Equating senile dementia with principles is a dangerous precedent. Oh I forgot the anti- Red Wing conspiracy to have Cindi Crosby win the Cup! Hey wasn’t he out of the game and played no role in the Pens victory? Couldn’t be, that doesn’t fit the plan!!!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 06/13/09 at 04:03 PM ET

Made my day.

Well done, Mr. Illitch!!

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 04:28 PM ET

In one thread we have people saying Crosby is classless for not shaking Lidstrom’s hand even though he probably needs knee surgery after being gooned, but in this one we have people congratulating Illitch for being rude to a man who makes him millions.

Hypocrisy is all the rage in Motown these days.

Posted by Andrew Mack on 06/13/09 at 04:41 PM ET

Try to keep up, Andrew.

Illitch was just on the receiving end of some of the worst officiating in NHL history. He had a reason to be upset.

But Sid not shaking Lidstrom’s hand, what was that all about?

It was about Mario’s basement-dweller lacking the maturity and class to be a captain.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 04:50 PM ET

Maybe Crosby was too busy wondering why he had to sit on the bench for the biggest game in his life because his knee was totally crushed when he never even had the puck. Oh, but the owner is going to throw a hissy fit and its justified because he is competitive? This is pure bias and there is no difference. Pick a side; if Illitch is justified, Crosby is even more justified. If Crosby is classless, than it is even more classless for Illitch because his issue is even less justified than a probably surgery and rehab.

Posted by Andrew Mack on 06/13/09 at 04:56 PM ET

It is a poor showing for a captain of a team to not lead the line for the Handshake, win or lose.  I’ll rack it up to overall inexperience in this case, he gets a ‘by’ this year.

But Illitch’s move, awesome.  I’m glad to see he sees things our way.  While I won’t go so far as to say there was a conspiracy, the officiating was demonstrably different than how the game had been called all season.  Even the NBC announcers mentioned it in game 7.  I personally liked how they let the game be played; however its clear the Red Wings didn’t get the memo.  After 11 minutes of penalty kill in one game during the Chicago series, Detroit got the message to play it perfectly clean, and we did.  The Penguins, however, took advantage of the more wide open officiating and put in a series of subtle holds and hooks that gave them the advantage; had Detroit known they were allowed to do so I think we would have, but Babcock has all but eliminated it from our style of play, which is a good thing, until both teams, without announcement, are suddenly allowed to do so.  Ergo, advantage Pittsburgh.

Group that in with the back to back scheduling two days after we beat Chicago, the magical reprieve of Malkon’s automatic suspension, and a littany of other minor things, and you can tell why Mr. Illitch, along with the rest of us, would sooner sodomize Mr. Bettman with a broomhandle than shake his hand.

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 06/13/09 at 04:59 PM ET

Now we know where most Wings fans get their class.

Nothing made me happier than seeing Pitt skate the cup around in that dump.

Posted by Stay Classy Detroit on 06/13/09 at 05:01 PM ET

his issue is even less justified than a probably surgery and rehab

I’m arguing with a third grader...I should know better.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 05:12 PM ET

The Penguins, however, took advantage of the more wide open officiating and put in a series of subtle holds and hooks that gave them the advantage; had Detroit known they were allowed to do so I think we would have, but Babcock has all but eliminated it from our style of play

Not quite accurate sir. Detroit is terrible at interference. I’m not arguing that the Penguins didn’t commit some infractions that would have been called earlier in the year, but to say that Detroit wasn’t doing the same stuff, is quite inaccurate. And actually, I’m pretty sure that if you count the number of powerplays each team received, Detroit got more. The problem is that they didn’t execute on them often enough. Demonize people all you want, Detroit lost, and you guys can’t admit it, that maybe it’s because they got outplayed.

Posted by penguinsfan on 06/13/09 at 05:14 PM ET

You know what, today is kind of cool.

Pens fans are even bitter and petulant in winning. I think it proves the Wings have entered the heads of Pens fans, and they are not leaving anytime soon.

Good to see you Pens fans still fear the Wings. Today proves the Pens won a big battle, but the war is still firmly in Detroit’s favor.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 05:18 PM ET

penguinsfan I’m not saying we were angels out there, of course not.  You are in fact correct, if you exclude game 5 which had a ton of penalties in the latter half from an understandably frustrated team, we were even, more or less, on the calls.  But I saw quite a few hooks and holds that weren’t called; I agree I probably saw more from the Penguins perhaps because of my bias.

