Abel to Yzerman
Next entry: Mid-Day Reminder
Previous entry: Late Night Digging
Wings Sweep 2-0
by IwoCPO on 04/16/07 at 05:28 AM ET
Comments (32)
Holy frigging jumpin’. I predicted a Wing series win, but a sweep? C’mon, that’s crazy talk. At no point could I have foreseen that. No one in their right mind could have looked at this series, listened to the MSM, viewed recent Red Wing playoff failure and seen this coming...a sweep. Man, that’s exactly what we needed. More time for Stillwuzzi to rest his noggin, Z his back, Chelios his every bone in his body. A sweep does us wonders and I’m just so very thankful for it.
Wait one. Phone call.
Me: “Hello.”
Someone else: “Did you say the word ‘ho’ yesterday on your blog?”
Me: “Yes. Don Ho died. It was a tribute.”
Someone else: “You’re an idiot and stop with the sweep thing. One sentence would have been funny, now it’s just old. Shut up and move on.”
And so we shall.
Despite my ramblings, this thing is not going to end in a sweep. Could that be me being so superstitious that I’m going in an opposite direction just to avoid tempting fate? Yes. But it’s also realistic. Jesus though...51-15? I was lucky for a storm in the NE and flight delays that let me watch the first two periods. Naturally, the first ten minutes looked lopsided, but when I saw the shot totals after one I was actually surprised at the disparity, 23-6.
Two things I’ve missed the boat on that were brought up in comments to the Ho-post yesterday, and dammit I thought of both of them and never posted it. Believe that if you will, but I thought of them first so any of you geniuses out there who think you’re smarter than me can just stow that idea.
First: when I heard that Valteri Filpulla scored the put-away goal yesterday, the first thing I thought was, “That boy’s the Finnish Slava Kozlov, a playoff stud.”
Naturally, Hoser said practically the same thing in his post-game comments....”...any chance Filppula is the reincarnation of Kozlov?”
Yeah, Hoser. He might be. Too bad you didn’t think of it first though. I did.
Secondarilistically: after Game 1 I was reading the Flame blogs and message boards where Hemlock, gas-filled garages and other suicidal techniques went hand-in-hand with discussion about whether Dion Phaneuf was actually the father of A.N. Smith’s love spawn. After I got done shaking my head like a sage elitist observer, wondering how fans can get so upset over a playoff loss, I actually thought this: “If Playfair’s that bad, and Sutter is such a hard-ass genius, I wonder if he’ll replace him with...himself.” Word for frigging word, those were my thoughts.
Yeah, well...look at Hoser the show-off trying to look all smart, trying to steal my thunder and pointing us to Big Bob McKenzie.
“Holy Schnikey! The Canadian MSM has gone off the deep end, eh?”
perhaps this is to be expected, because the Flames have been a terrible road team and you’re never really in trouble in a playoff series until you lose on home ice.
But how the Flames lost their first two games is almost as important as the fact that they lost them.
If I was Darryl Sutter, I would put my best foot forward. The best candidate to go behind the bench right now for the Calgary Flames is their general manager.
I’m not kidding. I thought of that first, I just didn’t say it. I thought it, but didn’t post it. I’m serious you bastards. Mine.
For the record, I hope that doesn’t happen. We need Jim Playfair like Michigan needed John Cooper. We don’t need a damn Jim Tressel coming out of the skybox right now. Nope.
Back to reality, or our version of it. Any of you thinking sweep better just stop. What we should be hoping for is a Provincial split. Cut the shots down to the thirty, thirty-five range in Calgary and expect Kiprusoff to steal one there. Head back to Hockeytown up 3-1 and finish it in 5 as a certain blogger startlingly predicted.
Impressions: the signing of Dominik Hasek has proven to be genius. Even if his daily multi-hour groin massages, not the underway-for-five-months self inflicted kind either you sicko’s, can’t prevent an injury and he goes down in the first minute of Game 3, it should still be viewed as a great move by Holland. This is a different team than last year. That’s such an obvious statement that I feel dirty just typing it, but it’s true.
