Well, I don’t know about you, but I was impressed. Anaheim was riding roughshod around the rink all night, but the Wings took what the Ducks threw at them and didn’t back down at all. I like it. Do I think these repeated performances will be enough to dispel the “Red Wings are nancy boys” stereotypes? Not unless most league observers get a clue and finally realize that this team is a different breed, as far as both physical play and good old blue collar effort go.
If the image of Dan Cleary getting his head taken off by a Duck at center ice and then taking a leg to the face while still down, all before popping back up and getting back in time to block a shot with a diving play doesn’t convince you, I don’t know what will. So what if he took a penalty at the end of the play. The rest of the Wings followed his lead in that regard all night.
If you had to see any stretch of play from the game and wanted to see what I’m talking about, the final couple minutes showed the new Wings better than just about any other. They were selling out on every Ducks shot with diving blocks and put forth an amazing effort at holding the score, in the face of enormous pressure from Anaheim.
Sure, the Wings had a couple lucky bounces to score their goals, but they were earned, as both came off strong offensive plays. I do think they need to capitalize on their offensive chances more in the coming games, but I’m more than willing to accept a few fortunate bounces. JS Giguere is still a big problem to solve, but let’s be thankful for all the help they get.
Star of the game: Dominik Hasek, who once again proved his immense value.
I think it was a strong effort overall by both teams. It was a tight-checking game and is going to be a tight-checking series, that much is obvious. I’m just glad to be able to point out that the Wings did not cow to the obviously rough Ducks.
It’s far too early to have an idea of how this series is really going to go, so I probably ought to reign myself in a bit. Still, I would love to see the Wings prove mediots like Helene Elliot of the LA Times (login) wrong and tonight was the first step in doing that (thanks Justin). That article, by the way, is so stupid, it’s almost not worth reading. But, if you’re looking for a laugh or two, check it out. I’d love to break it’s idiocy down paragraph-by-paragraph, but I don’t want to justify its existence any further.
One more thing about the game: the officiating sucked. What the heck was that? If they are really going to call those chintzy little holds, they’re going to detract from what should be a really great series.
A more complete game reaction coming tomorrow.