From a wings fan: Way to bounce back Penguins!!!?

Question

Just wanted to say, “That was a great game!”

That was more along the lines of what I was hoping the whole series would be (in terms of the level of play). Especially that 5-6 minute span in the 3rd w/o a whistle. Good intensity by both teams.

Looking forward to future games.

Some observations:

- Brooks Orpik is really impressing me. I'd love to see him in a Wings uniform some day. Solid game. And I liked his post-game comments. Scuderi’s comments too, after the 1st intermission.

- MAF is still playing well. I keep waiting for him to get rattled, but great job to the young man for playing well in the big game.

- This may sound strange, (and is not intended to be derogatory), but sometimes I feel sorry for Crosby. People expect so much out of him. He does his best. Experience will come w/ time. Just from the way he answers questions. I think you got to admire his willingness to take the pressure, but wow, this guy is young and naïve. (nothing wrong w/ that.)

Answer 1

I'm with you on most of your comments, I said it after games one and two, wait and see what the Pens do on their home ice. They were like a different team there, and found their feet. I get the impression that the Wings went in just a little complacent after the first two games, and had to find their feet again in Mellon. They seemed to be doing that in the third period. This game is more like what we expect from playoff hockey. I still think the Wings can take them, even at mellon. but they need to stay on their game, and not get slack. As for Crosby, I've watched many of the games in the post season, and tonight was more what I expected from him, but I think you're right, he has an enormous amount of pressure for such a young player. Sometimes he comes off as cocky rather than confident, but that will come with time and experience.  GO WINGS

I would like to add one thing though, even at the end of the game and losing, the Wings did not resort to "if you cant beat them hurt them" hockey like the Pens did in game 2, nor did they go after Fleury like the Pens did Ozzie.  I hope the games continue to be well played and tight, I like a good challenge.

Answer 2

All they needed was to come home and feel the support of their fans. Hossa (the man!!)said it himself and I agree 100%, sports fans in this city are like no other they give off an energy that they feed of off.  Now their ready to make this series into something.

To answer your question, Jordan Staal is our best penalty killer in my opinion.

Answer 3

yahh it was a good game for both teams =]

first off just thought i'd say good luck the rest of the series, i hope the future games are as good as they were last night. yahh i agree with you about the crosby thing, people are so disrespectful, it bothers me. i dont have anything against any player or any team.

jordan staal is a good penalty killer.

& once again to all the red wings fans, good luck the rest of the way.

Answer 4

You're the first person to really give credit to the pens.

well, THANK YOU. good game, regardless of your loss or not.

Answer 5

I would have to say Jordan Staal. He is underrated and is always causing havoc for the other team somewhat undetected. Sounds like you are starting to convert to a Pens fan hahah. But that was some awesome hockey!

HOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!...

GO PENS!

Answer 6

Im just happy cuz now I don't have to skip my high school graduation on saturday since it won't be a potential stanley cup game.

Answer 7

Thanks, You.  I've been trying to think of a way to say all these things, because despite the final score, and the spousal ribbing (he's going to spread rumours about me at work now!), I thought that was a thrilling game, and much more worthy of the title they are competing for.  I hope for more games like that, but with Wings wins!

I thought on the whole the Pens were playing much better as a team, using the 'decoy' well, and got just a little luck on their first goal, to get their emotions up.

It doesn't sound strange that you have a bit of sympathy for Sid - I also feel that way.  He is a truly amazing talent, among a generation of coming stars.  If they could just let him be what he is and leave him to get on with it, I believe he'd be even better, and a better captain for his team.

I'm finding it a bit weird how the posters who have come in this morning have been so.... sporting!  

Anyway, both teams, great game, Go Wings.

Answer 8

good job you. i feel the same way. two good teams going at it  with both playing the way it was hyped up to be. loved that stretch in the third with no whistles, up and down hockey like it was meant to be played. let's hope the remaining games are played that way. GO WINGS!

Answer 9

My prediction before the series was that the Wings would win Games 1 and 2 and the Pens would be a little shell shocked.  I then said the Pens would get a huge boost during their first home game and proceed to win Game 3.  As far as my predictions for the rest of the series, I will stick with it.  Detroit will win the next two games to win the Cup.

And yes, I was MUCH more impressed with the Pens game last night.  Their play in the first half combined with the horrible unforced errors by the Wings, sealed the fate of that game.  Detroit played well the second half and proceeded to outshoot the Pens, but it was too late.  Plus that goal by Hall and post by Homer was a backbreaker.

Would have been VERY interesting if the high-sticking penalty was called when Lidstrom was hit with that high-stick.  It would have been 4 minutes and it was right after Detroit scored their first goal.  But, penalties are missed and the Wing's 1st PP unit just looked like they tried to do too much, they tried to shoot off the rush WAY too much.

In all, the only thing that disappointed me about that game was the Wings unforced errors.  While they had a lot of "forced turnovers" too, the unforced ones are the ones that killed them.  Stuart's giveaway on the first goal was really bad.  Sure he had a guy coming at him, but he had plenty of room and time to make a safer play.  The Wings will be better in Game 4, but so will the Pens.

The Pens have played well in this series and last night finally were able to get some "blue-collar" goals.  THAT is what the playoffs are all about.  Crosby was rewarded finally for his great play in this series.  He and Hossa are far and away the best to players for the Pens in this series.  They really are the only ones that scare me right now.  I've ragged on Crosby before, (mostly because the media makes him sound like he's a god, which he is not), but he not afraid to make plays.  Malkin to me right now seems scared and nervous.  I know he has some undisclosed injury, but he hasn't really been effective since that shorty he scored against Philly.