Nonetheless, you’re right, we were outplayed - just barely, nothing to be sad about.  We’re both pretty evenly matched teams and to the victor went the spoils, no hard feelings at all towards Pens fans and their team.

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 06/13/09 at 05:33 PM ET

Red Winger yes, truly a rivalry has been born.  It’s good to see!

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 06/13/09 at 05:34 PM ET

I like to think I have an objective view as someone whose favorite team wasn’t involved and as someone who watches a lot of hockey (including the majority of this year’s playoffs and all of the SCF).  I agree that the way in which the game was called changed as the playoffs progressed, but I don’t think it did so to favor any particular team.  As such, I don’t get the Wings’ fans contentions that the league is biased against the team.  If they called interference as stringently as they did during the regular season, then Kronwall’s big hit in the centerzone in Game 7 and the hit on Crosby along the wall would both have been penalized.  There were a lot of regular-season infractions that were let go for both teams.  And really, if you think the NHL is structurally biased against the Red Wings, they’re pretty terrible at executing it given that Detroit won the Cup last year and were a cross-bar way from OT in Game 7 this year.  The leadership of the NHL is incompetent in many ways, but I just don’t see substantial evidence in favor of a negative bias against the Wings.

Therefore, the move by Ilitch was pretty classless.  Even if you don’t respect the man himself, respect the office of a league that provides you many opportunities playing a game that many people would sacrifice a lot for, particularly in Detroit.  It’s ok to have differences with league leadership, but a little civility should be expected, particularly when the motivation is as vague as a perceived bias against the Wings.

Posted by Dan from Buffalo, NY on 06/13/09 at 05:35 PM ET

I think the Red Wings behavior post Game 7 has been classless.  Man up, act like the champions you were.

Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 06/13/09 at 05:40 PM ET

June 2, Yahoo Sports: “I love it. I’m not sure how the East was really called all playoffs, but I think the way they’re calling things now should be a blueprint for how the regular season should go,” said Maltby.

“They’re not going back to the old rules, where there’s the dramatic hooks and holds and slingshots coming up the ice. I think they’re letting guys battle, in the corners and in front of the net. As players and as hockey fans, all you ask is that it’s even on both sides. I’m not really used to this many penalties not being called, but it’s fun. You’re letting the guys go out and play and decide who’s going to win.”

.............................?

Posted by SCF on 06/13/09 at 05:59 PM ET

Crosby was with Wings coach Mike Babcock when Lidstrom skated off the ice behind Hossa. Check the video.

Sore losers.

Posted by Stay classy Detroit on 06/13/09 at 06:03 PM ET

I’m with Dan from Buffalo on this one.  I too was watching as a fan as my team was nowhere to be found in the final.

The officiating was bad, but for both teams.  There were so many non-calls at some points in the series it was borderline insane!  But really, as a fan of the game I would much rather have too many non-calls (as long as nothing too dirty is going on) than calls on all the insignificant plays that happen in a game.  I didn’t see much that lead directly to goals…

More specifically on the interference, both teams were doing it, and if anyone disagrees then they are not capable of a non-biased view.  Did one team do it more than the other?  Good chance, as both teams doing it the exact same amount of times seems unlikely.  Did one team benefit from it more than the other, not a chance.  If the league was telling its refs to be biased toward one team over the other I didn’t see it.

As for the post-game stuff, Crosby was celebrating his first cup win, young kid there, cut him some slack - maybe he’s a little less machine-like than some of the Wings players and wanted to enjoy the moment, you know it was an emotional moment.  Should he have waited until after shaking hands - yes, and I’ll bet that mistake doesn’t happen again.  Good to see the Wings are graceful losers…

Speaking of which, Illitch is a grown man, and a successful business man at that, and acting like this because his team lost in one of the best series ever… WOW, I’d hate to see what this guy would do if his team lost in the first round.  Now I can understand that he would be terribly disappointed, and we all know Gary is a douche, but show some class man - very un-Yzerman like.

I’ve been coming to this site for a loooong time, and I have to say I am amazed at many of the comments from the Wings faithful.  I thought their fans were a little more down-to-earth and centered and wouldn’t ride onto the conspiracy theory tracks.  Seems I was proven wrong based on many of the comments I have been reading during the Final series.

