Here’s what I haven’t read the last two days:  anything hockey related other than the comments on this blog.

I tell ya, the 19 have been a godsend. I can’t stand to read anything else right now.

I believe it could be an evening of fire trucks and puppies, sunshine and hookers.  All the good things in life.

Don’t you dare do it. Don’t you dare be tempting the fates again with your jinxing ways Chief. My knuckles already look like Kocur’s circa 1985.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 12:33 PM ET

I can’t even watch the game - I have a speaker at 7:30 that I have a ticket for, and so I won’t be available until 9:00.

However, the Wings have seemed to perform better when I wasn’t watching, so maybe that is a good sign.  At least I can cling to the fact that if the league thought they could get away with it, they would fix the series to be a Penguins win with the golden boy getting a hat-trick in the final game - but they aren’t nearly smart enough to pull that off.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 12:34 PM ET

Amen, Amen, Amen.  Preaching to the choir baby.  I really do not relish watching this game tonite becasue it is going to be at least 60 minutes of pure hell.  Like you say, until it’s done.  Historically the odds are with the Wings.  They just have to get it done.  Forget the skate to throat metaphorical jazz.  They need to frigging sharpen their blades into points and stab the Pens until they stop twitching.

SHOW NO MERCY

LEAVE NO DOUBTS

(Cred to whomever first posted SNM LND - I really love that phrase.)

Posted by WINGS_FAN_IN_KC on 06/04/08 at 12:35 PM ET

Don’t you dare do it. Don’t you dare be tempting the fates again with your jinxing ways Chief. My knuckles already look like Kocur’s circa 1985.

Maybe he’s predicting it for Pittsburgh?  Reverse karma?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 12:35 PM ET

I can’t believe I am saying this, but I may not watch until the 3rd period.  If it is not fixed, and we get a lead, they need to pour it on like we did to the Dive until the life is sucked out of them.  No mercy.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 06/04/08 at 12:46 PM ET

Chief, my friend Karma is sitting right here next to me on top of the Hasek.  She likes the Wings in six.  I never argue with Karma.  Like I said earlier…The Wings own games numbered “6”.

It is a historical fact of this playoff season. I look for Doc to point this out tonite.

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 12:48 PM ET

I’ll get off the plane from DC back home in Austin…aka Bat Country…tonight around 9 CT.  By that time 2/3 of the Wing’s fate will have already been decided.  I’ll walk slowly through the terminals, head down, knowing that when I get home the game will be on DVR, provided my hockey-averse roommate doesn’t fck up the recording by simultaneously trying to watch some Top Chef marathon. 

I’ll have the option of just watching the game live and catching the last half of the third period, but being a glutton for punishment, I’ll take in the whole thing…beer in one hand, cyanide pill in the other.

The question is this—is there anyone here who would, if they could know right now, want to know how tonight’s game ends up in advance?

Not me.  Why?  Because I’m convinced that the good Lord put that last puck past Ozzie so that we’d have at least one more game on the way to glory…one more chance to take in the brilliance of a truly dominant team…one more night to savor the tension, the highs and the lows. 

We’ll wake up…be it Sunday or tomorrow…and the world will be different.  We’ll be Cup Champions with all the rights and privileges afforded a man or woman who weathers a job in shambles, family members who don’t recognize us and a Machinist-like physique.  But a piece of us will miss these moments of stomach wrenching angst.  I can’t help but think I’m in good company amongst the 19 on that mentality.

Posted by disch from bat country on 06/04/08 at 12:51 PM ET

I’ve got one of the greatest hockey games ever played on my DVR right now, but I may never watch it.  Even if the Wings win, I don’t know that I can ever look at Game 5.

I am in the same boat Chief.  I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to watch that game.  I haven’t read my usual hockey blogs or anything, I just can’t do it.  I’m just hanging with the 19 here.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/04/08 at 12:53 PM ET

I’m going to be wearing my “cup” until the Wings raise the Cup because the kick to the groin is gonna hurt too much.

Posted by TheFreak on 06/04/08 at 12:55 PM ET

KC Wings fan, do you watch at home or do you know of a bar where any other “19” might go to watch? I’m kidless this week…so there’s a chance I may stray out!?!?

May 1999… Stevie HAMMERS one off the cross bar over Patricia’s shoulder & subsequently the effing Dive sent us home right there after. I tossed my sweater in a corner angrily and told my wife (an obsessive neat freak) to LEAVE THAT PIECE OF SHIT RIGHT THERE. It sat there for 5 months before I had the stones to touch it. I too swore off watching, but couldn’t hold myself to it. Ordered the Center Ice package in late August as usual…..
For me, the anticipation of the “pure hell” isn’t as bad as living it.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 12:56 PM ET

THE WINGS MUST BE ON A DEATH MISSION TONIGHT. LICENSED TO KILL.  THIS IS IT. 

