Abel to Yzerman
The Main Hatchway’s Officially Given In
by IwoCPO on 05/11/11 at 07:20 AM ET
Comments (90)
Charlie Buckets sat down next to the douche canoe minutes after the greatest hockey game you ever saw and tolerantly spouted a few cliches. But Pierre McGuirre pushed it. He pushed it just a little bit and it was then that you saw it. Swagger.
“Up until you guys scored, was Niemmi in your heads a little bit?”
Cleary raised one eyebrow, gave a crooked Charlie Buckets grin and said, “No.” It was quick, automatic and about as definitive as a one-word answer can be. And it was then that something sunk in. They’ve never had a doubt. Not one.
They know they’re the better team and while 0-3 was a nuisance, it did nothing to shake that confidence. All the things we’ve been saying…that it was injuries that robbed them of their 12th last year, absolute garbage officiating and an outright league agenda the previous year…you could see it in Cleary’s face, they believe it too. There is no doubt in a single Wing’s mind that no team in hockey is better than they are.
The Red Wings fans at Joe Louis Arena definitely were—and now, they are even looking ahead. They made loud sounds Thursday night, some of which may have helped their team win. And when Darren Helm scored Detroit’s game-clinching empty-netter, a chant from the seats arose and grew louder: “WE WANT THE CANUCKS! WE WANT THE CANUCKS!”
Ummm. No.
Lose a syllable. We don’t chant the names of teams we want to see in the WCF, Mark. Our sights are, you know, set a little higher than that.
And yeah, it was premature. I get that. But forgive those who dared to utter what we all have no problem tip tapping all year round. If I’d been there I would have been cheering for it right along with them. How couldn’t they get caught up in that frigging storm last night? Holy. Hell. What the Joe must have been like.
You know last night erased don’t you? C’mon. You’ve been here a while. You know the one game, of all games, played in that house, that still plagues us to this day. Last night, under those circumstances, with that effort, that absolute domination, in a game that could be looked back at as a statement for the ages….with that game they paid us back for 34.7.
That’s how electric you were last night if you were at the Joe. That’s how starving you were to will that team to that performance. The last time I heard you like that the Cup was just down the hall. A hobbit was ready to hand it to Nick. The Joe would have exploded that night, if that game had just ended 34.7 seconds earlier.
What a game. What a goalie. I’m going to have very little patience with anyone who feels like doubting Jim Howard over the course of the next ten Decembers. Should you choose to I’ll remind you of this Spring and why the Wings are where they are right now.
If you want to, just sit back and celebrate last night for what it was…a huge, huge win under the greatest amount of strain. It was a performance like nothing most of us have ever seen because it was so dominant when they needed it so badly. Celebrate it today, but I know you better than that. You’re going to talk about it, rehash it, re-live it. But with each hour that old stress is going to creep back in and next thing you know we’ve got ourselves a game 7 on our hands.
But if there’s a single one of you that thinks the Detroit Red Wings are going into Northern California to lose that game, with the confidence they have right now, against that team with that kind of ten cent head…not gonna happen.
Pack for three games, boys. 9 to 12.
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Comments
Pack for three games, boys. 9 to 12.
Fuching. Right. Doggy.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 05/11/11 at 08:35 AM ET
Pack for three games, boys. 9 to 12.
Exactly what I was thinking. Great post. Thanks, Master Chief!
I believe.
Posted by MsRedWinger from Michigan, now in Flori-duh on 05/11/11 at 08:35 AM ET
I can’t tell you I’m not in full-on Stress Train mode, but one thing… no matter what happens in game 7, or if they win no matter what happens the rest of the playoffs… it’s hard not to be proud of that game.
Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 05/11/11 at 08:39 AM ET
I wish I had the swagger of you or Uncle Mike. I still get frightened of the shite goal, bizarre injury or night of a frozen Howard. I think I have to, just to temper myself.
I wouldn’t want to be a Shark right now though. Or a Canuck. That game was played at the highest level I’ve seen from this or any team in a decade. Unreal.
Believe.
Posted by Hackeynut on 05/11/11 at 08:45 AM ET
They’ve never had a doubt. Not one.
