To Jennifer: AMEN!

We had very similar childhood experiences. I grew up a stone’s throw from where Ozzie now resides.

I relocated to SoCal because of a better economic opportunity, but my heart, my moods, my world rises and falls with the Wings.

My wife and my California friends really don’t get it. Maybe only Cubs fans do.

We were invited to a dinner party the night of game one. The hosts are Chicago transplants; huge Cub fans. The wife was mad at me for blowing off the dinner party, but the hosts completely understood.

The Wings may be the class of the NHL now, but for those of us fans who were fans before the Iliches and Yzerman, it was not always so. We live and die with this team. Win or lose.

Do you have any idea how much crap I took from band wagon Kings fans in 2001 after winning the first two then losing four straight??? As a Wings fan, I don’t take anything for granted. I rode the “Hasek car” before I had even heard of Hasek or A2Y, and I’m already on board in advance of tomorrow night’s game.

Last night took something out of me like no other loss ever has. However, I will be cheering (and stressing) for the Red Wings for the rest of this series no matter what the result. And if the worst happens, then my wife just may want to take a long vacation without me this summer. But come this fall, I’ll be back cheering (and stressing).

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Partly Cloudy SoCal on 06/03/08 at 01:58 PM ET

On a different note… after the marathon last night, is there any doubt the “fresh legs” of Cheli and DMac should be in the line up tomorrow?

Posted by Dahrken from Grand Rapids, MI on 06/03/08 at 02:08 PM ET

On a different note… after the marathon last night, is there any doubt the “fresh legs” of Cheli and DMac should be in the line up tomorrow?

Dmac for Homer, assuming Homer’s ailing groin does not recover quickly from the marathon.

However, who do you pull for Cheli? Obvious choice is Lilja, but he has been a shot blocking warrior.

Me = zero productivity today

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 06/03/08 at 02:13 PM ET

Anyone know a good exorcist?

Maybe a wildlife biologist?  Tranquilize him, take his measurements, and put a tag on his ear and a radio collar so we could track his movements?

Took the sentiment right out of my head, Jennifer. 

Maybe only Cubs fans do.

Oh, God, yes we do.  If Dusty Baker walked in front of my car today on the way home from work, I would floor the accelerator and then back up to make sure I finished him off for what he did to Prior for overusing him.  The most fluid, gorgeous motion I ever saw in a pitcher, and he destroyed the kid. 

Except I’d have to get him before my mom did.  I think she has precedence, though. 

And I agree - it would have been far, far worse if it was an elimination game.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/03/08 at 02:16 PM ET

recently I first heard of the “point system” they use for refs.  how ridiculous.  it just shows that the NHL couldn’t manage its way out of a paper bag.

D’ya think a group of dyslexic chimpanzees with lobotomies could do better?

It would be funny to see them try.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/03/08 at 02:18 PM ET

Me = absolutley useless today.  I’m tired of people coming up to me and asking me, “What happened to yourWings last night?”  Goes with the territory though.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/03/08 at 02:22 PM ET

Baroque - well Maggie the monkey does pretty well in her picks, right?  Maybe they could be on to something there…..

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/03/08 at 02:23 PM ET

Obvious choice is Lilja, but he has been a shot blocking warrior.

I didn’t want to say anything during the game, but last night was probably his best of the playoffs.  he only had one turnover, and it was a long pass to the Pens’ blue line so it wasn’t so bad.

I’m tired of people coming up to me and asking me, “What happened to yourWings last night?”

pretty simple response to that.  *cough*sweep*cough*

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/03/08 at 02:29 PM ET

Yeah Captain, but Cheli is still a PK monster. I’ve also seen some of his hits really rile up and energize this team in the past, and that may be needed after only one day to rest after the marathon.  Plus with having the last 5 games off he should be energized himself.  I tend to think that part of his poor performance in the Dallas series was just because he was getting worn out and being played to many games in a row.  Remember he never played back to back games in the regular season and because of that often had 3 or 4 days between games.

Posted by Dahrken from Grand Rapids, MI on 06/03/08 at 02:30 PM ET

if i WAS that dr. cox, i’d start calling you ghandi or something else making fun of the fact you’re bald.

also, i’d insert a picture here of cox in his chelios jersey, but i couldn’t figure out how. i don’t know if i should be ashamed that i couldn’t figure it out, or proud i haven’t reached that level of nerd yet…

....i think i’ll go with ashamed

Posted by dr. cox on 06/03/08 at 02:33 PM ET

No argument here, Dahrken. But to make room for Cheli, either Lebda or Lilja has to sit. I agree with Paul, Lilja played a solid game last night. If forced to make a decision, I would sit Lebda for Cheli.

