Abel to Yzerman
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Game 2 Impressions: Enigmatic Revenge
by IwoCPO on 10/07/07 at 09:13 AM ET
Comments (18)
1102 EST: Updated with Digger reaction below.
The subtleties. It’s the subtleties we forget during the offseason. The little things that we have to get used to again that make the whole viewing experience unique. Example? Sure. I’d forgotten about late night hockey and how to prepare for it. I’d forgotten that a 2030 start time required the type of moderation I hadn’t been practicing on your standard Saturday.
I’d forgotten that dowsing myself with Heineken (yes, I’ve made the switch from Rolling Rock) for 6 hours prior to game time comes real close to ensuring that by the second period I’d be wondering why Greg Stefan was wearing number 39.
So while you may be used to highly technical analysis and factual reaction based on statistics and deep research, today may be a little different.
Because I kinda “fell asleep” with the computer in my lap once the Wings went up 3-1. My wife woke me up and “suggested” I put the computer on the floor and go to sleep. I told her, “ok…but they’re going to lose and it’s going to be your fault and I hope you can live with that kind of guilt.”
So, my impressions today are based on your reactions and those I’ve read…plus a little bit of memory. I’ve just decided I’m going to live blog my reactions to last night’s loss. As I sit on my couch today, all day, and reflect, I’ll add to this post. It will be a live blog of my memory returning. Sounds like fun for the whole family. I demand your participation, your assistance if you will.
For instance, two comments already today have jogged a few things loose.
Hoser
Did anybody else happen to catch him unsnapping his helmet strap at the end of the second while waiting to head to the room? His body was facing left, he turned his head toward the camera (he always knows were it is) and ripped the strap off with this fiery look in his eyes. He exhibited more passion in that one act of removing his helmet strap in Chicago than he did his entire time in Detroit. I get the feeling he’s going to have at least 8 good games this year.
That’s quality.
HockeyinHD
I thought their freshly-dead owner getting booed was a nice touch.
Also quality.
Oh, and here’s what we know about the condition of Franzen, from Bruce MacLeod.
After the game, Franzen was limping slightly. He compared the injury to what happened to his left knee last season when Willie Mitchell knocked him out with a late hit. That injury (to his left knee) kept Franzen out of nine games last season.
“I had almost the same kind of thing last year ... (but) that was worse,” said Franzen. “It’s OK right now. It hurts a little bit right now, but I’ve got pain-killers.”
For some reason, I’ve got a bad feeling about this one. We’ll see. Back soon. Prediction: Lions 26, Skins 20
Ok. I’ve tracked the Diggers. Lots of sentences strung together about R. Lang, Never a Bad Day Bobby, The Enigma.
One of the biggest knocks against Robert Lang during his two-plus seasons in Detroit was his skating ability. But the 36-year-old center displayed a rare burst of speed at the right time for his new team Saturday.
And who tied the game? None other than former Wing Robert Lang at 16 minutes, 20 seconds of the third.
Was Lang’s goal a case of knowing Hasek too well?
“I didn’t give him almost anything,” Hasek said. “He hit the right spot. It was exactly when the crossbar and post touching each other. It couldn’t be a better shot. He doesn’t have a hard shot but he knows where to shoot. He had almost nothing and hit the right spot.”
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Tags: Beer, Genius+A2Y+Readers, Lang,
Comments
While I harbor a deep hatred for Chicago that has only a little to do with their hockey team, I’ve gotta admit that they played pretty well last night. I’m sure Pav would have liked to drop by for a few Heinekens or leftover Rolling Rocks (which I somehow doubt exist), ‘cause he just couldn’t catch a break last night.
And it’s only in Chicago that the fans carry on like they’ve won the Cup when the team comes up with a tie at the end of regulation.
Posted by Ryan from Syracuse, NY on 10/07/07 at 11:18 AM ET
Was at the game last night, and just got a chance to watch the highlights. That the Red Wings’ fourth goal was disallowed was a complete travesty of officiating. What a load of absolute garbage that that play was whistled down. The puck was clearly still lose, and (Datsyuk I believe) should have been able to whack it home. I remember thinking at the time, “Hope we don’t need that goal.” Thanks, Gary.
Posted by Andrew from Chicago on 10/07/07 at 11:56 AM ET
Although there are plenty of streaks and trends coming in the upcoming season, I am a bit disappointed in the inability to finish off an opponent after handling them for the majority of the game. That said, you know its an odd game when Nick gets caught up ice and out of position; that was almost, you know, human.
Ken and Mickey frequently mentioned the crowd, its buzz, happiness with team effort, and attendance numbers despite the Cubs’ playoff game. I’m not sure if they were chastising the organization or Wings fans for not being equal to their Chicago counterpart(s).
Posted by srt on 10/07/07 at 12:02 PM ET
Yea, the whistle on that goal sucked. The referee immediately said “My mistake” and repeated it over and over to the Wings. (You could see him mouth it on tv)
Posted by srt on 10/07/07 at 12:04 PM ET
“DET went into the 3rd with a 3-1 lead, then played the 3rd like maybe they swam all the way to Chicago. Both netminders had to come up big in the OT, Hasek had to be good as the Wings just stopped skating with nearly 2 min. left in OT.”
