes it up against the Wings instead of the Sharks, Modano and his guys are going to have to really break down the Detroit defense in order to score and win. The Wings weakness is a lack of hitting ability. However this comes with the reward of fewer penalties. They are a finesse team that excels in transition and use the tried and true technique of hammering the goalie with normally a 3:1 shots on goal average. Its hard for a goalie to repeadetly stop over 40 shots per game. The only thing that will stop the Wings is an agressive strong defense that doesnt allow turnovers in the neutral zone. I really think that it will be the wings vs penguins for the cup. I dont think goaltending is gonna be an issue so much as endurance to stay strong through the playoffs.

[2yellow69]

matty b,

I see what you are saying; although Colorado will win in 6 games:)

Matt

[2yellow69]

It's second intermission and I'm sure you guys are watching. Does the ice in Detroit seem very fast? And what's with all the pucks being deflected high in the air? Are they just pumped up and hitting the puck a little harder?
The Av's were playing a little sloppy until the goalie change. Are we gonna have a 10 goal game?
Man I love playoff time!


Matt

[2yellow69]

Good game!

Matt

[trapin]

They won but they really lost their steam halfway through the 2nd period. The last 8 minutes of the game I watched with my fist in my mouth. It will only get worse for them once Forsberg returns and that was an uncharacteristic game for Theodore. He'll bounce back in game 2 and the Av's will be buzzing. Will Detroit match their intensity?

It's up to them. You either wanna win the Cup or you don't.

[Damn True]

The Octapus thing is stupid.







I kid, I kid.

[trapin]

What's stupid is that people throw them out there raw. I could never figure that out. All you have to do is boil the thing for 10 minutes and you get rid of all the slime and it makes it much more manageable for Al Sobotka to pick up. It'll bounce on the ice instead of stick to it. It also doesn't mess up the ice which is what the NHL eventually got tired of. Those people are so stupid. But then that's how this whole thread got started because of idiots like that. The Joe is full of them. No clue at all.

I sometimes feel like it almost might do a bit of good to have a nice 5 year losing streak to clean out all bandwagoners. Then life can return to normal.

[6'9"Witha69]

I sometimes feel like it almost might do a bit of good to have a nice 5 year losing streak to clean out all bandwagoners. Then life can return to normal.Doesn't help the Raiders at all.

[Damn True]

Doesn't help the Raiders at all.


Now THAT'S funny!

[Black-Jacket]

go MONTREAL

[matty b]

matty b,

I see what you are saying; although Colorado will win in 6 games:)

Matt

Im sorry that you didnt get to enjoy even a single win by the Avs but I sure enjoyed watching shooting pratctice when we got 8 goals last game. :hah:theres always next year

[2yellow69]

Hrmph!

The Avs played horribly. There were only about 2 periods they played well. Sad really. I really hoped it would be a good series. Oh well. Like you said, "there's always next year". At least it was a good experience for the young players who will be here next year.

Go Wings!
Matt

[matty b]

Sakic, Foote and Forseberg (for the games he actually played) let down their team, not to mention the horrible goal tending by BOTH goaltenders. I was hoping for a pretty rough series myself and although we got one fight it didnt pan out as exciting as I hoped either. It sad when your veterans fall apart like that and ultimately thats what killed any chance of success for them. The Wings on the other hand are peaking right now and there isnt much they are doing wrong except for maybe slacking off towards the end of games and that has comeback to bite them (like game 1 of the series). At this point I dont think Dallas has a snowballs chance of making it past them. Hopefully Crosby that amazing kid leading the Pens will keep it together, I wanna see him vs the wings for the cup. Also Im rooting on the Sharks right now, I want them to just flat beat up Dallas so that when they ultimately win, itll be another sweep for Detroit. All right Im done gloating for now... GO WINGS

[motorheadmike]

Last Thursday Natasha and I moved further North-West of Toronto into the Town of Orangeville (pop. 27,000). Guess what we found?

The Canada of 20-30 years ago...

The 3-day rains stopped early Sunday evening and the kids came out holding hockey sticks and nets. I hadn't seen that since I was a teenager a decade ago; before road hockey had been outlawed on public streets in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). I almost cried... almost.

