WCSF Game 3 GDT: Sharks 4 at Red Wings 3

[Hockeytown_Ryan 122]

Anyone who thinks that Howard didn't lose this game for Detroit obviously never played hockey before in their lives. It happens. I guess you have to be a loser before you can be a winner. Long term, an early exit will be good for this team. Re-commited, Re-energized, Re-loaded. 2010-2011 Detroit Red Wings = Stanley Cup Champions.

Not with this team...and losing key people....in key positions.... and keeping others...in other positions.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Hockeytown_Ryan

[Nero 20]

Just got here. Anyone see the 2003 playoffs?

[Dave 324]

Well I don't have to sacrifice gym time to watch these games anymore, so that's a good thing I guess.

[hockeytown9 1]

In spite of everything tonight that still had me laughing. Oh well. At this point I'd like to see the Wings show some heart and not bow out at home.

[VanDer 58]

hopefully we will see another "Osgood for game 4" thread and Jimmy will respond with a shutout again

[BuckeyeWingsfan80 209]

No cry babies. This has been arguably one of the best sports franchises over the last two decades, definitely the best in Hockey. They will be back if not next game then next year. We are spoiled with an awesome franchise

Either way good job boys this year espeically with the injuries and goalie changes.

This franchise needs rebuilt. There are some good pieces without a doubt, but some of the pieces are old (Homer) and/or rotten (Lebda).

They have to restructure how this team is built. You can't only play 2 good lines and 2 s***ty lines. Having a strong 3rd line is vital to success. The Wings had that the past couple years but not this year.

[Guest mindfly]

They won't even get a nice pick... they will get like a 22-23rd pick in the 1st round

Edited May 5, 2010 by mindfly

[Carman 387]

Can't be the best forever.

No one player cost the team this game.

We were not the same team the last two periods, way too many mistakes.

I'm not going to blame the refs, the Wings were chasing a lot more than the Sharks. That said officiating has been brutal for both teams.

Howard had a bad goal on the 3rd goal, he needs to work on some things. But overall I'm happy, he did not choke he kept them in games and that's all I can ask for a rookie goaltender. This Wing's team just isn't the same caliber as the past.

Kinda disappointed with the 3rd and 4th lines. They've been our strength all year and so far in the playoffs really haven't contributed physically as much as I'd expect.

[Finnish Wing 110]

Also, Jimmy Howard will never be a franchise goaltender and this season was probably just some "miracle season" for him. He will never be better than Ozzie was.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Still a fan, always a fan. What concerns me most is that Lidstrom MAY retire after this year. Thursday could be his last game. That is more upsetting than any loss. To lose the soul of the team would crush me.

God, we can't lose on Thursday. If he's going to retire at the end of the season I don't want his last game on home ice to be the coup-de-grace that knocks us out.

[sixer 37]

Correct me if im wrong but I think we had a whopping 2Powerplays this game

While I still feel the sharks got away with a lot of stuff that the wings didnt. I cant say thats what lost us the game. We blew a two goal lead in the final period. Let in a soft goal, played a soft 3rd period and Ericsson sucks.

Thats why we really lost this game.

We had 1 PP and 1 PS. That said, all the non-calls where Sharks should have received a penalty ultimately would have made a huge difference!

[brett 1,029]

i pretty much lost confidence in howard too. kick ass season but damn what happened in the playoffs

[GMRwings1983 8,802]

Help us Ozzie.

You're our only hope.

[Rick Zombos Ghost 82]

Babcock scratched Lilja instead of Ericsson.

Nice move Mike.

Lilja and Lebda are a much better pairing.

this x 99999999999999999

they have history/chemistry playing together. i was a bit baffled by it especially after all the chasing that is being done with E on the ice.

[PenaltyShot 96 521]

That third period...awful. I have never shouted so many obscenities at my own team. I'm trying to keep the faith, Wings, but you're making it reaaaally difficult. Babcock is probably melting faces in the locker room right now.

Can we win 4 in a row? If we played like we did in the first period every second of every game, yes. I know it's a waste of time to cry over spilled milk, but that first Zetterberg goal...

[SuperNovaXll 124]

Good night all. Ill be back for game 4, but dunno how many of you guys will be there.

Been fun watching hockey with you again this season. I think next season will be great!

[Guest Crymson]

I do wonder why it is that Ericsson is so dumb on the ice. He just can't seem to keep his wits about him.

Also, Jimmy Howard will never be a franchise goaltender and this season was probably just some "miracle season" for him. He will never be better than Ozzie was.

This seems rather premature. Making comments when angry often isn't a good idea.

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

They won't even get a nice pick... they will get like a 22-23rd pick in the 1st round

We can take solace in Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best leading us to the promised land

[Rivalred 630]

Are the Sharks more than the Red Wings bargained for?

Are just another notch in their best post?

[UP Wings Fan 0]

No I graduate next year. Exactly why go away from your game plan when it was working. Seen a puck go right up the middle and not one wing tried to dive for it, to make a play to get it out of the zone. Some of these players don't even want to put their body on the line to block a shot.

Yeah I hear you, they have lost heart. Perhaps it is those long term contracts Holland is signing these guys to! They've won the cup, they have all the money they need, nothing left to play for!

Good luck in your final year at Tech!

[Guest Four]

Anyone who thinks that Howard didn't lose this game for Detroit obviously never played hockey before in their lives. It happens. I guess you have to be a loser before you can be a winner. Long term, an early exit will be good for this team. Re-commited, Re-energized, Re-loaded. 2010-2011 Detroit Red Wings = Stanley Cup Champions.

You're right, it wasn't Detroit's lack of urgency in the third, it wasn't the pressure let up by the Wings, it wasn't Homer's penalty, it wasn't the poor passing, it wasn't Flip, Bert, and every other Red Wing coughing up the puck, it wasn't the fact we couldn't clear a puck on 5 on 5 and it wasn't the fact we had 6 legit penalties in total. It was all Howard's fault, you're right.

[GMRwings1983 8,802]

Even Crymson thinks it's over.

You know we're f***ed when that happens.

[vladdy16 2,154]

Help us Ozzie Wan Kenobi.

You're our only hope.

Fixed for those living under a rock since 1977.

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

They won't even get a nice pick... they will get like a 22-23rd pick in the 1st round

We can take solace in Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best leading us to the promised land

[Finnish Wing 110]

Are you insane?

Williams has to back up Ericsson's poor positioning while Williams has the puck? And he has to go all the way back and defend a rush the other way because Ericsson didn't remember what position he was playing?

What are you smoking, man?

Ehh... no?

Ericsson gave the puck to Williams and went to the net. The other two forwards were already deep and Williams was at the point. Rafalski was on the other side. Williams had some choices (pass to Rafalski, shoot it, pass to the slot, get it deep...) and he decided to shoot it. The shot went wide but that wasn't the big problem. The problem was that after that it was a counter-attack for the Sharks. Williams is playing the D basically as he should when d-men pinch sometimes (it's part of the puck control system of Babcock). Williams didn't cover his man and it was a 2on1.