I watched the game at Dockside Sports Pub in Ft. Myers Beach with about 9-12 other Wings fans; I was shocked to see such a large “crowd” at a random sports pub in Florida. The comments made during each period were what I wrote down while watching the game. So these are during the game reactions…
Anyways, the game sucked. I’m depressed, discouraged, disappointed, disenchanted, downhearted, down, and desolate. We only played 20 solid minutes of hockey in the first period. Ugh. The Wings have to head to Edmonton with a 2-3 series deficit. Not cool whatsoever.
There are three things that scare me in this series:
1) The second period. Is it just me, or do the Wings find a way to suck it up in the second period? Edmonton scored all three goals in this afternoon’s second and I’m pretty sure Detroit sucks in the second period this series.
2) Our penalty kill. Sure we had some nice 5-on-3 kills in Game #4, but the Oilers seem to always score on one of their first few power plays.
3) Chris Pronger. He’s averaging 36:41 minutes per game this series and got an assist on all three Oilers’ goals this afternoon
First Period
- To start the game off, Willy pummeled some Oiler behind the Oilers net - my check of the game.
- During a Wings power play, Homer was alone in front of Roloson, but couldn’t find a way to get the puck in the back of the net.
- There was a 4 on 3 for about a minute producing some good scoring chances for the Wings, but no goal.
- We’re looking pretty good because we’re applying a lot of pressure and thus getting some scoring opportunities. Manny has made some key saves, but hasn’t had to deal with a lot of shots thus far in the game.
- With 3:30 left in the first, we’ve gone 0/4 on the power play.
- While I’m bummed we haven’t scored yet, we’ve been playing pretty well and Roloson has made some great saves.
End of First Period: Wings 0, Oilers 0
(Detroit outshot Edmonton, 11-4)
Second Period
- Chris Pronger takes a shot from inside the blue line whereupon Fernando Pisani flicks it into the back of the Wings net 5:16 into the second period. The Oilers have six 5 on 5 goals this series. I can’t believe we have been controlling this game and then the Oilers get the first goal. Ugh. The second period is always our downfall. Oilers 1, Wings 0
- I’m enjoying this NBC feed much more than the CBC one on Thursday night. At least they aren’t extremely biased in either direction…or so it seems.
- With 11:26 left in the second, Stoll took a shot from the center of the face-off circle to Manny’s right. The shot deflects off Ryan Smyth’s leg and goes behind Manny into the net. Oilers 2, Wings 0
- The Joe is embarassingly quiet. Rexall’s crowd puts the Joe’s to shame.
- While it’s 4 on 4, Shawn Horcoff just “poked and jammed away” (according to an NBC broadcaster) to score the Oilers’ third goal of the game with 7:24 left in the second. Oilers 3, Wings 0
- Manny made a nice save when Torres went on a breakaway.
- A guy’s wife in the pub is the granddaughter of former Wings goalie Terry Sawchuk; unfortunately, her presence did not grant us any luck.
- 1:21 left in the period, Shanny gets on a breakaway and actually gets a goal!!!! An absolute miracle since he’s had zero offense previously. The Wings can still do it since they are only down two goals at this point. However, I believe it was Draper who tripped some Oiler, which should’ve been called a penalty but then resulted in Shanny’s breakaway. Like I said before, I’ll take any goal we can get (tainted or not).
- An Oilers shot hit the post - thank goodness that didn’t go in.
End of Second Period: Oilers 3, Wings 1
(Emonton outshot Detroit, 11-10)
Third Period
- It’s not looking good. We really didn’t come out flying - not a good sign.
- Roloson made a really nice save on a Shanny/Draper rush (Shanny shot?) to maintain the Oilers two goal lead.
- With 21.5 seconds left in the game, Henrik Zetterberg scores to give the Wings and fans a tiny minute chance of tying this game up. Datsyuk and Holmstrom were given the assists.
- They left Manny in goal and then called a timeout. I believe they still left Manny in net. Why wouldn’t you pull Manny? We needed that extra man! Please let me know if I am incorrect and that they in fact pulled Manny at that point in the game.
End of Third Period: Oilers 3, Wings 2
(Detroit outshot Edmonton, 11-4)
Overall Stats
- Detroit had 32 total shots on goal / Edmonton only had 19 shots
- There were 10 total penalties in the game (6 on the Oilers / 4 on the Wings)
- Only one penalty came in the final period of the game, while six penalties came in the first period
- Detroit won 61% of the face-offs
- The three stars of the game were (in order from 1 to 3) Chris Pronger, Dwayne Roloson, and Brendan Shanahan.
- Detroit went 0/6 on the power play and killed 3 of 4 penalties.
So…can we panic now?
Yes.
Panic away. I’ll join you.