If Homer is healthy and can go in game six, should sitting Drake for Dmac be considered, given Drake’s age?

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 06/03/08 at 02:35 PM ET

I’m not upset with the loss.  They lost with 34.7 seconds to go in the third.  It was nice to see them wear them down for tomorrows tilt, though.  And maybe there was hope for a better than expected outcome is why I stayed up for the whole thing.  I haven’t been in the Hasek all this time for nothing! I already dealt with the blows ahead of time.  Now it’s just the lack of sleep I am dealing with.

The Refs: Both ways.  They suck.  Call it or dont is cool with me.  But for the love of Gordie, if your gonna call a penalty, call it on a deserving call! It’s a pretty f’ed up call when the Douche Canoe says it’s not a penalty.  (The interference on Cleary).  But again, many calls could’ve been made either way.  It was nice to be able to see the guys play without ten thousand whistles. And for that, I must say, “Thanks Gary. ASS!”

and EvilPens… quit being a bitch.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 06/03/08 at 02:40 PM ET

If Homer is healthy and can go in game six, should sitting Drake for Dmac be considered, given Drake’s age?

I was thinking along these lines too.  Again it all depends on how gassed people are/aren’t feeling.

I thought Lebda played a darn good game for the most part.  I do agree Lilja had probably his best performance last night, be do we really trust him to do it twice in a row??  I’d love if he could, but the length of last night’s game, and the fact that he is after all Lilja,  it all just scares me a little.

Posted by Dahrken from Grand Rapids, MI on 06/03/08 at 02:43 PM ET

Was that the worst?

Hard to tell at this point.  Bird to DJ happened when I was eleven.  I didn’t take it too well, and it still makes me cringe.  Definitely worse than last year’s Fluttering Puck From The Gates Of Hell, because only a series lead was at stake in that game.  I’ll also submit Game 7 of the Pistons-Lakers Finals in ‘88, where Laker fans started charging the court even when the Pistons still could have tied it with a 3, and Isiah was decked before he could get the shot off (fast-forward to the 3:30 mark of this video, how was this allowed to happen?).

The Wings will respond tomorrow.  Remember, they’ve clinched every series on the road this year.

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 06/03/08 at 02:46 PM ET

Jennifer, you might get a few proposals out of this.

Ha! What’s funny is that when I my met my guy, he hated hockey. Thought it was the dumbest thing ever. It was seriously nearly a deal breaker. But very shortly after we met, the 2000 playoffs were on and he stayed up and watched the Pens and Flyers play overtime after overtime into wee long hours. By the next morning he was a hockey fan. Thankfully, he also now understands the importance of being a Wings fan in our house.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/03/08 at 02:50 PM ET

I rarely have time to comment on this forum, but it is all 19 of you that keep me sane after an event like last night.
The Wings fans here starting with the Chief are among the most loyal, passionate, fierce fans anywhere.
I waited 28 years to see the Red Wings win their first Cup.  Now for the last 20 years or so, maybe we have become a little spoiled.  I do believe however that we should have won a couple more in this time span.  But, we have had our share of agony, including personal tragedy’s to players, and of coarse, low seed upsets, and hot goalies that seem to find our team inviting.
Yes the Z empty net thing last night made me scream at the TV.
Besides feeling sorry for the team, I also feel for one of my childrem.  8 year old Matthew told me last night that he was watching his 100th Wings game of the season.  Saw one in person at the Ass Can.  He went to sleep with his Yzerman Jersey not knowing who won.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 06/03/08 at 02:51 PM ET

Too tired to do anything more than skim the comments so far…I woke up this morning and felt like I had been hit by a truck.

Turk, you’re right. Except we haven’t noted every comment we read on Pensblog that the Penguins “deserve” the Cup because of how they’ve played this season. The sense of entitlement is pretty nauseating in your fanbase as well…and it only died down a little after the Pens got their collective asses handed to them in the first two games. Your holier than thou bit is a more than a little hypocritical.

