The Flu, Injuries, Boston, and 50 Ozzie Shut Outs

Two wins in a row. Seriously I feel like a giddy little school girl. (Despite the fact that I have been fighting the damn swine flu) While last night’s win was not as clean or as complete of a defensive effort, the Wings really pulled together with the resources available and had a grind it out win.

Oh that’s right, of course Franzen and Filppula are out, but May was unavailable thanks to a little help from Williams, and the icing on the cake was Rafalski and Ericsson were both out with the flu and Kronwall was playing with flu like symptoms.  Every possible forward was dressed, Meech and Lebda were both in, and Janik was recalled from the Griffins to help the depleted blue line. (Which on a side note makes me wonder where Kindl stands with the organization.)  And yet they once again, came together and got the Win.

Their best players, Datsyuk and Zetterberg, were the “past their prime” stars of the game as we have become to expect.  And Ozzie, well he had an amazing game.  The Wings goalie out played the Drew Carry look alike on the other end of the ice.

Click read more for a few rambled and jumbled thoughts about the game:

• First and foremost, I hate the Versus broadcast team.  Incredibly boring, uninspiring, and I firmly believe my grandma has more insightful hockey analysis.  They can suck a richard.
• If I had a drink every time they made a reference to the Election Day, I would have been Larry Murphy drunk
• The third line of Draper-Helm-Eaves, was still fantastic.  While they didnt score, they certainly added a new dimension to the Wings line up.  Babcock showed his confidence by starting this line up.  Much has been thrown around about a possible nickname for this line of speedy little bastards….thoughts?
• Lidstrom and Meech were paired up often throughout the game.  It really seemed to build Meech’s confidence and allow him to make plays he might not otherwise have attempted. I hate to say it out of fear that I will destroy the space time continuum, but Meech had a decent game.
• Speaking of great games, where did this Dan Cleary come from? While he didn’t score, I think we can officially welcome Cleary to the 2009/2010 season. He was driving hard to the net and seemed to have an extra burst of speed. Welcome Danny.  And remember, Yzerman invited you to the Olympic training camp but you still have to earn your damn spot. So now would be the time to continue to pick up your game.
• Zetterberg scored his 3^rdgoal of the season Right off the faceoff, 2 seconds into their first power play. Fantastic goal and exactly what we have come to expect from the future captain.  It is scary to think that up until now the Wings have been making it by on their depleted secondary scoring….when Zetterberg and Datsyuk get on a roll…..
• Bertuzzi is either a complete jackass liability or a surprisingly decent player.  I hardly have any moderate thoughts about his game.  Especially when he makes his “Bertuzziesque” dumbass plays deep in the Wings zone. For some reason, only known to him and possibly Filppula’s hair, he often attempts to get fancy and make blind backhand passes to the center of the Wings zone. Dude you’re not Datsyuk. I get it, you play with him but for Christs sake, all thats needed is to make a smart safe outlet pass. At this point, I began to hate him for more than just his ridiculous fauxhawk/mullet.

• But then he makes a play like he did leading to Homers goal. He looks down the neutral zone and makes a great leading pass to Datsyuk who then breaks to the net, almost loses the puck, and blindly drops it back to Homer who is trailing the play (because let’s be honest with Homers speed where else would he be) only to score a beautiful goal. Amazing. It never gets old watching Datsyuk making plays like that.  Never.  I think Wings fans forget how spoiled we really are….

• This was Homer’s first goal against Boston. Which seems weird since he has been playing since 1996. Even more bizaare, it was ANOTHER unHomerlike goal.  He has had quite a few this year that did not involve him tipping in a shot.  In fact he has often been three feet or further from the crease.  The year of contradictions continues…

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  As I feared, the Babcock bitch slap did not have the same effect on Leino as it did on others. He seemed to be over thinking his play even more essentially rendering himself useless, and even worse putting himself in positions to get hurt. In the first period he was rocked a couple of times.  Babcock may have to find a different way to get through to him, because honestly, they need him to be a 20 goal scorer.

• On a sidenote: because you know I love making pointless observations.  At the end of the first Zetterberg was blatantly tripped in front of O’Halloran. Shockingly, he didn’t make the call.  I know, I thought he loved Detroit as well. Even more shocking to non Wings fans, Zetterberg got up and did not start a needless fight, or whine and bitch to the officials thus prompting him to speed dial Gary. Yes Red Wings leaders are essentially the anti Crosby bitchboy.

• Kronwall had another consistently good game. All aspects of his play really seem to be coming together this season. The physical portion is well timed and while he is still stepping up for the big hits, he often doesn’t have to as his opponents are anticipating it and already playing back.  Hmmmm a little proactive prevention..

• I swear, if the announcers one more time mentioned the fact that this is a veteran net minding match up…..

• At one point in the third there was a 3 on “1” (and I use one loosely) Ozzie comes up huge with the save keeping the Wings in the game.

• Which he did all night long. Just as he did last game he negated the Wings slow start and kept them even through the first few minutes. He certainly made up for any mental breakdowns the defense had.  Dare I say we witnessed a little playoff Ozzie in November.  Did Babcock, being the sneaky bastard we know he is, place a May calendar in Ozzie’s locker….

• Back to my hate for Versass, Datsyuk almost scored at the beginning of the third and the professional broadcast team apparently thought Zetterberg is Datsyuk. Seriously.  What’s next?  Will they mistake Homer for Helm?  Let’s just say they made Chris Pronger look intelligent.  Yes it was that bad.

• I really hope I’m not jinxing this, but I have been surpised I have not inappropriately screamed at the TV much this season due to Williams continously failing to keep the puck in at the point on the power play.  A very welcomed, yet confusing surprise.

• Darren “the kill” Helm was fantastic all game.  Both ends of the ice. He even drew an interference penalty in the third simply because Boston had no answer for his speed.  He is on a mission to ensure he is never a healthy scratch again.

• And Ozzie, career shut out number 50.  What more can I say.  Damn, too bad the Wings don’t have one of those “elite” goalies.

It was a solid game all around.  Perhaps not as strong defensively as the game against the Flames, but you have to remember they were down two defensmen and brought in another new face.

The team deserves some serious golf claps for that one.  Hard work and sticking to the puck posession game paid off.

Now the improvement needs to continue Thursday, when they have a tougher challenge against the Sharks.

My hope, the flu stops spreading around the lockerroom, and Ozzie gets the start.  Those two things would make me very happy.