THEY MUST ENTER THE GAME WITH SERIOUS INTENTIONS TO DESTROY THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS AND EVERYTHING THEY STAND FOR.

Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 06/04/08 at 12:57 PM ET

O.k. I have to contradict myself, I did go over to Mile High Hockey for some reason…I think because I felt like arguing.  Hmm, I’m done now.  Just staying here with the 19 where I am at home.

Praying for a full 60 minutes of effort.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/04/08 at 01:00 PM ET

what’s up homer douches ... so you think Oz-dive has got it in him to stay on his feet for another game, or will he be on his back taking it in whatever form the Pens decide to give it to him ... much like he takes it back home from his bevy of young male sluts ... ?

you think the Tampons can pull this one off? they sure showed a lot of character last game, giving up with 34 secs left to play ... what an honorable team you guys have ... they do a lot of crying, (Babcock), diving (Oz-goof) and cheap shots (Datsuck) ... but I don’t see a lot of strong traits out of your goofy team ... lemme make it easy for you ... YOU’RE GONNA LOSE

how’s the weather in Murder City today? is it raining blood yet?

Posted by gimmie my red wings Lola! on 06/04/08 at 01:02 PM ET

Oh wow a troll, how surprising.  Not even gonna comment on this one.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/04/08 at 01:05 PM ET

Hockeychic…. See what I meant earlier? Bickering with a few Dive fans made ya feel better didn’t it? I hope ya had the bloody mary before sliding into Diveland…. little (or alot?)vodka always got me wound up to say the least.

I keep trying to tell myself alot of things about tonight, I’m thinking I’ll stick with “it’s just a game” just like the previous 100 give or take a few. We’ve got it in us, we just need to do it.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 01:05 PM ET

Chief, I am the exact same way when it comes to the this and Michigan Football. When there is a big win, such as Games 1,2, and 4, I’ll read every and anything I can find about the game. I don’t care if there is an article in the Tijuana Timse about the game and I can only understand every third word; I’m going to find it and I’m going to read it with joy.

After a loss? Especially after 34.7? I don’t read anything. Not ESPN, not TSN, not Freep or detnews, not the Post-Gazette or Pens Blog. And certainly not the Tijuana Times.

Posted by A II R from Los Angeles on 06/04/08 at 01:11 PM ET

The Penguins must be slain like the pig dogs they are.  Bottom line.

Posted by John from Pittsburgh, PA (Wings fan for life!) on 06/04/08 at 01:12 PM ET

Hola to the “19”.  I felt wretched after game 5, and most of Tuesday.  Couldn’t seem to get past the fact that the Wings were mere seconds away from glory.

Today, strangley, I do not feel anxiety at all.  It must have something to do with my job desciption.  One simply cannot perform to the best of their capabilities when overcome with emotion.

Wings must subscribe to that theory, why else do they perform so surgically on the road?

That, or it is their sadistic pleasure gained from performing the coup de gra’ce in front of the opposition’s fan base.

I think, based on Uncle Mike’s educational upbring, that it is the latter.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 06/04/08 at 01:15 PM ET

i can imagine that guy sitting at his computer for days, trying to come up with creative play-on-name insults, with his trash can overflowing with crumpled up papers, before finally going “i got it!” and settling on oz-goof and datsuck. i have never been prouder of the human race.

the 19 are always strong here, and i know there’s no doubts from kenny holland to lids right on down to Chief about tonight

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 01:17 PM ET

I didn’t do the media blackout most of you did.  It hurt like crazy, but truthfully in most MSM outlets there wasn’t much of anything there except how awesome of a game it was and how good it was for the game of hockey.

Now they just need to stomp the Pens 8-1 tonight in their own building and everything will be back to right with the world.

MacLeod says no lineup changes though, so everyone get on board the Hasek Car.  Because another night of Lilja and Samuelsson only means one thing…  hear that train whistle closing in?....

Posted by Primis on 06/04/08 at 01:18 PM ET

Today, strangley, I do not feel anxiety at all.

Seconded.  A confident calm.  The Wings did a lot to shoot themselves in the foot in both losses to Pittsburgh.  There will be none of that tonight.  Just cold, calculated efficiency.

Posted by Clark on 06/04/08 at 01:22 PM ET

its my birthday, my girlfriend has just had twins, the only thing that would make today better is seeing the pens blown away….

