Rundown: Bobby Ryan, please stop acting like a 12 year old.

Game Notes:

• The Wings played a pretty solid game tonight considering they played yesterday too. However, it's a bit of a concern seeing Howard playing the second game of a back-to-back. Where's Conklin? Has all faith in him been lost?
• The Wings played the Ducks tonight in an apparently, very rainy Anaheim? The Wings came out strong and scored quickly with a nice shot from Zetterberg. This was Z’s first goal since November 5^th. Which was nice to see especially since Z and his Eurotwin haven’t exactly been on point as of late. 1-0, Wings.
• Then all of a sudden… THE POWER GOES OUT. I guess they don’t pay their electric bill over at the Honda Center. Either that or Anaheim was trying to find a quick way out of another disappointing loss.
• After a long 27 minutes without hockey… the game comes back and Fox Sports provides us viewers with more technical difficulties. The FSD feed went out for a bit then switched over to the Anaheim announcers. Then! Ken and Larry are suddenly calling the game from their cell phones. I’m surprised Murph even knows what a cell phone is. For all we know, he was just holding a hot dog up to his head and speaking into it.
• Did anyone else notice the lack of Bobby Ryan tonight. No talk of the kid what-so-ever… he probably asked coach if he could sit on the bench for the game so he could finish the last few chapters of Twilight: Breaking Dawn.
• … if you don’t know what I’m talking about, Bobby Ryan recently gave a review of the latest installment of the Twilight films. What a hard-ass. That’s the kind of guy I want on my hockey team…
• 2^nd period opened up with a beauty from Mule. Then the Wings got another goal courtesy of Brad Stuart that was screened perfectly by Bertuzzi. Wings up 3-0.
• Our defensemen have been nothing short of awesome when it comes to scoring. The Wings blue liners have been very impressive so far this season, scoring goals left and right. (With the exception of Ericsson, of course.)
• Holy.Shit.Jimmy.Howard. Jimmy had an AMAZING save in the second off of the stick of Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf had his hands up and started celebrating. The ref said no goal and the play continued. Hilarious. Anyways, the play was review and the no goal ruling on the ice was confirmed. This moment also made me realize that Getzlaf has more hair on his face than he does on his head. Thank you, Movember.
• So Bobby Ryan had a nice shot on goal, the puck went in but his teammate, Smith-Pelly cross checked Kronwall. The whistle blew before the puck went in so the goal didn’t count. Bobby Ryan got his panties in a twist and started yelling at the refs. Obviously he was yelling about the fact that Bella picked Edward over Jacob. Come on Bobby, grow a pair and play hockey.
  
• In true Ericsson fashion, the moron took a penalty with just over 2 minutes left in the game. Can we just trade him? I can think of so many other ways the Red Wings could spend 3 million dollars... THANKFULLY, Brad Stuart saved Ericssons ass and scored an empty netter, pretty much taking away any chance the Ducks may have had to tie the game. 4-2, Wings.
  
• Oh yeah, at some point during the game, the Ducks managed to score 2 goals on Jimmy.
• I miss Ian White. A little piece of me dies every time I see Ericsson playing opposite Lidstrom. Jonathan Ericsson still sucks. You would think that his contract would help him produce a little more out on the ice. Or you know, actually play hockey?
• Also.. this Brendan Smith kid... he's good.
  

Warm-Up: Columbus @ Detroit

What is this blog? Whats hockey? I don't remember...


Well first of all, I have some explaining to do... I apologize to everyone for not posting as much lately, but I promise I'll be better at it. Now that I have to be a "functioning member of society" in the "real world" there isn't much time for blogging... especially since I've been spending a lot of time with my two new best friends, Hank and Jon. >>>

(sorry, I had to... SO COOL)


Anyways... On with the good stuff...

The Warm-Up:

Tonight, our Red Wings open up the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Oh, wait, the season already started. I forgot... I thought it was still the off-season due to lack of Red Wings games. It's the first of 6 meetings between these two teams this season. The Wings haven't played a game since last Saturday so hopefully all time off spent shooting guns, serving coffee, making pizzas, and grocery shopping haven't worn them out too much.

The Blue Jackets are going for their first win of the season tonight (they're 0-5-1) and the Wings are looking to keep their undefeated season alive (4-0-0).