Never a doubt, and the hearts of lions to back it up - - goodness I love this team.
… it’s hard not to be proud of that game.
And the comeback in game 5.
Answer for yourselves, when the lights have burned brightest, when the adversity starts taking it’s toll, who has showed up?
A long list of Wings - and an obscenely short, short list of Sharks.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/11/11 at 08:48 AM ET
I can’t tell you I’m not in full-on Stress Train mode, but one thing… no matter what happens in game 7, or if they win no matter what happens the rest of the playoffs… it’s hard not to be proud of that game.
Its games like that make you realize we are watching the best team that ever lived. They may not win it every year, but they are the cream of the crop.
Posted by Hackeynut on 05/11/11 at 08:49 AM ET
If you want to, just sit back and celebrate last night for what it was
Yeh, right. I dug the win for aboot 10 minutes. Last night’s game is one of the very best games I have seen in my lifetime.
Then the switch in my head flipped on 2 words. Game 7. One more win.That is the focus right now.
Still 9 to #12. Believe. Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 05/11/11 at 09:01 AM ET
I don’t wanna get antsy… one game at a time… one frigging game at a time.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 05/11/11 at 09:01 AM ET
Anybody got a clip of the douche canoe interview with Buckets? I had MIckey and Ken on all evening and was fortunate to have missed it live.
Posted by Leo_Racicot on 05/11/11 at 09:05 AM ET
When asked “How special would it be to see this team come back a 3-0 hole and finish em off?” Mr Hockey repliesl- “Expect it.” If Gordie Howe believes then so do I. Skate to throat!
Posted by SaraD on 05/11/11 at 09:07 AM ET
The last four periods of Red Wing hockey is the best I’ve seen them play since the 2009 playoffs. To be exact, sometime before Lids had his nutsack cave in and Datsuyk’s leg fell off.
McClellan has to be shitting himself right now.
Posted by Leo_Racicot on 05/11/11 at 09:10 AM ET
My freaking lungs and throat feel like I’ve been smoking for 20 years. We wanted the Cheif to hear us and I think we accomplished that. The place was downright electric. There was a single teal jersey in our section, and every man, woman and child let that dude know where he was with a chorus of boos everytime ass left seat. It was phenominal. I can only imagine how long that guy kept piss in bladder due to the fear of standing up to go to the bathroom. Ohh and by the way, Cleary’s breakaway went in right? Holy Hell.
Posted by WICNMKYzerman from Detroit, MI on 05/11/11 at 09:23 AM ET
Coming from a Pens fan… that might have been the best game of hockey I’ve seen in years. I had chills listening to the crowd and watching that third period…
Posted by LGP26 from Pittsburgh on 05/11/11 at 09:30 AM ET
Chief - you give a voice to RedWings fans that has no match. How friggin lucky are we to have this team and to have your blog. Pinch me, I’m in heaven.
Posted by joedaiceman on 05/11/11 at 09:31 AM ET
Aaaannnnd 6 hours later I’m at work, which is a. Sham. Because nothing matters until the G7 meet Thursday night.
21 time zones travelled thanks to NHL, Inc. and their agenda for Wings fans and their money to prop up undeserving owners and undeserving fans and undeserving western cities. No other team even comes close to the Merchant Marines of Hockey status that the Wings are forced to go thru every. Playoffs.
I tell you I’ve been to California six times in a year and a half, waking up at 4 AM every day oot there, and each time I return to the eastern time zone it takes me about 5 days to not feel groggy in the morning.
Injuries, pressure, fatigue, exploding animosity, mind bending are-you-kidding-me officiating? Yeah, every team should go through that in the playoffs.
Now do all that AND throw in a world tour. That’s the unique Red Wings playoff experience every year. And only the Red Wings.
In the last 16 Western Conference playoffs the Wings have had exactly ONE SERIES in the Eastern time zone, a sweep of that poor excuse of an underachieving franchise in that state to the south.
What’s that? You have to fly from Boston all the fuching way to Montreal? Ohhhhhhh tough schedule!
