Great caption for that particular photo Chief.  but wasn’t it the other “way around.”  Seems to me that everyone and their dog were fellating over the “kid”. 

Ohhh, I get it, duh!; the fact that the calls were so skewed to the PEN reflects payment for the privilege of fellating Cindy!!! 

Sometimes I’m just a little slow on the uptake.

Loved this observation from Mr. Gallagher:

But with about 18 seconds left, Pavel Datsyuk of the Wings managed to skate free with the puck, skate it out over the blue-line, but as he readied a shot toward the open net, he was hauled down with an abundantly obvious stick foul so blatant that Helen Keller would have been forced to raise her arm.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 06/09/08 at 09:53 AM ET

I don’t buy into the conspiracy theories…
But that is a tee hee frigging funny angle on that.
I like Ozzies take on it, “We had to beat everyone on & off the ice”. There’s a direct point to that comment as well as some inferred meaning as well….

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/09/08 at 10:19 AM ET

So I guess the BJs made the playoffs after all…

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 06/09/08 at 10:22 AM ET

“Referee, #89, two minutes, high-sticking.”

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from keeping the Detroit end up on 06/09/08 at 10:26 AM ET

Thanks for the laugh, Chief. Really, after the weekend I had, I really needed it.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/09/08 at 10:39 AM ET

That explains Cindy’s near-constant puke-faced expression during much of the SCF…

I agree with ya, though, Chief, a Conspiracy of Dunces this probably was NOT.  More a Collection of Dunces than anything else…

Posted by mudshark on 06/09/08 at 10:44 AM ET

A picture is worth a thousand words!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 06/09/08 at 11:26 AM ET

I’m not ready to call it a conspiracy, but there was definiately a bias. The thing is though, I don’t know that I believe it was necessarily for the Penguins, or if it was just for the losing team…I think they just wanted to give the losing team every chance to even it up.

I guess it shouldn’t matter…the Cup’s in Detroit…but I’m still having a hard time with the Game 5 loss. Seeing the Wings celebrate with the Cup while Pittsburgh fans drained out of the building was hard to watch.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/09/08 at 11:32 AM ET

So I guess the BJs made the playoffs after all…

Good one!

Not that I have any questions on the bias of the calls….

I’m just wondering if Little Gary had a button in his pocket and a buzzer on the refs so he could select when the calls were made.  Leaving the randumb call up to the ref seems chancy when Cindy’s reputation is at risk.

Conspiracy theorists, discuss.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 06/09/08 at 11:49 AM ET

Explains Cindy’s horrible playoff beard.  I hear love juice is hard to clean out of a rugged man beard…

Posted by drgdado from A2 on 06/09/08 at 11:51 AM ET

“Referee, #89, two minutes, high-sticking.”

Be thankful that it wasn’t a double minor.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/09/08 at 12:12 PM ET

I guess it shouldn’t matter…the Cup’s in Detroit…but I’m still having a hard time with the Game 5 loss. Seeing the Wings celebrate with the Cup while Pittsburgh fans drained out of the building was hard to watch.

Gabriel, you totally put my feelings out there.  I’ve been wondering why I felt so strange about this Cup win.  It was incredible and wonderful and still I had that bad taste of Game 5 hanging around.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/09/08 at 12:33 PM ET

Good Lord, you won the Cup. Quit whining. Detroit was by far the better team. Any number of plays could be pointed out as bad officiating (Hossa was dragged down early in Game 5 with no call).  Detroit basically runs picks on every play with very few interference calls. Sid dives. A lot.  Maybe the focus should be just on the officials getting it right.

Posted by Bluto on 06/09/08 at 12:53 PM ET

I hear love juice is hard to clean out of a rugged man beard…

If only you were a Dive fan I’d be making fun of you right now!

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 06/09/08 at 12:59 PM ET

Maybe the focus should be just on the officials getting it right.