Injuries/Scratches:

Mike Commodore - Knee
Jan Mursak- Ankle


Patrick Eaves - Healthy Scratch


Other Notes:

It's Breast Cancer Awareness night at the Joe... lots of pink!

I have to say.. I've been quite impressed with Jiri Hudler so far. Yes, I know, the season is still VERY YOUNG but the little guy has been very good out on the ice. Maybe his summer spent working out with that MMA trainer will actually pay off. Also, I'm becoming a big fan of this Ian White character.

The Wings power play also needs to start showing up.

Predictions:

Final Score:

Stef - 5-2, Wings
Danielle - 3-1, Wings

Player of the Game:

Stef- Henrik Zetterberg
Danielle- Darren Hell (nope, I didn't spell it wrong, that's how he spells it. for real.)

As always, Go Wings!

Warm-Up: Detroit @ Chicago

The Warm-Up:

It's here. The last game of the regular season. I can only pray that we will be able to see our boys win 16 more games after tonight. Every game and win the Wings get after tonight is a blessing. (yes, I realize I'm making hockey sound like a religion right now.) The Blackhawks need this win to keep their playoff run alive. With everything locked up in the Eastern Conference, the battle between the Hawks and the Dallas Stars is still alive in the West. Along with the battle for 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th place...

Today's match-up between the Hawks and Wings is the last of 6 meetings between these two teams. The Hawks have dominated this series winning 4 of the 5 games already played and it's no secret that they will be coming out and ready to battle for the win tonight. The Wings on the other hand haven't been playing to their potential as of late. In their last ten games, the Wings have gone 3-5-2. Not exactly a record to be proud of.

Injuries/Scratches:

Henrick Zetterberg- Lower Body Injury
Niklas Kronwall- Upper Body Injury

Drew Miller should be the healthy scratch today.


Predictions-

Final Score-
Stef- 4-3, Hawks
Danielle- 4-2, Wings

Player of the Game-
Stef- Johan Franzen
Danielle- Todd Bertuzzi

Go Wings!

Warm-Up: Chicago @ Detroit

Warm Up:

The Wings will play their last regular season home game tonight against Chicago. It's going to be a tough game tonight for both teams as they look to secure their spots in the play-offs. The Wings, who already have a play-off spot locked, are still looking to finish in 2nd place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, Chicago is going to do whatever it takes to keep 8th place.

Maybe we should ask Marty Turco what the outcome will be tonight... I'm sure he's taking bets.


Injuries/Scratches:

Henrik Zetterberg - Lower Body Injury. Out for the weekend, day to day once the play-offs begin.
Niklas Kronwall- Upper Body Injury. Out for the weekend, will be ready to start for the play-offs.

Chris Osgood- ...

Draper should be the healthy scratch tonight

Other Notes-

Congratulations to the Farmington Hills Firefighters for winning their division in the Metro Detroit Fire/Police Ice Hockey Championships! The team went 3-1 and brought back, my friend and Hockeytown Rundown Reader, Michael Haase out of his hockey retirement. It's Haase's 4th championship. He says he would like to thank Kevin Hodson and Dominic Hasek for the old school tutoring.


Predictions:

Final Score-
Stef- 3-2, Wings
Danielle- 3-1, Blackhawks

Player of the Game-
Stef- Pavel Datsyuk
Danielle- Brian Rafalski


Go Wings!

The Rundown: NOT THE JIMMY!

First Period-

• LOL Brett Lebda.

• What an atmosphere. Gotta love the original six match ups. such a loud crowd. octopus thrown before the game even starts.. .you know its going to be a good game.

• "lets go red wings" "go leafs go" "lets go red wings" "go leafs go" GOD! I LOVE match ups like this because of the crowd alone.
  

• GOAL! Hank scored a great goal with helpers from Hudler and Lidstrom. 

Darren Helm waiting to make a play.

• "Helm can go from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds" ... Just like a Mercedes Benz, right Mickey?

• Blue 43 has nothing on red 43. anyways, blue 43 Kadri scored, 1-1.

• First Period ends with everyone tied up, 1-1. 

Filppula getting smashed against the boards for going after the puck.

• Turned on CBC during the first intermission. Don Cherry never fails to show us the perfect suit. Then he provided us with this great line... "Fillapov or whatever his name is." Apparently, Don Cherry thinks that Finland is a part of Russia?

• Coaches Corner finished just in time for me to listen to Larry Murphy! yesss! win! HOT DOG JOKE! ....this game just has "win" written all over it.
  

