Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Khan(!): Mule Can Begin Workouts
Previous entry: Not So Fast
Giving Bubba, Sr. The Broom: Keys To A Second Sweep
by IwoCPO on 05/14/08 at 07:49 AM ET
Comments (79)
Remember about a month ago? 28 days, actually? Yeah. That was the last time the Wings lost. Little Bubba Junior had tied up the first round and the Stress Train was chugging, as most of us were.
Take a guess how many minutes Dallas Drake played in Game 4, Round 1.
6:24.
Since losing Game 4 at the SoGay, Drake hasn’t played less than ten minutes. Over 9 straight wins, he’s averaged 13:20/game. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a solution. See how much ice time Drake got last game? You know the one. The best game the Wings have played in ten years? 13:28.
Drake, Maltby, Helm, Draper, McCarty...all were pivotal. All were violent and effective. Their forecheck was sustained and they brought pressure every shift. And we’re even seeing some scoring out of Helm and his little pal Happy.
You want a carryover key? The play of the grinders. On garbage ice endorsed by your commissioner, Uncle Mike rolled all four and watched Tippett’s head spin as Datsyuk and Zetterberg zipped around just seconds after Drake or McCarty or Draper or Helm had painted the boards with Stars.
We need that same kind of diversity tonite. More than that, though, the key will be a lead, which will lead to a meltdown and an even bigger lead. It will take exactly one setback for the Stars to implode. Brittle doesn’t even begin to describe their mental state at this point. Yes, we’ll see the obligatory burst at the start of the first. Yes, the crowd will be into it. Hum a little tune to yourself and wait for it to go away.
Because it will. As soon as the Wings pot one, which of course they will.
But wait. You wait just one damn minute. Is that my guarantee? My mandate? No. No it’s not. Tonite may be the closest game of the series. Dallas may have an ounce of sack left we weren’t aware of. Pride may be a factor. Wounded animals and all that. We may even see this thing go to OT.
And the conspiracy theorists are already writing their “Ilitch wanted a Game 5 for the cash” posts.
We’re in uncharted territory you and I. Oh, we’ve been here before, watched our Wings on the brink of the Finals. Four other times, in fact. But, it will be the first Final foray for A2Y. We must have a strategy, a game plan. It’s essential. We must be graphically superior. Our wit must be sharper than ever. There will be no room, none, for adult behavior.
But I’m placing the cart a length before the horse. Tonite? Grinders. Patience. Momentum. Press down firmly. Finish it. Stay healthy and give us a few days to breathe before the mother of all Stress Trains leaves the station.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
« Previous 1 2
how do the refs miss something like that? isn’t the back ref supposed to be watching away from the puck?
He’s a soft Swede. Penalties against him don’t count.
I’m not sure I can do the juvenile thing that well, but I’ll just laugh at everyone else’s comments.
Pensblog is indeed lethal.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/14/08 at 12:20 PM ET
Pensblog is lethal, and we have no weapon except A2Y.
My thoughts exactly. Those guys are damn near self-pedophiles!
@TeamDub: Congratulations on a great semester! Thanks for the graphic as well.
@Baroque: You’re allowed as long you keeping ragging on D.C!
Posted by Osrt on 05/14/08 at 12:21 PM ET
@Baroque: You’re allowed as long you keeping ragging on D.C!
Not a problem. 
And congrats to TeamDub from me as well. I know how it is with that one “non-A” - i can still remember the two classes I didn’t get straight A’s in in college, and still resent one of them - the other one I deserved the A-.
Tough to let go even after many years.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/14/08 at 12:29 PM ET
’d make Joel Queenville ride him like a pony in the Macy’s parade wearing nothing but chaps and a bridle.
Whoa Scott; I was laughing until I got to this gem of a slightly too detailed homoerotic fantasy… 
Posted by Osrt on 05/14/08 at 12:29 PM ET
you guys given the pens a name yet ie bubba or the dive? personally i call them franklin as in franklin the turtle the kids show, i got a kid who watches that show and all he does is whine and complain and basically be a little whiny b!tch, just like the penguins, I know Pingu makes more sense being a penguin and all, but goddamn Pingu is pretty cool.
And the reason the wings are winning is cuz i refuse to let the gf watch games with me this year, last years playoffs, wings were 8-1 when she didn’t watch and 2-7 when she did, this year she is abnned from the games
Posted by Jay from canada on 05/14/08 at 12:30 PM ET
Too bad Game 4 isn’t in DET, because the JLA crowd could give “Little Gary” a piece of their mind; from the Dallas Morning News:
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is expected to be at Game 4.
Just thought you guys would like to know.
And remember...play nice.
Ass.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/14/08 at 12:33 PM ET
Also saw this little blurb regarding the “work ethic” of DAL, again from the Dallas Morning News:
This Game 3 highlight clip from TSN showed how Stars forwards Mike Ribeiro and Brad Richards failed to backcheck on Pavel Datsyuk’s first two goals.