The Wings of last year played to protect their goalie. They played tight and they played scared because they couldn’t expect Legace to bail them out if they made mistakes. This year, we’re seeing a team playing with a little more abandon. It’s controlled, but it’s there. They can afford to be a little reckless because they know their Insane Czech Goalie is back there imagining outlandish fashion designs waiting for the next scoring chance to occur. He inspires confidence in the Wings and it shows. Legace inspired nothing.
I love this photo from the Detroit News’ David Guralnick. Look at Draper and Maltby. Nothing can say why these guys are so valuable as much as this.
Perfect.
Guralnick’s a photo stud. I’ve meant to mention it before, but this guy is incredible. His photography of the Wings has been great all year. BZ to you tough guy.
It’s too early, but if the Wings win this series you and I are going to have a long talk about Steve Yzerman. Just giving you a heads-up.
It’s not too early to talk about R. Lang though. The Enigma is gone after this run. We all know it. While his teammates are putting forth an effort that deserves all the praise being heaped upon them, Lang continues to coast. He’s got an assist and 5 shots through two, which isn’t tragic. His faceoff percentage is 26.7 though and that just sucks.
It’s never just the stats with Lang though. It’s the body language, the refusal to engage. I’ve said this before; maybe those of you smarter than me see something Lang’s doing that I’m missing. If that’s the case, say so. But, if not, perhaps you can join me in saying that when Brad Stuart ran him yesterday I actually laughed.
Filpulla. Another nugget. Another frigging nugget landed by Holland’s Euro-scouting staff. And now Uncle Mike has himself a decision. 8 minutes is clearly not enough time for our young Kozzie-redux (did I just use that word?).
“He’s that good of a player,” Babcock said of Filppula. “He probably wonders why the coach doesn’t get him on the ice more, and the coach wonders that himself. My son told me when I got home after Game 1 I didn’t play Fil enough.”
What to do with Stillwuzzi? He’s gonna be ready on Tuesday. And he’s gonna be in there. You don’t leave a horse like that in the stable if he’s ready to run, and, man, he’ll be ready. That psycho SOB has got to be chomping at the bit to get in there and share some violence. The Wings outhit Calgary AGAIN yesterday, 35-33, but Bertuzzi would seal that statistical deal. Who sits though? Who does Babcock take out of a lineup that looks so good.
Man, I tell ya. Wanna be daring? Sit Samuelsson or Lang. Despite my feelings about Lang and his hair I don’t think you can sit him because the potential for offense is so great, even if it’s usually unrealized. But Samuelsson? Maybe. The easy choice will be Hudler, but dammit, I like that kid. He’s scrappy and he’s earned that spot. Samuelsson’s doing nothing, though. Jack squat. Sit him Mike.
Andres Lilja has zero PIM through two playoff games. He’s a +2, last year a -4 and one of the scapegoats. He looks solid and composed. Amazing.
There is plenty for you to read today. I’ve added Scott Warheit’s blog to the sidebar. In addition to writing for MLive, he’s a UM law student so he named it Quo Vadimus (oooh...Latin) to prove how much smarter he is than the rest of us. Check the Head to Hockeytown section on the left for more Wing news and blogger views, the Round 2 section for Flaming Pessimism.
Have a good one Wing fans, and don’t forget: the playoffs suck. Sooner or later we’re going to have to remember that. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
I also laughed when Lang got hit by Stuart. He is still coughing the puck up at an alarming rate.
I am really happy with how the Wings played yesterday but I don’t want to get too confident. We have all seen the Wings blow a 2-0 series lead before. I agree that this team is different...so I remain cautiously upbeat. It will be interesting to watch Bertuzzi come into this mix.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/16/07 at 07:25 AM ET
I mentioned somewhere a few days ago that I felt the play of Lang and Lilja would be the determining factor in the Wings’ playoff success (or lack there of). I’m loving Lilja so far. Lang, I’d like to kick square in the vagina, but, thus far, he hasn’t hurt the overall effort.