I knew I held onto my goalie stick during the move for a reason. :)

[trapin]

Matty....don't get too excited over the Red Wings sweep of the Avalanche. Remember, the Avs were down 3 of their most important players for the first 3 games and were missing 4 total for the last game. Try taking away three important players from the Red Wings and see what happens. Also...Avs fans have every right to be disappointed in Theodore. He is a better goalie than that and there was no excuse.

I did not pick the Wings to go to the Finals and I will stick by that prediction. Dallas is a monster of a team with big bruising forwards that like to pound the boards and a formidable defense. Turco looks awesome this year too. The two things the Wings have going for them is their transition game and their speed, but I think Dallas will be able to handle that and eventually expose Detroit's weaknesses which are (and I repeat) small forwards, a lack of toughness, unstable goaltending. Osgood was a beneficiary of his defense, but with Dallas's forwards they are going to have their hands full and Osgood will have to stand on his head. Not going to happen. Of course, nothing will make me happier than to be wrong. But I don't think so.

Dallas in 6.

[jvike]

Go Red Wings!

[Rybar]

Tony, you gonna keep talking like this until they have the cup in thier hands.. lol.

I missed the Dallas game last night but watched Pittsburg. All I have to say is Crosby who? Malkin is a monster on all ends of the ice. Watch out Philly!

[trapin]

Isn't that funny though? Crosby was so celebrated coming into the league and now Malkin has really stolen the thunder out from under him. Crosby did miss a lot of games this year though. That's gonna be a fun series to watch. Although I loved the celebration at the end of that Pittsburgh/NY game. I thought the Stanley Cup was going to make an appearance and Gary Bettman was going to walk out to center ice with a microphone in his hand. What the hell were they all getting so excited about??!!! It's the 2nd round...get a grip already.

[matty b]

Hey Tony everytime you say theyre gonna lose they end up winning so you go ahead and be mister pessimistic and Ill enjoy watching a fun western conference final with the wings getting the championship. Turco was amazing last err I mean this morning. I dont think Dallas has much of a chance though I call it Wings in 6 games. Hell Ill stick my neck out and call the series.. Detroit wins games 1 and 2 Dallas wins Game 3 Detroit wins game 4 Dallas wins game 5 and Detroit goes to the cup after game 6. Gotta remember that Turco was really the only reason they won, but whose better Franzen or Roenick? Franzen is on an unbelievable roll and I dont expect him to fall off. And what are you talking about with Osgood being unstable? Hes played very solid games and I cant fault him for much of anything. Turco is gonna have his hands full cause what he saw in shots on goal yesterday for 7 periods hes gonna see in 3 from the wings. The only way that Detroit will be stopped is an insane defense that can stop the neutral zone breakaways that have been golden oppurtunties for the wings over and over again. Also I dunno how well the Stars are gonna be feeling after playing a 6 game series that lasted what? like 16 periods? They are such a low scoring team I dont see them keeping up with the offensive powerhouse that I like to call the Detroit Red Wings. So buckle up on Thursday cause we got finals to watch
GO WINGS!!!

[trapin]

Tony, you gonna keep talking like this until they have the cup in thier hands.. lol.

Hey Tony everytime you say theyre gonna lose they end up winning so you go ahead and be mister pessimistic....
I think you guys are catching on. :smoke:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Tony, you gonna keep talking like this until they have the cup in thier hands.. lol.

I missed the Dallas game last night but watched Pittsburg. All I have to say is Crosby who? Malkin is a monster on all ends of the ice. Watch out Philly!

Crosby is great and all, but he dives like a bitch.

When Malkin was first being talked about in '05, many analysts mentioned that he might have more offensive talent that Crosby. He's also better on the other side of the puck.


<-- Die hard Rangers fan here.

I still can't believe we lost that series. The suspect officiating certainly didn't help things.

TERRIBLE interference call on a crosby dive that lead to the pens game winning PP goal in game 1.

Game 2 was a 1 goal game, no complaints there.

Game 3...terrible penalty by Hollweg, cost us the game. Not a bad call by the refs, just a bad penalty.

Game 4...that's how they all should have been.