PIT was a little better this time around and you know you can’t win’em all - though I was starting to think maybe they would.  And on yea, ‘Cindi’ Crosby - that’s sooo funny… you guys lost the cup to a girl - and good to see you were watching closely to determine he had no role in the Pens win… that might be the dumbest thing I have ever read… in my life… lol

Sometimes its good to take a step back, take a deep breath and take an objective look at things.

Thanks for the entertainment

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 06:06 PM ET

What did Crosby do in the Finals?

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:13 PM ET

Lead his team to a seven game series win over the defending champions without home ice advantage.

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 06:18 PM ET

Snubbing Bettman was a bad thing?  This is the guy who 1) defended the officials in this series and 2) had a commercial running throughout the playoffs that basically had the Cup in the Pens hand last year.  That’s why the snub was deserved.  And what about moving the start date?  How exactly did that not help the Pens?  Seriously, Bettman got what he wanted and any boos and snubs to him are completely fair game.

Posted by JROD from East Lansing on 06/13/09 at 06:24 PM ET

Lead his team to a seven game series win over the defending champions without home ice advantage.

Wingman, I didn’t ask what Edzo and Garry Bettman told you he did in the Finals, I’m asking you what he did.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:27 PM ET

Snubbing Bettman was a bad thing?  This is the guy who 1) defended the officials in this series and 2) had a commercial running throughout the playoffs that basically had the Cup in the Pens hand last year.  That’s why the snub was deserved.  And what about moving the start date?  How exactly did that not help the Pens?  Seriously, Bettman got what he wanted and any boos and snubs to him are completely fair game.

you do realize they moved the start date after they took a PR beating from ALL hockey fans when they expressed disgust in a potential 10 day layoff.......damned if he does damned if he dont in detroit?

Posted by nick on 06/13/09 at 06:33 PM ET

you do realize they moved the start date after they took a PR beating from ALL hockey fans when they expressed disgust in a potential 10 day layoff

Then have a five-day layoff, and start on Versus. Give NBC games four through seven, just like that year.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:36 PM ET

To JROD - I agree, he’s a douche but as an owner, no matter what you think of the guy you have to show some class… but I do see that point, believe me, I just don’t agree with the action taken.

To Red Winger - I watched the finals on CBC (no Edzo or Bettman on there - I presume they were on NBC?).  But for the record I watched every second of that series, so I don’t need television announcers or arseholes like the commish to tell me what I just witnessed.  So based on what you are saying, and correct me if I am wrong, you believe that if the Pens did not have Crosby they still win the series, thus indicating he played no role in their victory?  Interesting theory… Maybe you are right, weird to give a guy like that the captaincy though.  Guess we’ll never know

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 06:38 PM ET

Who in Detroit wanted to play back to back FINALS games 3 days after finishing a 5 game series with beat up guys?  Weak.

Posted by JROD from East Lansing on 06/13/09 at 06:38 PM ET

Ya know, the better question is, why would he shake his hand?  What class has Bettman showed this year?

Posted by JROD from East Lansing on 06/13/09 at 06:39 PM ET

I’m not one to complain about calls because it is what it is. But who do you think would benefit more if all the correct calls were made. I would think that Detroit’s power play would have more of an advantage. Don’t give me this, “well they called it that way for both teams” because who knows what a power play or penalty kill would do for a team. It could be the difference. You say what happened in game five when they called everything, the WIngs power play dominated and they blew out Pit. It doesn’t take much to change a game to one teams favor and not making those calls favored Pit more in this series I think. You can bash me all you want Pit fans. I’m not being a sore loser. I think you guys played great and are the winners but I just don’t think you can call hockey games the same way for 120 games and then just change it for the last one.

Posted by YYZerman on 06/13/09 at 06:42 PM ET

Wingman, you still have not answered my question.

What did Crosby do in the Finals?

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:42 PM ET

JROD, that’s a strange way to think man… Bettman’s an *#$%@&, so Illitch is an *#$%@& back!  Doesn’t that mean he is no better than the original *#$%@&?  If Illitch shook his hand and looked him in the eyes showing his frustrations THEN walked away without saying a word he would look like a brilliant man.  For now, he looks like a pretty sore loser - which is very unbecoming.

Still, who cares about them.  Draft day is coming up, time to re-focus before the off-season begins!

Think the Wings make it back?  They have a tone of lineup decisions to make, should be interesting.

