Friday, December 10, 2010

Original Six-y Friday is Here! - Detroit Game Preview and Open Thread


No more nouveau expansion "rivals" like the Senators. No more West Coast market 90's expansion teams like the teal-clad Sharks. No teams that keep moving around and interloping on established team's markets like the Devils. Heck, not even some ne'er-do-well WHA castoffs like the Oilers this weekend, folks. The Habs are going old school, Original Six this weekend, starting with some old enemies from Detroit. Awesome.

Now, here's the thing about Detroit: I grew up in Leaf-mad Muskoka and Detroit was THE enemy. Even I have fond memories of Leafs-Red Wings wars through the 80's and 90's (it's a lot more enjoyable to sit back and watch two teams hammer each other when you don't have a real vested interest). My first ever game at the ACC (courtesy of my old roommate and his firm's tickets ... whooo-hooo lawyers!) was an afternoon Detroit/Toronto tilt and the place was fucking amped. Toronto fans HATE Detroit and the feeling is mutual. My in-laws are Sarnia/Windsor born-and-bred and would cut your throat for liking the Leafs. I'm sure the PPP folks would do likewise to a Detroit fan given the chance.

Me? I don't hate Detroit. Habs fans of a certain vintage don't hate Detroit. For anyone born after the late 60's, Detroit has had four phases: the average 70's Detroit that was poorly run, which lead to the "Dead Things" era Detroit of the early 80's when crowds at the Joe hovered in the 10,000 range on a good night, to the nearly men Yzerman Wings of the early 90's who would often lose in the playoffs in excruciating fashion, to the current Red Wings, the model franchise, perennial contenders with sound management, great ownership, rabid fans and a roll-call of Hall of Famers dotting the lineup (as an example, at that Detroit/Toronto ACC game, there were SIX current or possible future-hall-of-famers on the ice: Detroit fielded Lidstrom, Hasek, Chelios, Datsyuk, & Zetterberg,  and the Leafs had Sundin. The Wings had another Hall of Famer in the stands in Yzerman and had just lost Robitaille and Hull. Yowza.)

Point is, to me, the Red Wings are a team to admire and emulate. As I told my 8 year old Wings fan neighbour a few years back, when I was his age, the Canadiens were what the Wings are now. I don't hate them, I respect them. My Dad (b. 1937) treats every Wings game like a blood-feud because he remembers Howe, Lindsay and Sawchuk going toe-to-toe with Richard, Moore and Plante. I remember Yzerman scoring 65 goals and getting dumped out of the playoffs in Round 1 by a BlackHawks team that finished 27-41-12. Different times.

Does that mean I'm not excited for Habs/Detroit? Hell no. It's an old-time hockey, cool sweaters and logos, traditional hockey markets game. Original Six-y Friday. Let's get to the old-time details:

Read your ticket made of cardboard you picked up at the box office: Game time is an old-school 7:00 pm, in the Joe Louis Arena (sheds tear for the Olympia and Forum) in old-school downtown Detroit, Michigan. On the old-school CBC so you don't have to watch that new-fangled RDS. Wings losers of two straight but still rolling out West; Habs have one three straight and are trailing only Washington and the State of Pennsylvania in points in the East.

Hotter than the new Studebaker: Carey Price has given up a goal a game or less for the past three. His current save percentage is .936 and his GAA is 1.92. The Hanukkah Hamr has 2 goals and 4 assists in his last 4 games and is playing excellent defensively. Captain Gio has 4 goals in his last 5 after a slow start. Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk is 2-7-9 in the last 7 and the Mule Franzen has 3 goals 2 assists in his last 4. Brian Rafalski has 12 assists in his last 11 after a slow start.

Cold as the wind blowing off Lake Michigan as you step off the train: Uh oh, Big Tits is in a bit of a funk. Travis Moen, despite seeing time alongside Cammy and Gomez is pointless in 10. Jaro 2.0 is pointless in 4. Is Hall-of-Famer Nik Lidstorm finally slowing? He's pointless in 8. Todd Bertuzzi is pointless in a couple and nowhere near the menace he was in his heyday.

Hurting like the Big Three Automakers: We can probably stop writing Markov in here. Gomez left with a "lower body injury" versus the Sens and is questionable. Mike Modano is out indefinitely with a wrist injury (resisting urge to make Modano sissy joke ... resisting ... must ... move ... on ...)

Ink-Stained Wretches: While it would have been nice to link to "Babcock'sDeathStare" that blog hasn't been updated since August. Up-to-date newsreel footage on the Winged Wheel can be found at Winging It in Motown.

