Tomas Holmstrom, you magnificent bastard!
Pavel and Homer’s new linemate: Thing from The Addams Family
FINAL SCORE (Hi Dad!)
Wings 2-1.
H2H DONATIONS TALLY
Mike S. :: $29 :: $19/win + $5/goal
Vicky B. :: $26/win
Sara S. :: $10 :: $5/Datsyukian mention (I missed one last game, d’oh!)
Andy :: $9/win
Sara N. :: $6 :: $2/goal + $2/Eurotwin goal
Nurse Nitz :: $5/win
Beanie :: $5/win
CaptNorris :: $5/win
TPL Mom :: $5/Ericsson scratch
Ben G. :: $4.30 :: $3/win + $1.30/Datsyuk point
Allison :: $4 :: $2/Flying Circus goal
Drew :: $4 :: $2/goal
Jenn :: $4 :: $2/goal
Rob M. :: $4 :: $2/goal
Brad B. :: $4 :: $2/goal
SigSegFalt :: $4 :: $2/goal
Natalie :: $2/Holmstrom point
The Production Line :: $4 :: $2/goal
TPL Dad’s 10% :: $14.43
TOTAL PLEDGED VS. CALGARY :: $158.73
TOTAL RAISED AFTER EIGHT GAMES :: $1463.88
If you’re interested in joining the fight and have a fun pledge you want to share with The Production Line, Herm 2 Hockeytown, and Children’s Hospital, please let me know in the comments or via e-mail. Check out the TPL post introducing the fun times and check out everyone’s pledges! If you’re on this list and don’t have a calculator handy — no worries. I’m keeping tabs on every single goal via a massive spreadsheet and will e-mail or Direct Message you your total at the end of the 12 games.
TPL’S TAKE
Okay, the Flames goal was a bit of a stinker. Jimmy Howard pulled a Chris Osgood, sliding the wrong way across the crease, and by the time the puck got to Craig Conroy, we were all shit out of luck. However, aside from that, Tiberius played damn good. The offense was stifled, so it was going to be a low scoring game, and – clearly – allowing a second goal against could have meant the difference between a win and sitting in 9th place this morning. Kudos, Tiberius. Again.
I’ve said it before, so this won’t be news: I really hope the league takes a look at penalty calling this off-season. The inconsistencies game to game are staggering. Last night’s penalty shot was mind-numbing. Stick to stick, and known goal-scoring dynamo Curtis Glencross couldn’t get a shot off. That’s called defense. Nevertheless, I’d much rather have a penalty shot than a minor assessed at that moment. Call me crazy, but Jimmy Howard only has to stop one shot on the penalty shot, whereas he might face four or five calculated chances on a power play (although last night the Wings were already on the power play, so it would have become 4-on-4). That’s not meant to minimize the contribution Curtis Glencross makes to the Flames, but come on… if given the choice between having Kirk Maltby take a penalty shot and a power play with Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lidstrom, and Brian Rafalski on the ice. Which would you choose? The penalty shot may be exciting, but strategy, system, and efficient special teams win hockey games.
Also, take a look at what stopping that penalty shot did. First of all, Howard did a fist-pump, which is the most emotion I’ve ever seen him offer. Second, the Wings took advantage of their still-existent power play and scored the tying goal. We’ve got a ballgame here. Put a hold on the Latinas.
I love Dino Ciccarelli. He’s a little guy (by comparison). He’s a deigo. He’s got a mouth like a goddamn sailor. He has charisma to burn. He hates the motherfucking Avalanche. He scored 600 goals. He was fearless. He was everything you want a hockey player to be — particularly a net-front guy. But Tomas Holmstrom is the best player from five feet out of all time. Put aside for a moment the abuse he takes, physically, and look at what he can do with his stick. That deflection last night, to win the game no-less, was absolutely magical. The shot was well wide of the net, and not only did he get a piece of it, he knew EXACTLY where he was putting that redirect. It was no accident – he does it fifteen times a year. That guy is absolutely special. Shame on all of you hoping he’d retire this past off-season…or this upcoming one.
Drew Miller might have been on fire last night. Like, literal fire. He was all over the damn place, making things happen at both ends of the ice. He was arguably the best player for either team, though he didn’t end up converting on his chances. He and Jason Williams made a surprisingly good combination. The third member of their triad, Todd Berfloozy, was once again a turnover machine. He’s slumping bad, and has now gone 18 games without a goal. In case you’re keeping score at home (and I know you are), he’s on pace for 18 goals by season’s end. At one point, he was on pace for 26. Also, from what I hear, he ate a kitten during the intermission.
Raise your hand if you miss Jonathan Ericsson in this lineup. Not you, mom.
RE-VISITING THE PRE-GAME QUICK THOUGHTS
1. There wasn’t a whole lot of effort on the Wings part early. They seemed listless, and when Rafalski’s shot hit the post, you could almost hear the groan on the bench. But, somehow they got a fire lit under their tocheses, and for that you have to commend Mike Babcock.
2. Jimmy Howard’s rebound control was better. I feel like he was working a little harder on controlling them, particularly in the waning minute when he really did keep the puck out of danger.
3. Kiprusoff looked really good, but the Wings found a way to squeak some by. They only needed two, even if the kids like it better when they score four or five.