2007, the year of the Great Game 5 Robbery? 27 time zones through the WCF. Once around the world plus another cross-continent trip. The Leastern team NEVER leaves their time zone even once in three rounds, and considering there’s a good chance they will play Detroit in the SCF they play four rounds thinking that they have really been through the playoff grinder.
F You. Try doing all that plus sleeping and eating while disrupting your body by traveling around the world’s time zones, and then some.
So now the Wings hit 21 time changes. F the NHL. Pile it on, you little loathsome hobbit bitch. Dan Cleary will just spit in your eye and tell you he grew up on a frigid blustery rock, so bring it on.
The one thing the Wings have going for them is the four Western trips they do every year plus ANNUAL playoffs routinely travelng more than Magellan did in three years.
More adversity than any other team? It’s the hottest fires that make the strongest steel.
Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 05/11/11 at 09:42 AM ET
Coming from a Pens fan… that might have been the best game of hockey I’ve seen in years. I had chills listening to the crowd and watching that third period…
Posted by LGP26 from Pittsburgh on 05/11/11 at 09:30 AM ET
Now that’s a fan of hockey. Try explaining that to places Detroit has to play in.
Posted by RWBill from the Capital of the Confederacy. on 05/11/11 at 09:45 AM ET
Anybody got a clip of the douche canoe interview with Buckets? I had MIckey and Ken on all evening and was fortunate to have missed it live.
Posted by Leo_Racicot
If you have NHL Network, the replays of On The Fly are showing it ever hour until noon today.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 05/11/11 at 09:46 AM ET
“What do you mean, don’t give up?” Pavel Datsyuk asked afterward. “Never give up.”
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/11/11 at 10:31 AM ET
Although correlation does not imply causation, I had 7 hours of sleep, uninterrupted by clowns.
Perhaps they all headed out to the Thornton or Niemi houshold for a few nights?
Posted by dougie on 05/11/11 at 10:35 AM ET
The Red Wings fans at Joe Louis Arena definitely were—and now, they are even looking ahead. They made loud sounds Thursday night, some of which may have helped their team win. And when Darren Helm scored Detroit’s game-clinching empty-netter, a chant from the seats arose and grew louder: “WE WANT THE CANUCKS! WE WANT THE CANUCKS!”
I understand the international dateline and stuff….but….where, exactly was last night Thursday..?
The last time they played on a Thursday was March 17.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 05/11/11 at 10:38 AM ET
Well, it’s morning. Apparently I slept last nite somehow, but sure doesn’t feel like it. Still amped up from that game. Another useless day at work. I really should just take 6 weeks off every spring.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 05/11/11 at 10:47 AM ET
Hear that, Sharts? It’s the Witch of November come stealin’...
I’m no old cook, but fellas, it ain’t been good to know ya.
Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 05/11/11 at 11:12 AM ET
More adversity than any other team? It’s the hottest fires that make the strongest steel.
Posted by RWBill from Imported from Detroit, Land of Todd-Ber-Tuz-zi !! on 05/11/11 at 09:42 AM ET
Bill, great comment. No other team in the NHL has to endure more travel than the Wings have to every single year. And still the Wings have more success than any other team.
I love the comments coming from the team about how they believe in each other.
Believe it. Expect it. Do it.
LET’S GO RED WINGS !!!!!
Posted by MsRedWinger from Michigan, now in Flori-duh on 05/11/11 at 11:13 AM ET
When asked by a reporter how the Wings managed to avoid giving up after such a difficult start to the series, Datsyuk nearly took the lumber out for some post-game scrumming.
“What do you mean?” Datsyuk said. “Don’t give up? What locker-room you come to? Never give up.”
Indeed, different Wings have stepped up at different times in each of these three straight wins. However, the one common theme that’s emerging is Detroit has had a superior will to win in the third period of each of these games.
Hearts of Lions(!)
goodness, I love this team.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/11/11 at 11:21 AM ET
Posted by FranzensMouthguard from Chicago, IL on 05/11/11 at 11:28 AM ET
Jeebsus, snot out the nose funny there.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/11/11 at 11:31 AM ET
Posted by FranzensMouthguard from Chicago, IL on 05/11/11 at 11:28 AM
ET
hollee shit, thats funny.