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 06:46 PM ET

Wingman, you still have not answered my question.

What did Crosby do in the Finals?

Posted by Red Winger from The Soo on 06/13/09 at 07:42 PM ET

Red winger - he did enough to put your loser Pens out of the finals!!! hahahah Nikki probably wanted to get out of detroit as fast as everyone else!!!

Posted by Greg on 06/13/09 at 06:50 PM ET

Who in Detroit wanted to play back to back FINALS games 3 days after finishing a 5 game series with beat up guys?  Weak.

how is it weak if he listened to the fans? the overwhelming response was that a 10 day layoff was a complete waste. he compromised as best as he could with nbc and tried to please the masses who had displeasure with the initial schedule. can’t please everyone.

Then have a five-day layoff, and start on Versus. Give NBC games four through seven, just like that year.

cuz he has little leverage with nbc. when you sign a joke tv deal, you get treated like one.

Posted by nick on 06/13/09 at 06:51 PM ET

The Wings start the season early, so they better get a ton of rest in the next three months.

I say skip training camp and only play three pre-season games.

No one has played more games than Det and Pitt over the last two years. That makes both teams ripe for the picking next year. Now, if that actually happens is a totally different thing, but, still, there are some teams out there that have played 50-some less games than this year’s finalists.

Get lots of rest, boys, you’re gonna’ need it.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:52 PM ET

Red winger - he did enough to put your loser Pens out of the finals!!! hahahah Nikki probably wanted to get out of detroit as fast as everyone else!!!

If anyone can speak Gregese, an interpretation would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 06:53 PM ET

Red Winger - You didn’t answer me either >> So based on what you are saying, and correct me if I am wrong, you believe that if the Pens did not have Crosby they still win the series, thus indicating he played no role in their victory?

I did answer you, “he led his team”.  He did things we cannot physically see.  I have listened to enough interviews of their players and coaches who have stated as much.  I guess that is all theory though because it doesn’t show on the score sheet?  Have you ever played a team sport at a competitive level?  If yes, you know what I am talking about, if no, you will never understand what I am talking about.  It’s not really something you can put into words, you know…

Anyway, it’s okay not to like the player, but to seriously think he had no role in his team winning seems a bit of stretch, to me anyways.  I know most of the Crosby haters out there won’t admit it but Sidney Crosby let his team to victory - I’m not saying he was alone, or was even the guy with the most impact, but he had a role.

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 06:54 PM ET

Stuff like this is great for the sport! I will admit as an impartial observer that the officiating was bad. I also think the better team lost. However, the Wings have only themselves to blame. When they turned it on they were better than the Pens....but they just didn’t want it as much as the Pens. Wings fans should get a life and blame their own team and especially Brad Stuart for this loss. He was brutal...should have played Chelios...............

Posted by kevin from boston on 06/13/09 at 07:01 PM ET

Hmmm...not much support for Sid, other than cliche’s following cliche’s.

The problem is this: other Penguin players will begin to resent the fact their contributions to the team are often times over-shadowed by the Crosby love-fest currently going on in the media. What’s worse, the NHL encourages, almost demands, the media act this way. They’ve created “Sid The New Superstar”, and like any good marketing machine, they will use the media in all ways possible to get their product out there.

The adoration of Crosby last night was pre-scripted. The script was written for a Finals that Sid kicked some serious a$$… in a Finals he truly led his team and wowed the masses.

But he didn’t do that in these Finals. Reality contradicted the pre-written script.

But it didn’t stop the PM of Canada calling Sid. It didn’t stop the media from gushing over how Sid led this team to a victory, like Malkin was some secondary support cast, and Kennedy and Staal were just lucky to be able to ride on the same plane as Sid.

Reality trumped the pre-written script, and the NHL and most of the media look silly because of it.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 07:05 PM ET

I guess this is where the rest of the wings get their class from…

no wonder Nikki ran off the ice so quickly…

Posted by John on 06/13/09 at 07:06 PM ET

the Wings have only themselves to blame. When they turned it on they were better than the Pens....but they just didn’t want it as much as the Pens

I agree with that, as far as a criticism for game seven goes.

However, the entire series was a different matter.

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 07:06 PM ET

I guess this is where the rest of the wings get their class from…

Translation: “You know, even after winning the Cup, I still cannot get the Wings out of my mind!!”