Who sits in the gondola with Foster Hewitt: Does PK ever come back? If Gomez is out, who's in? Word from Boone on Wednesday was Halpern joined Cammy and Moen and Dustin Boyd (!) was coming down from press-box exile to center Mad Max and Tommy Pyatt. We shall see.

Post-game entertainment: An old school steak and beer at Morton's, then across to Windsor for some old school ... you know.

Original Six-y Friday wouldn't be complete without: An Original Six-y Friday Fan, like noted Red Wings fan Kirsten Bell.

92 comments:

Orangeman said...

TSN says PK's in tonight. Then again, it's PK. Finally, I real hockey game (and the leaf tomorrow!). Remember when we would dread a Wings game and think it was impossible (ie 1993-an hour ago). I also respect the Wings, but when I think of them I just think of Roy's last game here. Sigh.

And not to be a dick, but you made ONE typo, but you WON the post.

Orangeman said...

Let me rephrase my first two sentences: "TSN says PK is in tonight. Then again, it's TSN.

Maybe those of us in glass special ed houses should't throw stones....

Orangeman said...

*shouldn't

Egads. You stop teaching English for a couple of months and you turn into a LOLZCAT.

L Dude said...

Tyop identified. Check.

I have the house to myself tonight. Family is out of town. My supper will consist of 20 chicken wings and beer. I love food-themed hockey team names. Very good foresight by Detroit to pick that name.

So what will it take to get this Kirsten Bell chick, whomever she is, over to the Habs' side of things? We could use more ladies on FHF....

Suggestion for moeman's parody on Saturday: Put your lights on by Santana and Everlast. Simply for the line "There's a monster living in my crease, swinging his stick like maa-ad". Or something...

I don't want to work anymore today. Can somebody write me a note for my boss?

Young HF29 said...

well done 10. i too respect the Wings. never ever hated them.

nice six-y friday pic! makes up for that crappy stripper vid from this morning. someone should get fired for that one

Bill 101 said...

@10 GREAT POST! I feel less guilty about my Wings respect now. Leafs still suck of course.

Even so, they must lose lose lose to whichever Habs take the ice tonight.

GYFHG!

wv: the boys will be naughty when matergon

fezworth said...

A little O.T., but I watched the last half of the PHI-TOR 3rd period last night.

Are the Leafs *really* that hapless? They couldn't string two passes together- scratch that... stringing one pass together was a stretch. It was painful to watch, like someone strangling a puppy, albeit a really ugly puppy.

soperman said...

Good post. Love Kristen Bellcentre. Respect the Wings but it will be a good game.

But "Sixy Friday"? In this week's "Savage Love" Dan described "sixy" (sick + sexy) as a sexual fetish between two people pretending to be a sick person and a care giver. I will spare you the details of this person's fetish but I have scheduled a lobotomy for myself to clear the details out of my brain.

The doctor promised me that with proper reHABiliation the lobotomy will not make me a Leafs fan.

WV - "lablatin" as in "The ancient Roman scientists spoke in lablatin while cleaning the test tubes and beakers.

kmaxx said...

Another reason to show the wings a degree of respect - they were good enough for scotty. Scotty is a god. Now let's get up some fucking wings!

soperman said...

Stubbs is saying PFK for Weber and Boyd for Gomer

L Dude said...

Well, I guess I'm not going to "Shoot for a Million" again this year. /stops staring at phone

Is that a coin operated television? I should get that for my home theatre for when half the neighbourhood kids show up to play XBox on the big screen. What do you think - is a loonie for 15 minutes fair?

Orangeman said...

Kovalev is complaining about being singled out for the Sens' problems. It's deja vu all over again, but I'm glad this time it's taking place in Ottawa instead of Montreal.

iRiRi said...

Leaf fans are throwing waffles at players now! Wafflegate?

The return of PK tonight! Stoked!

Mr. natural said...

@orangie...lay off the sauce at noon, you drink like a lawyer, that is to say on the client's tab!

Wings are allright in my books, always have been, not a team that I have ever plotted...Eerrrr I mean wished would die.

PHucken' brother in law with entire family in tow in a last second visit, 'cause at this time of year I have nothing but time...

Will see very of the game next two games,but hey he's from Tronna hahahahahahah.

b said...

But did they take the train?

Kate said...

Work Chtistmas party tonight, why wasn't this game on last night? Mr. Moey is away, I could have watched it on his man TV upstairs. Shite.

Unknown said...

It's so nice to be done school for the semester... Going out to Les 3 Brasseurs tonight with the rest of the engineers, it's going to be great!

GYFHG!

Mr. natural said...

@ezze; but the PHucken' beer isn't cold there!

