Did you see Kopecky turn away from the bump he was given after the whistle?  I didn’t like that at all.  He cannot afford to get a reputation for turning away from a confrontation.

Hank and Pavel were magical last night.  They were having fun playing keep-away in the Duck’s end, skating in big circles.  They looked like playful otters swimming in a Duck pond.  Or was it Orcas playing around with a school of fish?

Posted by w2j2 on 10/04/07 at 07:48 AM ET

Hola Chief:  I dont have a lot of time to wax eloquently on last nights season opener (to those few of you who read my comments, I can actaully hear your collective “thank god”).  But I ran across this by Dan Wood from the OC Register: 

DETROIT “The shot clock certainly didn’t indicate it, and neither did the final score.

The Ducks wouldn’t even really acknowledge it after the fact, but they made a mighty impressive statement Wednesday night at Joe Louis Arena.

“Despite winding up on the short end of a monumental 42-15 difference in shots on goal and ultimately suffering a 3-2, shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings, the Ducks displayed healthy degrees of the passion and verve that just might ultimately put to rest the many troubling questions trailing the defending Stanley Cup champions.”

Just curious, was Mr. Wood talking about the game played last night???

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 10/04/07 at 07:51 AM ET

Anyone else waiting for the league to make it a 2-minute unsportsmanlike penalty for leaving your helmet or gloves on during a fight?

I thought it was pretty entertaining watching Perry get completely overwhelmed only to have Drake strike 4 or 5 consecutive blows to his plastic-covered dome.

Normally I disagree with Don Cherry, but one thing he preaches and is dead on about is that people that fight with helmets on (especially with visors) are cowards. We’ll see if he actually brings it up this weekend though… probably won’t since it was a North American kid.

Posted by Nathan on 10/04/07 at 07:53 AM ET

Did you see Kopecky turn away from the bump he was given after the whistle?  I didn’t like that at all.  He cannot afford to get a reputation for turning away from a confrontation.

Well, I wouldn’t be too worried about that.  I think that was mostly about not evening up a penalty call on the Ducks.  If it happens later, then maybe raise an eyebrow.

Anyone else waiting for the league to make it a 2-minute unsportsmanlike penalty for leaving your helmet or gloves on during a fight?

I actually thought there used to be a rule on this—was is always just “the code”?  Yeah, Perry’s gutless, but we’ve known that for a couple years now.  Also I’ve stopped caring when he falls injured to the ice—hint: he’s not hurt.

I’ll back Dan Wood a bit—I thought between the travel, the missing personnel, and the recent playoff result the Ducks would get run out of the building last night.  So the point sits well by me.

And as for the shootout, now the Ducks have lost more shootouts than any team since the lockout.  I guess you could call me “emotionally prepared”—I fully expect to lose anything that happens past 65 minutes in the regular season.

The Wings look pretty set for this year—Lidstrom and Rafalski are great fits, the PP and PK are well prepared, and they are already excelling in shot prevention.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Anaheim, CA on 10/04/07 at 08:03 AM ET

If Lilja keeps playing like that, and he’ll be the odd man out, just like last year. Granted, it’s only the first game, but they’ve had how many preseason games to be ready?

Posted by TheFreak on 10/04/07 at 08:04 AM ET

Hank and Pavel are no longer the FUTURE but the PRESENT, and watching Zetterberg last night only cements in my mind the fact that he is a superstar.  Fully expect him to be at or near 100 points this season.  I would have liked the Wings to have more quality chances than shots last night, but that’s been the trend for a while now.  Otherwise a solid game for them, Ducky jet-lag or whatever non-withstanding.  Anyone else tired of hearing Chris interview Pronger every freaking game.  I’d heard he left Edmonton for a reporter but…As for Perry, just one more example of how this game needs a few more tweaks.  But I guess the Ducks all follow their fearless leader

Posted by Andrew from Nashville on 10/04/07 at 08:43 AM ET

Earl,

Yeah, I think Wood’s comments were reasonable on the whole, but that specific excerpt is a bit pompous. Hockey is a funny game, and we’ve all seen it happen hundreds of times to ours and other teams alike, where one team dominates the game and loses, or barely gets out with a result.

I think there’s just always been the code between players about helmets during a fight, especially when a visor is involved.

The Ducks looked a little disorganized on the back end without their old captain. It kind of reminded me of some of those Blues teams that would shut down every team in the league, but when the Wings came to town Pronger went haywire.

Not from a Wings fan point of view, but strictly from a hockey fan point of view, it would be good if Niedermayer came back. But hey, I’m not going to wish for it, otherwise it might happen!

