YYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSS

It will actually feel good going into work tomorrow morning.  Living in Kentucky where most everyone doesn’t even know that there is such a thing as hockey, it was pretty cool that I got a call Tuesday morning from my boss (I work from home M-W), and said he was tired and it was my fault because he stayed up and watched the Wings up until the end of the 2nd overtime!  I’m not sure if he’d watched a game of hockey in his life.

And he was stunned when I told him the Penguins won.  He said, “Didn’t the Red Wings have two and a half times more shots?  They were clearly the better team…”    I’ll make a Red Wing fan out of him yet!

Anyway, glad to see the Wings close it out.  My playoff beard can finally come off.  My thanks also to the A2Y 19 for lots of laughs and for a community that understands what I’m going through in the hockey void of Kentucky.  Kudos!

Posted by ludmeister from Kentucky on 06/04/08 at 11:06 PM ET

Hail to Osgood

3 years at $1.5 or so?  Pretty good steal for the Wings for a near Conn Smythe winner.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:07 PM ET

I haven’t been able to speak, nor write for the last couple of days.

Let me thank you all for great company and a fantastic season.  Lot’s of great memories.

Thanks Chief, as always your writing has been terrific throughout the year and well beyond!  It’s only a matter of time before I’ll be ordering a book with your name on it.

Posted by lilja4ever on 06/04/08 at 11:09 PM ET

My thanks also to the A2Y 19 for lots of laughs and for a community that understands what I’m going through in the hockey void of Kentucky.  Kudos!
Posted by ludmeister on 06/05 at 12:06 AM

Damn Lud there’s a lot of us previously isolated brought together by the dream of IWO and the technology of the internet.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:09 PM ET

Illitch in the locker room partying with the boyz. Cool.

To the 19, what ride it’s been. Thanks to all for keeping me informed of all things Wings. Good stuff!

Now I can go cancel my cable for a few months! (I’ll use the money saved for next years playoff tickets!)

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 06/04/08 at 11:10 PM ET

I also second the kudos to the Penguins fans who showed up for hockey talk, as opposed to drivel like DEAD WINGS SUK!!!!!! PENGUINS RULZ THE WORLD!!!! Much more enjoyable to talk like regular people.

I’m glad Malkin got a goal finally, and I’m hoping it will lessen some of the ripping on the kid.  He’s young and will get better, if the constant picking at him from some of the MSM doesn’t destroy his confidence.

I hope the rest of the Eastern conference got a good long look at the goaltending that will be giving them fits the next few years.  Have fun, East coast!

And thank you to the Red Wings for actually winning the Cup while I was wearing a new piece of jewelry, thus making sure that I would not consider it forever cursed.

(Normally I stick with my tried and true lucky pieces, but I had to try a fossil ivory Red Wings pendant from an extremely talented artist from Oscoda.  Thank goodness it worked.  I love it and would hate to have bad memories attached.) 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 11:10 PM ET

And I swear, if I meet any guy named Michel this summer, he is getting hit. I don’t care if its on top of a 14,000 foot mountain, he’s getting a 2,000 foot cross check.

Word.

Thanks for the great year, Chief, an island of sanity in a kwazy kwazy world…  Officially reserving my seat in the Hasek next spring…

This One Goes To Eleven.

GO WINGS

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 06/04/08 at 11:11 PM ET

What’s so crazy about this year is that the Wings will go into next season essentially the same team they were this year, but immeasurably better.  So many players developed so much over the course of this season and especially the playoffs.  Is there anyone who can point to a legitimate question mark anywhere in the Wings lineup (with the possible exception of backup goalie, but even Howard had a few good games)?

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 06/04/08 at 11:11 PM ET

Wings and Penguins better get to work.  Some of their golfing buddies have a two-month head start on getting their games in shape!

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 11:15 PM ET

With a crew and the Captain well seasoned:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8_8s2zsNhSM

Posted by Steve J from Columbus, OH on 06/04 at 09:47 PM

This deserves a post in the newer thread.

So F’n happy right now.  Savor this, everyone.  SAVOR THIS!

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 06/04/08 at 11:16 PM ET

Wow.  Congrats Wings!!  I just want to give a shout out to the Chief for the best blog around, period.  I came across it during the “Summer of Smyth” - thankfully you were wrong Chief and it was the “Summer of Rafalski!”  I really enjoyed each and every post and comment from the A2Y 19 throughout the season, and it feels so good to celebrate #11 with all of you.

Wooooooo!!  Have fun tonight but be safe out there!

Posted by yetanotherwingtransplant from norcal on 06/04/08 at 11:17 PM ET

Go Wings!

I’m sad that hockey is done until September (pre-season).  Anyone up for some video game hockey???

