I’m sorry, but the idea that when the players received their shirts somehow effected their play is silly.

Players have to put up with travel, the media, different buildings, different fans, injuries, trades, equipment problems, changing line mates, signing autographs and a million other distractions in the day to day process of being a professional hockey player. The thought that they would let their play be effected by someone new on the plane, or when they received a t-shirt is akin to the idea that the team lost simply because someone was in the building, or because you weren’t wearing your lucky tshirt while standing on your head with a carrot shoved up your nose.

What’s far more likely is that Petrella was (un)fortunate enough to witness the Wings hitting bottom this season. Suggesting that had he passed out shirts at a different time the games might have gone differently fails to recognize all the other things that produced the Wings play and cheapens what was an amazing experience he was kind enough to share with us.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qbeYfn2DlDc/TUG0ixBbpOI/AAAAAAAACik/csmdckNeMaE/s320/adriana_bbb11.jpg

Well done, Petrella. Seriously.

I totally agree with J.J. I would have been drooling all over myself and wishing I had brought my I-can’t-learn-helmet along for the trip to protect me from excitement overload — for the duration of the entire weekend, I’m sure. As far as “timing” goes, I imagine the guys were stoked to have something to cheer them up after the rough weekend; from the way it sounds, they obviously felt as bummed out as we fans did after a disappointing stretch.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this penetrating expose into the world of the Wings. (OK, I just wanted an excuse to say “penetrating”. But seriously, awesome series. Make sure to stow away on future flights so you can bring us more insights like this.)

I guess that’s possible, but it’s a bit too late now. All I know is that, if given the chance, it likely would have taken me a day or two just to be able to look at any of them, let alone approach and talk to them as an outsider after watching them get shut out by the jackets.

Yeah, this has been a great write up. I’m super sad that it’s over.

I think your timing with the shirts was perfect. I’m proud that you represented us all in a classy and professional manner.

Another thought, maybe you should have given everyone everything ahead of time, i mean, to lighten the mood. Put them at ease, let them know the fans still support them. Maybe the games would have been easier for them to go out and play a simple game.