I don’t think we need to panic. I mean, the Wings just need to win two straight. They’ve been in this situation before against the Aves sometime ago (I think, let me know what year or correct me if I’m wrong), and they came back. The Wings only need to really win game 6. Believe me, if they win game 6, they’ll win game 7.
I’ll be disappointed to see the wings go out in the first round, especially against Edmonton. I mean, they aren’t a stellar team, they barely squeaked into the playoffs, and to win against a team like the Wings? Words can’t describe that.
-firebird995
Panic isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think the Wings could use something close to panic right about now: urgency. Sure, they came back from a 3-2 series deficit in the Conference Finals in 2002 but that series was a lot different. They can do it but they didn’t instill a lot of confidence with their lackluster second and third periods today. I have very little confidence and I’m afraid we’re going to see another early exit. Ugh.
I don’t believe in you (anonymous). Nothing against you, but we won game 4 and didn’t win game 5.
In 2002 we had Hasek. Now we can’t trust on #34. It’s difficult to play without confidence on your goalie.
We didn’t win two straight yet. Can we do it in games 6 & 7? GO WINGS!
I’ll be disappointed to see the wings go out in the first round, especially against Edmonton. I mean, they aren’t a stellar team, they barely squeaked into the playoffs, and to win against a team like the Wings? Words can’t describe that.
Man, what will it take to get some respect.
Detroit-Edmonton Head to Head in the regular season was a wash.
And for most of the regular season the Oilers had the worst goaltending in the league. With even average goaltending the Oil are fighting for a top playoff spot not a bottom playoff spot.
Combine that with the Wings soft schedule and this is most certainly not a typical 1 vs 8.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that statistically speaking the 8th seed shouldn’t beat the 1st seed. Edmonton is a good team, and they are playing well. It’s just the Wings need to step it up because it’s obvious they are underestimating Edmonton recent play.
You have a good argument with the goaltending. But like I mentioned, who are the big name goalies of today? Brodeur, Turco (despite his recent play), I mean, Roloson doesn’t even come to mind.
And then you (humberto) mentioned winning game 4 and not 5. Yes, I see that, good observation. That doesn’t mean the Wings are out…by any means. I still have convidence in them, that’s all. And if (THIS IS HYPOTHETICAL, DON’T QUOTE ME ON IT) they win game 6, I think the TEAM can win game 7. Legace does play a part in this, but not a huge one. The Wings need to start scoring goals more than they need to prevent them (although allowing 3 goals in 19 shots isn’t too good).
Sorry for any misunderstanding. Although that statement seemed to cut down Edmonton, I didn’t mean for it to. They did barely make it to the playoffs, but they had to beat some hard teams to do so; I give them credit for that.
-firebird995
Cool.
I have never really understood why Roloson hasn’t received the love of some other goalies.
In 2003-04 he had the NHL’s best save percentage .933 (Roger Crozier Award).
In 2002-03, he was second in the league in save percentage (.927), and he was in net for Minnie’s upset of both Colorado and Vancouver in the playoffs.
He has a more than solid record.
It is especially confusing that some Detroit fans (none here) seem to be stunned that he is outperforming Legace, who has a pretty weak track record overall.
Not scoring on the powerplays in the 1st killed. The Wings converted on 22.1% of powerplays during the regular season. We got it done in Game 4, and didn’t this afternoon.
Our offense needs to score at least 3 goals to win - 2 goals certainly isn’t going to be enough on the majority of nights. Tonight’s loss falls on the shoulders of the Wings offense for flat-out choking on scoring chances that should be converting to goals in the playoffs, just like they did all regular season for the Wings.
Legace will be the scapegoat if the Wings go down, but we all knew what to expect from him and he just isn’t a steal-a-game goaltender.
[Legace will be the scapegoat if the Wings go down, but we all knew what to expect from him and he just isn't a steal-a-game goaltender.]
If the Wings lose, the Manny fangirls will explode. Please, God, let the Wings win. I can’t handle a mass Manny fangirl suicide.
[And then you (humberto) mentioned winning game 4 and not 5. Yes, I see that, good observation. That doesn't mean the Wings are out...by any means. I still have convidence in them, that's all.]
Yeah! I have convidente in them, too. What Wings’ fans don’t believe in our team? I Believe! Tomorrow I’ll listen to the game (I’m from Brazil) and cheer and trust like game 6 four years ago against Colorado. (Ok, I’m not comparing both Wings’ teams)
So, GO WINGS!
Or go to hell with the 5th best regular season of NHL history!
How’s the golfing in Detroit. Well looked here Oilers have made it pass some washed up old timers that play in a week div. Now they pass the wings and sharks…time to go duck hunting. When will the Oil get some street cred. Welcome to the new NHL. Get us to it Detroit time to upgrade the oldies and get some new young blood in there. GO OIL GO!!!