As for who sits, the loss of Kronwall seems to have assured that Samuelsson stays dressed only because of Babcock’s apparent belief that Sammy at the point on the PP is a better alternative than either Markov or Lilja. I tend to agree. And as much as I’d like to see Lang banished for a game (with Filppula taking his spot), just to see how he reacts when back in the line-up, it would be a big gamble on Babcock’s part—one I’m sure he is unwilling to take. Bob played a little better yesterday than in Game One, so perhaps the addition of Bertuzzi to the line will generate even more improvement (Bert as Lang’s sorta-kinda-Kovalev of yesteryear, in other words).
As for other candidates, the only prospect is Filppula and you can’t boot him, not with his two goals (both of which were goal-scorers goals, not fluky in any way) in limited minutes, strong two-way game and tenacity on the penalty kill.
If Bert comes in, Samuelsson bumps to the fourth line (the third line being the Grinders, of course) and Jiri, as much as I love the little fella, sits.
(I don’t want to jinx anything, so I won’t mention that Hudler coming out of the press box in the event of a you-know-what is quite the luxury to have).
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 07:44 AM ET
chic:
According to the stat sheet, Lang didn’t have any turnovers yesterday (after having six in Game One). He also, for once, made a terrific cross-ice pass on the PP--one that should’ve been slam-dunked by I can’t remember who sitting on the door step.
He still blows on face-offs, though.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 07:51 AM ET
I have used my index fingers frequently when opining just who sits when Big Bert rolls back into the fray. You will all think I am hallucinating, but I swear I saw Lang back-checking yesterday and breakingup a scoring chance (I even pinched myself to make sure I wasn’ dreaming). But that was probably the only thing he has done in two games. Teflon stick boy is what we call him here in Neverland. I’d sick (hmm typo or my unconscious thinking) Lang. Sammy is the only Wing that shoots first and thinks pass second. I do not believe there are any other candidates. Fill and Hudler play too damn well. Babcock will probably take the “safe” route and sit Hudler though. Wish otherwise, Hudler has “earned” a spot, Lang gets in on “reputation”.
Great Game 2. Interesting to see what the Lame (saw that on Globe and Mail) do on Tues. MacKenzie is right though. Go to Sutter. Playfair’s demeanor in the two post-game mortems says it all (kinda like Legace last year). GO WINGS!!!! (five games)
Posted by Jeff -- OklahomaWingNut from In a Land Far Far Away on 04/16/07 at 08:22 AM ET
Battle of Alberta says the polish on the Flames’ record at the Saddledome had tarnished a bit coming down the stretch—one regulation win, three regulation losses and 4 that we’re tied after 60 minutes of play (no 4v4 OTs or trumped-up skills competitions to decide games in the playoffs).
That makes me feel better.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 08:35 AM ET
O-Joe, thanks for correcting me. I guess I was still smarting over his turnovers in Game 1. Also thanks for the follow up on the Flames recent home record, that makes me feel better too!
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/16/07 at 10:14 AM ET
It is indeed becoming a pretty grim scene in the Flames blog world.
Posted by metro gnome on 04/16/07 at 10:19 AM ET
The (F)lame bloggers at Battle of Alberta are squeeling like they participated as character actors in Deliverance. But they cannot take the prize as loudest squeeler, that would be McKenize of the MSM: replace Playpoorly with Sutter --- now that actually might give the (F)lame some life!!! Unheard of—unprecedented --- damn that Lam(e)arillo!!!!
What does this cast of thousands give the (F)lame for SOG over/under Tues?? My guess—27, 6 scoring chances, 2 goals.
Bert will be a Mac Truck—5 bonecrunchers.
Sammy sits ---though I would sit Lang(sidaisical) [kudos to TD]—has anyone heard from him lately??
