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Game 5a
by IwoCPO on 05/22/07 at 10:30 PM ET
Comments (65)
We read the stories, and made our safe assumptions. We figured that the pain of Game 5 would spur an effort that would leave that disaster where it belonged, in the past. But, apparently, the hangover was too much.
If you don’t realize that The Kick To The Groin had everything to do with the listless first two periods of Game 6, then you’re misguided.
It stuck with them and they couldn’t shake it until it was too late. And it wasn’t Lilja’s mistake that will be the wretched memory of this series. It wasn’t Lilja’s lapse in judgment or the steal from Selanne and that eventual goal.
Nope. The image that will stay with us like Larry Bird and Dennis Johnson, and like Darrell Evans getting picked off third, will be that bastard of a fluttering puck floating over a suspended Dominik Hasek, moving so slowly that it took us all a moment to realize that it was even real. The OT loss was almost inevitable. Allowing Anaheim to tie Game 5, after multiple attempted clears and maybe even one offsides, was the beginning of the end.
Because no matter what Ted Kulfan told us, or Helene St. James or Ansar Khan. No matter the descriptions they gave of a confident plane ride and an upbeat Babcock, it was Game 5 at the Joe that really did us in.
Despite an effort from two kids that came of age in the third period of Game 6, they didn’t have enough to overcome the absolute disaster of Game 5, The Kick To The Groin.
This series wasn’t determined by sixty minutes outside Disney. The real death blow floated through the air like a damn paper football, right over Hasek’s shoulder.
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“Haha! The world’s worst fans get their asses handed to them. Now we are going to win the Stanley Cup as your worthless team implodes. You guys couldn’t have gotten killed in the last two games any worse than if you worked at Cheli’s Chili.
Cup baby!”
Enjoy it now because you are not making the playoffs next year. Bold prediction, I know, but just trust me.
Posted by Derek on 05/23/07 at 01:51 PM ET
Yep, they’ll be in the same position Edmonton is this year.
I find it interesting, and refreshing, that the discussion here - the day after getting knocked out of the playoffs - is so non-depressed. Nice to see that it didn’t rip Wings fans’ hearts out this year like the last few.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/23/07 at 02:02 PM ET
I am proud of the Wings this year. They exceeded my preseason expectations, and shook the demons that had been hanting them. I think the young core of the team now has what it needs to perform through any and all adversity, and they may ultimately be better in the long run as a result. Despite their road struggles, Datsyuk and Z showed us all something with their all-around games. And Flip? What a great playoff for a rookie, no doubt.
The Ducks deserve a lot of credit. They played more good hockey in the series than the Wings did. The second line was incredible. And while I was actually unimpressed with Pronger and Niedermayer (Lidstrom outplayed both of them), Beauchemin was extremely good after his unfortunate game 1. I think Carlyle out-coached Babs (this is NOT a “FIRE BABS” post, I think he still should be here).
Congrats to the Ducks. As a hockey team, I would love to root for them in the finals, but because they were born out of a Disney movie, I am forced to root for the Senators. 
Posted by Nathan on 05/23/07 at 02:24 PM ET
OklahomaWingNut: Wouldn’t that be great? Here’s hoping!
I find it interesting, and refreshing, that the discussion here - the day after getting knocked out of the playoffs - is so non-depressed.
Virtual support group!
Sometimes misery loves company—sometimes company makes the misery go away. They did much better than I expected at the beginning of the season, and only one team is really happy at the end of the season. The best part, from my perspective, is that all of my favorite players are going to be around again next year. I feel bad for the Buffalo fans, looking at losing Briere or Drury (unless they dump major salary elsewhere) and who knows who else. If they have any sense, they keep Drury if it comes to that.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/23/07 at 02:49 PM ET
“Alfredsson has been playing phenomenally well, and it’s good to see after he has been vilified for so many years.”
Here’s a question for you stats types…....If Alfredsson hoists the Cup, will he be the first ginger Eurocaptain to do so?
Do they have ginger stats?
Posted by dougie on 05/23/07 at 03:01 PM ET
(I also wonder if Don Cherry’s head will explode on tv if the Cup is handed to a European captain.)
That’s worth rooting for the Senators right there. Too bad Teemu Selanne isn’t the Duck’‘s captain, Cherry wouldn’t be able to stop spewing venom for weeks.
Posted by Jibblescribbits from San Jose, CA on 05/23/07 at 03:42 PM ET
Hee, hee, the thought of Don Cherry’s head exploding makes the day a tiny bit easier. I came into work bracing for all the insults I would get (it is well known around here that I’m a major Wing Nut) but everyone has been very kind and offered condolences instead. This smarts a lot but not as much as last year.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/23/07 at 04:04 PM ET
Too bad Teemu Selanne isn’t the Duck’’s captain…
Maybe if Niedermayer is injured someone can sneak a “C” on his sweater? Finn or Swede, Finn or Swede…
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/23/07 at 04:09 PM ET
Grapes is facing quite the conundrum isn’t he. He MUST support the Sens, the Canadian team with the Swedish Captain. But Anaheim has a good British Columbian Captain!!! Ohhh the irony!!!
Got to be a win/win for all who have endured his undeserved wrath. Maybe those ridiculous suits with the huge collars will make him even more “red in the face”!!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/23/07 at 04:53 PM ET
Although I think the Ducks have a much stronger chance because of better goaltending and arguably the number one shutdown line in the league (Paulson-sp? really earned my respect), I want the Sens to win. More than just a Canadian team, I’m rooting for Daniel Alfredson to solidify himself as a champion and a real leader. He’s been huge for them and it’s always great to see a guy live with one team his whole career do that for them, especially as the captain.
I could not agree more!
Have to see Alfredsson (the daywalker) sticking it to all arrogant Canadians claiming only Canadians can make it to the cup (if they’re right we sure are in trouble). According to stats, 111 out of 112 Stanley Cups have first been hoisted by a Canadian. Alfredsson will be the first Swede, if the Sens make it.
As far as Pahlsson goes, he’s an absolute beast! I definitely want to see that guy wearing red and white at some point (with Draper and Maltby, that would make for some shutdown artistry). He’s got more heart and grit than what I’ve seen from anyone else so far in the play-offs.
Posted by Peter J. from Columbus on 05/23/07 at 04:54 PM ET
No one’s mentioned this so far as I’ve seen: since the Wings didn’t make it the SCF and Bert wasn’t in the Top 5 in scoring for the team, the Wings only give up a 2nd-Rounder to Florida. Small consolation, but considering the last two Wings’ first round picks (Jakub Kindl and Nik Jr.), fans of fans of Red Wings prospect development should be pretty excited.
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/23/07 at 09:02 PM ET
the Wings seem to do just fine deep in the draft. they should trade all their first, second, and third round picks for a boatload of 6th-8th round picks!
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/23/07 at 09:25 PM ET
Paul: True! But you can’t argue with Kronwall and Kindl. Basically I put my trust in Holland and Co to do with this pick whatever they want. We’re already a deep organization, so whoever we get is gravy.
Oh, and it looks like Jim Balsillie, who tried to buy the Penguins, has bought the Nashville Predators. Maybe the Chief will get his wish and see hockey leave Nashville? My thoughts.
Posted by Pete K from East Lansing on 05/23/07 at 09:29 PM ET
Nice blog post, Pete. I agree that this might not be in the NHL’s best interest. Curious as to what every one else thinks. Chief? Future post?
Posted by Andrew on 05/23/07 at 09:34 PM ET
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If Chicago digs themselves out of the basement, then playoff travel might matter to them.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach on 05/23/07 at 01:50 PM ET