Regardless, I’m going to stand up and say the Wings didn’t lose this one, then Penguins won it.  How do you lose when Malone, who’s already playing with a broken nose, comes back 20 minutes after he takes a shotgun blast to the face? He’s either on PCP or he spends his off days searching relentlessy for Sarah Connor. I just can’t help but think about how inspirational it was to have him back on the Penguins’ bench.

Anyway. I’m devastated. I’m tired. I’m worried. But that’s how it’s supposed to be.  We’re still in the driver’s seat.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/03/08 at 02:53 PM ET

I relocated to SoCal because of a better economic opportunity, but my heart, my moods, my world rises and falls with the Wings.

Hey, I feel for ya. Imagine living in Kentucky at this time of year. No one down here has a clue what hockey is, or why anyone cares about some guy named Stanley.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/03/08 at 02:53 PM ET

Jennifer - Amen, sister.  Thanks for your good company last night in the way back of the Hasek.  I think I put my fist through the wood paneling though.  I need to knock with less force I think.

I’m just glad to have a group of people just as crazy as me going through this with me!

The Wings will respond tomorrow.  Remember, they’ve clinched every series on the road this year.

And if people like cephalopod don’t stop saying nice things, my knuckles and the wood paneling on the Hasek are going to be trashed.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/03/08 at 02:57 PM ET

Too tired to do anything more than skim the comments so far…I woke up this morning and felt like I had been hit by a truck.

Hey Gabriel, you and I can’t complain about feeling tired. Most of the 19 are on EDT and the game ended at 1am. For us left coasters it was over by 10pm. I can’t imagine how bleary-eyed the Michigander’s are.

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Sunny SoCal on 06/03/08 at 03:01 PM ET

As Penguins fan, I really want this decimal number to stay etched in Red Wings minds, but I think you didn’t get the correct number.
The time was 34.3

Posted by Kosta from Surcin, Serbia on 06/03/08 at 03:08 PM ET

CaptainDennis, I hear ya, but thanks to DHL I got nothing done yesterday, and wasn’t about to work during the game…so after the nightmare ended, I took a shower, poured one last drink, and worked until 4:00 this morning with my heart somewhere on the floor…then got up at 6:30 for a meeting where I gave a presentation.

The shortest, angriest presentation ever given. Ever.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/03/08 at 03:21 PM ET

Jennifer:  You summed it up perfectly.  It helps a lot that I’ve got the 19 when things go wrong in Wingland.  There are other people here who understand exactly how I’m feeling about it, and usually cracking me up as we all moan and bitch together.  I’ve always scoffed at the idea that the internet can link people into a kind of community, but that’s what A2Y has become all about.  And I’m dead serious about that.  Kumbaya, motherf@$%#ers.

Posted by AndrewB from TN on 06/03/08 at 03:34 PM ET

The sense of entitlement is pretty nauseating in your fanbase as well…and it only died down a little after the Pens got their collective asses handed to them in the first two games. Your holier than thou bit is a more than a little hypocritical.

Gabe, I’m not going to argue with you….if you truly think tPB or myself have acted even remotely close to Hockeytown™: enTITLEment, USA….then, so be it.

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/03/08 at 03:35 PM ET

Let me help a little Jeff.

1. Gary is blamed because his awful TV deal is why we’re starting games between two EST teams at 8:15 - 8:20pm instead of 7:45pm at the latest.

2. There are some *#$%@& Wings fans that do feel a sense of entitlement. I won’t make excuses for them. You know damn well there are some Pens fans that are the same way. It’s how sports works. For each team, no matter how bad, you can find a fan like that.

Remember before the BoSox won the series in ‘04? Even some Sox fans had a sense of entitlement, with the logic that it was simply their turn since they waited so long!

I think a lot of people that aren’t Wings fans mistake our expectations as a sense of entitlement.

I don’t think the Wings are owed wins, Cups, or any other trophies. But I’ve come to expect it. If anything, our expectations should annoy the organization more than the fans of our oppositions.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 06/03/08 at 03:40 PM ET

Kumbaya, motherf@$%#ers.

I’m with ya’, AndrewB.

