By Beaker
Quasi Game notes for Game 1:
Intro:
Enter Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings
Who picks the music at the Joe? Music is supposed to; I thought anyway, reflect the identity of a team. It should reverberate and send shivers down the spines of both allies and foes. I didn’t get that feeling with the music selected in Detroit.
Holmstrom Goal disallowed
His comrades fought beside him – Van Owen and the rest
But of all the Thompson gunners, Roland was the best
So the CIA decided they wanted Roland dead
That son-of-a-bitch Van Owen blew off Roland’s head
I’m not sure why whenever I see Tomas Holmstrom I think of Warren Zevon’s Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner. He’s a mercenary that roams the goalies crease and the NHL has a contract on his head.
Seriously, it’s a bit ridiculous how they are focusing on him and goalie interference. It’s as if they send out an email to their refs explaining what the penalty of the day is.
“Today call goalie interference. No ass in the crease. Nail that son of a bitch Holmstrom.”
All of a sudden Holmstrom is an issue. It’s a head (or balls) scratcher because gosh darny-di-darn it, earlier in the playoffs hockey fans witnessed one of the greatest goalie interference incidences in a long time during the Washington-Philadelphia series on a goal that should have been disallowed. The Flyers went on to win the series.
Holmstrom is now the scapegoat.
Now he’s suddenly Holmstrom the Feckless Goalie Runner.
Penguins playing like their really young. There are many great budding young teams in the NHL. The Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and even the Ottawa Senators. But the Pens have been singled out as the best chance to build a modern day dynasty. Stay tuned.
Osgood: Easily the most under rated goalie in hockey.
I never get people who assert they “are not sold” on Osgood. What the heck can this guy do more? He has won two Stanley Cups. I thought winning is a sure bet into being considered “great.” Judging how many titles an athlete wins is a dubious way to judge athletes. Anyway, what else does he have to do? Shoot a three-pointer? Hit a home run? Sweep harder?
The Wizard of Oz is 10-2 with a fantastic .931 save percentage in the 2008 playoffs and just shut-out the immensely talented Penguins. The truth is, Osgood has always been a great goalie. Perhaps even among the best. He’s just overlooked. I don’t know why.
Here’s an idea for My New NHL
Why not get a legendary player – like Jean Beliveau or Gordie Howe – have them sit with young, rising stars – like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin – and let them have a conversation about life and hockey? A heart to heart if you will. It could be riveting stuff if used right. No fluff. Let them talk with honesty. What better way to connect hockey history with its future?
The “there’s never been a European captain to win the Cup” argument and debate is rooted in ignorance and stupidity – One that doesn’t merit any further discussion. If you’ve engaged in it you’re letting you’re myopic lenses cloud your mind and you should stop. Led by Swedish legendary defenseman (yes, he’s a playing legend in my book) Niklas Lidstom, the Wings have a chance to put an end to the madness.
Final analysis:
Detroit is really good. A slick, sleek and stupendous machine. They take Game 1 with a 4-0 victory over Pittsburgh.