Game 5... Drury gets highsticked by Malone and gets his face cut open. Automatic 4 minute double minor, right? Nope. Refs missed that one too. Late in the third, Drury high-sticks Malone. Hockey Justice? Nope, 4 minute double minor that killed all the momentum the Rangers had built.

And Crosby still dives like a girl. He may be the next Gretzky, but he's gotta learn not to dive. Jagr gets stomped every game by the other teams biggest defenseman. Does he dive? Never. Play Hockey Sid, stop diving.

[matty b]

well game 3 should be exciting, given that slash on osgood after the game. The stars came on stronger in game 2 but the still looked like they were given valium before the game. Turco has yet to get that monkey of losses at the Joe off his back and in the unlikely event a game 7 happens not being able to win in Detroit means that they are going home before the big show. Sadly Franzen is out, apparently the Avs beat him up enough that he is having concussion like symptoms. He wont be playing game 3 either and that sucks, given that he has scored at 27 goals in the last 27 games. What also sucks is he was on his way to an NHL record amount of goals in the play offs. He needed +19 goals to beat Gordie Howes 50 year old record. Ive noticed that Ott for the Stars is on the ice for one reason and that is to hurt people. I cant believe that he is so blantant about his role, literally throwing down his gloves as soon as the puck drops. Im sorry but if you have to resort to those tactics you the coach is attempting to make up for deficits in more fundamental parts of their game. I will hand it to the stars though that their D has slowed down the Wings. They are working the boards quite a bit and its busting up the wings transition game. Down side to that though is that they are double teaming the wingers and leaving guys like Holdstrom and Sameulson open in front of the net to score for them. This is why the wings are so great, when Datsuk or Zetterberg cant get the puck just pitch it to the net and let the grinders take care of redirections. You can tell that Holdstrom is getting the best of Turco, how many goalies get so frustrated with screens that they start hitting the defenseman?? We shall see what transpires tomorrow but if the Wings win Im calling this game in 5 instead of 6. The Stars are just such a lower caliber team that they cant beat the depth and adaptabilty of Detroit. GO WINGS

[matty b]

ok Tony nows your chance to say that the Pens will take it cause of the wings age or something. Go ahead your pessimism seems to make sure that the Wings win and I wouldnt mind seeing them hoist the cup again. BTW its too bad there isnt a sport book in town thats not illegal cause other than a flip flop in two games I called every game right for the western finals. Im calling the Wings in 5 so that they get to win at home. GO WINGS!!!

[BADVELLE]

I just went out and bought my Wings gear, I am on the bandwagon!! JK, Ha, Ha!

[Rybar]

C'mon Tony. Let's hear your take about your wings and fans.... then they should win the cup for sure. lol

[trapin]

I just wanna say....I really don't see the Red Wings winning this series.

Penguins in 6.:geek:

[jknight16]

Atta boy, that's what I like to hear!!

go Wings!!!

[matty b]

I just wanna say....I really don't see the Red Wings winning this series.

Penguins in 6.:geek:

Thats what I wanted to hear lol . Now I am assured at least 4 very fun BBQs with my friends and family from Detroit. First game is Saturday evening I wanna see 5+ goals. Also crossing my fingers that hopefully Franzen will make an appearence although thats a little oprimistic at this point. GO WINGS

[70LS1NOVA]

Alright, I've been lurking from the first post in this thread and never said a word. Am I the only member from Pittsburgh on this board? I've been wondering why it's been so quiet in here for the past week. Come on, Detroit wins the first two games, and not a word from anyone? Of course, now the pens finally win a game, and I get to chime in... Go Pens!!
Dude, talk about bandwagon fans. Pittsburgh, hands down, has the BIGGEST bandwagon fans in the country. Did you see them booing Big Ben in the second quarter and loving him in the fourth. They (we) will jump on a bandwagon in a quarter, a period, or an inning. Don't let the pirates start doing well.

[trapin]

I had a feeling we were gonna lose that game last night. Anyone who thought the Pens were gonna get swept wasn't thinkin' straight.

[Rybar]

Ok, here goes another of Tony's anti-Wings rant = another Wings win lol

[6'9"Witha69]

Well, off topic for Hockey, but LA is starting to get crowded with all the bandwagon Lakers fans around here!

[trapin]

Lakers are gonna win it all. Kobe is unstoppable.