Another hockey post.

[lithera]

You know what I'm doing tonight?

I'm watching the Red Wings game.

If we don't win tonight we're out. The game is at 5 PST. I'm already nervous.

*takes a deep breath*

The feels are hard to describe in a way that really captures the feeling. I've been rooting for this team for years. I was so amazed when we won the Cup in '97. It was the first time in like 50 years. The feeling of being a part of that, even just a little part, was amazing. I love the excitement. There are games I will never forget. Especially those triple overtimes games where I no longer cared who won as long as it ended - the tension was just insane. I felt like I was going to have a heart attack every time someone made a shot.

I'm not a confrontational person, but I wear my jersey out on the streets hoping that someone will comment on it and someone almost always does. What's the fun of having a favorite team if everyone else likes it too? I remember when they were the Dead Things, when they couldn't make it into the playoffs and only three teams didn't get in at that point.

Even if we don't make it to the Cup, even if we don't win, it's been a hell of a ride and I've enjoyed it.

You know what? Even if we lose tonight, I'm wearing my jersey tomorrow.

I love the Red Wings.

Comments

[prairieflower.livejournal.com]

Hehe.

I'll be rooting for the Red Wings, too. Just for you. I've actually never watched a game.

Question-- who do you love more? Orlando Bloom or the Red Wings? ;-)

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*cheers* Thank you.

Hrm. The Red Wings. I've been in love with the Wings since my parents took me to practice sessions when I was younger. Really early in the morning. I have someone's signature. I don't remember who it was, I was just so excited that someone signed my book. Maybe some day I'll sit down and try to figure it out.

Re:

[prairieflower.livejournal.com]

Hehe.

That's cool.

I hope they win. :-)

[devilwind.livejournal.com]

Should be a good game tonight. The Wings have really outplayed Colorado throughout this series (with the exception of Monday). However, the Avs were by far the better team Monday. It remains to be seen if that's because the Avs raised their level of play, or the Wings dropped theirs.

This really is going to be interesting. This is the first time the Red Wings have faced elimination; it's really the first must-win game they've played (Game 3 against Vancouver was a must win, but the first two games in that series were a fluke - the Canucks weren't in it after that). Colorado certainly has a lot of momentum going into this game - they've won two in a row, they're going home, Patrick Roy is hot hot HOT, Forsberg is just about unstoppable, and Blake is looking much healthier (he took several shots on Monday, something he hasn't done through the rest of the series).

Traditional wisdom says that the Wings will play a very tight defensive game - they absolutely cannot afford to give up any goals. Ideally they'd want to shoot out early to a two goal lead and then sit on it, but I'm not sure that will work against the Avs. The Avs are a superior defensive team, and they have a superior goaltender - I'm not sure they'll get that early two goal lead; and if they do the Avs will punish them. The Avs have a lot less to lose in this game - they can afford to be aggressive and give up some odd man rushes - they've got the lead. Every odd man rush the Red Wings give up has the potential to end their season.

All in all this should be a good game. Both coaches are masters of their craft, and the teams are almost identically matched. I'm giving a slight edge to Colorado due to the fact that they've been tested and their stars seem to be much hotter than Detroit's stars. In games like this your star players need to be hot.

JD

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*nods* Pretty much I'm agreeing with you, but I want to see this go to seven. This series deserves to go to seven. The Avs woudn't be in this series at all were it not for Roy. He's been a machine. I hate the man, but I hve to give him credit. He's probably the best goalie who has ever played the game.

Roy, Forsberg and Drury are my top worries. Blake and Sakic are the second line worries.

Sergei has been throwing everything he can get his hands on at the net and none of it is going in. The main goal scorers haven't been.

All in all, we'll see.

[devilwind.livejournal.com]

Forsberg is such a huge deal. He's the best player in the playoffs. Furthermore, when he plays with Sakic, the Wings are forced to choose between the lesser of two evils - if they put heavy cover on Forsberg, they leave the best sniper in the league open. If they put heavy cover on Sakic, they leave the best all around player in the game.

This really seems like it'll be a coaching battle. The game's about six or seven minutes in and so far Hartley has outcoached Bowman in terms of his line choices.

JD

[devilwind.livejournal.com]

Interesting trivia: When Scotty Bowman's teams lose game 4, they have always lost the series. When they've won game 4, they've always won.

THey lost game 4 this series. Be very interesting to see what happens.

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*nods* There are a lot of interesting trvia bits with these two teams.

Well, who ever wins this has the Cup, really. I mean, the Hurricanes have a very small chance.

Re:

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*nods* Yeah. Well, Roy seems to be showing cracks in the wall. We'll see. There is hope. Forsberg... Man. He is so amazing.

There are so many amazing players in this game. It's hard to know where to watch.

woo hooo

[phantomoftruth.livejournal.com]

Go Canadiens!!!

Re: woo hooo

[lithera.livejournal.com]

*grins* Thank you.

Re: woo hooo

[phantomoftruth.livejournal.com]

there's always next year....