Abel to Yzerman
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Finally…I Know What We Need
by IwoCPO on 05/19/08 at 05:30 AM ET
Comments (17)
And what we need, believe it or not, is more cowbell.
When I started the Chief Jeep this morning, I was greeted by REO Speedwagon. Kevin Cronin, in tears, telling me he’d keep on loving me. How did such a good band turn so horribly bad so quickly?
What went wrong? If they’d kept rolling with the changes and riding the storm out, everything would have been fine.
But, and this may shock you, that’s not my point. I strayed, veered if you will. I apologize. Cronin had just sobbed to me that it was the only thing he wanted to do when I quickly switched my highly overrated Sirius radio and was quickly reminded that if I had to fear one thing, it shouldn’t be the reaper.
It took a day and a half, a rained out air show, two hours of Michael Scott and Dwight K. Schrute, three bites on my hand from a new hamster and, finally, some Blue Oyster Cult. But I’ve finally figured out how the Wings (a new record: 181 words before I mentioned the Red Wings. If you’re still reading, you are truly a member of the A2Y 19) have to turn this around. They must not fear disaster. They can’t shirk from it, cower at the thought of defeat.
Actually, I’m speaking about myself. I’m tired of writing “keys” to this or “keys” to that. It’s so stupid. It means nothing. It’s filling space. No.
I have no idea if the Wings are “scared” as that gobbler Mike Milbury claimed they were on Saturday. The Wings were a “tense” group, a “quiet bench”. They were “playing scared.” Jesus. Who the hell is Mike Milbury to make that claim? Squeeze Ken Hitchcock’s fat ass between those benches. If he tells me the Wings are “scared”? Fine. I’ll give that some credibility. He’s got some. Milbury? Nope.
We have no idea what the Wing mindset is right now. Trying to guess it is silly. I do know my own. I know that, like a few of you, I spent much of yesterday dreading tonite. Oh, I’m still stressed. Don’t get me wrong. But I think I may be more than a little insane right now because I’m actually looking forward to Game 6. I no longer fear the worst. And it’s not due to Blue Oyster Cult, or even Van Halen’s “Mean Street” that immediately followed it.
Nope. I know the Wings will win tonite because a Dallas media member made a strategic error. He reached into my fridge and stole my cheese. I’ve got some sour news for you Jack (Tenacious D reference). Balboa references are mine.
I always enjoy a movie reference to sum up my feelings. But, I can’t take credit for this one. Many of you have been sending me the Rocky IV clip where Rocky realizes that Ivan Drago bleeds. Once he bleeds, you realize he is human. Once you realize he is human, you realize that your punches can hurt. Then, you realize victory can be had. It all starts, though, with a drop of blood. The Wings were just cut. Let’s see how that affects the two teams.
Thanks to AndrewfromAnnArbor for the pointer.
Really, Bob? Someone, no..."many" Stars fans sent you that clip? Really? Because, and I’ve referenced Rocky more than a few times here, if I was going to use a Balboa metaphor it sure wouldn’t be from 4.
I might reach back to III though, while we’re chit chatting. I might pull up some classic Clubber Lang. If asked for a prediction for tonite, I might just go ahead and say “pain.” But I haven’t been asked, Bob. And I’m not a prediction guy.
But I’ll say this. The Detroit Red Wings are not a scared team. They are not frightened at the idea of going into Dallas to win a pivotal Game 6 after losing a tough Game 5 at home. Chris Osgood is not intimidated by that idea. You see Bob, Ozzie’s been in this situation before.
I don’t mean, Bob, a situation like this. I mean this exact same situation. If you’re looking for historic references, ones that don’t include Rocky Balboa--mainly because that’s mine, Bob--you may want to head back to June 5th, 1998 and see what Ozzie did the last time the chips were down against Dallas.
So, yeah, Bob. I’ll make a prediction for tonite. I’ll go with 2-0 Wings. Ring a bell? It should. Because, Bob, they may bleed a bit. But the Detroit Red Wings are no Drago.
And Bob, Dallas is definitely not The Stallion.
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Comments
TD: classic as always!