The guy narrating the highlights was being kind when he said Ribeiro was “out of gas.” And there’s no defending Richards for his weak attempt to slow down Datsyuk.
Not only are Detroit’s best players outplaying the Stars’ stars, they’re outworking them, too.
Seems like the Dallas MSM know what everyone here at “A 2 Y” already knows; DAL can’t skate with the Wings.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/14/08 at 12:36 PM ET
Paul,
Guessing the non-calls on the triple whacka on Homer from Ott is for the same reason Homer had what maybe 10 goals called back this year for having his skates CLEARLY outside the paint and NOT interferring with anyone-thing.
And Barry the “expert” sat there and said good things about Ott’s triple whacks.
Yes, a Nik Jr decapitation would please me immensely.
Team Dub,
Right on. I managed to be on academic probation after my first semester and would up graduating with a 3.76… if I’da known then what I think I know now?
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/14/08 at 12:43 PM ET
Pensblog is indeed lethal.
*snort*
Nothing a strike package comprised of select juveniles here couldn’t take care of. Overwhelm them with superior firepower. Shock and awe ‘em. They’ll go running for their spider holes.
Just need to pick a coordinated time-on-target and sync-up our watches.
Posted by O-Joe on 05/14/08 at 01:13 PM ET
The tough thing for me if everything continues as it has proceeded thus far is that I really like penguins.
Not the Penguins - just penguins.
There are so many species for such a standard body plan - Emperor penguins, chinstrap penguins, macaroni penguins, Adelie penguins, jackass penguins - and they are all so damn cute.
Just look at a picture of an Adelie penguin, and tell me that’s not one of the most adorable little animals you ever saw!
But put a Pittsburgh jersey on it and then kick it off the edge of the ice floe to a waiting (and hungry) leopard seal...heh, heh, heh...oops, was that out loud?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/14/08 at 01:20 PM ET
Baroque,
Leopard Seals often seemingly enjoy their vicious kills and seem to play with the dead bodies some too… Some kills aren’t for the food but for the satisfaction of killing a cute lil Penguin. Seals can be seen tossing them in the air and twirling them around.
Errily similar to a certain ocean dwelling 8 legged creature often found on the ice around the NHL.....
Coincidence I think not.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/14/08 at 01:52 PM ET
Hypothetically speaking, let’s hypothetically say that someone, “my friend”, might be hypothetically interested in attending one (or possibly more) Stanley Cup Finals game (regardless of which teams may or may not be playing, of course).
Any advice on what the best way to secure finals tickets would be? Hypothetically speaking, of course.
And if one were to get tickets at the Joe (for next season, let’s say) are there any areas with especially sucktastic sight lines to specifically avoid?
This is all purely hypothetical of course.
---
Let’s wrap this series up tonight, boys! This playoff beard’s getting itchy, and my lucky jersey’s starting to smell funk-ay.
Posted by Modnar from Cincinnati, OH on 05/14/08 at 01:56 PM ET
That sounds like the “friend” who has a burning sensation when he goes pee pee and the “friend” is asking for advice. Lets wait til tomorrow morning to see if we wanna be “hypothetical"…
BTW, there are no “sucktastic seats” in the Joe really, there aren’t. I’ve seen a game from the LAST ROW in the rink behind the home goal & it didn’t totally suck (other than being in JLA for a loss of a season opener) Not like Fenway where 1/3 the seats are behind poles (and that’s not a reference to Red Sox fans and a nationality.. but I guess it could be?).
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/14/08 at 02:15 PM ET
The only real sucktastic seats at the Joe are the obstructed view “hole in the wall” seats in the upper corners, and even those aren’t that bad as long as you don’t mind standing the whole game.
So what will Nick do with the Campbell trophy if they win tonight? I remember in ‘02, Stevie Y picked it up and skated straight into the locker room. Nick has Been There Done That too.
Posted by Matt from Chicago on 05/14/08 at 02:36 PM ET
maybe he can “accidentally” drop it on Gary...Ass’ foot.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/14/08 at 02:44 PM ET
The Dallas lot are so dejected and lifeless right now berating them any further would be like taking candy from a baby, and then beating that baby with your shoe within an inch of its life.
I worked for a new client last week that came to Toronto from Dallas. Knowing this was a hockey city, he put up Dallas Stars logos all over the office we were working out of. He even kindly included a picture of Calvin pissing on the Wings logo (a la a Chevy logo) when he found out the Wings were my team.
Needless to say, after Game 1 he didn’t have very much fight left in him. I just hope that if we flog them any further, he will contact me for future work and not hold a grudge… tee hee hee.
I want to go to Game 5 to watch us close out the series, but I also hate seeing us lose. After missing Game 5 because of a sweep last series, I would hate for it to happen again. So many mixed emotions. Who do I root for tonight?
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/14/08 at 02:47 PM ET
maybe he can “accidentally” drop it on Gary...Ass’ foot.