Posted by Jeff -- OklahomaWingNut from In a Land Far Far Away on 04/16/07 at 10:54 AM ET
Also thanks for the follow up on the Flames recent home record, that makes me feel better too!
I won’t tell you, then, what team Calgary’s lone regulation win over that span of home games came against.
(Hint: We’re dooooooomed....probably).
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 11:23 AM ET
Oh, I’m well aware of that O-Joe. I also remember all the lovely Western road trips the Wings took this year. I will remain hopeful and won’t start pulling out my hair until tomorrow.
Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 04/16/07 at 11:28 AM ET
Sammy has to sit. The 4th line has been too DOMINANT to change. The 1st line the same. The 3rd line has held Iginla to 2 shots on the series.
The 2nd line needs to be changed, and the only change there that can be made without having to tweak the other three lines, which are all going great right now, is to take Sammy out.
Posted by Nathan on 04/16/07 at 11:41 AM ET
Swap out sammy for bert, that fits better positionally. At least langer doesn’t telegraph all his shots. How many goals does sammy have over the past 20 games, I don’t know but it’s not many. Everytime he gets the puck on the point on the PP he fires it into the shinpads of someone, then gets caught skating backwards trying to recover, not pretty.
Posted by RJ on 04/16/07 at 11:53 AM ET
We already have Lebda and Chelios splitting PP minutes due to Kronwall’s broken ass. With Sammy sitting, those two become the full-time 2nd PP unit (or one of them moves up to the first unit, depending upon where Lidstrom and Schneider are in their respective shifts when the penalty is called).
Yeah, Sammy couldn’t hit a bull in the butt with a shovel most nights, but it’s a hard shot and he’s shown in the past a proclivity on occasion to maneuver into the slot for a decent one-timer attempt. That has to be respected by the Flames in their PK coverage (which, in turn, should keep the passing lanes for the others open just a bit).
Lebda has maneuverability, but no shot. Chelios has neither the shot nor the mobility. With them out there together, the opposing forwards up high can cheat down a little, clogging up the passing lanes a bit, as there is no real threat coming from the Wings’ blueline.
Just my .02…
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 12:45 PM ET
One last thing…
If I was Babcock, perhaps I’d take a look at who the refs are going to be before making a final decision. If I anticipated a duo that was going to take a let ‘em play attitude—i.e. a lot more 5v5 play than PP time—perhaps I’d elect to sit Sammy and go with Hudler. If there was the likelihood of a penalty-fest—maybe Sammy gets the call. I don’t know…
The problem with that approach is trying to make a logical guess as to the type of game that’ll be called, what with the inconsistencies we’ve seen between/amongst the refs, seemingly from game-to-game.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/16/07 at 01:25 PM ET
Lang has gotten back and made some nice defensive plays. Maybe that’s what you are missing. He is a puck possession player - as I keep telling people, watch him on the half boards. That’s his job, like Yzerman’s was to control it behind the net.
And remember, a few months ago his line was one of the most productive in the league. The potential is there, the trick is getting that line back up to its potential.
“I love this photo from the Detroit News’ David Guralnick.”
It’s a fantastic, and very telling, photo. I believe that was on one of their penalty kills - and you can see the fourth Wing on the right just out of the shot. When it happened I remember thinking “damn all four of them were within two feet of the crease - THAT is how you play defense!” It’s also why I cringe when people say we should get rid of Maltby.
As for the Samuelsson thing, I think he’s the logical choice to sit when Bertuzzi comes back. Well, actually I think Bertuzzi is currently the logical choice to sit (why mess with a winning team?) but you know they won’t. I originally thought of sitting Lang and putting Bertuzzi in with Calder and Samuelsson - but then you’d have a line with no puck-controller.
Posted by Paul on 04/16/07 at 02:24 PM ET
Paul—I do recall Lang(sidaisical) line doing well, but that was a few months ago, and I think Cleary was on that line. Speaking of Cleary, the man is on fire this series—best guy Wings have not on the score sheet. The new “GRINDERS” have played extremely well.