Posted by Tuba Guy from Royal Oak, MI on 06/04/08 at 11:18 PM ET

I’m glad you mentioned good-luck charms, Baroque. Thanks is also due my wife, who dug out her old Red Wings t-shirt to wear jogging tonight (she was a little disappointed it didn’t elicit more honks and raised fists). I suppose I’m also lucky that her and the animals continue to tolerate me after all the jumping off the couch and screaming with good goals and bad penalty calls.

Posted by BobS. on 06/04/08 at 11:20 PM ET

Great Season.
Congrats to the players and the rest of the 19 and Wings fan everywhere

Posted by arelius19 from maryland… on 06/04/08 at 11:21 PM ET

Thanks to all of you for making Wings isolation here in the ATL bearable. Thanks too, to the classy Pengiuns fans for showing up in this thread tonight.

Immense satisfaction and relief and joy feels so good.

Posted by Margot from Atlanta on 06/04/08 at 11:21 PM ET

Ch. 4 just let Mac interview Ozzie; AWESOME. You guys have to check that out on their site.

“Yea, we had to not only beat the Pens but everyone else on and off the ice too”

“Yea, Pav gets tripped in the last 30 seconds and no call. They wanted a game 7 for sure but we didn’t let them have it.

“There are some angry guys in New York right now.”

Ahh…the silence is no more..

Posted by Osrt on 06/04/08 at 11:23 PM ET

This was a highlight year… following the team through the season and online was a real treat… Chief and Paul great job on the blogs, you two are first class on the net.

I had my chance to watch my first Wings game at JLA, game 1 of the playoffs.  Topped off with two more visits including game 34.7 and this is the most unforgettable year ever in my Wings life.  With internet access coupled with center ice following the team from afar has never been easier.

Many thanks to the A2Y 19 family for their great posts and comments… like the Wings have honed their game, so too have you mastered the craft of talking smack and cracking a joke simultaneously… 

Because that is how we roll, mofos.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/04/08 at 11:26 PM ET

Tuba Guy -

I told my wife I was sad now because there’s no hockey.  Is this a World Cup year?  Will we get hockey in August?

So anyways… for tonight and tonight only, no griping about what fate should befall Lilja, no more having to see or hear the words Therrien or Crosby, and no more Stress Train…

Just knowing we got the damn Cup.  And seeing Drake with it finally made it all worth it.

Did Fisch get to join the boys?  He damn well deserved to… I hope he did.

Posted by Primis on 06/04/08 at 11:26 PM ET

Wings and Penguins better get to work.  Some of their golfing buddies have a two-month head start on getting their games in shape!

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/05 at 12:15 AM

Baroque you are an evil bastard.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:28 PM ET

Douche Canoe contest to return in the playoffs 2009!

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 06/04/08 at 11:29 PM ET

Thanks Chief and the 19!
It’s been one hell of a ride!

Posted by jmara85 on 06/04/08 at 11:30 PM ET

Damn Lud there’s a lot of us previously isolated brought together by the dream of IWO and the technology of the internet.

Yeah… kept me from going totally insane the past couple of months.  I may have been only a light poster, but I’ve been here diligently, even after days like this weeks Black Monday.  I’m not sure I’ve fully assessed all the mental damage I’ve suffered (and the refs inflicted much more than I want to admit… how the heck do you explain those phantom calls and no-calls to people who don’t even understand icing???)

Anyway… well… just call me mildly insane…  Which I am… I think I’ll just check into the ellipsis ward now

Posted by ludmeister from Kentucky on 06/04/08 at 11:33 PM ET

Ch. 4 just let Mac interview Ozzie; AWESOME. You guys have to check that out on their site.

ah, wish i could have seen that. anybody recording these postgame interviews for those of us that can’t see them?

Posted by micah from rochester, ny on 06/04/08 at 11:33 PM ET

Favorite non-scoring highlight?  Stuart’s hit on Kid behind the net.  Awesome!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:33 PM ET

Maybe now Michelle will burn that pink tie…

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 06/04/08 at 11:35 PM ET

I’ve got such a man crush on Babs!  I would so give him a courtesy reach around!

watching him on the post game press conference i’m really proud he’s the coach of the Detroit Red Wings!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:36 PM ET

Maybe now Michelle will burn that pink tie…

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, speechless on 06/05 at 12:35 AM

You evil bastard.  I really did not like that French school girl.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:37 PM ET

“When you pull your goalie in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs that usually means you’re going fishing in about 3 days.”

- Mike Babcock

This guy is incredible.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:39 PM ET

Baroque you are an evil bastard.

Thank you. 

