Is this goodbye for good…

By: Nicholas Williams

The stage is set Wednesday night the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins versus the underdog of this years playoffs the Montreal Canadiens for a game seven in the conference semi-finals. This could possibly be the last game ever to be played at the historic Mellon Arena (formerly the Civic Auditorium and Civic Arena, nicknamed The Igloo). The Penguins debuted at the Civic Arena on October 11, 1967 in a 2–1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The 2010 Pittsburgh Penguins would like to send Mellon Arena out with one final Stanley Cup Championship. On the other hand the Canadiens would like to leave Mellon Arena the same way they first visited in '67 with a W. The Canadiens fresh off a game seven victory against the heavily favored Washington Capitals in round 1 seem poised for another thrilling upset.

Mario Lemieux the savor of Pittsburgh (on more than one occasion), when the Pittsburgh Penguins were in financial disarray Mario purchased the team and the Pens remained in the Steel City. There were many rumors that the team was going to move to another city. Mario silenced all the rumors when he announced from the ice that the Penguins would stay in Pittsburgh. On June 8, 2007, a $325 million bond was issued and the Penguins signed a 30-year lease, binding the Penguins to the city of Pittsburgh for the next 30 years, and the lease agreement was signed on September 19. On May 6, 2008, the Pittsburgh planning commission unanimously approved the final design. The arena will include a glass atrium overlooking downtown Pittsburgh and rooftop lights shining into the sky. The new $290 million dollar arena is expected to open in time for the 2010–11 NHL season.

In this years playoffs will Mellon Arena get one last glimpse of Stanley Cup Finals Hockey? Games of the 1991, 1992, 2008, and 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, which the Penguins won, were hosted at the arena. The 2008 Finals marked the only occasion that the Stanley Cup was presented on Mellon Arena ice, after the Penguins were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in six games. In 2009 the Penguins returned the favor to the defending champ Red Wings by having the Stanley Cup presented to them in Joe Louis Arena.

Can Sid, Geno and company will there way through this game seven? I hope so. Unlike the Canadiens last victim the Penguins have heart, as if their skill wasn't enough. All the questions will be answered after game seven. May the best team win. As for Mellon Arena… see you next round, hopefully.

Blood In The Water

By: Nicholas Williams

The Detroit Red Wings are sitting in an unfamiliar place, losing three straight to the top seeded Sharks. This isn't the first time that Detroit has dropped the first three games of a best-of-seven series. In the five previous occasions the Wings were never able to successfully dig themselves out of such a big hole. The last time that Detroit was in this situation current head-coach Mike Babcock was standing behind the other bench. In 2003 Babcock led the Anaheim Ducks to a sweep of the Red Wings in the Western Conference quarterfinals. In round two of this years playoffs the Red Wings have been averaging two good periods of hockey a game, allowing the Sharks to control the pace, take an early lead in the first two games and falling short in the final period of game three. If Detroit could put together a three period performance instead of forty minutes of decent hockey they wouldn't be in this situation. Looking ahead to game four they're going to have to play hard, hungry, and with a sense of urgency.

There may be blood in the water, the Sharks may be circling, but the Red Wings aren't dead quite yet. The reigning 2009 Western Conference Champions have had a difficult 2010 season, it has been a year of adversity and over coming injury after injury, surging after the Olympic break from 10th place to finishing the season in 5th place with over one hundred points. Though highly unlikely the Detroit Red Wings are still alive. Every game left in the series is going to be an elimination game. The Wings play well with their backs against the wall, "The reality is that we've dug a huge hole for ourselves. … There's no sense in worrying about anything besides our next game." - Mike Babcock Even after the heartbreaking defeat in game three the players acted with class and just spoke about pushing for a game five and going from there.