I like O-Joe’s perspective on who to man the point on the PP if you sit Sammy—hell, put Fill out there, he needs minutes!!!! Besides he has great wheels and a good two-way player. Is it just me, or has he jumped out of nowhere and yelled at the top of his play—Put Me In Coach!!!!!
Lang’s line has been the most quiet this series, but the few games Bert was with them, they had really good puck control --- if Lang doesn’t cough it up at the blue line. Match Lidstom up with his D partner on Lang’s line—and pray. Hopefully they can hold the puck in (F)lame end. And for God’s sake get Hudler, Fill, and Franzen more minutes!!!!
Posted by Jeff -- OklahomaWingNut from In a Land Far Far Away on 04/16/07 at 02:37 PM ET
“when Brad Stuart ran him yesterday I actually laughed”
hahahaha me too! I don’t like to see any wing ever get leveled like that, except Robert Lang. It looked like he was smiling for a second as he got up, maybe he was laughing too.
Lilja is playing well, he has a lot to play for. I bet he’s tired of being the depth guy.
Posted by Aaron from Phoenix on 04/16/07 at 02:48 PM ET
“when Brad Stuart ran him yesterday I actually laughed”
So did Lang. Nice to see him have a little fun, maybe that will spark him to play better.
Posted by Paul on 04/16/07 at 02:58 PM ET
SLOW NEWS DAY. Didn’t the teams skate today in (F)lame-land? Inquiring minds really want to know.
Posted by Jeff -- OklahomaWingNut from A Land Far Far Away on 04/16/07 at 03:14 PM ET
“when Brad Stuart ran him yesterday I actually laughed”
So did Lang. Nice to see him have a little fun, maybe that will spark him to play better.
It looked like the Flames players on the bench were really giving it to him right after the hit. I think he was laughing at whatever they were yelling.
Posted by Steve J from Columbus, OH on 04/16/07 at 03:52 PM ET
I keep looking at that photo with Draper and Maltby around the crease...so I went looking for some more of Guralnick’s work.
http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=85
Posted by Paul on 04/16/07 at 05:59 PM ET
The only similarity that Filppula and Kozlov share is the ‘timely playoff goal’ deal… and since Filppula’s done it all of one time maybe we ought to hold off on those direct comparisons.
Besides, both guys play oil and water different styles. If you want to look at a guy on the current roster who shares Kozzie’s on-ice preferences, look no further than Jiri Hudler.
If we’re looking for a comparison point for Fillpula’s style of play, go back to 2002-3 and look at old game tapes of Zetterberg. Filppula isn’t the player Z was at the same point in their careers, but their styles are remarkably similar… and I think we’d all take Z-Lite.
Posted by HockeyinHD on 04/17/07 at 06:46 AM ET
I’d say Filpulla has done the “timely goal” thing twice. In two career playoff games. That’s pretty strong.
“Sammy is the only Wing that shoots first and thinks pass second.”
That would be just fine if his shots went anywhere near the net. Maybe he needs glasses, a-la Rick “Wild Thing” Vaughn. Or we need Bob Uecker to get drunk and holler “just a BIIIT outside” when he shoots.
Posted by Paul on 04/17/07 at 08:45 AM ET
I originally thought of sitting Lang and putting Bertuzzi in with Calder and Samuelsson - but then you’d have a line with no puck-controller.
Even with Lang in there, you pretty much have a line with no puck-controller. I mostly see it being passed into skates, intercepted by the d-men, or fluttering off his stick to no man’s land.
As for Sammy’s shooting, I think it’s a confidence problem. He used to try almost exclusively to snipe the corners, which led to a lot of misses wide, for sure, but he still had relative success with that strategery [sic], particularly last season.
When he goes cold he seems to get away from the sniping thing, apparently just trying to put the puck on net. That has lead to a lot of shots directly into the goalie’s pads, glove, or chest protector.
