Hockey Talk

It must be the countdown to the playoffs because the Wings are beginning to get a bit feisty. Two games ago my Baby Boy made a hit that was unbelievable! (Didn't know he could hit like that! It brought a tear to my eye, I was so proud.) Anyway, a Buffalo player took exception to the hit--which WAS legal, by the way--and tried starting something with VF. This caused a bit of a scrum with VF standing toe-to-toe with the Buffalo player with a "you talking to ME!!!!" attitude. FEISTY!

Thursday night against Nashville, VF was credited with THREE hits for the game! AND he was ready to get into it with the Nashville player that cross-checked him in the lower back--again standing toe-to-toe with the same "you talking at ME!" attitude. (Frankly, I wouldn't have been surprised if he would have decked the asshat--it certainly WASN'T something good!) And in the middle of the scrum, Datsyuk punched a Nashville player in the chin! WHAT are they putting in the water the Wings are drinking?!?! Almost would think it is 'roid rage setting in. ;)

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The NHL hasn't had a steroid scandal like some of the other sports have. Now, I don't believe that there are NO players in the NHL that have or do use steroids, I just don't think there is much of a chance that too many would. Steroids bulk people up and hockey players have to be a bit sleeker so that they can be faster, so bulk isn't something most players want or need. That being said, there ARE rumors that amphetamines might be a problem in the NHL--or were at one time. The NHL has a very strict drug policy--and testing--so it would seem as if there are any culprits, they would be caught. I certainly hope this is the case.

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We are lucky to have as many channels broadcasting hockey on TV throughout the year that we do. Our cable company allows us to see Red Wing games on FSN-Detroit and we also get Versus and the CBC. Add to this the (few) games that NBC carries on Sundays, and we have hockey most days of the week throughout the season. So, we don't need to buy the Center Ice package that is also available.

That being said, we have had the opportunity to see Center Ice for free this past week. Major League baseball has begun its season and its pay channels are being shown for free this week. Baseball's channels are the same ones that hockey is shown on during the season, so the last of the hockey games are being shown for free. It has been a hockey fanatics dream come true: multiple games every night! WOW!

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Tonight I watched the Predators game on Center Ice and was struck with one reason why Wings' fans are hated so much. It was being talked about how the Predators were trying to get into the playoffs for the fifth year in a row. I'm sorry, but I burst out laughing. The reason? The Wings are in the playoffs for the 18th consecutive year. I realized--yes, too late--that it was rude to be like that. Even though there wasn't a Pred fan around for miles and miles and miles. At least, I don't think so. :)

Anyway, Wings' fans are VERY spoiled. We have the tendency to freak over things that other teams' fans would cheer about. Wings' fans have lamented the fact that they will finish the season no better than 2nd in the league--and could possibly finish 3rd! (This, after the Wings regularly finish in the top 5.) Wings' fans were upset because they didn't win their 50th game the first game they could have. Even though they were only the third team in HISTORY to have four consecutive years of 50 or more wins--when they DID win their 50th. The Wings' fans have pissed and moaned when they have won games by only one goal--or lost games that they have lost in the shootout--even though they played solidly for the entire game.

I don't know what is wrong with Wings' fans, besides being spoiled and used to perfection from the Wings. We KNOW they could have had a perfect season with the talent on the team. (Not seriously, but theoretically.) The Wings are consistently among the top teams in the NHL and have been for almost 20 years, so anything short of being THE best is painful for their fans. Also, too many fans remember--or have been told of--the Dead Wing era. 42 years between Cup wins. THAT is something too frightening to think about. And every time we see the Wings NOT play their best, we fear it is the beginning of another Dead Wing stretch.

Maybe these are the reasons we fans are the way we are.

Posted in: hockey