I’ll file that away with the comment about me being a sick twisted freak when I suggested getting more cats from shelters, if needed.

Small domestic animals can also breathe freely again!

Not only Dallas Drake, but seeing Dan Cleary trying (and failing) not to tear up was really sweet.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 11:39 PM ET

Aargh. I can’t let my last post dishonor the Penguins with a misspelling. Sorry about that, Pens fans.

Posted by Margot from Atlanta on 06/04/08 at 11:42 PM ET

Not only Dallas Drake, but seeing Dan Cleary trying (and failing) not to tear up was really sweet.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/05 at 12:39 AM

yeah I’m really happy for those gritty guys.  Cleary didn’t get a lot of points but busted his balls every shift, and Drake was such a character guy for minimum salary.  Happy for Drake, the guy who used to beat up people in Marquette bars!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/04/08 at 11:47 PM ET

Ch. 4 just let Mac interview Ozzie; AWESOME. You guys have to check that out on their site.

Man, wish I’d thought of going there earlier.  Hope they post some videos of the coverage tomorrow.

Anyway, what a series.  I can enjoy it a lot more now that it’s over.  The Pens didn’t let us walk away with it, that’s for damn sure.  And like Baroque, I was glad to see Malkin finally show some energy tonight.  I really enjoyed watching him in the earlier rounds of the playoffs, and I was more scared of him than anyone on the Pens coming into this series.  It’ll be interesting to hear if there was anything behind the slump.

Also good to talk to the Pens fans who came over for some (semi-)intelligent conversation.  Credit to you; I don’t have the constitution to spend that much time in enemy territory.  This series did enough to my blood pressure as it was.

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/04/08 at 11:50 PM ET

Yeah, osrt, I didn’t want to sound like a PensBlog fan and dwell too much on the officiating, but that Datsyuk non-call was clearly a lot more integral to a scoring opportunity than the penalty call that led to a PP goal.
I see over on Kukla’s blog that Therrien makes reference in his post game interview to the hockey gods not being with the Pens. I was pretty sure that would be the case after Game 1, when during my only venture to the RomperRoom- I mean PensBlog-there was too much disrespect being shown to Bud Lynch for him mistakenly calling Sidney Steve during the pre-game ceremonies. I was met with similar catcalls when I tried to educate the ignorant b*****ds that Bud Lynch is a HoF member who got the first names correct of guys like Gordie, Maurice, Bobby, and Jean, and that he gave up an arm after enlisting to fight in WWII.
You don’t piss off the hockey gods. Maybe their 8th grade teachers can impress some manners on the commenters over there before next years playoffs.

Posted by BobS. on 06/04/08 at 11:51 PM ET

At last! Thank you Ozzie! Our Silver Lining. Silver like the Stanley Cup! And of course the rest of the best! I’m so glad this is real! I was beginning to run out of one liners.

  “THIS IS THE YEAR!”
  “BRING IT ON!” Again!
  Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 06/04/08 at 11:56 PM ET

Chief,

Thank you for this blog.  Thank you for providing us isolated Wings fans (yes, Chicago counts!) with access and analysis that goes beyond that of those wretched Deep Diggers.  Thank you for allowing us to swear like sailors.  And thank your wife, for not killing you when the kids were in danger.  Tornadoes are temporary, Stanley Cups are Forever!

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 06/04/08 at 11:58 PM ET

OMG after 3 IPAs and several Kentucky Whiskys my face is getting numb.  I’m still wathcing freaking TV coverage from NHLTV and ESPN news.

My God I’m so proud of the Red Wings but hearing Melrose keep calling Sid the Face of the NHL makes me want to Barf!

Zetterberg and Datsyuk are so much the better 2-way players, you pricks.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/05/08 at 12:04 AM ET

yeah I’m really happy for those gritty guys.  Cleary didn’t get a lot of points but busted his balls every shift, and Drake was such a character guy for minimum salary.  Happy for Drake, the guy who used to beat up people in Marquette bars!

For fun or profit? 

The Cleary interview was cool - he was looking around, distracted, trying to find his wife and his dad, and the CBC interviewer asked him to reflect on what it was like to win the Stanley Cup when three years ago he didn’t even have a job and came to the Detroit training camp on a tryout, and that was when he started to choke up.  Awesome.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/05/08 at 12:04 AM ET

Ch. 4 just let Mac interview Ozzie; AWESOME. You guys have to check that out on their site.

“Yea, we had to not only beat the Pens but everyone else on and off the ice too”

“Yea, Pav gets tripped in the last 30 seconds and no call. They wanted a game 7 for sure but we didn’t let them have it.

“There are some angry guys in New York right now.”

Ahh…the silence is no more..