Posted by cementslinger from keep your head down while in Saginaw on 05/19/08 at 07:11 AM ET
The anticipation of these games is funny, odd, curious, narcotic, lunacy and plain old fun. A total ebb & flow of thoughts, emotion etc.... Maybe it’s me but I like the build up to a BIG GAME. And note to all 19 of “us”.... we’ve been damn good at the big games all year.
After the Slap in the Face and Punch in the Gut from years past, I’ve somewhat learned to keep an even keel. SOMEWHAT.
Agreed, this team isn’t not scared of anyone nor thing other than not performing to the level we are capable of. I have no control over the effort the team put on the ice and no hat nor jersey combination I wear does either (although I am thinking about changing it up tonight!?!?!).
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/19/08 at 08:22 AM ET
Fact of the matter is, this team looked like they let the happennings of game 4 bother them the way it bothered us. And that’s a big problem.
Now, they are a whole game removed from it, and it’s time for them to move on.
I have two big problems with game 5:
- God bless Chris Chelios. While others have said since he came to Detroit that he was too old, and especially after the lockout, that he couldn’t keep up, I disagreed. And I think he proved me right. But, for the first time, the game is starting to pass him by. I’m not sure if he’s injured and we just don’t know, but the mistakes he’s been making all playoff don’t look physical, they look mental. Doesn’t get pucks out of his own zone when he has a chance. Doesn’t get them deep in the offensive zone when he has a chance. Just basic mental mistakes. He looks like he needs the extra second to think. It might be time for the Wings to skip a contract offer.
- They were not prepared. They came out, at home, with a chance to go to the Cup Finals. What situation is more exciting? What situation should fire you up more than that? I would’ve expected them to come out a little TOO energized, perhaps guys like Drake and Kronwall taking a couple penalties for big hits. But, instead, they looked completely unprepared for the game. I still think Babcock is the best coach in the game, but tonight he has to prove it by having this team ready to play they way he should’ve had them ready for game 5.
- I know I said two things, but here’s a third. IF (and right now it’s a big IF) the Wings get past Dallas, how will they handle the second line matchup against the Pens? Especially if Franzen isn’t back, or is but isn’t playing like himself.
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/19/08 at 08:35 AM ET
Chief, I was thinking exactly the same thing...more cowbell. Heard the same song yesterday, a day of musical references. And what it all summed up for me was this..."NO FEAR.”
Posted by WingBitch from Virginia on 05/19/08 at 08:41 AM ET
Another thing that Mike Milbury said that made me puke, was that Dallas was just not recovering from there 4 OT game against the sharks…
Posted by wingsnut25 from Sault Ste Marie, MI on 05/19/08 at 08:47 AM ET
Milbury, Douche Canoe, they are all one and the same. I’m tired of the garbage that they spew and if the Wings make it out of this round, it is only going to get worse. I agree, more cowbell.
All our times have come
Here but now they’re gone
Seasons don’t fear the reaper
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain..we can be like they are
Come on baby...don’t fear the reaper
Baby take my hand...don’t fear the reaper
We’ll be able to fly...don’t fear the reaper
Baby I’m your man…
LET’S GO RED WINGS!!!
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/19/08 at 09:52 AM ET
Okay, I’ll be the one to ask the stupid question:
What the heck is this cowbell thing? I hear it a lot and have no clue what anyone is talking about. Is it a movie reference or something?
The Wings weren’t “scared,” they were thinking too much. Same principle as performing in front of an audience, music, singing, public speaking - studies have shown repeatedly that performers self-report that they are more comfortable in front of family and friends, but they perform better in front of strangers because they can separate out the emotions and concentrate a bit better on what they need to do to be at their best.
Milbury is such a tool that I want to kick him right in the groin for no good reason whatsoever other that he is Mike Milbury and deserves it.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 10:54 AM ET
YouTube search Cowbell, Christopher Walken, and SNL
Posted by scsgoal31 from Huntington Woods, MI on 05/19/08 at 10:58 AM ET
Nice analysis Nathan, although I’m not sure if I agree with your assessment of Cheli. He seemed like the one with too much energy, wanting to do too much, including keeping the shifts short. There was a shift when he was clearly caught down low and didn’t seem to care; he just wanted to battle in the corners, win and make something happen. I was terrified but appreciative.
