The Cup is Half Full | MarkJoel66's Blog

After three games in which the refs were doggedly determined to act like they were not even there, lest -gasp!- they affect the outcome of the game, they make a reversal in game four and leave muddy fingerprints all over the game -- it was as iff they suddenly wanted the spotlight. It didn't matter, the Penguins put together five of the best minutes in franchise history and took command of the game -- and possibly the series.

I just got back from Mellon arena. My ears are ringing like I was at a rock concert. I have never heard any arena so loud (and I was at Joe Loius arena last year for the cup Finals).

I will not bother giving a play by play. A couple of observations though:

* The final score should be 5-2. The hooking call when Kunitz had a clear open net should have not just resulted in a penalty... the Penguins should have been awarded a goal. But, considering the horrendous job by the men in stripes last night, I wasn't surprised.

* Does anyone think it was a good idea to scratch Justin Abdelkader in favor of Draper? OK, I'll admit, the kid's goals were kind of fluky -- but he is the Red Wings' leading goal scorer in the series. Why would you sit him? Draper does not seem to be an upgrade... are things looking slightly desperate on the Red Wings bench?

* Paging Chris Chelios... Paging Chris Chelios... Please report to the Coach's office... you'll be activated next as we desperately try to find something to give this team a spark...

* I've taken a lot of grief for saying that injuries and age were going to play a huge role in this series. Up until last game, the Red Wings were pulling off one of the greatest con jobs in NHL history. It was like Muhammad Ali not sitting on his chair in between rounds to convince his opponent he wasn't tired. But here's a news flash: The champ was tired -- and so are the Wings. Unfortunately for the Red Wings, though, the challenger in this case keeps coming, and keeps punching, with more determination than smoking Joe Frazier...and the body blows are beginning to show. The Red Wings are breathing through their mouths. Zetterberg looks gassed. On the other side, Crosby looks like he's just getting warmed up.

* The most feared words of this series might be: "The Pittsburgh Goal, his first of the playoffs, scored by SIDNEY CROSBY..." The one thing about Crosby in these playoffs... when he scores they have come in bunches. Look out...

* For five and a half minutes, the Penguins took their game to a level the Red Wings have never faced before. Babcock wisely called a time out, but it didn't matter. The Red Wings looked like they were skating on Jello. The Penguins were beating them to every puck, at both ends, and making it look too easy.

* This series isn't over. The Red Wings can still hold serve and win in Detroit. But, whereas the first three games were decided by fluky goals, or a goalie not looking sharp... not this one. This time, the Penguins beat the Red Wings. I'm guessing Mike Babcock isn't sleeping well tonight.

On the other hand, I will be... as soon as my ears stop ringing...

Comments (7) Add A Comment

June 5, 2009 06:19 AM ET

Report Abuse | QUOTE

Red Wings didn't perform like they should have the 2nd period, that's for sure, but the series isn't over with yet. The columnist sounds as biased as the versus idiots.

Mom's Red Wings

Total Comments (52)

June 5, 2009 10:05 AM ET

What's the matter honey, starting to bite your nails a little now? You must be watching a different network, the versus commentators are the only ones who know what their talking about. Unlike the idiots for NBC, who priased Detroit for everything that they can do wrong.

rottyowner73

Total Comments (56)

June 5, 2009 10:12 AM ET

And he is biased, he's a Penguins fan, I guess you don't understand what the 66 in his screen name means huh?

June 5, 2009 04:26 PM ET

First off, a columnist he is not. He's just another blogger.

Secondly, Rotty show a little class/respect. For all you know this is someone's grandmother you are calling "honey".

Lastly, the Wings got their collective asses kicked yesterday. Malkin showed why he is a superstar except for that little soccer dance after his 1st goal. Don't get me wrong I like a good "jump into the glass" or a "crouching fist pump"...but that "thing" he did was just plain silly.

I said it when the Wings were up 2-0 (on a different blog), and I'll say it now...the series is FAR from over. It's a 3 game series now...and the Wings have home ice in 2/3's of it.

Go Wings!

wilsc54

Waterford, MI

Total Comments (12)

June 5, 2009 11:08 PM ET

I am not a columnist. I am a hockey fan in general, and a Penguins fan in specifics.

It does not, however, invalidate what I said...

Wilsc54: I kind of liked the little look to the heavens of Malkin... But Crosby was the first star of Game 4 -- officially. (though I have to say, for my money, I think it was Jordan Stahl...)