It's like China ya gotta order a bucket of ice along with the beer;

Wo yao Tsing Tao puijiu, BING BING!

Mr. natural said...

....thinking...
even though I will not be in a position to see tonight's org 6 match, will be curious to see PFK back with Mex out, will the Count be asking him to do more of what he was benched for?

Without Mex to carry it up, especially on PP it will be PFK's job.

In the words of Artie Johnson "VErryy Interesting"

bea.habs.fan said...

shit.
work party tonite too.
people who i could normally count on to text me updates are all at said party.
DAMNED.

maybe I can find a TV somewhere.

moeman said...

Work Xmas party is over. Free food, free wine. G Y F H !

Agree with 29, respect the Wings.

Great post, love the 'Original Six-y Friday'.

GG's B&W tv pic is Gold!

moeman said...

Oh and Kirsten Bell is sexy Friday sexy.

moeman said...

Dou$harek out with a hurt finger. heh, what a CHickenshit.

Orangeman said...

@natural: For once it's not the booze, it's the excessive studying of accounting. No wonder accountants are anti-social IT MAKES YOU INSANE. Having said that, going out tonight to see the game with an old friend and will have tons of fun for sure.

@Moey: if Mr Moey doesn't use that TV to watch the Habs, I would hesitate to call it a 'man TV'.

I have nothing against the Wings besides my above stated memories of Roy's last game in a Habs uniform. And I wouldn't mock the people of Detroit anyway, those people are living in Mad Max times.*

*Simpsons quote post 2005 (rare).

Orangeman said...

Look out for the Nordic fans on Long Island tonight!

Young HF29 said...

ok to whoever is not at an office Xmas party - LET'S DO THIS THING!!!

fezworth said...

GYFH Go!

VW: ammini: "a mmini-me for me, on December 24th, courtesy of Ms. Fezworth!"

Young HF29 said...

PFK was carrying a very large coffee on the way to the dressing room. he's gonna be jittery

moeman said...

BB says, HE thinks Babcock is a good NHL coach. Pure fucking genius.

Bonus for tonight's game, no waffles.

Young HF29 said...

so who's drinking what on this Friday night? i've got some Sleeman Rousse and I am going to empty all the little bits left in some various whisky bottles (Tullamore Dew, Macallan 10, CC reserve). someone's gonna have to hold my head over the toilet midway through the second

moeman said...

Merlot.

Young HF29 said...

moe your class puts the rest of us to shame

i just found a bit left in a Jack Daniles bottle too. this is gonna get ugly

i like this slutty-looking anthem singer

Young HF29 said...

Jim Hughson! no bob cole!!! praise be to the Flying spaghetti monster

moeman said...

Thx 29.

Meanwhile I am digging;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4pScqkaa6Y

fezworth said...

His Noodly Appendage works best on Friday HNIC, or second-game Saturday.

lehab said...

Just got my jeep back from the autobody shop and some asshole stole the habs goalie mask thar was hanging from my mirror :( GYFHG... wv the habs better hit the twingn a few times tonight

lawyergirl77 said...

Dear Habs: Please let this be the game of the week where you suck and don't show up. I will slit my wrists if the first game I have to recap is a loss to the Leafs. Merci.

That being said - GYFHG, etc. etc.

lawyergirl77 said...

Oh and @Orange - the LOLZCAT reference had me in stitches.

iRiRi said...

Can't watch till about 8:15. Should be up by 2 at least, right?

GYFHG!!!

fezworth said...

@LG: does there have to be an obligatory "Kovalev" game?

I watched a part of the Leafs' game last night. It seriously looked like a bunch of midget players in Leafs colours.

Midget-age players, that is. I have nothing against little people.

Young HF29 said...

I've been distracted by moe's Joy Division link. RIP Ian Curtis. gone way too soon

Young HF29 said...

nice pace to start. this is entertaining

fezworth said...

What are the fans chanting? It sounds pretty complex for a hockey chant.

moeman said...

Always loved the Detroit arena crowd. Much more fun than ACC's corpses.

moeman said...

Pic from the work Xmas party. It was a hoot!

fezworth said...

NICE!

moeman said...

Fucking funky fluky goal. MOEmaN!

Young HF29 said...

MOEmaN!!!! bank shot!

moeman said...

FYI FHFkidz. Yes 29 and I are twin brothers from different mothers.

Young HF29 said...

oh god not PleXXe

moeman said...

SuperPleXXXe! is back!

Young HF29 said...

Flying Spaghetti Monster bless Carey

moeman said...

Sick blocker save by TFS™.

Anonymous said...

At least Kostitsin didn't just roll Plex off the ice

Young HF29 said...

