Today is Game 5 of the Wings Western Conference Quarterfinal game with the Calgary Flames. The series is tied up at two and has been a homer series all along.
This is a big game for both teams. For the Flames, it’s important that they win so that they can really take control of the series as they go into Calgary tomorrow night for Game 6. Right now, they have all the momentum but today we find out whether or not that’s only because they were playing at home.
Some keys to the game:
- Be the home Flames. If the Flames’ so-called evil twins show up today, they’re going to have a very hard time winning.
- Fast start. They need to take the wind out of the Wings’ sails quickly, not to mention the fans in the arena, who are easily silenced.
- Discipline. They can’t count on the Wings’ power play being awful today and so the safe bet is to stay out of the box.
For the Wings, this game is huge because they need to stop the Flames’ momentum and go into Calgary tomorrow up a game. Otherwise, they will have a very difficult time getting out of this series alive.
Some keys to the game:
- Special teams. They have got to be better than they have been, at both ends of the ice. No doubt about it.
- Even strength. They’ve outplayed the Flames 5-on-5 and have to continue to do that.
- Dominik Hasek. Dom has to be rock solid today. No flopping, no wandering, and no bad goals. This is why he’s in Detroit.
It looks like we may see some roster changes for both teams, as Robyn Regehr could be inserted for the Flames and Mike Babcock told Bruce MacLeod he could mix things up (i.e. insert Jiri Hudler).
Big, big game today. I wish I could say more about it now, but I’ve got to run.
Big game, gotta get the W and head back to Calgary up 3-2.
For the Wings to win they need Hank to have a Huge game. He’s been there all season - they need him to carry the team for today.
Ugh! Phantom calls! What was the crap w/ Maltby for Interference?!
Looks like the officiating is still bad. The call on Maltby was a huge load of BS and then they called Schneider for what the Flames have done all day. They need to find a way to win in spite of that, though.
Aside from that, not a terrible first period. It looks like it’ll be a real battle. The goalies are both very strong. It’s going to be a nail-biter…
Can’t believe Maltby was called for interference… the was a goal and there should have been a crosschecking penalty on Calgary!!
Seemed like a good first period overall. Good to see Hudler back in… but I would have taken out Lang instead of Calder.
GO WINGS!!!!!!!!
Cleary just went down…no…no no no no no…..
Good feelings gone…
No worries, Cleary is back - and so are the good feelings! 3-0 after two and Lang’s actually winning faceoffs (75%). Go Wings!
What a classless bunch of chumps. Finish it tomorrow, Wings.
Screw Iginla, Screw McClellon.
But my thoughts on Zetterberg were 100%… good to see him back.
Wow…that was some meltdown there. What the heck was McLennan thinking? I hope Brett is okay - Langkow deserves a suspension after that sucker punch. Oh, and I too am in the “no respect for Iginla” boat after that cheap shot on Schneider. Every game we play in Detroit the flames completely lose all composure. This was by far the worst example. They’ve given the Wings plenty of things to be mad about - let’s hope they can end the series tomorrow.
the referees should have had the wherewithal to call the game after Calgary started taking cheap shots - especially after the McClennan slash.
it was the most disgusting display I’ve ever seen out of a group of players. Calgary should be thoroughly embarrassed. black eye for them, black eye for the league, black eye for the sport.
McClennan should get 10 games, Iginla at least one, and Nilsson, to. Hell, suspend Playfair for a game for putting those players on the ice and not taking control of his team.
Greg,
I agree completely. Zetterberg looked like his old self today. That’s a great sign. Nearly very one of Detroit’s key forwards has scored: Z (2), Dats (3), Bert (1), Franzen (1), Cleary (1), Fil (2). Getting a goal out of Cheli is the icing on the cake.
Yeah, the way Calgary responded at the end was just terrible. I agree with Paul, it is definitely a black eye for the sport.