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/07/07 at 12:40 PM ET
I went to the game last night. It was a pretty packed house. At will call I heard a couple people ask about $6 student tickets but those were sold out. It was quite the experience to hear the crowd boo when Dale Tallon said a few words about Bill Wirtz.
From possibly being up 4-1 on a quick whistle stopping play to having Chicago get the short-handed goal the momentum completely changed. As HT Todd said the Wings just couldn’t get the puck out of their end of the ice late in the game.
Gotta reunite Hank and Pavel. They’ve been on the ice for *every* Detroit goal thus far. If the Mule is OK then put him on the second line with Hudler and Filppula.
More than the fight I really liked seeing Drake go down to block a shot attempt early on.
Posted by Dave on 10/07/07 at 01:24 PM ET
I don’t think re-uniting Dats and Zets after only 2 games would be wise.
The Wings were not ready for the Hawks speed and voracious forechecking.
That 1st CHI goal, a 4 on 2 ?
I expect some serious ass chewing about backchecks at the next morning skate.
You are right, Dave, Perreault was awesome on the face-offs.
Instead of ragging on the Wings, we should all be giving the Hawks and Savard some credit. They played the entire game. If the Wings are only going to come together for half a period, shuffling the lines won’t help.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/07/07 at 02:05 PM ET
On that first Chicago goal Samuelsson got tangled up with a Wings player near the Detroit blueline which might explain why there wasn’t any backchecking on that particular goal. They both stumbled badly.
Posted by Dave on 10/07/07 at 02:13 PM ET
Maybe at the Hawks blue line, the replay I saw they were still skating towards our blue line when the goal was scored.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 10/07/07 at 02:23 PM ET
@ Ryan from Syracuse:
It’s because the team has been so neglected for so long, any real positive sign is like a breath of fresh air.
I doubt that Ken and Mickey were chastising the Wings fans so much as pointing out that there is hope for a resurrection of the Blackhawks’ fan base. There is a lot of excitement over Kane and (when he comes back from his broken finger) Toews, and they realize that the playoffs are a long, long, long shot, but hope for a competitive team that is fun to watch. They just want to see decent hockey and a team that has a chance to develop into something that doesn’t make them either a laughingstock or object of pity when they tell someone else they cheer for the Blackhawks.
No doubt the team wanted to put on a good show for their home opener, and they certainly did.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 10/07/07 at 02:52 PM ET
Crap, the Mule is out 3-4 weeks.
http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/2007/10/franzen-out-3-4-weeks.html
Posted by Dave on 10/07/07 at 03:05 PM ET
On that first Chicago goal Samuelsson got tangled up with a Wings player near the Detroit blueline which might explain why there wasn’t any backchecking on that particular goal. They both stumbled badly.
For his overall “langadaisical”-ness thus far—and this play in particular—Samuelsson is my current leading candidate for 2007-08 Designated Scapegoat.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg from Saginaw, MI on 10/08/07 at 10:56 AM ET
I am really loving the addition of Rafalski. Samuelsson is not impressing me so far but I still opt for Lilja.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 10/08/07 at 11:33 AM ET
Got give this one to Bob. He sure showed his former team. The long hours at the hairdresser clearly paid off.
Be that as it may, it was good listening to the announcers after a face off saying “Lang loses the faceoff too…” and not have that acid feeling rise in my stomach.
Posted by Rumbear from Sun De eego on 10/08/07 at 12:57 PM ET
Alas, it’s too late, but I think I’ve finally figured out how we could have solved the riddle that is the Enigma.
Before each game, drug and/or hypnotize Bob…spike his hair care products, maybe…and leave him with the post-hypnotic suggestion that _________________ (the current opponent) is a former employer that dumped him for being a floater.
Hopefully, Denis Savard dosn’t see this, or we’re looking at a very un-langadaisical, MVP-type season from the Langer. That is, at least until the league office adds “hypnotic drugs” to the list of banned substances.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg from Saginaw, MI on 10/08/07 at 03:08 PM ET
spike his hair care products
Didn’t exactly work of Theodore, though.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 10/09/07 at 05:55 AM ET
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Dom should have stopped Lang’s goal. It wasn’t a ripped shot or anything, it was a lazy floater snapshot that went over his shoulder. I expect more of Dom than that I guess.
The Hawks worked hard last night, I give them that. Kane looked really good—pretty sure he or Erik Johnson will win ROY right now, judging by how they look in the early season. The Hawsk were still the same high-energy Hawks form last year, only with a little more pop.
Lilja was a car wreck again. I don’t care about last year’s playoffs, he’s such a huge liability at this point that they just have to get rid of him. As long as he and Lebda are both starting, the Wings’ blueline isn’t very good, period. One of them has to go, and IMHO it has to be Lily because he has no other upside like Lebda has.
Hudler’s transforming right before our eyes after having all the focus on Grigs this past preseason, another good game from him. He had a snarl about him last night even. Never mind the missed SO attempt, he looked like he belonged just fine out there. Cleary looked awfully good too—he’s light years beyond where he was when he came to camp on a tryout a few years ago, his confidence is now clear to anyone watching him.
Dallas Drake’s pace for 82 fights this year has to be encouraging, and he handled Wozniewski just fine. He gives the Wings teeth without being a huge liability, he’s going to be popular with team and fans alike.
Posted by Primis from Michigan on 10/07/07 at 10:52 AM ET