I’d like to see him go back to trying to snipe the corners. A miss wide is still a puck in play that can be re-gathered by a teammate for cycling and, hopefully, additional scoring chances. Shooting directly at the goalie, especially one as good as Kipprusoff is in controlling rebounds, isn’t achieving much from a follow-on scoring chance standpoint.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/17/07 at 09:19 AM ET
“Even with Lang in there, you pretty much have a line with no puck-controller.”
I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but I’m really curious what you’re watching. Lang is one of the best on the team at controlling the puck on the half boards and when there’s pressure. He’s got that ability to fake a little move and get the opposition to back off a couple feet.
“ I mostly see it being passed into skates, intercepted by the d-men, or fluttering off his stick to no man’s land. “
Then your eye is tuned into the negative for Lang. He had NO turnovers in game 2.
Posted by Paul on 04/17/07 at 09:25 AM ET
This was originally posted by The Emperor on the Hockey page, but there’s some classic stuff in there (that IwoCPO thought of first, I would imagine - and good on ya Iwo) that I wanted point out.
From: http://calsun.canoe.ca/Sports/Hockey/2007/04/17/4044681-sun.html
“No idea where the Wings got the idea but their playoff marketing push encourages fans to wear red to home games. “Who is the marketing genius that came up with ‘Join the Red Wave’ yet they hand out white towels?” laughed Detroit’s resident comedian and all-round good guy Chris Osgood ... Perennial playoff failures, the local economy and an inflexible approach towards season/playoff ticket renewals were to blame for more than 2,000 empty seats in Game 1. Game 2 was slightly better. Still, few wore red ... Sign on the concourse next to a life-sized Lego statue of Steve Yzerman: “Laser pointers and weapons ARE NOT permitted in Joe Louis Arena.” Thanks for the reminder ... This parting shot from Mike Babcock when asked about a Detroit columnist who called for the coach’s head if they lose another first-round series: “Some of the guys that write don’t know where the rink is 90% of the year.”
Great stuff there Ozzie - and Babblecock, best quote of the year.
Posted by Hoser from Downer Peninsula on 04/17/07 at 10:05 AM ET
Lang is one of the best on the team at controlling the puck on the half boards and when there’s pressure.
I’m guessing your head injury was from not paying attention during a game of lawn darts?
I’m not trying to be a jerk here, but I’m really curious what you’re watching.
Not the same Lang all season that you’ve been watching, apparently.
He had NO turnovers in game 2.
Yeah, I know. I was the one who posted that first, up-thread--about comment #4 or so.
I was pretty much talking about his 6 TOs in game one and the many stat sheets from the regular season festooned with TOs beside Lang’s name. He sucks on faceoffs, too.
Posted by O-Joe on 04/17/07 at 11:05 AM ET
Yikes. What’s with the personal insults?
Do me a favor tonight - specifically watch Lang in the offensive zone on the half boards. Watch him control the puck. Then come back and tell me you didn’t see it. 
Posted by Paul on 04/17/07 at 11:11 AM ET
Controlling the puck along the sideboards is all well and good, but he’s not going to score from there. The tell is when he looks to pass it, telegraphing it well in advance and then, more times than not, putting it into skates or onto the defender’s stick, before lazily heading back up ice on his version of the backcheck.
But I’ll watch, just in case he has an abnormal game and actually accomplishing something other than frustrating his linemates. (Plus, he doesn’t have many games remaining in his Red Wing career, so, if only for nostalgic purposes..)
Posted by O-Joe on 04/17/07 at 11:24 AM ET
“Controlling the puck along the sideboards is all well and good, but he’s not going to score from there.”
no, but others are going to score off his plays. Lidstrom’s goal was a pass from Lang on the half boards, to Hudler in the corner, to Lidstrom out front. that’s called “controlling the puck and making a play.” Lang also broke in on a two-on-one and smoked a shot that most goalies not named Kiprusoff never would have snagged.