Second Period-

Kronwall's shot from the blue line

• Kronwall made a great shot from the blue line and Holmstrom tapped it in for the goal. It was a pretty goal, but what got me was Homer's reaction to it. Immediately after it went in he checked all around to make sure that the ref wasn't going to call it back. Hilarious... sort of... actually, it kind of sucks that Homer has to do that now... BUT! Wings up 2-1.

• Abdelkader went after Daryl Boyce after Boyce laid a hit on Rafalski. Rafalski left the game to go get medical attention in the locker room. So anyways, Abby saw the hit at center ice then went after Boyce and dropped the gloves. Abby got a few good hits in. I liked it. 

Abdelkader and Miller checking Leaf's into the boards.

• So that was weird. A shot at the glass.. glass cracks... second period ends early. Which means that the third will be 22:01 long.

• Now, the only time I remember something like this happening, where time or something was changed was during the Winter Classic where the Caps and Pens had to change sides halfway through the third because of poor ice conditions.

• Do you guys know of any other time when there is some change like this to the game? Does this happen more often than I think it does?

• By the way... those Red Wing Commercials with Huds and Z playing chess STILL crack me up.

Third Period-

Jimmy Howard ready to make a save.

• Scary incident where Jimmy ended up on the ice, injured. One of the Leafs, Lupul, put the puck in the net to tie everything at 2-2 while lying on top of Jimmy. Jimmy left the game and looked like he was pretty shaken up.

• Joey MacDonald came in immediately. Lets all hope that Jimmy is alright. 

Dog pile on Joey Mac.

• Hudler scored a goal quick to regain momentum. 3-2, Wings.

• Bert scored an empty netter to make the final 4-2, Wings. Because of this win, the Leafs probably ended any hopes of going on to the playoffs.
• JoeyMac brought in a great effort to end the game.
  

Next up for the Wings: The Chicago Blackhawks, Monday night.

Go Wings!

Jiri Hudler wins first star of the night with a goal and an assist.

{Photo Credit belongs to Stefanie Mullins}

Warm-Up: Toronto @ Detroit

Warm-Up:

IT'S HOCKEY NIGHT!

...Only.. we're not in Canada.

The Wings welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs into the Joe tonight for some Original Six hockey. This is the first and only match up between these two teams this season. Which is unfortunate, there needs to be more Original Six match ups through out the regular season...
Anyways, the Wings have lost their last three games while the Leafs have won their last three.

Injuries/Scratches-

Pavel Datsyuk out with a lower body injury.
Johan Franzen out with a sore groin.

Ruslan Salei is a scratch.


Other Notes-

Jan Mursak was sent back down to Grand Rapids.
Chris Osgood and wife welcomed their third child, Max into the world on Thursday. Osgood is supposedly returning to the Wings line-up around April 2nd.

Today also marks the anniversary of the legendary brawl that took place between the Wings and the Avalanche. Thank you Darren McCarty.

Happy 27th Birthday to Jimmy Howard!

Also, Stef will be heading to the game tonight and will hopefully get some great pictures!


Predictions-

Final Score-
Stef- 4-1, Wings
Danielle- 4-2, Wings

Player of the Game-
Stef- Henrik Zetterberg
Danielle- Patrick Eaves

The Rundown: In your face, goalie!

Well the Wings beat Ovi and the Caps in what was a pretty good game.

Before we start, I just want to say how much I really enjoy the Washington Capitals. Ever since the HBO 24/7 special, I've gained a ton of respect and a new perspective of this team... yeah.. they're becoming one of my new favorite non-wings team (yeah, those exist.)

1st Period-

Heard most of the 1st period in the car.

Zetterberg had a nice one-timer to get the Wings up on the board first. 1-0 Wings.

But what would you know, the Caps come back seconds later and tie it up. 1-1.

Brian Rafalski pass to Filppula who was in front of the net, seemed like a lot of chaos was going on at the time. However, Filppula shot the puck (what?!) and scored. Before the game started I told my dad that Filppula would score a goal. Yeah, I was right. No big deal. Fil was just representing us Finns on St. Urho's Day. 2-1, Wings.


Second Period-

It was only a matter of time before Ovi scored. 2-2. Mike Knuble had a nice chance for the caps to go up, but Jimmy Howard was like "Hell no, bitch." Denied. I also want to add that I told my dad Ovechkin would score a goal tonight. I wish I was making this stuff up, but this game is going pretty much as I predicted. All I need now is a Helm goal and a Datsyuk goal oh and a Mike Knuble goal... then I'll go play the lottery.