Because, motherfu*kers, that’s how we roll.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 06/03/08 at 03:43 PM ET

Kosta, thats strange, 34.3 seconds is exactly how far the penguins were from moving to kansas city because no one gave a shit about them when they were losing. my how that bandwagon has turned around.

comparing the wings to the yankees? not even close, the only way they are even remotely similar is their production, and lately thats not even all that close. more like the penguins are the red sox. the team you used to have a soft spot, until everyone thought it’d be cool to go out and buy a hat that way you could say you were there from the beginning. sorry, not buying it. if the pens fall back into mediocrity, their fan base goes with them.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/03/08 at 03:44 PM ET

And I can think of a few ex-Wings who are more than annoyed with our expectations. Probably why they play elsewhere now.

Posted by AndrewB from TN on 06/03/08 at 03:45 PM ET

Surprise surprise, Stan Flischleschlischler is pounding the Pens’ drum.

Honestly, I couldn’t care any less about Pens fans at this point, I just want to see the Wings win so Stan has to back-pedal (again).

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 06/03/08 at 03:51 PM ET

rwingscup19 said:

is exactly how far the penguins were from moving to kansas city because no one gave a shit about them when they were losing.

Shows how much of a history buff you are.  The Pens moving had NOTHING to do with fan support and EVERYTHING about financial issues [Mario was just posturing, the Pens weren’t going anywhere]...You know about financial issues, right?... like the type the Red Wings created before the lockout when they were doubling up the league average in payroll??? [Yankee-esque, no?]

I’m not going to even bring up Wing ‘fan’ support by not being able to sell out the Joe in recent times or the rough periods in the 80’s….

[Hossa: 34.3]

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/03/08 at 04:06 PM ET

PaulInMiami -

IIRC, Lilja was the player who let Talbot stand unopposed at the side of the net for the tying goal with under a minute to go.  It wasn’t a great Lilja game still… I don’t care how many shots he blocks, it doesn’t make up for the lapses elsewhere.

Posted by Primis on 06/03/08 at 04:07 PM ET

Christ, if we lose after all this, I’m going on a killing spree.

Ummmm, anybody heard from Andrew today?  Just wondering if we need to get some bail money together.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo......kinda working. on 06/03/08 at 04:07 PM ET

hey dr. jackass, speaking of finances and trouble, guess who is helping to support teams that can’t generate revenue for themselves?

“Last season, 11 low-revenue NHL teams received more than $90 million in revenue-sharing payments (the proceeds came from the ten teams with the highest revenue and from a portion of playoff gate receipts), with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs chipping in $10 million each. The only reason why the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals posted profits last season was because of the money they received from revenue-sharing.”

thats from forbes, via mirtles blog. there’s your finances

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/03/08 at 04:17 PM ET

and here’s the great thing turk. you’re absolutely right, its all about finances. but where does oh where does that money come from? fans. sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly. there will always be rich people with the means to make money. people rich enough to invest in say, a hockey team, or a stadium. the question they ask themselves is, will i make money on this? they make money from people buying jerseys, going to games, selling concessions etc. etc. obviously, people looked at the pens situation and noticed that they couldn’t make any money, because the fan base was either too small or unwilling to spend money.

now go read a book, educate yourself a little bit.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/03/08 at 04:25 PM ET

  Christ, if we lose after all this, I’m going on a killing spree.

Ummmm, anybody heard from Andrew today?  Just wondering if we need to get some bail money together.

Rumbear, considering Andrew is somewhere in Europe, that bail money would have to be in Euros. Sorry, Andy, but I don’t have that kind of cash. 

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/03/08 at 04:27 PM ET

rwingscup19

Thanks for proving my point! Penguins troubles = financial, NOT fan based which you so eloquently stated in the beginning of your original post at 4:44 and 34.3 seconds…

dr. jackass IS a nice touch, as well…

The current arena is tapped out for: additional seats, boxes, revenue streams…when the new barn opens in 2010-11…the financial woes will turn around [having lots of playoffs games as basically pure profit sure helps the situation here, too!!!]

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/03/08 at 04:28 PM ET

obviously, people looked at the pens situation and noticed that they couldn’t make any money, because the fan base was either too small or unwilling to spend money.

couldn’t be farther from the truth, here. It’s was all about a new arena.  I don’t care if Bill Gates owned the team, he wouldn’t be able to turn a profit in the Mellon Arena, either.  The team needed a new venue, that not only supports hockey, but gets all the other benefits of having a place to stage alternative events [concerts, NCAA basketball tourney games….] that were/are bypassing the Mellon Arena because of its: capacity & age, just to name a couple reasons.