Joe Yerdon PHT:
Five Thoughts: Detroit is making life miserable on San Jose
1. The heart of a champion is a dangerous thing.
Spot-on.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 05/11/11 at 11:33 AM ET
Coming from a Pens fan… that might have been the best game of hockey I’ve seen in years. I had chills listening to the crowd and watching that third period…
Posted by LGP26 from Pittsburgh on 05/11/11 at 09:30 AM ET
now that’s a compliment ... Thank you Pens fan
Chief - you give a voice to RedWings fans that has no match. How friggin lucky are we to have this team and to have your blog. Pinch me, I’m in heaven.
Posted by joedaiceman on 05/11/11 at 09:31 AM ET
+19
Bravo Chief ... no one says it better
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 11:41 AM ET
The first 60 minute game I saw this season. Complete domination exactly when they had to. If they can do that x9, I’ll bust out my firetruck polish.
Posted by redxblack from Akron Ohio on 05/11/11 at 11:46 AM ET
Still can’t believe I got to witness last night in person. The single reason I moved back to Detroit was to be at a game like that.
And we were chanting, “WE WANT THE CUP”, I don’t know what game Purdy was at.
Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 05/11/11 at 11:49 AM ET
Nicholas J. Cotsonika had this to say-
Goaltender Jimmy Howard(notes) was answering a question about how the Wings had come back and tied this second-round series, saying it had been business as usual and the guys had kept the same confident demeanor all along, when suddenly his voice trailed off.
“Good to see you,” Howard said.
Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey himself, had come to give his congratulations. They shook hands. Howard beamed, then returned to his interview.
Or tried to.
“So I … I forgot the answer,” Howard said.
Now that’s using your dipstick, Jimmah.
Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 05/11/11 at 11:53 AM ET
Well, about every bar in Grand Rapids exploded as well. Now I just have to decide where I want to go to watch Game 7. The not watching at home since Game 3 is proving lucky so far.
Posted by Dahrken from Grand Rapids, MI on 05/11/11 at 11:56 AM ET
Awesome Game!
Awesome post Chief!
and
RW….I could not have said it better.
Awesome.
Posted by RWBill from Imported from Detroit, Land of Todd-Ber-Tuz-zi !! on 05/11/11 at 09:42 AM ET
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, preparing on 05/11/11 at 11:56 AM ET
Posted by FranzensMouthguard from Chicago, IL on 05/11/11 at 11:28 AM ET
Hilarious!
Posted by MsRedWinger from Michigan, now in Flori-duh on 05/11/11 at 12:05 PM ET
Congrats to you people who actually got to be at the Joe to see one of the greatest hockey games ever! It was the most exciting game I’ve ever watched - for sure! Not sure my heart has recovered yet.
Posted by MsRedWinger from Michigan, now in Flori-duh on 05/11/11 at 12:08 PM ET
So I was yelling at Jumbo Douche Joe at the end of the game (something equating him to a gutless piece of human excrement), and my wife looked at our 1 year-old and says something to the effect of “Yes, Daddy *IS* screaming at a man on TV even though his team won the game”...
I was at the Joe for the Kick to the Groin game. My first ever Wings playoff game, great seats. My wife felt so bad for it that we spent the money we probably shouldn’t have to see Game 3 against Columbus (and watch the Wings destroy them) so as to make amends. This run of games now feels like the 2 years following that.
So… where are the defenders of Marleau now?
Or Thornton?
Posted by Primis on 05/11/11 at 12:12 PM ET
Nicholas J. Cotsonika had this to say-
Goaltender Jimmy Howard(notes) was answering a question about how the Wings had come back and tied this second-round series, saying it had been business as usual and the guys had kept the same confident demeanor all along, when suddenly his voice trailed off.
“Good to see you,” Howard said.
Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey himself, had come to give his congratulations. They shook hands. Howard beamed, then returned to his interview.
Or tried to.
“So I … I forgot the answer,” Howard said.
Now that’s using your dipstick, Jimmah.
Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 05/11/11 at 11:53 AM ET
your link didn’t work so had to do a search for it ... .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Now that we are here, those one-game-at-a-time Wings aren’t ignoring it anymore. With one game to go, they know it’s time. History is within reach, and they seem as determined as ever to grab it.
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 12:14 PM ET
Thanks for being you Chief. And this blog.
9 to 12. Skate to throat.
Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 05/11/11 at 12:15 PM ET
well guess Yahoo’s links don’t work ????
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 12:16 PM ET
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=nc-red_wings_force_game_7_051011
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 12:17 PM ET
“WE WANT THE CUP”
That’s what I heard.
Franzensmouthgaurd…..good stuff.
George has two great fotos posted up on FB.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, preparing on 05/11/11 at 12:17 PM ET
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 12:14 PM ET
Yeah I fail at the internet sometimes…especially when right after I posted that I notice George had it up 6 hours ago. Go figure.
Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 05/11/11 at 12:17 PM ET
aha now I see this web sites @ doesn’t work properly ... just have to copy and paste the link
Posted by MsRedWingFan from West Michigan on 05/11/11 at 12:19 PM ET
Posted by FranzensMouthguard from Chicago, IL on 05/11/11 at 11:28 AM ET
That is awesome. Someone needs to post that over at fear the fin and battle of california.
Joe from NY posted the link to the fear the fin LB ate the end of our LB. So people here were bagging on sharks fans. What struck me while reading FTF was that it was similar to our LBs in games 1-3. The officiating sucks and is biased. The announcers are biased and want our opponent to win. Fire the coach. Trade x, y & z. The only difference was they wanted to fire their GM and I’ve never heard anyone on A2Y call for Tick Tock’s head on a platter.
I do find it hilarious that the shark trolls disappeared in the 3rd period of game 4. Should we file a missing persons report? Am I to understand that MegaLulz was banned.
ONE MORE THING. All you bitches keep your pie holes and keyboards shut about wanting the Cup and bringing on Vancouver. The Wings haven’t won jack schitt, yet. The Wings have earned the right to play a game to clinch the series, nothing more.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 05/11/11 at 12:20 PM ET
George has two great fotos posted up on FB.
Posted by Rumbear from the Top O the Hasek sippin rum & getting a tan on 05/11/11 at 12:17 PM ET
Borrow’em and post here, I refuse to FB.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/11/11 at 12:23 PM ET
this is what you get from fans of a team that hasn’t won squat.
No matter how game seven pans out Thursday will be a day you remember for the rest of your life. This is the reason why you fell in love with the sport of hockey in the first place. The pace, the intrigue, the passion, the drama, tomorrow night will have it all. Everything on the line, two of the best teams in the NHL going head to head. Winner takes all. It does not get better than this. Enjoy it.
sadly, to a Shark fan, making it to the WCF is “taking all.” I feel bad for them, not knowing what it’s like to see their team actually win something. not knowing that winning game 7 just means you get to keep playing for another couple weeks to try and get to the actual “winner takes all” series and eventually, game.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/11/11 at 12:34 PM ET
Borrow’em and post here, I refuse to FB.
Sorry buddy..I have had the Cap’n and Gabriel splain to me how to post fotoes on several occasions. I just can’t grasp the task. I blame the early years of sobriety.
On another note, the Sharks should fire the GM and the Coach. We need to support our compatriot fans. Hell, put Thornton on waivers. Man up, do it today.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, preparing on 05/11/11 at 12:37 PM ET
It’s 3-3. The order doesn’t matter
I keep seeing Sharks fans, writers, even their coach, saying this. it does, in fact, matter. it matters immensely.
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/11/11 at 12:43 PM ET
Borrow’em and post here, I refuse to FB.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 05/11/11 at 12:23 PM ET
No FB for me either. Satan isn’t Bettman. Satan is Zuckerberg.
Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 05/11/11 at 12:44 PM ET
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About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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+19
Vancouver’s got to be shitting bricks right now.
Posted by 42jeff from Minot, North Dakota on 05/11/11 at 08:24 AM ET