Posted by Nathan on 10/04/07 at 08:43 AM ET

Love Rafalski on the PP.  Wow!  I got home (not in time for faceoff unfortunately but close!) just in time to see Zetterberg’s PP goal.  Pavel looks very confident.  Pronger, thug like as always.  I enjoyed watching him get a stick in the face late in the 3rd period even though it should have been a penalty.  As much as I hate to even type this, I think Bertuzzi could have a monster year for the Ducks.  He looks very healthy.  UGH. Must wash keyboard now. 

Hasek did not impress me during the game and during the shootout he blew me away.  He actually stayed on his feet for the first shot!

I thought of you Chief, when Drake and Perry were going at it.  I knew you were smiling!

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 10/04/07 at 09:40 AM ET

I just saw the highlights on NHL.com and was happy to see the pace the Wings had. Most of what I’m thinking has already been said but there are two other things.

1) Hudler looked calm during the shootout and exploded to the backhand; his posture, speed coming in and reaction after the goal all seemed very mature for his age.

2) One of the highlights was a hit from behind on Filpulla, who went flying head first toward the boards. He flew a few feet and there was no penalty. Anyone else react to that?

As for the attendance, I agree with the few dissenting voices that it is a good thing. There needs to be some introspection about what is going on and I am sure that the Staff will be able to come up with solutions; the News article, and that kind of access, is definitely one angle of attack.

The Euro player thing doesn’t play with me because Federov and the Russian five were immensely popular. I also don’t want to believe that people, blue collar or not, are so jingoistic as to not feel for their local team.

Baroque—Amen brother…

Posted by srt on 10/04/07 at 11:05 AM ET

Baroque—Amen brother…

Sister. 

But that’s OK…on the internet, no one knows you’re a dog, either!

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 10/04/07 at 11:48 AM ET

I was going to say sister as a half joke half shot in the dark…run with your intuitions I guess.

Posted by srt on 10/04/07 at 02:18 PM ET

I disagree with a few commnets above.  I thought Hasek looked decent throughout the game but looked pretty average during the shootout.  His strategy is to drop down and lift up is left hand.  He dropped down a bit too early for the last two shooters; especially so for Perry’s shot.  I really hope that he improves throughout the season, as is typical for Dom.

Is anyone else suprised that Markov is still available?

Posted by Matt from Royal Oak, MI on 10/04/07 at 02:44 PM ET

Is anyone else suprised that Markov is still available?

All I can figure is that he’s asking a ton, both dollars and years.  No explanation otherwise that I can imagine.

(@ srt: I make the same assumption on sports sites; stereotypical, but often true.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 10/04/07 at 02:52 PM ET

All I can figure is that he’s asking a ton, both dollars and years.  No explanation otherwise that I can imagine.

You would think that he would take the next offer he receives as he isn’t getting any younger.

Posted by Matt from Royal Oak, MI on 10/04/07 at 02:57 PM ET

The first game was pretty good.  I think the Wings played pretty well.  I tend to disagree with everyone here about Dom.  I don’t think he looked that good at all.  As for the shootout, Other than a respectable save on the first shot I think he got lucky for the other two. 

With Dom in net I am only comfortable when the puck in at the other end of the ice.  I also cringe every time he moves to make a save.  I keep waiting for him to split in half, or at least have a (UNMENTIONABLE) injury.  His age doesn’t bother me but he is not as fast as he needs to be and he seems to have less range of movement.  The Keebler elf as backup doesn’t ease my fears either.  After being near him for the open practice I like him even less.  Detroit should have shopped for a goalie.

Posted by Stuck at work from Michigan on 10/04/07 at 03:22 PM ET

Everyone has pretty well hashed over the game by now…  just few things:  (1) A great game.  All in all I thought the Wings played well for Game 1, even with the same old outshoot them by a mile but barely outscore them routine.  (2) Yes, I saw Filpulla get hit from behind, and, yes, I reacted — by screaming “Penalty!” several times at the TV.  I can’t understand why they ignored me, as I’m sure they must have heard me, especially with those empty seats.  (3) At the time I thought Maltby helped out that high-sticking penalty by skating into Pronger’s stick and tossing his head back a bit.  I should look at it again and see what I think today.  (4) Pronger is a donkey.  That some things in this universe are so stable is very comforting to me. (5) If we’re talking about the same play, I thought it was Kopecky who delivered a but of a late hit and then turned away.  Maybe I should look at that one again, too.  At the time I thought it was a good move — agitate, stir the pot, then step back and let the pot boil.

But best of all, (6)  Thank God hockey is back!!!  Whether the seats are filled or not, there’s just nothing like it!!!  Woo Hoo!!!

Posted by BobTheZee on 10/04/07 at 03:23 PM ET

One comment—Bertuzzi did look good out there—that was the one signing I still wish we’d made last summer.  We just don’t have a power forward like that, and it bugs me.

Posted by Chris from Detroit, exiled in DC on 10/05/07 at 11:45 AM ET