quote:

Originally posted by swabbie:

I grew up in the Detroit area.

Swab

You've got to be feeling pretty good these days. Pistons, Red Wings, I still think the Tigers will be there in the end. Now the Lions.....

Life in sports has been pretty good in Detroit lately. Darned Pistons beat our Celtics last night!

Take care,

Don

Man, that Red Wings team is playing an extremely disciplined brand of defensive hockey. It's clearly got the younger Pens team frustrated and off their game. For the most part, the Pens are matching them physically but the Detroit defensive assignment are being flawlessly executed.

I said earlier that this was shaping up to be just like the 1983 Oilers-Islanders finals. The younger team with more raw talent (the Oilers with guys like Gretzky, Coffey, Messier, Fuhr) stormed through the playoffs with only a couple losses and then got swept by the older, more experienced, and more disciplined team in the Islanders. If i'm not mistaken the Isles were going for their 3rd straight Cup. That team played very much as the Wings are playing now, total discipline and and as a complete team unit. It's become obvious that the Pens haven't faced a defensive team like this and still have some things to learn about playing as a complete unit. Sometimes you have to lose and learn some tough lessons before you can win. I'm not counting the Pens out, but it's pretty close to that point. If the Pens can't take these next two in Pittsburgh it's over.

Hell, this Wings team is kind of reminding me of some of the old Red Army Soviet teams back in the 80's.

Actually the Wings are just being the Wings. Sound defense, skilled forwards. It's been this way since they drafted Stevie Y. Pittsburg cant win if they cant score.......Go Pistons

Swab

I hope the Penguins have been watching tape of Nashville. The Preditors seem to be the only team in the league that has given Detroit fits the past couple of years. At least they know how to get the puck on net through that stifling defense.

Go Pens!

Hell, Pittsburgh can't even get any quality shots on goal. Just about every shot i've seen go at Osgood has gone right into his chest. The Pens aren't making him stand on his head to make saves the way Fleury is being forced to. I think the 1st period tonight will dictate the remainder of the series for Pittsburgh. If they can find a way to be effective offensively they might have a shot at making this a series. If not, then not.

And again, Detroit learned this defense from NJ a few years back. Go Michigan

Swab

I don't know about you guys but that was the best hitting hockey game I've seen in a long time. If that's what it's going to be I hope the series goes seven games. Glad the Pens scored and won but Detroit is also a real pleasure to watch. WOW!!!

Go Pens!!!

Well, it's not over but it's over. When the refs give the Pens a 5-3 for 1:30 and the best scoring chance was by Detroit it just goes to show the superiority of the Red Wings. Another great game!

Metal - I think you hit the nail on the head with the Edmonton analogy. But as you know, it's hard to see our boys so close and come up short. We'll have to steal one on Monday and hope for the best.

Swabbie - I'm not giving up but if we come back to take 3 in a row from your boys it will go down as the greatest upset and comeback in Stanley Cup history. That is meant as a compliment. Great team the Red Wings!

Go Pens!

Anybody else stay up until 1 am this morning watching the Pens force game 6? This is going to be a long day.

Go Pens!!!

Fell asleep when they tied it after pulling the goalie!
Unbelievable!

The 3rd period was probally the best period I've seen in 20 years. Great game, bad result for Detroit. Hang in there boys.

Swab

Hell yeah I was up. I think I woke the neighbors when Sykora put that shot home. What a game. It seemed like the Pens finally figured out how to play Detroit in the last 2 OT periods. If they cane get the early lead in game 6 and play like they did in the last 2 OT periods (making sure they usually get 3 guys back on defense) they have a shot of forcing game 7. If that happens, all bets are off.

I still think the Wings will likely win the Cup but I was so proud of the young Pens team last night for showing the heart to fight and claw their way to that victory. I think alot of severely disappointed people walked out of Joe Louis early this morning. They were 35 seconds from seeing the Cup skated around on home ice.

quote:

It seemed like the Pens finally figured out how to play Detroit in the last 2 OT periods.

I think the Detroit old timers were losing their legs while the young guns were cranking it up. It reminded me of a cow shooing away the pesky flies.

Go Pens!!!

Maybe, but the Pens were looking dead on their skates at times during OT as well. I said earlier that a long series might benefit the younger team with fresher legs. We'll see if that holds true or if battle-hardened experience wins out. Either way, i'm proud of these boys.

And what's even better, our minor league team Wilkes-Barre is in the Calder Cup finals. The Penguins cupboards are stocked with great up & coming talent for the future.

It's over....Wings won. Good job Illich, Babcock, Stevie Y. Did anyone notice Scotty Bowman in the celebration pile?

Swab

Swabbie -

Congratulations to you and your Detroit Red Wings. They were the superior team and are very deserving Stanley Cup Winners! It was a tough series with game 3 being one of the best all around hockey games I've ever watched.

For my Penguins, great year! There is absolutely no disappointment whatsoever from this fan. They left it all on the ice to the very last shot. I hope Metal is right. Now they have a taste so hopefully the dynasty will start next year.

Again, great job and congratulations to the Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings!

Go Pens!!!