Posted by Osrt on 06/05 at 12:23 AM

Incredible, wish I could have heard that.  The PK was such BS and the no call on the Datsyuk take down.

Gary.Ass

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/05/08 at 12:09 AM ET

I’ve got such a man crush on Babs!

I realized a few weeks ago that I’ve developed a plain old crush on the guy.  My SO is a little weirded out by it.  I have to admit that I’m a bit confused myself, but what can I say.  He’s a great man, he wears fabulous ties, and he’s been brilliant all season long.  I love the guy.

I really hope CBC, Channel 4, etc put videos up of all these great interviews.

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/05/08 at 12:12 AM ET

It’s good to be the Wings!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 06/05/08 at 12:15 AM ET

I’m going to forget officiating, and phantom calls, and Holmstrom maulings, and diving Penguins.  And forget Gary.

There will be plenty of time to be mad at him when the next season starts for the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

That looks pretty damn cool written out.

Time to catch up on some sleep or I will be useless at work tomorrow.  G’night to all and pleasant dreams.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/05/08 at 12:16 AM ET

How I wish I was back home.  The champagne is kicking in. Number 11.  HOW SWEET IT IS!!!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Because motherf&**ers, that’s how we roll!

This one goes up to 11!  I just wish they could have done it at home.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/05/08 at 12:22 AM ET

I miss Michigan so much right now.  Good night everyone, thanks for the ride and the great company.  YOU ALL ROCK!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DETROIT RED WINGS, 2007-2008 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/05/08 at 12:24 AM ET

I’m going to forget officiating, and phantom calls, and Holmstrom maulings, and diving Penguins.  And forget Gary.

There will be plenty of time to be mad at him when the next season starts for the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

That looks pretty damn cool written out.

Amen to that!  In two days, I’ll have forgotten 99.5% of the crap.

And the 2008 Red Wings will be remembered long after the next season comes and goes.  The 2008 Penguins?  Not so much.  You know what?  That kinda makes me feel warm.

Posted by ludmeister from Kentucky on 06/05/08 at 12:24 AM ET

My God my head is bobbing now trying to catch up with ESPNNews channel and NHL channel.

Fuching Wings are incredible.  Thanks Babcock and Holland!

My face and eyes reflect the numerous Kentucky whiskys after the India Pale Ales.  I don’t want to go to bed.  I’m watching interviews for the 4th time.

I love the Red Wings!

Here south of Richmond, VA I have seen several others besides me with Red Wings car window flags flying in the wind!  Red Wings Fans Rock!

0125 hours and my face is numb and I have no sign of slowing down.  HellsYa Red Wings!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/05/08 at 12:26 AM ET

As a Pens fan I would like to congratulate the Red Wings on a terrifically played series.  The Wings really took it to the Pens.  I would also like to give kudos to the Wing fans who aren’t talkin shit on the Pens.

And then there are those fans who are still whining about the officials.  Are you kidding me?  First off, you guys won the cup so quit your bitchin.  And second, the officiating was overall bad.  There were many non-calls on the Wings, bad calls on the Wings, non-calls on the Penguins, bad calls on the Penguins.  There was no officiating conspiracy so give that a rest already.

Posted by Joe from Pittsburgh on 06/05/08 at 12:28 AM ET

I miss Michigan so much right now.  Good night everyone, thanks for the ride and the great company.  YOU ALL ROCK!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DETROIT RED WINGS, 2007-2008 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/05 at 01:24

My night would be complete with you sitting on my face.  What?  Excuse the whisky talking.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 06/05/08 at 12:31 AM ET

wow, i’m actually pretty sure i peed a little bit during the last 10 secs or so. did anyone else notice when ozzie said he was going to smack huds upside the head, that he looked pretty serious? he’s the man, people can talk all they want about the help he gets from the D, but he made so many stuffs in that game, especially the sykora chance early on.

this is great. thanks to the 19, you guys were rocks this last week. i won’t be able to sleep tonight, so time to crack those budweisers and pour the tequila shots, its going to be a late night.

CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/05/08 at 12:33 AM ET

Now that the series is over, and the Wings are the 2007-2008 Stanley Cup Champions (damn, that looks good and feels so good to say!), I should probably leave the Hasek car.

But the fact is, I’m comfortable here now. I’ve even got my own “fetal position groove” in my seat, and my bottle holder smells of Glenlivet. It’s like a home away from home for me now.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/05/08 at 12:33 AM ET

did anyone else notice when ozzie said he was going to smack huds upside the head, that he looked pretty serious?

Did anyone notice that when Ozzie said he was “immensely strong”, he looked pretty serious?  Because that was my favorite part of that interview.

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/05/08 at 12:34 AM ET