Posted by Red Winger from Sault Ste. Marie on 06/13/09 at 07:08 PM ET

Quote from Red Winger “Hmmm...not much support for Sid, other than cliche’s following cliche’s.

The problem is this: other Penguin players will begin to resent the fact their contributions to the team are often times over-shadowed by the Crosby love-fest currently going on in the media. What’s worse, the NHL encourages, almost demands, the media act this way. They’ve created “Sid The New Superstar”, and like any good marketing machine, they will use the media in all ways possible to get their product out there.

The adoration of Crosby last night was pre-scripted. The script was written for a Finals that Sid kicked some serious a$$… in a Finals he truly led his team and wowed the masses.

But he didn’t do that in these Finals. Reality contradicted the pre-written script.

But it didn’t stop the PM of Canada calling Sid. It didn’t stop the media from gushing over how Sid led this team to a victory, like Malkin was some secondary support cast, and Kennedy and Staal were just lucky to be able to ride on the same plane as Sid.

Reality trumped the pre-written script, and the NHL and most of the media look silly because of it. “

1 - Sid is not a superstar?  I think he is, and the fact he has succeeded at every level including the NHL all while having to be the media face makes the accomplishment all that more impressive.  Could you imaging the pressure he is under, and he still manages to do and say all the right things.

2 - You know the Pens players well.  I can’t speak for them, if they feel that way they will leave.  Only then will they know what Sid was all about (could be good or bad).

3 - Not sure what media you are watching or reading.  Everything I see talks about Malkin leading the scoring, Stall, Talbot, Fleury and others doing whatever it took to get the job done.  Actually I haven’t read or watched much saying it was all Crosby… it was a team effort - which is the ONLY way anyone could beat the Wings.

4 - If the NHL didn’t use Crosby to promote the league they would be missing out on a great opportunity.  Is Crosby a brand?  Yes, but he’s also a player.  The two are different.  He sells hockey, and does it well.

5 - Who else would the PM call, the captain or another player… hmmm.  Malkin won the Conn Smythe trophy for petes sake, no one overlooked his accomplishments.  And really, yea the others are lucky to be along for the ride because those support players exist in abundance - but they did themselves well with their performances and maybe have put themselves ahead of all the others… they did what they had to do.

6 - The only one looking silly is you.  I have no idea what media you are following but you might want to look at something outside the Soo… just sayin’ man.

You are one bitter and jealous person.  My condolences.

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 07:27 PM ET

I apologize for the personal attack, that was uncalled for.

I am however, sticking to my other 6 points with one addition.

Most of the Media are idiots, to that I will agree with you, and they do go too far with some of the praises.  But MOST people are smart enough to decide for themselves what is real and what is not.

Again, sorry.

Posted by WingMan from Qc on 06/13/09 at 07:39 PM ET

Spoiled bunch of babies from the owner down...The Red Wings hook, hold and interfere with the goalie more than any team I’ve ever seen....but the refs are out to get them.
If you conspiracy theorists were correct, Nossa would have been called for slashing Dupuis’ stick in Game 2. Zetterberg would have been called for TWICE covering the puck with his hand in the crease..
Hockeytown my ass. Classless bunch of whiners. Throw your silly octopus and everyone’s supposed to watch you skate around, hook, hold and win.. Didn’t happen.. After your kicking and screaming tantrum, you’ll get over it.
Red Winger..Your arguments are weak. Again something Crosby shit out yesterday is worth more to society than you could ever hope to be.

Posted by Pensin6 on 06/13/09 at 08:16 PM ET

Interesting comments about all the Crosby hype. Funny thing is that on NBC he was not the focus, they talked about his lack or production. Yet for some of you and the beloved CBC it is a Crosby lovefest. The Crosby hype is to pacify Canada, they can’t stand having Malkin or OV or a Swede be the best player. So they manufacture hype around Sidney. He isn’t the bet player on his team, he is not a top 10 goal scorer, he whines at refs whenever he gets hit and he takes cheap shots. Yet he is the face of the NHL? No he is the face of Canadian hockey!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 06/13/09 at 10:48 PM ET

NBC’s Doc Emrick, after Hal Gill roughed up Mikael Samuelsson: “And 20,000 referees thought there should have been a call.”

Pierre McGuire: “During the regular season and first two rounds of the playoffs they would have been right.”

Emrick: “Sure has changed, hasn’t it?”