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/03/08 at 04:37 PM ET

I’m not going to even bring up Wing ‘fan’ support by not being able to sell out the Joe in recent times

That’s very tactful of you, given the difficulty many Wings fans are having paying their rents and mortgages at the moment.

/currently looking for work, maybe a little over-sensitive about Michigan’s 7% unemployment rate

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/03/08 at 04:38 PM ET

well, if you could read, you’d see that a teams finances are revenue (from FANS) and expenses (PAYROLL). if you still don’t get it i’ll order you a hooked on phonics set, because i really don’t think i can break it down any simpler than that

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/03/08 at 04:38 PM ET

That’s very tactful of you, given the difficulty many Wings fans are having paying their rents and mortgages at the moment.

I hear ya…feeling the crunch here in the Burgh, as well…is it wrong to wish your team sweeps an earlier series, so that your credit card doesn’t get charged for another Home Game????

We have a Pay as they Play program this year for the playoffs here where the Pens don’t charge your Card until the Round is over…instead of charging you for all playoff games up front, then crediting your account towards next years’ Season Tickets…

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/03/08 at 04:50 PM ET

Um ... I really hate the Flyers.

Just trying to extend an olive branch here.

And my comment from like 17 hours ago, if it wasn’t clear—I certainly wasn’t suggesting Kronwall, of all people, was the reason that game was lost. The Pens played a spectacular game. I’m not even going to bitch about officiating issues, even though, re: the point system, a few months ago I met an NHL ref (who incidentally is from Philadelphia, though he claimed to be unbiased) in a bar who lost out on his valiant efforts to hook up with me largely because he explained that very system to me, and also tried to insist that it proved there’s no such thing as a make-up call ... anyway. Point? Yes! Pens played a great game. We have to play a better one tomorrow.

Because I will not, will NOT, survive the build-up to a Game 7.

Posted by Phoebe from Fort Lauderdale, Fla on 06/03/08 at 04:59 PM ET

that bail money would have to be in Euros.

Euros, Yen, Loonies, I am confident the crack legal department here at A2Y can sort out the details. Providing lawyers, guns and/or money on short notice is their forte. Just another benefit available to the 19 here.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo......kinda working, kinda not.. on 06/03/08 at 05:05 PM ET

Wonder if the season ticket prices will go up as much in the Penguins’ new arena as they shot up in New Jersey?  If the team is still quite good, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them double.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/03/08 at 05:08 PM ET

We have a Pay as they Play program this year for the playoffs

I think this was the case with the Wings as well (can’t say for sure, as I’m in CT at the moment, couldn’t make it to any games).  Prices were still pretty rough, though.

I have to say, it amazes me that the Wings sell out the games they do during the year, given the prices they set.  I think the cheapest seats during the regular season are $44?  Or there is a lower price level, but every time I go to buy tickets, what’s available starts at $44.  Standing room is $27—and the best deal in the house by far, great view—but not very suitable for families.  I hope that someday I’ll be able to take my kids to as many hockey games as my dad took me to, but at this price level, it’d be tough.

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/03/08 at 05:35 PM ET

Jennifer and Gusoline - I understand you guys and others and you are what make the Red Wing Nation nearly unique in hockey, and hands down the most numerous.  You are the reason when I attend games in Anaheim, Los Angeles, Raleigh, Washington, Phoenix, San Jose, that the pre-game is jammed with Red Wings fans huddled behind the bench up the aisle 45 minutes before game time admiring their Wings and snapping their pictures - to see the Boys in the Winged Wheel in person is a treat and a tradition eagerly accepted by the younger generation in tow at these games.

This is the Red Wings tradition, no feeling of entitlement, a tradition present in every NHL city that shows up en masse, something the lesser franchises like Carolina, Phoenix, Nashville and Pittsburgh do not and will never have.

Because, Mother Fuc8ers, That’s How We Roll.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/03/08 at 06:03 PM ET

hey dr. jackass, speaking of finances and trouble, guess who is helping to support teams that can’t generate revenue for themselves?

“Last season, 11 low-revenue NHL teams received more than $90 million in revenue-sharing payments (the proceeds came from the ten teams with the highest revenue and from a portion of playoff gate receipts), with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs chipping in $10 million each. The only reason why the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals posted profits last season was because of the money they received from revenue-sharing.”