Did anyone else get chills when Mickey started talking about Konstantinov??


Third Period-

So Zetterberg got hit, there should have been a penalty. But you know what... its all good that the ref's suck at their job because Z got the puck and scored... off of the face of Capitals goalie, Michal Neuvirth. 3-2 Wings.

Jimmy gave us a bit of a scare with SECONDS left in the game. The Caps fired a shot and got the goal post. I thought for sure we were going for another OT and another shootout. Thank god THAT didn't happen.




Anyways... The Red Wings Win the Good Ol' Hockey Game! We ended the Capitals win streak and now we're carrying on a nice streak of our own.
Also, my pre-game prediction didn't completely come true. Oh well...

Broadcaster Quote of the Game-
"That ain't wood down there"- Ken Daniels

Up Next, The Bluejackets, tomorrow.


Go Wings!

Warm-Up: Detroit @ St. Louis

Warm-Up:

Blues, Blues, Blues. Bring on the Blues.

Detroit made their way to St. Louis where they will play the Blues tonight. After a late game win last night, the Wings will look to build off of their momentum and hopefully send St. Louis off singing the Blues... see what I did there?

Injuries/Scratches:
Eaves- Groin
Rafalski- Back

Miller is scratched.


Other Notes:
Just realized I have been wearing Blues colors all day. That can't be a good thing.


Predictions-

Final Score-
Stef: 3-2, Wings
Danielle: 3-1, Wings

Player of the Game-
Stef: Johan Franzen
Danielle: Henrik Zetterberg

Warm-Up: Los Angeles @ Detroit

Warm-Up:

The Wings are coming off a painful loss to the Dogs over Phoenix and a not so stellar road trip.

Just like the last few games, tonight is the last match up between two teams. The Kings of Los Angeles will take on our beloved Wings at Joe Louis. The Wings haven't been hot lately, and their record at home is nothing to really brag about.

We've seen it before, and we're seeing it again. The Wings aren't playing their best hockey, but that just makes me think they're taking things a little easy and resting up for the play-offs.

I will say I am quite excited to watch this game tonight, especially since my room mates are all about poking fun at the Kings and "King Cobra" himself, Johnathan Quick.

And lets not forget, the last time these two teams met, the Wings dominated until the last few minutes of the third when they decided they were done playing. The Wings won the game 7-4.


Injuries/Scratches:

Brian Rafalski still out with back problems, Eaves still out with a groin injury. Both have been skating at practice though.

Christopher J. Osgood should be back on the bench or in between the pipes next week. (hopefully)

Drew Miller is scratched for tonight's game.

Other Notes:
There was a video posted on the Wings website yesterday of Justin Abdelkader reading "The Little Engine That Could" to a bunch of fourth graders. It was... AWKWARD.


Game Predictions-

Player of the Game-
Stef- Henrik Zetterberg
Danielle- Nicklas Lidstrom

Final Score-
Stef- 3-2, Wings
Danielle- 3-1, Wings

Warm-Up: Detroit @ L.A.

The Wings are on the West Coast this week and kick off a series of late night games tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. The last 2 times these teams met, the Kings ended up with the W. I particularly remember the last meeting between the two, I was at the game. It ended 5-0, LA. The Wings had something ridiculous like 45 shots on goal... not a single one went in thanks to one Johnathan Quick. If he's in net tonight (haven't had a chance to read anything about tonight's game) then I might worry.

Johan Franzen and Brian Rafalski are out of the line up tonight. Mule's wife had their first baby on Sunday... it reportedly came out kicking. (woohoo lame joke!) Rafalski's back is still giving him trouble. Drew Miller and Jakub Kindl will be taking their spots in the line-up.

Also, today was the trade deadline. No transactions made in Detroit.

As posted earlier, Jimmy was signed to a two-year deal. Jimmah!!!

The Predictions-

Player of the Game-
Stef- Pavel Datsyuk
Danielle- Henrik Zetterberg
(Oooo... a battle of the euro-twins!)

Final Score-
Stef- 4-2, Wings
Danielle- 3-1, Wings

Run-Down: There goes the win streak

It was a 4-3 loss against the Sharks tonight in Detroit. I was really hoping that the Wings could pull it off in the final minutes. If there is any team in the league that could tie it up and force an overtime, it would be Detroit. But they didn't go down without putting up a fight.