Posted by Gareth on 06/04/08 at 01:22 PM ET

I’m so nervous I can barely type.  I’ll have to DVR and then peek at the score in the third.  That’s all I can do.  I can’t take the emotion anymore.  When did Game one against Nashville start?  January?

Posted by TDeters on 06/04/08 at 01:23 PM ET

Don’t feed the trolls and they’ll wander off and live under a different bridge.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 01:26 PM ET

Gareth, holy crap. Happy birthday, and congrats dad!  What are their names?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 01:39 PM ET

its my birthday, my girlfriend has just had twins, the only thing that would make today better is seeing the pens blown away….

Happy Birthday, Father’s & Mother’s Day, and hopefully game day.

I have a restricted media blackout going. I’m only reading what Babs has to say; he is my life coach. insert clever lines here…can’t think straight. can’t think queer either.

F**k   I’m going emo aren’t I.

Posted by Osrt on 06/04/08 at 01:41 PM ET

And by the way..it’s very fitting.  Being a Red Wings fan is very much like having a new baby.  They keep you up at nights worrying, they make you incredibly proud, you watch them grow for years and celebrate their successes…and when you least expect it they poop on you.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 01:42 PM ET

One of the few things I’ve been able to truly teach my 8 month old daughter (jeez, she was 6 months old when this ride started) to do in response to a prompt is that when I yell “Let’s Go Red Wings!” she starts clapping.
She’ll be doing that a lot tonight until her mother puts her to bed.

Let’s Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by arcane_caf from NoVa - Outside D.C. on 06/04/08 at 01:44 PM ET

Gabriel -

Being a Red Wings fan is very much like your girlfriend getting her period: she cries and flops on the floor whining and crying like a bitch. She also bleeds a lot. It’s very similar. The only difference is the cheap shots ... some girls on the rag won’t give you cheap shots, others, like Datsuck, will.

MURDER CITY TAMPONS! How could you blow the cup with 34 seconds left? *#$%@& pathetic!

Hey chief - I hear ya about not reading anything after such a humiliating loss at home. I was surprised, being from Murder City, you can even read. I thought maybe your mom was helping you with the posts.

I’ll make it easy for you - YOU’RE GONNA LOSE. RED WINGS - NO CHARACTER, NO HONOR, NO COURAGE.

Posted by Gimmie My Red Wings Lola! on 06/04/08 at 01:51 PM ET

That, my friends, is the kind of technical brilliance that has made A2Y what it is today.

Thanks, Chief. I really appreciate the kind words, especially since I am a noob here.

I stumbled upon A2Y like the characters in Realm and Conquest in the movie Michael Clayton were drawn to the same place and had the same dream without knowing why.

I chose my screen name because Polonich was my favorite player when I was a kid. I wanted to be as tough as he was. His captaincy during Grant’s injury is but a footnote.

I will be crushed if the Pens hoist the Cup on our ice Saturday night. But that sort of heartbreak is part and parcel of being a Wings fan.

Win or lose the Cup, I’ll hang up my jersey after the last game of this season. Win or lose the Cup, come September, I’ll anxiously be scouring the net for any morsel of info on training camp. And win or lose the Cup, I’ll be back here next season on the stress train.

p.s. If Hasek retires, should the stress train have the Lilja Club Car next season? And why am I getting an error message that says akismet thinks I’m spam?

Posted by CaptDenPolonich from Gloomy SoCal on 06/04/08 at 01:51 PM ET

I had a dream last night… no joke.  The apostle Paul, Jesus, and I were digging up the grave of Tomas Holmstrom.  We opened the casket and and looked at his body, and Jesus pointed to back of his knee and said “thats where they beat the s*** out him.”

I honestly don’t know if I can watch tonight.

Before these playoffs started, I said to a co-worker “Nobody has really scored a big goal since Yzerman’s OT winner”  Sure we’ve scored big goals since then, but not in overtime, not with that kind of reaction.  I wish I would have never said, that because blowout games are much easier to handle.

Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 06/04/08 at 01:55 PM ET

We opened the casket and and looked at his body, and Jesus pointed to back of his knee and said “thats where they beat the s*** out him.”

LOL

The Shroud of Turin is, in fact, a Wings jersey.

Posted by Osrt on 06/04/08 at 02:07 PM ET

Hola to the “19”.

Right back atcha Okie. Glad to have the 19 here tonight.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 02:10 PM ET

The Shroud of Turin is, in fact, a Wings jersey.

HA! I knew that beard looked like a playoff beard.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 02:12 PM ET

Buck up troops!  It’s not time to go all mimzy pimzy when our support is needed most!  Our boys are in the enemies lair, lookin to slay the beastly penguins and their queen, Cindy.
So get your liquid courage, turn the tv’s on, volumes up and sit the f*ck down and enjoy the bird bashing!