You know we’re anxious, or resigned to our anxiety, when Baroque wants to disem-ball Milbury. No predictions here either, but a sincere hope that we can close this thing out with a fantastic effort.
Posted by Osrt on 05/19/08 at 11:36 AM ET
Well, my day is already jinxed. I woke up this morning to a assploded water heater. 50 gallons of water heater all over the finished basement floor. $450 dollars later for a new water heater, a few hundred for emergency water clean up, and this monday is shaping up to be a beyotch of a day. I don’t even know if I can stand to get on the stress train tonight.
Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 05/19/08 at 12:10 PM ET
There was a shift when he was clearly caught down low and didn’t seem to care; he just wanted to battle in the corners, win and make something happen. I was terrified but appreciative.
It scares me when he is out on a PK, especially a 5-on-3, and there is a stoppage in play and it’s pretty clear that he is avoiding looking at the benck because he doesn’t want to see if the coaches want him to come off and put someone else on. He started the PK, and he’s going to finish it himself, dammit!
His leg has got to be bothering him, though - it was better early in the series after the rest, but now it’s starting to affect him again.
You know we’re anxious, or resigned to our anxiety, when Baroque wants to disem-ball Milbury.
No, just kick him so hard that his raisin-nuts shoot up his hollow spaghetti-noodle of a so-called spine and rattle around in his empty head like two beebees in a boxcar. Every time he opens his mouth it has as much meaning as the grown-up voices on the Charlie Brown cartoons.
I’m so nervous I could throw up at the drop of a hat. And I told myself at the beginning of each series that I was going to be calm, this isn’t a life-or-death situation, just depressing, but only one team really winds up happy at the end of the season...and now my stomach is tied up in knots. Again. Like it is every year.
F***, I think I’ll just eat an entire chocolate pound cake for dinner to deaden the pain.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/19/08 at 12:26 PM ET
They must not fear disaster.
Hmmm, I think my therapist, using the positive PC approach, used to term this as “Allowing Yourself to Succeed.” I took her advice and fired her.
So here we are in the Hasek firmly ensconced next to Victory Station which is chip shot south of American Airlines Center...just off of Victory Park Way, near Victory Avenue which of course is near Victory Park..jeez who names things in this town?! The furry things on the roof are what’s left of Older Than Chelios’, uh em, pets, Spike & Biff. Appreciate the sacrifice OTC. Somebody owes me a nine iron. (9 iron Ping Eye 2 BeCu copper golf club with steel stiff shaft) In this heat the pelts should dry by game time and make nice throw rugs.
Keeping busy calms the nerves so:
Roof Golf: 10-12
Poker: (Texas Hold-Em) in the Baggage car 1-5pm
Boat Drinks: PRN
Game On: !
GO WINGS!!!
Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 05/19/08 at 12:59 PM ET
Baroque - I hear you. BF said to me on Saturday, “You know, you take this way too seriously.” ARRGGGHHH! I’m watching the game alone tonight so I can yell and scream and throw up to my heart’s content.
Rumbear, I have a terrible poker face but can I still play? I need some kind of distraction.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 05/19/08 at 02:35 PM ET
In this heat the pelts should dry by game time and make nice throw rugs.
how big were those cats?!
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/19/08 at 03:36 PM ET
how big were those cats?!
Well, they were a good size. I don’t want to get PETA all upset like they were after the Nashville series. Let’s just say they were big barn cats. Yeah, that’s it. Barn cats. You know like if you had a large barn with a stake in ground in the middle and some chain attached and well, a big “cat” on the other end with a cute name like Spike and/or Biff. Except there wasn’t a chain or a stake in the baggage car. Fortunately, I had a nine iron and, if I do say so myself, quite a follow through. The sacrifices we make as loyal fans.
Nice rugs though. Gonna compliment the decor of the Hasek nicely. (I’d post a foto but I am fotographically challenged at doing that here at A2Y.)
Posted by Rumbear from Victory Station on 05/19/08 at 04:09 PM ET
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