FSM bless PleXXXe's penalty killing

fezworth said...

<3 SuperPleXXXe! What a second/third effort :)

Young HF29 said...

these penalties are gonna kill us sooner or later

fezworth said...

Motherfucker.

fezworth said...

@HF29: I think sooner.

Young HF29 said...

these two man short penalties are gonna kill us sooner or later

moeman said...

NHL HQ to refs: "Detroit needs a win."

fezworth said...

The new game plan: "get an early goal, pad Carey's stats for the rest of the game."

Young HF29 said...

crap

ooh, review

moeman said...

Garbage goal.

fezworth said...

Wow. that sucks. Damn.

Young HF29 said...

crap crap crap crap crap

fezworth said...

Wow.. I do love Kovy, but I'm so happy he's not a Canadien right now.

fezworth said...

Fucking hell. moeman, I think you may be right. Some of these calls are a little silly.

moeman said...

Detroit Crock City.

moeman said...

Hey ref, get the fuck out of Gio's way.

fezworth said...

Is it weird that I feel disappointed that Carey let in more than one goal?

moeman said...

Fix.

iRiRi said...

Ugh. What are our stats when trailing? Scratch that. I don't even wanna know.

iRiRi said...

Well that was unfortunate.

fezworth said...

After that goal, I don't think *our* stats are going to matter any more.

Balls.

fezworth said...

On the bright side LG77, looks like this is the weekly stinker. The stars appear to be aligning for your first post-game review on Sunday.

moeman said...

Nice dive.

lawyergirl77 said...

Am a half hour behind on PVR. Just caught up on comments and realize that I an go continue trimming the Christmas tree. Thanks guys!

The reffing looks vaguely suspect to me, mais bon. It usually does when there are no interference calls.

Here's hoping they don't bring teh suck tomorrow too. Tempted to go light a candle up at Oratoire...

moeman said...

lg77, you'd be better off setting a Sambuca aflame.

moeman said...

CHicken!

iRiRi said...

CHicken!

iRiRi said...

Keep shooting, boys! We got this!

lawyergirl77 said...

Come on, Habs!!!

Er, no, please leave something in tank for tomorrow!!

FIGHT, BOYS, FIIIIGHT!!!

TURTLE, BITCHES, TURTLE!!!

Am so confuzzled. :(

iRiRi said...

Heartbreaker.

P.S. WTF was DarCHe doing on the ice?

moeman said...

Cheap win Wings. Make sure the refs get their extra pocket change.

lawyergirl77 said...

RiRi - er, almost tying the game... Darche was a good choice to put out there. He's feisty and we needed players with fight in 'em for the last minute.

Anyone else notice we were really competitive with them until refs kept calling penalties? Oh? Just me? Ok...

iRiRi said...

@LG - True, I guess. I was just taking out my anger on the first thing that came to mind.

I mean, for once, they actually try to tie it in the third... *sadface*

Bill 101 said...

I love the Habs - that was a good game

I never complain about the refs - the rookie Swedish ref sucked LIKE FUCKING MAJOR

ooops

Number31 said...

For some reason I think that 3rd period would have been how most of the game would have looked if not for the 5-billion penalties...I wonder...

Number31 said...

@Bill101
Actually he was the only one calling things, so I think maybe the other guy sucked more. Then again HAHAHA who dares call the Red Wings for interference LOL. Just ask the Penguins.

Orangeman said...

Coming in here late. A few things to say.

1) FUCK YOU REFS. Oh, ok, let`s call the game `tight` suspiciously until the Wings are up, then let`s pocket our whistles. Seriously, what was it, 6 straight against the Habs until the Wings were up 2-1 and then it was wide open. In the late great words of the Forum crowd: BBBBBUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTTT.

2)That 3rd period is why I love this team. FUCK YES. This is the proudest loss I`ve experienced since...uh...ok, I was going to say ever but there were sereval last playoffs. So that stole my thunder. Moving on;

3) Live band at the Cock N Bull (holy remodel Batman!) played some great shit tonight. Eased the pain.

4) No one is reading this, so I might as well tell you all that I, and I alone, am responsible for the attacks on Mastercard, Visa and paypal in support of wikileaks. Not only that, but I caused the 2004 tsumani and brought hurricane Katrina in my carry-on for mardi gras. Whoopsie. Also, sorry about the whole JFK thing. And AIDS. My bad.

Even though I`m totally joking and I know no one will read this I honestly am half and half on the CIA kicking in my door tomorrow. This is the world we live in. Also, lotsa beer.

lehab said...

I was believing you until the part about the 2004 tsunami. It was in 2006. But I know the rest of that story is true