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 06/04/08 at 02:18 PM ET

This is my first visit to a Hockey website since before game 5.

I just wanted to pop in and say that these last two days reminded me of what it felt like when my then-girlfriend, now-wife told my 19-year old college student self that her period was late.

We were fortunate enough to dodge a bullet back then and avoid having to handle something for which I was not emotionally prepared.  Here’s to hoping the Wings can do the same tonight.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 06/04/08 at 02:22 PM ET

Amen Cementslinger!  Waited to long, come to far, lived thru to many bad calls….

Enemy lair indeed…..but it is still a Red Wing Nation.

Confidence is high, game day program is on track!

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 02:26 PM ET

MOWingsfan19,
I’ve looked for a few good bars around the KC area and have found nothing that’s worth it.  Perhaps there is a secret place out there where you won’t take shit for liking Hockey, if you find one, let me know.  Until then, I’ll be watching at home on the 58” plasma I bought solely so I could finally watch Hockey in HD.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 06/04/08 at 02:31 PM ET

MOWingsFan19:

“KC Wings fan, do you watch at home or do you know of a bar where any other “19” might go to watch? I’m kidless this week…so there’s a chance I may stray out!?!??”

There’s nowhere in KC that I know of where they really even know what a puck is.  I stay at home with my big screen down in the basement rec room away from the ears of the kids.  Needless to say the wife wants to install a door after the other night!

Posted by Wings_Fan_In_KC on 06/04/08 at 02:31 PM ET

I had a dream last night… no joke.  The apostle Paul, Jesus, and I were digging up the grave of Tomas Holmstrom.  We opened the casket and and looked at his body, and Jesus pointed to back of his knee and said “thats where they beat the s*** out him.”

i just read that and laughed loud enough that everyone in my office now knows i am clearly not working. if i get fired, i’m blaming you. if the wings win, i won’t care.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 02:32 PM ET

Cementslinger,

Thanks I needed that!

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 06/04/08 at 02:45 PM ET

KC n JJ.
Kinda what I was thinking… but never hurts to ask. I too have the man cave (finished basement), albeit with a door atop the stairs to keep said harsh language at bay… for the most part.
Have to admit it would be nice to get a couple other red n white sweaters together in the same room ‘round here. Maybe some other time….?
Thinking maybe I’ll drag the tv from my garage workshop out on the briock patio and watch outside (worked against Bubba JR & SR).
Nik & Jakes in Parkville has a private dining room with a big screen, couch etc… but kinda late to scramble on that now. But food for thought.
I used to have season tickets to the Blades (and what the hell was the other minor league team that went tits up too) back when… and to think KC is in the perpetual rumor mill to be an NHL city…. Gary.Ass.
FnA Cementslinger. Thats ths shit we need to rally on.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 02:52 PM ET

I just wanted to pop in and say that these last two days reminded me of what it felt like when my then-girlfriend, now-wife told my 19-year old college student self that her period was late.

whoa whoa dude…way too serious for this moment.

Let me amend the story for you.

...these last two days reminded me of what it felt like when my then-girlfriend, now-wife told my 19-year old college student self that things weren’t working out so we had to break up. Luckily she had some really hot friends who thought she was being dumb and came over to console me. After two weeks of feverishly hooking up with one of her former best friends, I think her name was Karen Newman (who btw, has a twin sister), we got back together and lived happily ever after.

Posted by Osrt on 06/04/08 at 02:52 PM ET

@ Osrt

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 06/04/08 at 02:56 PM ET

Osrt,

Duly amended, I like your version a lot more.

MOWingsfan,

I like the idea.  Hockey fans are too few and far between in these parts, should definitely set something up next season.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 06/04/08 at 02:57 PM ET

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You must be this tall to ride in Osrt’s Fantasy World.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 03:00 PM ET

I like the amended story.

I’m all ferklempt….......

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 03:03 PM ET

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You must be this tall to ride in Osrt’s Fantasy World.

If my wiener was that tall I wouldn’t have had to buy a Hummer

Posted by Jdunc from Flint, MI on 06/04/08 at 03:07 PM ET

Hockey fans are too few and far between in these parts, should definitely set something up next season.

Hey, at least you’re not in Kentucky. It’s worse here. But luckily I’m right across the border from Cincinnati and can go watch the Cincinnati Cyclones ECHL team there. Do you have a local ECHL or AHL team anywhere in your vicinity?

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 03:09 PM ET

haha i love how the posts slowly devolve throughout the day. and there’s still 4 hours to go. sweet grave digging, swearing jesus thats a long time

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 03:12 PM ET