Abel to Yzerman
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Beat Down
by IwoCPO on 02/19/08 at 03:53 AM ET
Comments (10)
Mike Keane was on Hockey Night in Canada radio a few weeks ago, talking about his life in the minors playing for the Manitoba Moose. Hard not to respect the things he had to say, that he realizes he’ll probably never play for an NHL team again; but that he loves hockey and would like nothing more than to help Manitoba to a title.
It was one of those interviews that would typically leave you liking the guy because of what he represents as a hockey player. And it almost made me forget that Keane referred to the Wings as “cowards” after McCarty dragged Claude Lemieux’s bloody face across the Joe Louis ice, closer to the Wings bench so that Kris Draper could get a better view.
So it was Mike Keane I thought of last night as Ian Laperriere was cowering, covering up, turtling in Denver while Aaron Downey reminded him that you don’t get your elbows up on Nick Lidstrom. I was wondering if Keane was watching from Manitoba, while thousands of “transplants” took over the Pepsi Center and urged Downey to land a few more. If Keane was watching, I have a feeling he was probably smiling because that was old time hockey last night. And despite his “cowards” remark, Mike Keane was an old time hockey player who probably knew--along with many of you--that the minute Laperriere left Lidstrom groggy and dazed, payment would be required.
And, to his credit, Laperriere knew it too.
“I would have done the same thing if it had been on the other side. I respect Aaron Downey and have no problem with what he did. But it was a clean hit. I play hard, but I play clean.”
Laperriere crushed Lidstrom. Crushed him. And if not for the elbow to the jaw, it would have been hard to argue with any part of that hit. Laperriere did his job. And he took his medicine, which would have been doled out had the hit been completely clean or not. He would have been beat down by Aaron Downey regardless, because Aaron Downey knows his role.
“So my message is simple: The next time anyone runs any of our guys in a way that shouldn’t be done, then a message will be sent. I’m not going to go out and run your skill guys, your superstars. I’m going to go right to the guy (who did it), and fair justice is fair justice.”
Quote of the year right there. And Downey, the philosopher who has no problem punching you in the face if you go after a friend of his, cements his role even more. Aaron Downey, who would probably prefer to throw a puck at a goalie rather than attempt to shoot one by him, made himself not-so-expendable last night. If Darren McCarty’s coming back, it’s going to be at someone else’s expense because Downey’s staying in Detroit.
I was all conflicted last night. When Mike Babcock was frothing at the mouth I, like you--admit it--wanted to see him pop Granato. Just a sharp, quick jab. Didn’t have to be a haymaker or anything like that, just a quick pop. Of course, we’re glad he didn’t because that would have been some ungodly suspension, then we’d be stuck with Todd McLellan running the team and I’m not sure the guy even speaks. But, like Downey, Babcock endeared himself to a lot of people last night. And, like Downey, Babcock’s actions may have done more for the guys sitting on the bench in front of him than many of us realize.
Take a look at the smile on Franzen’s face in that photo.
Now, was that little episode the result of one hit from Ian Laperriere? Nope. That was a six-game steam valve busting wide open. That was losing to Columbus at home and watching a goal waved off against a team you wanted to beat a hell of a lot more than you let on. That was the strain of knowing you have the best team in the league and that anything less than a Cup would be a failure. Little Tony Granato just happened to be in the vicinity. Good for Babcock.
Now, as for Lidstrom. That was lose-your-lunch type stuff right there. On the surface, according to the Wing propaganda machine, we may be able to relax a bit and even find a positive in giving Lidstrom a two week break.
“He’s going to be fine,” said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. “I don’t know if he’s going to be out a week or 10 days or what. He’s got something mild in the inside of his knee. I don’t know what the technical term is, but it just means that he’s not playing right away.”
More testing today though. So don’t get all fuzzy and warm just yet. If all goes well, Lidstrom misses the Way West Swing then returns for the San Jose game on 29 February. That’s if all goes well. Have you ever seen a quicker diagnosis than the one spooned out by John Hahn last night? Within a half-hour of the hit, he’d announced in the press box that it was a “slight sprain.”
That announcement wasn’t for the benefit of the Diggers and Teri Frei and Adrian Dater. It was sent directly to Florida, straight to Naples where GMs were rubbing their hands together, knowing that if Lidstrom was hurt badly enough, they could double their asking prices for whoever Ken Holland’s trying to deal for.