This isn’t benevolence by the Wings, it’s simple economics. Sports leagues have realized that having competitive franchises in all cities (even small-market ones) is necessary for the economic health of the league.

Why is the NFL the most profitable sport? There are a number of reasons, but the fact that Rozelle helped pioneer revenue sharing is huge (the national TV deal also helps). Teams like the Patriots (and especially the Cowboys) could likely get more money from a more decentralized system. But, this view would be very short-term. Part of what makes the NFL so popular is that any team could win any year - and, increasing the value of the cheapest assets like the Bengals sure makes the Cowboys look even better.

well, if you could read, you’d see that a teams finances are revenue (from FANS) and expenses (PAYROLL). if you still don’t get it i’ll order you a hooked on phonics set, because i really don’t think i can break it down any simpler than that

To say that revenue’s derived “from fans” doesn’t really mean anything, given how broadly you’ve defined the term. In fact, gate receipts aren’t even half of total revenue. To say that the types of TV deals struck by the Leafs (for example) are related to “fans” is an attenuated connection at best.

And what does the term “fan” mean, anyway? Actual fans like Sadie usually aren’t the ones ponying up for the expensive tickets that produce significant revenue. Those are often corporations and/or wealthy individuals purchasing tickets for business reasons.

My overall point is that the NHL’s economics are usually much more complex than “x fans can’t support y team.” And as of right now, the Wings are more of the outlier than Pitt - which could completely change if the Wings go through an extended drought at any point (like all teams do), particularly in a region that’s been hard-hit by a declining economy.

*caveat: I’m not from Pittsburgh, nor a fan of Pittsburgh.

Posted by K in SF on 06/03/08 at 06:11 PM ET

Nice read, thanks. Nice to see you guys using spell check here, as opposed to those posting on ESPN! Props to you fans with pride in your amazing team. They are stifling!

Posted by just visiting from Alexandria, VA on 06/03/08 at 08:23 PM ET

nother thing .. take your relitivistic entitlement crap and shove in with your internal reproductive organ. WE WILL PREVAIL..

Posted by rndave from greenville,sc on 06/03/08 at 08:51 PM ET

Ummmm, anybody heard from Andrew today?  Just wondering if we need to get some bail money together.

Thanks, guys.  I won’t make lame jokes about soft European prisons here, just seriousness.  I feel, like everyone else, severely drained after that loss, and was just trying to get some time and space between myself and the playoffs, try to get things back into perspective…you know.  This is a *#$%@&-up time of year.

So no need to send currency, weapons, or consular or legal representation, but if you could airlift a case of good old Canadian whiskey, it’d find a grateful gullet to go down.

Oh, and Jennifer, I’d stick with dollars if I were you.  Not from an economic standpoint, mind you—I have NO idea about that—but because it makes Monopoly cash look good.  The hideous colors, the horrendous ‘concept’ landmarks (couldn’t use real ones because it’s a pan-European currency), the outlines of the continent on the coins that omits the non-EU members (meaning Norway is not there, making Sweden and Finland resemble nothing more so that a limp male sexual organ)...ick.  It’s a mess.  If good ol’ US bucks were legal tender here, I’d use ‘em in a heartbeat.

Now I’ve just got to figure out how I can show Baroque I’m even more of a smartarse by working the European Monetary Union (yes, EMU) into this somehow…   It’s entirely possible that I AM the Andrew you went to high school with, given that I spent most of it drunk and maudlin, and thus have hazy memories of it…

I only have two concerns after that, given this team’s spirit and glue, and the fact that we’re still 3-2 up.  Will the Pens, being an overall younger team, be less fatigued than our vets after that long game?  And worse, a loss like that, no matter how this series turns out, makes it all that much easier for guys like Cherry to point to the non-North American captain and the overall European flavor of the team and say “See!  They have no character!”  And you KNOW he’ll do just that.

Anyway, thanks for the concern, guys.  See you all tonight, unless you see me first.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from my safe sofa, retreating into a world of comfort on 06/04/08 at 07:43 AM ET

Sports leagues have realized that having competitive franchises in all cities (even small-market ones) is necessary for the economic health of the league.

I think this is a ridiculous way to run a business.  it’s like McDonald’s saying…let’s put a McDonald’s in this location where nobody eats, and make all the other McDonald’s pay them a share of their profits to keep them afloat.

idiocy, IMO.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 08:52 AM ET