Returning in the Midst of Tragedy...

It's been a long summer and, to be honest, I was looking forward to coming back and posting the return of The Geek for this upcoming season. I've had tons of things on the go to keep me distracted in the offseason: getting another stage production off the ground and planning my upcoming wedding, to name just a pair. So with my mind refreshed from last year's disappointment and the tumult of the summer news stories, I thought today was going to be the time to bring it all back for another run.

Then I checked the sports headlines on the work computer, and everything turned upside down.

If you have somehow not heard the news, reports have been confirmed throughout the day that an aircraft carrying the KHL team Lokomotiv crashed directly after takeoff from an airport near Yaroslavl. All but 2 passengers, one player and one crew member, were killed in the accident. Even more sadly for Wings fans, among the casualties were former defenceman and assistant head coach Brad McCrimmon, recently departed defenceman Ruslan Salei, and Wings goaltending prospect Stephan Liv. All are believed confirmed to have died in the crash.

In one fell swoop, Red Wings Nation lost a piece of its past, [almost] present, and future. My deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of all those whose lives were lost in this terrible tragedy, and my thoughts are with them as they try to move forward in this trying time. Although it is with a heavy heart that I return, yet return I must, and thus I do. I will be prepping for the season in the coming weeks, perhaps posting some player profiles and analyses, and general banter and the usual asinine lamentings of some of the decisions made in the offseason.

For now, though, it is still Brad, Stephan and Rusty's time, and I give them now their due. You will be missed, boys.

~~In loving memory of:~~

Brad Byron McCrimmon (March 29, 1959 - September 7, 2011)

Ruslan "Rusty" Salei (November 2, 1974 - September 7, 2011)

Stephan Patryk Liv (December 20, 1980 - September 7, 2011)

Bruins Cup Win Hazed by Vancouver Smoke and Tear Gas

It appears that 17 years is long enough for a city to forget, and 4 losses are simply too many to forgive.

Despite what you may see or read in the news today, however, there was a hockey game last night and a series was decided. The Vancouver Canucks hosted Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, defending home ice against the Boston Bruins inside of Rogers Arena on Wednesday evening. Every home game in this series saw the home team win, and every game in Rogers Arena had been close.

Boston's hunger for glory certainly snapped those two patterns in half. With a push befitting a true champion, the Bruins dominated the aimless Canucks all over the ice. They didn't even need a barrage of shots, as Boston's shot total was only 20. That was still good enough to beat "Marquee" goaltender Roberto Luongo 3 times and pocket an empty-netter as the Bruins defeated the Canucks 4-0 to earn their first Stanley Cup since 1972.

Tim Thomas, Boston's netminder, was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. He was praised as Boston's most consistent performer on the ice, and many agreed there was no one else who deserved it more.

Some may be wondering when I'm going to go in depth about the subsequent riots that broke out in the streets of Vancouver, but I'm going to admit right now that I'm not going to. That is exactly what the rioters want: attention. So yes, there were riots after the game: people were drunk, were high, were completely moronic, and now have cast a blight on the city that hosted the Olympics which will be a long time going away. Enjoy that. Moving on!

It is being reported that NBC got huge ratings for this game, which is good to hear. I enjoy hearing US TV bringing in good hockey ratings, because it's expected here in Canada, especially when A Canadian team is playing for the Cup. Boston is the 3rd Original Six team to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup in the last 4 years, next to the most recent Chicago Blackhawks last year, as well as our very own Detroit Red Wings in 2008. Congratulations to the Bruins for their victory!

Now, the wait for October is on...

One Game at a Time: Game 7 is Here

A week ago, we'd have scarce believed it.

Tonight, we face an amazing opportunity.

With a "One game at a time" philosophy, the Detroit Red Wings have erased a 3-0 series deficit to tie their matchup with the San Jose Sharks and force a deciding Game 7. Only 7 other teams have rallied to tie such a series. Only 3 of those 7 have claimed victory. This evening, Detroit gets a chance to add another piece of history to their storied collection.

The Wings have improved as the series has progressed, and my hope is that the trend will continue. All the pressure now rests on San Jose, but that is no excuse to rest on our laurels. We still play to win.

One more game to make history, and progress toward another milestone: Cup #12.

Grit your teeth and come out playing hard, my sons, your faithful are behind you!

Let's Go Red Wings!!!!!!!!

Breaking the Mold of History

Everything has looked eerily similar as far as the Red Wings' series against the San Jose Sharks goes: The team, the round, the records, the one-goal games. Things have been pretty much following the same pattern they did this time last year. If Detroit wishes to remain alive in this postseason, however, they need to break the cycle. This time last year, the Wings played their last game of the season, beaten and embarrassed, as they were tossed from the playoffs in 5 games in the Conference Semifinals.

Tonight, we of Wings Nation hope that this particular bit of history is done repeating. Tonight we hope to see a Red Wings squad, rejuvenated and refreshed by their recent victory, keep their Cup dreams alive.

Tonight, we take the reins of destiny and bend fortune to our will; otherwise, we watch the reins be taken from our hands for the last time, and the ride is over once more.

It's too early to shave, Wingnuts! Let's Go Red Wings!!!!!!!!!!