I wonder how much it’d cost to have him say ‘Thanks Gary. Ass.’.
Posted by Modnar from Cincinnati, OH on 05/14/08 at 02:47 PM ET
I want to go to Game 5 to watch us close out the series, but I also hate seeing us lose. After missing Game 5 because of a sweep last series, I would hate for it to happen again. So many mixed emotions. Who do I root for tonight?
You root for the Wings, and go see the hypothetical game of the next hypothetical series.
Posted by Modnar from Cincinnati, OH on 05/14/08 at 02:48 PM ET
Sorry people but I’m the reason they’re winning. I’m from Michigan and went to tons of games while living in Ann Arbor; the wings never lost a game I went to. Then, I moved to California and I was present at all of the losses to the Ducks (2004 & 2007) and Sharks (last year) as well as countless regular season games where the wings got pummeled. I was starting to think that I was going to have to divorce my wife (we started dating in 2004 and she was with me at the games) or move or something,but lo’ and behold, this year we found out we are expecting our first child (a boy) and that little son-of-a-well you know… is unbeatable. We went to watch the Wings pound San Jose twice this year and the ducks once… so ... you can thank my son (when he gets here) for breaking the curse I had unwittingly inflicted on the Wings.
Posted by SharkBaiter from hiding from the sun on 05/14/08 at 02:53 PM ET
Baiter,
You at the Wings-Sharks game Jan 19th? I just about dragged some boob in a teal jersey to the parking lot to get him to shut up.SO I spilled a little beer on ya (damn sister yanked my arm when we scored and beer kinda went FLYING). I immediatley appoligized, offered compensation and all he wanted to do was call me a punk, tell me to learn to control myself, grow up… 4-5 times of that was enough. Then he said something about being a STUPID RED WINGS FAN. Put up or shut up in your girly girl teal tubby. Funny enough he was rather quiet the remainder of the game.
And all this time I was attributing our winning to me wearing the same 19 jersey and a Wings hat I’ve had for since 96.
Steve… Thats funny.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/14/08 at 03:59 PM ET
Priceless TD, priceless.
Congrats on that sterling gpa!!!
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/14/08 at 04:11 PM ET
Thanks, Jeff (and Baroque, Osrt, Mow.)
Not too bad considering the 15 year or so layoff and copious PBR consumption.
And I do mean copious.
See you all at the LB.
TD
Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 05/14/08 at 04:24 PM ET
This piece previewing game 4 from Daryl Reaugh at the Dallas Stars Blog is brilliant:
For those of you who think all is lost and that being in an 0-3 hole to the President’s Trophy winners is insurmountable I offer you these words of discouragement to cling to:
More than any time in history (this playoffs) mankind (our Stars) faces a crossroads.
One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness (Saturday at The Joe), the other to total extinction (swept in four).
Let us pray that we (they) have the wisdom to choose correctly.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 05/14/08 at 04:28 PM ET
So what will Nick do with the Campbell trophy if they win tonight? I remember in ‘02, Stevie Y picked it up and skated straight into the locker room.
He has been instructed to bring it DIRECTLY to the alchemy car where I, along with my newly acquired ‘Morrow on a Skewer’, will finalize my previously mentioned tonic. Mr. Drake and Mr. Kronwall have been instructed to insure Mr. Morrow leaves the game early so I can squeeze the cowardice out of him on ‘the rack.’ That juice will be noxious so if the ice is a little funky in the 3rd, you know why.
I will mix all of the ingredients from the cryo-cannister (now in the baggage car next to the cats) in the Campbell cup, and my Penguin Sauce will be ready.
I still haven’t figured out how to apply the stuff yet.
Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 05/14/08 at 05:39 PM ET
I still haven’t figured out how to apply the stuff yet
Thats simple. Run it through those fancy fog machines when the opening rosters are announced.
Crush their spirits, take their soul.
Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 05/14/08 at 06:18 PM ET
the refs are trying to gift wrap the game for the stars… that is the last comment about the reffing/linesman.
our grind lines had a lot of time on the ice because of the PK, which means our scoring lines are fresh. we will dominate the third period with fresh legs, let’s get a strong second and put the choke hold on.
Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 05/14/08 at 08:00 PM ET
« Previous 1 2
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Create Your Own Headline For The Wings/Habs Live Blog
Mellow Is The Man Who Hosts About 120 Live Blogs Per Year
“Faux”…Interesting. Do You Use “Faux”?
Detroit Media: Zero Outrage. Fedorov? Plenty
Well Gary? Your League Is A Joke
Gambling In Havana? Hiding In Honduras? Dad? Get Me To A Live Blog…STAT
About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome:
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
"A2Y is what other blog sites aspire to be when they fail to grow up: intelligent immaturity for the juvenile genius set”
--Captain Dennis Polonich, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
End this series tonight!
“BRING IT ON!”
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/14/08 at 12:16 PM ET