“Slight sprain.” “He’s watching the game from in front of his stall.” “He wanted to come back out and play.” Probably all true. But if it turns out today that Lidstrom’s knee is worse than announced last night, we’ll know all of that was BS, which we understand. Truth has no value right now. None.
All aboard, back aboard, come on aboard. The streak may be over, but the stress train is reaching capacity. Rightfully so.
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Comments
Other than Nick getting hurt last night, it was a great game, a good exclamation point on the end of that losing streak. The bright side of Nick getting hurt though, was seeing Laperierre getting his ass kicked by Downey (does that high altitude air make all Dive players turtle in fights?). Hank and Dats played great, those two goals by Z in the second were trademark goals. Ozzie played great, even though I almost jinxed him in the chat room during the first period (D’oh!!). I loved seeing the look on Babcock’s face wheh Granato wanted to talk sh**. Franzen lauging during the whole thing was awesome too. I was just glad to see the team come together when Nick went down. They took care of business, and didn’t take any crap off of the Dive from the b.s. style of play they tried to revert to once the game’s outcome was decided. I had a great time last night for my first time in the chat room with everyone who showed up. Chief, those live chats kick ass.
Posted by Chris from Columbia, Tennessee on 02/19/08 at 10:13 AM ET
after the screaming i did last night, my girlfriend has purchased me a one-way ticket on the train. are there any seats left, or are we at standing room only?
Posted by ColdWar on 02/19/08 at 10:14 AM ET
It was good to see everyone step up play once Nick went down. Zet was a monster on the puck last night. Datsyuk making key take aways...Osgood got stronger as the game went a long. I was worried because he looked so awful in the warmups and he came through. This was a good way to end the losing streak. I’m still on the stress train and it has a big old #5 on the side of it. I hope Nick is o.k.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 02/19/08 at 10:33 AM ET
A unifying game to be sure, and the beatings haven’t ended. If we play them in the playoffs, there will be more hell to pay and I look forward to it.
I have to say, though, that I feel really good about the Wings after last night. The swift and angry retribution delivered by Downey and Babcock, all those lovely goals, just make me feel so good about the world.
Z played great, yes, but Dats played even Awesome. Two lazer passes, one of which was a no looker, to his homeboy...good stuff. I love Russian flair; it’s like Brazilians in soccer.
And no worries on St. Nick. He’ll be kept out a few extra games, even beyond his recovery, unless there is some dying need. No need for one legged heroics at this stage.
Also, we may actually have to ban Baroque for a while. I think we’ve infected her. Keep talking blood and guts hockey B and you’ll get any man you want. Hell, you might even get Downey!
Posted by Osrt on 02/19/08 at 11:08 AM ET
..ahem, the third paragraph’s opening line should read, “Dats played even Awesomer.” I am doing my PhD in English after all.
Posted by Osrt on 02/19/08 at 11:10 AM ET
Just read this Downey quote on George Malik’s blog: “Let’s play good, hard, passionate hockey like they did in the Roman times.”
Ya just gotta love the guy (in a manly sort of way). He’s a true anachronism...and one with an interesting view of the history of hockey
I can see it all now: The Rome Red Wings, with Julius Caesar behind the bench and Mark Anthony as a sniping winger. Hockey is, after all, why the Romans invaded northern Europe. It wasn’t for the women or the riches. They just needed good ice!
Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 02/19/08 at 11:10 AM ET
LMAO! The wisdom of Downey! He must be directly descended from Socrates.
Posted by w2j2 on 02/19/08 at 01:14 PM ET
Has anyone else noticed how well Meech can skate and shoot? This guy is sneeking up on us. I am glad he is getting lots of playing time.
Look who is our #1 defensemen now: Lilja!
***###!!!@@@&&&
Rafalski, please get better. Fast.
Posted by w2j2 on 02/19/08 at 01:18 PM ET
They run our best guys with cheap shots while we get down to the business of roundly outscoring them in the game. They get smackdowns delivered and turtle after a few punches. Peter Forsberg’s leg is made of tissue paper and D-Mac is on his way back into the lineup. Our coach, with fire in his eyes, terrifies one of their staff.
Man. It feels like I should be digging out my old flannels, listening to classic rock and grunge, reading Leonard Cohen and lusting after older women. It’s 1996 all over again.
Godspeed Nick. We’re all praying for you.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from a bad, dark place of the soul... on 02/19/08 at 02:56 PM ET
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