If the all but over series does end in defeat after game four Hockeytown will be crushed by the early exit. This past off-season was already tough enough to deal with after suffering a devastating loss in game seven of the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals at home. Only two seasons have passed since a Detroit Red Wing has lifted the Stanley Cup. Most cities would be okay with a conference semi-final appearance, not Detroit, not Hockeytown, it seems year after year its Stanley Cup or bust. The City of Detroit and myself are all hoping that goaltender Jimmy Howard has a little bit more of that rookie magic left in his glove to keep this season from being a bust. Win or go home, do whatever it takes kind of hockey awaits the home crowd at Joe Louis Arena for Thursday nights game four.

And then there was eight.

By: Channing Cummins



The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Nashville Predators on Saturday night, with only eight games remaining in the regular season. They currently hold the eigth spot in the Western Conference, six ahead of the Calgary Flames. The Wings are also tied with the Colorado Avalanche and within two points of two additional teams. Now we're left to wonder where this team may end up and what can possibly be in store. Can we really be surprised?

Lets take a quick recap of some of recent sports history...
The most recent has to be the NCAA Tournament. Its been an upset special every night and totally unpredictable. In fact, out of the 4.8 million people that filled out an ESPN online bracket only 3 people were perfect after the FIRST round. By far one of the best tournaments we've had in awhile but much to learn. Anyone can win on a given night and you may never know who can step it up.

Now for our second lesson to be learned. If you don't finish the season strong you may miss the playoffs. Prime example, is the 2009 Detroit Tigers. This was a team that went through a substantial end of the season collapse, leading to their "tie-breaker" loss and costing them the division, along with the playoffs. As the Twins moved on, the Tigers were left to wonder what had just happened. The Chicago White Sox, a tough division rival, were able to steal two games from the Tigers in the last series, which also cost the Tigers the playoffs.

Now as we look ahead at our last eight games we're left to wonder what may happen. There might be a slight problem that lies ahead that can't be overlooked, which has to be our opponents in the remaining games. Nashville for 2, Columbus for 3 and Chicago for the last game.

If there was a team that could destroy the Wings' season it would have to be the Blue Jackets. They're strictly playing to upset teams and alter the playoffs, as they hold the worst spot in the division. Not to mention that the Red Wings have a tendency to struggle with Jackets and they are a division rival. All focus should be put on Rick Nash and they will be better off.

Then we're left with the Predators for two games. This is the team that currently occupies the fifth spot in the conference, only two points ahead of the Wings. Along with being another division rival, they've also been a team that has always played the Wings strong. And how bout that last game? The Chicago Blackhawks...enough said. The team will also take on the Oilers and Flyers this year, which should prove to be good games. If these games are overlooked and the Wings fail to finish strong, there's always that chance for a Calgary comeback.

As we do look ahead into the playoffs we can't help but look ahead at our possible opponents. As of now the Wings would take on the San Jose Sharks but the Hawks are a mere point back. Both teams have played strong all year and will become a challenge for any team.

The San Jose Sharks are a strong veteran team, which is key when the playoffs begin. Injuries, cold streaks, clutch goals and pressure moments are all ways a veteran can stand out from others. Their leadership with Thornton and Marleau will prove to be key as well, along with the goaltender Evgeni Nabokov. A monstrous goaltender performance can steal any series and Nabokov has the potential to do so.

The Chicago Blackhawks provide another tough challenge for the Wings. Their original six rivalry has increased in the last couple years and this would become a stellar series. With the two sport towns going at it, only one will be able to come out on top. The Hawks bring their speed to the table along with their constant pressure. They can cause turnovers, which has been haunting the Wings' defense all year.

Their weaknesses include youth and goaltending. Although youth if often looked at to be a strength, it can also become your greatest weakness. A complete blowout can rattle the team hard or a tough loss can have an effect. With youth comes a lack of strong leadership, which once again can become key. The playoffs will bring pressure situations and players will have to step up. Their goaltending has to be questioned as well. Huet gave up seven goals to the Jackets Thursday night and has fallen apart numerous times. Backup goalie Antti Niemi has succeeded against the Wings but has no playoff experience.

With our eight games remaining the Wings will have to strive for excellence. They should look for a few things going in and will need to gain momentum as they try to enter the playoffs. The first thing that must be focused on is our veteran play. Players like Lids, Dats, Z, The Mule, Homer and Ralfs will need to finish the season strong, gaining confidence as they enter the realm.