The Rundown...

First Period-

So I missed much of the first since I was busy doing domestic type things like grocery shopping and laundry. However, once I sat down and had a chance to watch the game, I was all smiles. See, I turned the game on right when a penalty was called on Mr. Penalty Box himself, Johnathan Ericsson. Ericsson received a high sticking call and shortly after, Lidstrom got one too. San Jose had a 5 on 3 for what seemed like an eternity, but not to worry my friends. JIMMY HOWARD DOMINATED. He made some GREAT saves during that 5 on 3 which made me do a little dance. It things like that that make me appreciate how spoiled I am being a Red Wings fan.

I thought we were going out of the first period scoreless, but then with 7 seconds left, San Jose scored. I absolutely hate when we let in a goal with less than a minute left, when that happens, it usually doesn't end well for the good guys.

I should also note too, while coming home from the grocery store I called my friend Mike and mid-conversation he was amazed at a play that Datsyuk made that he had to rewind it and watch it again. Turns out it wasn't Datsyuk, it was Eaves. Once again, another reason why us Wings fans are spoiled. All of our guys, no matter what line they're on are capable of making mind-blowing plays with the puck. Love it.

Second Period-

Well hello, Danny Cleary. You owned this period. Cleary scored 2 goals in the second proving once again that the Cleary-Datsyuk-Hudler line is a force to be reckoned with. Cleary now has 22 goals this season, making it his highest scoring season in the NHL. Congrats Cleary!

Patrick Eaves also left the ice very slowly during the 2nd. He didn't return for the third due to a "lower-body injury." Hopefully it's nothing serious. But if it is, at least its before the playoffs.

Second period ended 3-2 San Jose.

I also heard this conversation take place during the game...
"Why is there a semi-truck in there?"
"It's a zamboni."

Third Period-

San Jose made it 4-2 in the third. Needless to say, I wasn't too pleased.

Hank tried to make a comeback on a power play to make it 4-3 and I was praying that the Wings would be able to pull it off and tie the game. They had a few great shots during the last 2 minutes leading me to believe that it would actually happen.

Then. My heart broke. Franzen had a great shot and somehow Niemi saved it. I thought it was in. It wasn't. Sigh.

The win streak is over. San Jose wins, 4-3.

Broadcaster Quote of the Game:

I had one, didn't write it down. But Murph said it. I'm really slacking in the quote department. Sorry guys.

Stef wins the player prediction for tonight's game.


Next up, the Stars. Thursday Night.

Here's an injury update too:
Osgood should be returning next week after his sports hernia surgery. He's been taking shots in practice. Modano will be back on Saturday after that horrifying lacerated wrist and Filppula is skating in practice but is still day to day with a knee injury.

Warm-Up: Detroit @ Minnesota

Todd Bertuzzi will play his 1,000 career game today when the Wings take on the Minnesota Wild. This is the 3rd road game for the Wings in 4 days. Hopefully the Wings can continue their winning ways and Bertuzzi can continue this awesome 2 goals a game thing he has going on. I'm also pretty excited to watch the Hudler-Datsyuk-Cleary line again. These three have something special going on here. Personally, I'm surprised that Cleary works so well with the other two. You can barely understand them when they speak. I would assume that Jimmy is getting the start in the net today after that nail-biter of a game that Joey Mac put us through.

Predictions-

Player of the Game-
Stef- Henrik Zetterberg
Danielle- Nicklas Lidstrom

Final Score-
Stef- 3-2, Wings
Danielle- 4-2, Wings


Go Wings!

Warm-Up: Detroit @ Florida

After winning the Yzerman Bowl last night, the Wings and their Dads travel further south to face off against the Florida Panthers tonight. The Wings always make me nervous with these back to back games, but with the recent return of Stuart, Datsyuk, and Cleary, I think the Wings will come out fighting. Here's to hoping they keep the momentum going from last night.

By the way, does anyone remember when Florida Panther fans threw rubber rats on the ice? Do they still do that?



Game Predictions-

Player of the Game-
Stef- Henrik Zetterberg
Danielle- Danny Cleary (yep, for a second game in a row)

Final Score-
Stef- 4-1, Wings
Danielle- 5-2, Wings


Go Wings.