11/7/13; Dallas Stars

The first period, it was pretty boring. Neither team really acted like they wanted the two points. There was only one penalty and that was given to Detroit's Cleary. 

The second period was a lot more exciting. Both teams came back and began playing like true NHL teams. Detroit picked up the first goal by Bertuzzi, assisted by Zetterberg and Datsyuk. Second goal, a special goal, was scored by Almquist, making it his first NHL goal. 

With 20 seconds left of 2nd period, Dallas scored, making it 2-1 Detroit after the 2nd.

Third period is when the Stars started really coming after the Wings and vice versa. Players from both teams were tripping on each other and just making themselves look funny out on the ice. Dallas scored two goals and tied it up. About half way through, Detroit scored with Datsyuk, making it 3-2. 

1:10 left of third period, Abdelkader was in the box and Dallas pulled their goalie to put an extra guy on the ice. That's when they scored, sending the game into Overtime.

18 seconds left of overtime, Dallas scored and won the game.

At least our guys got one point out of this game. That puts us at 2nd in division just above the Leafs and under the Lightning. 

Hopefully they do better in their game against the Lightning on Saturday. 

Updates

Well! 

Our guys had a tremendously awesome start of their road trip in western canada the past week or so. Until Winnipeg. 

But that's okay because they are going to kick Dallas to the curb tonight!

A couple of things I wanted to talk about in this post both include changes to the playing roster.

First: Darren Helm.

November 2. The day before my birthday. I was actually celebrating my birthday that night at my parents house. I especially wanted to watch the game against the Edmonton Oilers. Darren Helm was to be debuting after 19 months of not playing.

Before the game started, I opened my presents.

A HELM JERSEY!!!!

Ohh man was I so excited! I was freaking out.

Then the game. I saw Helm on ice. Freaked out some more.

And then, in his first shift back...

A GOAL!!! 

Of course I freaked out so very much!!!!

So yes, he really IS back to play and his injuries have subsided for the time being...enough to allow him to play. Babcock is keeping him at short shifts on the ice more so than the other guys, but that's what he needs until he gets his wind back and used to being back in the game.

Tonight is his first home debut. And of course, I'm going to be there in my Helm jersey. :)

The other roster news is Jordin Tootoo. He was placed on waivers Wednesday night and cleared on Thursday. He is not scheduled to be sent to Grand Rapids Griffins. 

I am sad to hear and report this news. Tootoo is a very good player, he just hasn't really produced much since before last seasons playoffs. He never played in the playoffs for unknown reasons. I like to believe that Babcock did that to avoid unnecessary penalties in the tough series we had with the Ducks and Blackhawks respectively. 

I hope for the best for Tootoo and can't wait to see him play again! 

I will be doing some game coverage during or after tonight's game. 

Have a good one until then!

League Standings as of 12:52 am ET

League Standings

1. Avalanche

2. Sharks

3. Canucks

4. Ducks

5. Blackhawks

6. Bruins

7. Penguins 

8. Maple Leafs

9. Coyotes

10. Kings

11. Predators

12. Red Wings

13. Wild

14. Blues

15. Lightning

16. Canadiens

17. Islanders

18. Hurricanes

19. Blue Jackets

20. Senators

21. Flames

22. Capitals

23. Jets

24. Stars

25. Oilers

26. Panthers

27. Devils

28. Sabres

29. Rangers

30. Flyers

The top five in the league are all in the Western Conference. The bottom five are all in the Eastern Conference. 

Draw your own conclusions from that!

Division Standings as of 12:40 am ET

Division Standings.

Eastern Conference

Metropolitan:

1. Penguins

2. Islanders

3. Hurricanes

4. Blue Jackets

5. Capitals

6. Devils

7. Rangers

8. Flyers

Atlantic

1. Bruins

2. Maple Leafs

3. Red Wings

4. Lightning

5. Canadiens

6. Senators

7. Panthers

8. Sabres

Western Conference

Central

1. Avalanche

2. Blackhawks

3. Predators

4. Wild

5. Blues

6. Jets

7. Stars

Pacific

1. Sharks

2. Canucks

3. Ducks

4. Coyotes

5. Kings

6. Flames

7. Oilers

Disappointment

Sorry for the lack of posts! My computer took a crap on me but I have finally got a better phone and have the app to allow me to post once again. 

I have been to a couple of Red Wings games: the pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the regular season home opener against the Buffalo Sabres. We won both games thankfully. 

Lately, our guys have not done so well! We managed to uproot the Colorado Avalanche and give them their first regulation loss, almost gave the same to the San Jose Sharks. With the Sharks, both teams' defense were good enough to hold off any scoring from anybody, ending the regulation periods 0-0, causing overtime. At the end of overtime, there was still no score and a shootout was required. Shooters for the Red Wings were Datsyuk, Alfredsson, and Bertuzzi respectfully. Unfortunately, Dats and Alfie were not able to make goals and the Sharks' second shooter made a goal and it was up to Bertuzzi. He did not make a goal and the Sharks won 1-0, still giving the Wings 1 point for going into overtime. Howard was still able to call the game a shootout. 

Now to the embarrassing part. Mostly talking about our loss against the Ottawa Senators! It was the first game the Senators have played against their former captain, Alfredsson. And try showed their anger, playing ruthlessly to hand us a 6-1 loss. Howard allowed in 3 goals within the first 14 minutes and was pulled from the game and replaced by Gustavsson. He also allowed 3 goals in and our only goal came from Bertuzzi. 

On the Grand Rapids Griffins side, the farm team of the Wings, they had been doing fair on defending the Calder Cup. Except for tonight. They lost at home 5-0 against Charlotte. 

I hope our guys can pull it together and win the game on Saturday against the New York Rangers. I will watching the game at my parents house on their TV while my father and youngest sister are at the game.

Until then!

Thoughts on Pre-Season game against Pittsburgh 9/25/13

Well. That game wasn't the best. There was a couple of funny moments that happened, like Miller's goal and Abdelkader's fight. But overall, I could have gone without seeing that game I think.

Pittsburgh brought their full line up. They had their good players, including Captain Crybaby Crosby. It was their good players against our not the best players.
I do think it was unfair in the lineup...but hey, its only a pre-season game. It doesn't count.

It was good for the younger guys to get out there on the ice and play against good NHL players, though. Mrazek also got more of a taste for the speed and intensity of NHL playing level. He stopped 31 of 36 shots which is decent for someone not used to this level. He is definitely a prospect to watch and it will be exciting to see him grow as a player.

I am just a little disappointed that Tatar and Nyquist weren't able to play their magic last night.

Well...we will see how tomorrow night's game goes. I might possibly be going to the game myself so that will be exciting!

REGULAR SEASON STARTS NEXT WEDNESDAY...JUST 6 1/2 MORE DAYS!! :)

Miller's goal 9/25/13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNjKbl0AKE0&feature=youtube_gdata_player