Grumbling all the way to Detroit
Maybe I shouldn't be complaining. The Red Wings eliminated the Ducks' #1 Pac Div rival in a six game contest that sent the Sharks swimming with their fins downcast into the Pacific sunset. It'll allow Shark defenseman Christian Ehrhoff to return to his native Germany to assist his fiance with the wedding bells--er, plans. (My congratulations for the wedding, my condolences for your early post-season exit, No. 10.)
In any case, it means our boys are packing up and heading out to Hockeytown, for, what? Oh, right, the 4th time in Ducks playoff history. *gawk* I hate that statistic. I really do. Since 1997, and that second round sweep suffered at the hands of the Wings, I've taken a strong disliking to the winged tire, octopi, and the colors red and white.
Of course, that's cooled now that I'm older, wiser, and less emotional about the game. *peeks around* Okay, so I'm still pretty emotional about the game, but I do recognize that the only reason I truly disliked the Wings was for their sheer dominance of the game, year after year after year. The same is true of the New Jersey Devils -- but since they're out, I'm not so worried about facing off against them anytime soon.
The Wings, as history would have it, also eliminated the Ducks in a four game sweep in 1999 during the conference quarterfinals. My bitterness deepened. My dislike for the Motor city aka Hockeytown aka Motown, whatever, grew.
Yeah, it stung just a twinge when former Ducks coach, Mike Babcock abandoned ship in July 2005 in favor of coaching the Wings instead of trying to lead his 2003 Western Conference Champions to more glory. Fact is, Babcock, with his unsmiling face and abundance of red hair, led the Ducks in a four-game sweep of the Wings in Round 1 of the 2003 playoffs... and it was some sweet, sweet revenge that eased my anti-Red Wings tirades to the low, steady dislike I harbor today.
Nevertheless, here we are today. A different team, a different coach, and hopefully a different result from all the Ducks previous playoff runs. Out of my own superstitions and fears, I won't be posting about how I envision the end to be -- but, dear God, it's poetic, it's beautiful, and it's amazing... in my mind, that is.
But what stands between my team and the fulfillment of that unspoken dream is the Dominator Dominic Hasek, who, despite nearing his Golden Years, is still playing golden in net, the indominable Nicklas Lidstrom, rival to Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger for best NHL defenseman (again!), and the suddenly goal-happy Pavel Datsyuk. There are others the Ducks ought to pay special attention to, such as Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, long-time Wing Kris Draper, and the ancient tough guy Chris Chelios. (My dislike of him has disappated over the years as well).
As predictions go, I'm about ready to do a coin toss on this one. I never like seeing Detroit in the playoffs. Ducks in 6. Why? Because I pit my two-Norris-trophy-candidates to Detroit's one. Ha!
So, there.
(Plus, the PPG will plow through, and Jiggy's going to stand on his head just as much as the Dominator will. Detroit's got injuries, Anaheim's healthy. Detroit's played more, the Ducks have had some rest. REST, again, not r-u-s-t. No home-ice advantage for the Ducks this time around, but somehow, I don't think it'll factor in much for either team. Get the W. Then get three more.)
*Back to jury duty with me.*
6 cheers and jeers:
"Henrik Zetterburg"
Do us Wings fans a favor, eh? Spell the name of the best player in the world correctly. Thanks. ;-)
Henrik ZetterbErg
From a Red Wings fan:
I like your post. On paper, the Ducks look better than the Wings. They are loaded with talent on defense and the combination of Selanne, Getzlaf, and Selanne is very scary.
However, the Wings have proven that talent on paper goes only so far in the playoffs. I would take a team that has more passion, grit, and luck than a team loaded with size and speed. Just ask Sharks fans.
paul: my mistake. one letter off and now corrected. and, correction to your statement, he is ARGUABLY the best player in the world. you stated it as fact, which it isn't rock-solid fact. it is, however, your opinion which you can argue. =)
when you're in court everyday all day... the details count.
anonymous wings fan: yes, well. I harbor both anxiety and dislike for the wings, mingled slightly with grudging respect. I won't be surprised at how this series plays out, but I'd like to think the Ducks are a more complete team in comparison to the Sharks. We'll see how it goes, but I'm going to enjoy watching some amazing saves...
You wanna know a good way to get out of jury duty? Tell the judge you’re a psychic and you already know who did it.
There are others the Ducks ought to pay special attention to, such as Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg, long-time Wing Kris Draper, and the ancient tough guy Chris Chelios.
You neglected to mention Filppula, a/k/a The Flying Filipino. He didn’t do much against the Sharks, but, like Samuelsson, he’s very streaky and he’s due to break out.
it is, however, your opinion which you can argue
I have stats to back up my position. He was the best player in the NHL before he got hurt. Considering the NHL is the top league in the world, being the top player in said league should qualify you as top player in the world.
Hint: he didn't play the last month of the season and still led the Wings in scoring.
With Forsberg no longer playing, there's a new Swede on the block. Henrik Zetterberg is his name, and he's the best player out there.
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