That’s what it is.  Don’t try to give the losing team a better chance just so the games are more competitive, don’t make a call based solely on player repuation, don’t alter the penalties called because a coach is whining - just call the penalties you see when you see them.  That’s it.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/09/08 at 01:04 PM ET

If I wasn’t stuck behind the mesh, I might have tossed a few things at those officials following Game 5… if those two goalie interference calls weren’t bad enough, an assist on the GWG was too much for me to stomach.

When even casual hockey fans watch the series (translation: girlfriends who don’t watch hockey) and notice the atrocious calls, there is a problem.  We don’t want our league to turn into pro-wrestling.

The way Bettman and co. are managing the officials is based highly upon pleasing New York.  Gone are the days when a ref could set the tone and flow of a game by choosing the bar at which penalties would be called AND STICKING TO IT.

Posted by VooX on 06/09/08 at 01:16 PM ET

Photo?  Too Funny!!!

Conspiracy?  I can’t get myself to buy it.  I, too, seriously doubt that the NHL brass is smart enough to put one together.  But I think there’s a much bigger reason…  a conspiracy of this nature would just have to be too damn big.  Sooner or later, somebody, somewhere, sometime, would spill the beans.  Dumb as they may be, they’re smart enough to know that’s a risk not to be taken.  I think.

An innate bias?  Perhaps… something happened, and it seems too many people are seeing the same something for it to be a mass hallucination.

Posted by BobTheZee on 06/09/08 at 01:34 PM ET

This is off topic but I think all the Pittsburgh fans that were bashing Detroit for lack of fan support (i.e. empty seats) should consider the following: Between 1 and 1.5 million attend Wings victory parade.  Q: How many attended the Steelers Superbowl victory parade? A:250,000.  http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06039/651866.stm

Perhaps this is a better indicator of how passionate a team’s fanbase is rather than how many fans can afford outrageously priced Stanley Cup playoff tickets.

Posted by tpic from redford on 06/09/08 at 02:12 PM ET

I just keep seeing the picture and hearing Crosby say “So that’s what external genetalia looks like.”

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/09/08 at 02:35 PM ET

i don’t get it…

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/09/08 at 03:15 PM ET

I just keep seeing the picture and hearing Crosby say “So that’s what external genetalia looks like.”

HAHAHAHAHA!

Now I have to clean off my computer screen. 

i don’t get it…

Penguins, like most birds, don’t have external genitals.  (That’s why mating in most birds involves a lot of precarious positioning and much awkward thrashing around.)  This simple science fact was the source of much amusement during the Finals.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/09/08 at 03:56 PM ET

what a completely inappropriate joke. it’s not crosby’s fault that by some coincidence, he plays on a team whose mascot also lacks external sex organs.

That’s why mating in most birds involves a lot of precarious positioning and much awkward thrashing around

so really, his diving is just trying to attract a mate? i think we’re on to something here…

the best part of that picture is definitely the linesman having his hands on hips, as if saying “oooh, cindy, that…thing above your lip tickles”

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/09/08 at 04:36 PM ET

Thought bubble above linesman’s head:

Dammit, he’s using his teeth again!  Where’s Malkin?

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 06/09/08 at 04:48 PM ET

Gabe…. FUNNY.

Baroque, as a fan of the game I can’t help but agree 110% on the comments in regards to getting it “right”. And anything involving genetalia seems to invoke juvenile thoughts, remember science or sex ed when the teacher said vagina or penis? Tee hee…..
When non hockey fans comment about the zebras, there is something worthy of examination. Nevermind non Wing fans noticing as well.
BAH…. being 2008 Cup Champs will blur the rearview mirror on what is now under a microscope…........eventually. But with no buy outs yet and no free agent movement, there’s little else of substance to “talk” about.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/09/08 at 04:49 PM ET

Have some class.  The red wings have a great team! Great players, many of whom will be in the HOF.  I do get tired about Crosby not getting the same respect.
Please tell Paul I hope he is doing better. You should all enjoy the cup this summer

Posted by Dennyfrompgh from 5 miles within the Civic, oh I mean, Mellon Arena on 06/09/08 at 07:44 PM ET

I do get tired about Crosby not getting the same respect.

what respect has he earned?  a little maybe, but not anywhere near what most of the Wings have earned.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/09/08 at 08:49 PM ET

I respect that Crosby because he is a crazy good hockey player.  I also gained a little respect for him in the way he led his team during the playoffs, and didn’t fold.  Often times he was the best Pittsburgh player on the ice. 