“ The tell is when he looks to pass it, telegraphing it well in advance and then, more times than not, putting it into skates or onto the defender’s stick, before lazily heading back up ice on his version of the backcheck. “
wow. again, he has gotten back to make a defensive play numerous times in these two games. he was one of the team’s +/- leaders in the regular season, too. I swear, if a player isn’t scoring a bunch of goals, people think he’s useless.
Posted by Paul on 04/17/07 at 11:37 AM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Mellow Is The Man Who Hosts About 120 Live Blogs Per Year
“Faux”…Interesting. Do You Use “Faux”?
Detroit Media: Zero Outrage. Fedorov? Plenty
Well Gary? Your League Is A Joke
Gambling In Havana? Hiding In Honduras? Dad? Get Me To A Live Blog…STAT
Dammit…No Turco In Hockeytown Tonite
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:
A2Y Stuff
-----------------------------
Wanna Feel Smart?
Does confusion make you sad? When you read words like "enigma" and phrases like "Thanks Gary. Ass", do you wonder why mean people speak in languages you don't understand? Fret no longer friend! The A2Y Glossary will bring you great joy and enlightenment.
-----------------------------
How Others View The A2Y 19
"Hell, I guarantee the content co-opters at Abel to Yzerman were about to link this article under the heading “Bitter Blues Fans” again right up until they just read that last half-sentance. Thanks but no thanks, you Kukla hangers-on."
--St. Louis Game Time
"I realize it’s the slow summer season, but can this guy tone down the tough-guy histrionics? His posts are fatiguing on an otherwise excellent site."
--A2Y Fan, Eternal_Fields
"I constantly marvel at how Bill (IwoCPO) and his disciples at Abel To Yzerman can be so pompous and full of themselves throughout every regular season, but come playoff time they collapse into wavering puddles of stress and nervousness as they anxiously await the impending and unavoidable collapse of the Red Wings in the post-season."
--Mile High Hockey
"I hate them because they are better than us. Of all the frigging teams…"
--In The Cheap Seats
"It's just a shame that the most classless, uneducated, lowbrow fanbase in the league gets this sweep. Red Wing fans don't deserve their team."
--Thhom
"I really don’t care what fans or bloggers think."
--Drew Sharp
"Why is it you Detroit fans are still so classless when you have such a classy hockey team, with such a professional GM and gentlemen players? I understand that the author of this blog is a manner-less cad, but the rest of you should be better."
--A2Y Fan, Jeff Beaumont
"Have you ever *read* A2Y? Its the most opinionated, juvenile stuff i've read."
--Paul Nicholson
"I actually like the Detroit team and have a sh&% load of respect for them, but their fans are the biggest douches next to Canadians."
--KStewy, PensBlog Commenter
"Just when it looks like we have bottomed out, the 19 hit a new low."
-A2Y legend, Hockeytown Todd
"And for the record, I don't hate the Red Wings, I hate their fans."
--Douche Bag at Puck Daddy who isn't Wyshynski
"You’re nothing but a douchebag ****, c3po. Go f**k yourself, and learn something about hockey in the process. Nothing ruins my day more than seeing your byline on the kk page."
--Hector, A2Y fan, statesman, Pittsburgh Chapter of Jonas Brothers Fan Club President
"I can just imagine the kindergarten teacher’s reaction when the tyke blurts out 'Mommy says Gary Bettman is a f*cking f*ckface! He wants to give ‘Rosby the bad touch.' ”
--Bella, of the 19
"A2Y is what other blog sites aspire to be when they fail to grow up: intelligent immaturity for the juvenile genius set”
--Captain Dennis Polonich, of the 19
Head to Hockeytown
Blogs the Chief Likes
Totally agree with your assessment of who to sit when bringing in Bertuzzi. I am disappointed that Lang has looked so Lang-uid out there too, but the potential is still there.
Posted by Scott from Lehigh Valley, PA on 04/16/07 at 05:52 AM ET