From Mickey

I forgot how spoiled I was when I lived in Michigan and got to watch the Detroit feed all the time. Now living in Phoenix, when I am actually able to watch it, I always forget how random and then right on Mickey Redmond can be.

For some strange reason, he has decided to refer to Henrik Zetterberg as King Henry the VIII. I think his fiance may not approve of that nickname....Henry the VIII was kind of a dick to his 6 wives.....

But then he says something like this:

“The only people Chris Osgood owes anything to are himself and his teammates.”

Spot on.....and a personal plea for everyone to shut the hell up. I think we are...

Ah ha....found the solution

Alright, is it Thursday yet? This feels like the longest week ever. But at least the Wings play tomorrow.

Apparently over at Puck Daddy they hate the new Red Wings slogan..."The Beards are Back." Can't say that I am jumping up and down super excited about it. But it is better than the clever marketing I am repeatedly exposed to here in Phoenix. Let's see the latest advertising brain child of the Phoenix Coyote's marketing and promotion department included 80's night. And no they did not mean Wayne Gretzky's super full and flowy mullet.

Also at this point in the Puck Daddy blog they decided to discuss the issues Detroit is facing with their goaltending....really the Wings are having goalie issues....lets see of the 24 years I have been alive I have NEVER heard this before. But it did get me thinking about what the reason for these issues may be..and then it hit me! (yes I like exclamation marks) Little Happy isn't doing his Hudler cluck with Ozzie anymore...or somehow the ritual has become tainted...I don't know. But some one needs to reverse this shit and bring it back immediately...who knows at this point it may be the only thing to help. (I realize this was a crazy statement but the playoffs are coming up so it's time to get superstitious...it's all I got, I don't have a beard)

One more time!

For a nice read about Osgood and his resilience, check out the write up at Out of Bounds.

Here's hoping Ozzie can do it again!

And yes I now have that incredibly annoying song stuck in my head..."One more time!"

Number 2!

Ahhh yes! From what I've heard, that was much better! Unfortunately I was not able to see the game yesterday. I was out at a BBQ enjoying the beautiful Phoenix weather. (crazy but not everyone has Center Ice out here) Don't be too jealous though, soon it will be 115 out and everyone will be holed up in their houses sitting next to an air conditioning vent.

From what I have read, and may watch tonight on my Tivo, it was an all-around great effort. Too bad the first goal was called off. Apparently Homer's ass struck again! Over at On the Wings, Matt posted Franzen's beautiful goal.

Ozzie recorded his second shut of the year and 49th overall. From some clips it looked like he played very well positionally and cut down many of their better opportunities. This has earned him his third straight start against the Flyers tomorrow.

Have to say that overall I am glad Rick Nash and Steve Mason did not make the Wings their bitch again....

Not having watched the game, and trying not to get too excited, I did like the quote from Ken Hitchcock below:

"I don't care who plays Detroit," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "If (the Red Wings) decide they're going to play that way, nobody's going to beat them. Nobody's going to beat them in a (playoff) series if they're going to play that way. Teams are going to be lucky to win games against them. They played a deliberate game. They played with work ahead of skill, and when you have their skill level, it's pretty devastating if you're the opposition."

Despite that ringing endorsement, the Blue Jackets, Mason, and Nash still scare me as a potential first round opponent. Hopefully the Wings and specifically Ozzie can use this game as a confidence booster and end the season strong. Once Ozzie has his confidence back, and is playing at his potential, the rest of the team will feel more comfortable as well.