The goaltending situation will also be important to focus on as we look to enter the post season. Jimmy Howard will get the starts but with no playoff experience and lack of experience around, it can prove to be a dangerous move. Yes, Chris Osgood is our back up, but what has he really done this year? He played a minimal amount of games and has showed us that his age is taking over his career. Either way the Wings must have some concern when it comes to their goaltending.

The Red Wings will also have to put focus on their third and fourth lines. These players have been performing all year and have stepped up in crucial situations. Players like Draper, Helm and Eaves will need to provide an all out effort every night to help out their top lines. These lines possess the ability to win games and they must remain focused as they finish the year.

And then there was eight. Eight games remaining and the Red Wings will have to finish strong if they want to become a force in the 2010 playoffs.

Game recap...2/11

By: Channing Cummins


12 is the amount of shootouts the Red Wings have been in this year, including last nights game. They've only won four of those 12 and that could prove to be crucial as the season begins to dwindle down. On Thursday night the Wings lost their second straight game in the shootout period, leaving them one point away from the final playoff spot.

The Red Wings took on the conference leading San Jose Sharks at the Joe on Thursday night. For the Wings, the effort was there. This game will go down as one they should've won. The Wings were defeated 3-2 and endured their fourth straight loss. For the Wings, the Olympic break couldn't come any sooner.

Early on the Wings showed the hometown crowd that they were out for the W and weren't going to mess around. The team came out with electricity, looking like the desperate team that they currently are. Their goal was to play solid defense, drive the zone and get shots on goal, which they were successful in doing.

On their second power play opportunity, the Red Wings were able to take advantage and grab the early 1-0 lead. Grandma's cookies were found as Johan Franzen buried his shot top shelf, giving him his second goal of the year. This has to get Detroit fans giddy as they hope the Mule will be able to relieve their offensive struggles.

Similar to the rest of the year the Wings wouldn't take long to forfeit their lead. 25 seconds ensuing the Franzen goal, Joe Thornton was able to bring the Sharks back, as he was able to clean up the crease and net an easy goal. That gives Thornton three goals in his last two games against the Wings.

The Wings failed to finish the period on a good note, which resulted in an absolute NO-NO! They would pay for their sin by giving up a goal in the final seconds of the period. 9.7 seconds to be exact. Poor defensive effort allowed a wide open center to put home the easy, go ahead, goal. Credit the goal to Michigan native Dwight Helminen who was able to score his first of the year. Shots: 19-9, Wings.

The second period veered away from the offensive domination a bit. Although there were no goals scored, the period still brought some excitement. A few key saves by both goaltenders, along with a power play opportunity provided the fuel for an animated second period. Shots: 14-8, Wings.

The third period brought the imagined. Effort, grind, discipline and the will to win; all of which were being displayed by both teams. The Red Wings were the team that showed it the most, which helped them knot up the game at a crucial point. Williams gave us a glimpse of his dangling skills and a hint of his stick handling ability just before he beat Nabokov and dipped into the half empty cookie jar. With seven minutes remaining the game was now tied up and put up for grabs.

Now with momentum the Wings were able to sustain pressure on the Sharks. Once again, a few clutch saves from the goaltenders allowed this game to stayed tied on the way into overtime. Shots: 17-7, Wings.

The game would then go into overtime, followed by a shootout and so on....we know the result. Just in case you were wondering, Marleau won the shootout on the Sharks' last attempt. 1-0 was the result. O.T. Shots: 2-2.

Shot total: 52-26, Wings

Player of the game goes to Evgeni Nabokov who put up a career high 50 saves in the Sharks' victory. As for the Wings, they currently sit in the mess of the Western Conference, one spot out of the playoffs. They have a few members right there with them, which makes every single point crucial. Eight shootout loses is key and we'll have to see if it plays a role as the season comes to an end.

The Wings will take on the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, which will mark there last game before the Olympic break. Two points is what they need and we'll see if they get it.

GO U.S.A. Beat the Canucks.