4. Jarome Iginla was kept off the scoresheet, but his presence was — like always — very prevalent. That guy is a hell of a hockey player. How he’s not the face of the league is beyond me. He’s an incredible talent, he’s willing to stick up for his teammates, he’s handsome, he’s well-spoken, he’s a minority, he’s a constant goal-scoring threat. He has everything the league should be taking advantage of. Instead, we have to watch Giant Lips Crosby mutter his way through an emotionless dryer story. Again. And again.
WHAT’S NEXT?
A few days off. Phew. Wings back in action on Friday.
Photo Credit: Larry MacDougal, CP
Jarome Iginla is handsome? O_o
maybe compared to Crosby… that's what you meant, eh?
I suppose I did mean comparatively. He's a good (enough) looking guy. I'd put him on TV loooooong before Alex Ovechkin and Jordan Staal.
Well, it certainly is getting harder and harder (that's what she said) to be the official Bertuzzi apologist.
The Deke is spot on in terms of his lack of SOG, I think he's got 4 in the last 5 games. While he does seem to compensate somewhat for the turnovers with a fair amount of takeaways, Chicago game aside, recently they've rarely lead to chances.
At this point I'm just going to hope that (knock on wood) he has one of those random play-off scoring streaks.
If the Wings end up having a successful season, I think we'll look back on the Bertuzzi off-season signing as something that paid off fairly well…but at this point I'll happily reverse my previous endorsement of extending him further.
Although I totally reserve the right to re-reverse that should he go on a spin-o-rama rampage.
Jimmah was gold last night and Homer is baller. It'd be great if Bert would start doing anything good. If nothing else it'd be nice if he went invisible. Visibily sucking sucks.
Love the banner pic caption, BTW.
Andre, I think you nailed it. I'm notoriously Contuzzi, but even I admit when he does something positive. As a matter of fact, he had a poke check defensive play that kept the puck in the offensive zone that was really nice. No bullshit, really nice. But his overall level of play has dropped off dramatically. In December, I thought FOR SURE he was going to be re-signed. But if his last 18 games are any indication of his talent level (hint: they are) without Pavel Datsyuk and/or Henrik Zetterberg playing with him, that's trouble.
And we wholeheartedly endorse your right to re-reverse your stance. We're nothing if not fickle.
JJ, you know where I stand on the 'Tuz. I've never been a fan and will continue not to be a fan. I think if you told me in August that he'd have 15 goals, I would be surprised he was that effective. If you told me he'd single-handedly win games in the middle of the season, I'd crack you in the mouth, you filthy liar. But he has, and he did. Is he worth $1.5M? In this cap world, I don't think so. But someone else might.
Michael,
Yeah I was curious what would happen to Bert's production once he was taken off of Pavel's wing…I guess we know now.
Normally I don't actually make everything about Tuzz either, I just think its strange when he gets roasted on our blogs. To me that kind of thing is more telling of the flamer than the flamee.
If you (not you specifically) want to talk to me about his turnovers, that's cool, but why not bring up Rafalski while you're at it. Lack of production you say? I say Dan Cleary. Etc…
I just think that @ $1.5, there's not too much to complain about. In the context of his contract, I see averageness at this point. If you want to call Bert out, cool. If you want to do it while being objective though, you'll need to throw some more names into the mix. But hey, who am I kidding, its the internet…fuck objectivity 😉
You'll have to look elsewhere if you think we haven't called out Brian Rafalski DOZENS of times 'round these parts.
There's a Dan Cleary post in the works. Hold tight.
"You'll have to look elsewhere if you think we haven't called out Brian Rafalski DOZENS of times 'round these parts."
Fair is fair, I'm new to these parts and hadn't caught that, shoulda qualified it better.
HA! No worries, just thought I'd let you know we have not been kind to Mr. Rafalski (though, he gets a bit of a pass for a little while thanks to his Olympics and our extreme Maverickism).
Darren Helm, Valtteri Filppula, and Nicklas Lidstrom can do no wrong. I will never utter an ill word against any of them.
So, there's that objectivity. HA!
The only thing better than the Homer goal last night was the Homer interview after the game. I am still smiling.
And for the record (and from a female perspective), yes, Jarome Iginla is handsome just not Big Jonny Rig handsome. And also for the record, no, I don't really miss him in this line up.
Alright Micheal,
in an effort to get Niklas Kronwall and Danny Cleary to both start scoring, in the last 4 games before H2H, I want $2 a point on both.
Now a personal message to Nick and Danny: look, it's been a while since you both scored, shhhh pretty doesn't talk, now whomever scores the most points before 3/26, well let's just say that there will be a "little extra" incentive to the winner. Wink, wink. Eyebrow lift. Eyebrow lift. If you know what I'm saying. Wink.
BTW, it's not prostitution, per se, if the money is going to sick kids, is it?
Krononymous, thanks for having my back. I was beginning to question my casting chops if Jarome Iginla was not, in fact, handsome-ish.
Dena, done and done. Added to the list. We're actually going to have to cut the pledges short one game (explanation coming in a little bit), but I'm POSITIVE this is what it'll take to get them going. Let's pretend for a minute Darren Helm scores from Nick Lidstrom and one of Dan Cleary, Niklas Kronwall, or Tomas Holmstrom… it's worth $48.75 right now. $53 if that combo happens against Pittsburgh.
Iginla is not bad looking at all – in particular he has a winning smile and a lot of charisma. No, he's not movie-star level handsome, but he's more than respectable. Put him in a nice tailored suit and he'll turn plenty of heads.