And that is the story of Game 7, Pens fans. Oh, I know you don’t want to hear it. But that’s the NBC/Versus crew describing the Pens getting a “gift” from the refs...one that directly led to the winning goal.

So, enjoy the Cup...I won’t call it your Cup because you share it this year with the refs. Maybe next year you can win it all on your own...you know, like big boys do.

As for Mr. I snubbing Lil’ Gary? All I can say is my admiration for the man just went through the roof with that. For a gagillionaire with a bad wig, he’s still the bet owner of any franchise in any sport in the world. More power to ya, Mr. I. But you should have punched the little prick in the face.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/13/09 at 10:56 PM ET

As for Mr. I snubbing Lil’ Gary? All I can say is my admiration for the man just went through the roof with that. For a gagillionaire with a bad wig, he’s still the bet owner of any franchise in any sport in the world. More power to ya, Mr. I. But you should have punched the little prick in the face

What a small little life you lead, if this is your state of mind!

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 06/13/09 at 11:00 PM ET

Classless bunch of whiners....

Again something Crosby shit out yesterday is worth more to society than you could ever hope to be.

And pensin6 (or pensin7, whoever he is today) disproves his own theory with his own words. That’s just priceless.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/13/09 at 11:01 PM ET

What a small little life you lead, if this is your state of mind!

Your team won and you’re here ragging on the loser’s fans? And you think I have a small life? Pot. Kettle. Black.

Seriously, if you actually had a life you’d still be celebrating. But, hey, we get it. This is all new to you. Your team has never won a Cup in your lifetime so you have no better idea of how to act than your [small-c]aptain did last night.

As for Mr. I, your team is going to have to win a lot more Cups before you have any right to criticize anything the best owner of any sports team in the world does.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 06/13/09 at 11:18 PM ET

That some Penguins fans take this as the slight of a poor loser either says a lot about Bettman’s relation with Pittsburgh or their relation with the pre-Betttman NHL.

Posted by UMcastaway from Ann Arbor on 06/13/09 at 11:49 PM ET

I am anything but a Penguin fan, my comment is about the excessive animosity shown towards Bettman by some so called fans, be they Detroit or Pittsburgh.

Posted by Tero from Tacoma on 06/14/09 at 12:05 AM ET

I’m pretty sure I know who pensin6 roots for

Posted by UMcastaway from Ann Arbor on 06/14/09 at 12:45 AM ET

GOD BLESS you Mr. Illitch, I will be eating nothing but Little Ceaser for ther next 6 months. If you had kicked him in the nuts It would be the next 10 years!!!

Posted by dbcooper from parts unknown on 06/14/09 at 01:15 AM ET

June 2, Yahoo Sports: “I love it. I’m not sure how the East was really called all playoffs, but I think the way they’re calling things now should be a blueprint for how the regular season should go,” said Maltby.

“They’re not going back to the old rules, where there’s the dramatic hooks and holds and slingshots coming up the ice. I think they’re letting guys battle, in the corners and in front of the net. As players and as hockey fans, all you ask is that it’s even on both sides. I’m not really used to this many penalties not being called, but it’s fun. You’re letting the guys go out and play and decide who’s going to win.”

.............................?

Posted by says it all yet no response on 06/14/09 at 02:45 AM ET

Classless whiner just like his teams fans.  You guys are pathetic.  The rest of the hockey world realizes the joke that Detroit fans are. 

BTW - I would think a prerequisite to being called hockeytown would be to sell out playoff games prior to the other team filling the building.

Every Canadian city, Philly, Boston, Pittsburgh and hell even Carolina are better hockey towns than Detroit.  You folks are a joke.

Posted by McFly from The real hockeytown on 06/14/09 at 09:10 PM ET

Lead his team to a seven game series win over the defending champions without home ice advantage.

Here’s hoping that Zetterberg can lead the Wings back to the promised land next year in Sid fashion, by being completely shut down by the opponent.

Howzabout we don’t pretend that it was Sid who led the team in the finals?

BTW - I would think a prerequisite to being called hockeytown would be to sell out playoff games prior to the other team filling the building.

Why?  So, being a prerequisite to being called Hockeytown means that a city, completely unrelated to any sport being played, should be immune to the financial and economic realities around it?

Yeah, and congratulations for being the 1,000,000th Pens fan to have nothing to bring up as a real argument and instead resort to making fun of a city.

Posted by Garth on 06/16/09 at 07:55 AM ET