However, I’m not particularly respectful the way that he wasn’t willing to give kudos to the Wings.  I loved it when the Wings were willing to say things like “Fleury was unbelievable last night” or “Crosby found a way to get things done” or “Hossa is one of the few in the league who can make a shot like that work”.  I think that’s just a maturity thing, and it’ll come.

But to me, respect is borne primarily out of someone’s character and hard work, not their talent.  I respect Downey for his locker room presence and his willingness to be a team player, for instance, than I respect someone who’s had success from day one.

That said, I want to respect Crosby on his own merits—like I said, he is crazy good and he will be a great leader once he is seasoned a bit, and especially if he has some good veterans as a supporting cast who he can learn from.  It’s hard to be a good leader without people who help you lead.  What I don’t want, though, is a league who tells me I need to respect Crosby because he is Wayne Gretzky #2.  No he’s not.  He’s Sidney Crosby.  History may prove that he was better than Gretzky, maybe not.  I think it is quite likely he will be in the HOF someday.  But please, NHL, let Crosby mature into the player he can become without the unnecessary hype!  Wouldn’t that really, after all, be in the NHL’s best interest?

Posted by ludmeister from Kentucky on 06/09/08 at 09:18 PM ET

And I greatly respect the guts that it took for Malone to play through what he did—he broke his nose twice in the playoffs?  And who knows what else?  And how about Gonchar coming back in Game 5?  Friggin’ impressive.  Then again, Holmstrom was playing through “everything”, in his own words.

The teams that go deep in the playoffs almost always have their share of stories that are worthy of deep respect.

Posted by ludmeister from Kentucky on 06/09/08 at 09:23 PM ET

What about Mccrery and Maruelli (sp) left out of the finals? Wouldn’t obey Little king Gary the ass’s edict???? Cindy needs to earn respect and not just expect to have it from all the fans.

Posted by rn dave from greenville,sc on 06/09/08 at 09:28 PM ET

Not necessarily lack of respect.

No hockey makes fans as bored as a two-by-four.  And the picture was at a very funny angle. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/09/08 at 10:40 PM ET

I do get tired about Crosby not getting the same respect.

Denny, the thing you have to understand is that we do respect him as a hockey player - he may very well develop into the best player who’s ever skated in the NHL. But for now we’re subjected to the media barrage that showcases him as hockey’s savior - the next Great One - despite there being more complete players like Henrik Zetterberg. In Crosby’s defense, he’s done an amazing job considering how young he is and how much he has to learn about leadership. When he’s in his prime, he’s probably going to be the best in the league.

Unfortunately, in the meantime, he’s the victim of the hype machine. And for now he’s the Brittney Spears of the NHL. We’re just kinda sick of hearing about him.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/09/08 at 11:00 PM ET

Brilliant pic.  I think Nathan had the best comment.

Anyway, of course there was no conspiracy.  In games and series that matter, the breaks tend to go to the losing team.  It’s always been that way, it always will, and it always should.  No ref can call a perfect game, and statistically speaking, their mistakes will matter less if they’re made in favour of the trailing team.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 06/10/08 at 01:38 AM ET

Have some class.

*snicker*

You must be a relatively new reader—like, say, since yesterday.

Posted by O-Joe on 06/10/08 at 08:37 AM ET

This is all some spectacularly childish stuff. :p Can we get back to focusing on the Red Wings instead of participating in the witch hunt for Sidney Crosby and the fearful bashing of women and gays? We’re representing the Red Wings here, right? We need to show some dignity. Giving someone a girl name is about as juvenile as it gets. The officiating was the same as it always is - spotty but objective. There was no conspiracy. We won.

Posted by Jonas from Sweden on 06/14/08 at 08:19 AM ET