It's Time To Bring BACK The Cup...To Hockeytown!

It's the Wings and the Penguins (Round 2) in the Stanley Cup Finals, as Chicago Blackhawks fell in overtime Wednesday evening, 2-1. It was a defensive showcase, with both Net Minders (Chris Osgood and Cristobal Huet) doing an incredible job in goal, but in the end the Red Wings were just too much for the Hawks. As a result, your Detroit Red Wings are the Western Conference Champions!

The hunger of this veteran Detroit team is shining through, as its younger players step up to get the job done. Despite the absence of Captain Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk, our beloved Red Wings did the work and give some real credit to Darren 'Digger' Helm, who scored the winning goal, but also showed some urgency as he scrambled for the puck in one play that had everyone on their feet. It seemed the Blackhawks could do little but watch as Helm took on as many as four, at one point and got a shot on goal that nearly went in.

Add to the mix Dan Cleary, who's been on fire of late, as well as Marian Hossa and Henrik Zetterberg....plus many others and we have a recipe for a fantastic matchup for Lord Stanley's Cup. But it won't be easy....it never is.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, led by Captain Sidney Crosby, are still smarting from the lessons learned in last year's Cup Final and you can bet they are looking to avenge their loss in 2008. It ought to be a hard-hitting, brutal battle for the Silver Chalice and unless you are comatose somewhere, you will be watching. Of course, I'll keep tellin my tales along the way and sharing the excitement of another Stanley Cup run for the Detroit Red Wings.

Game One is Saturday, in Detroit, at the Joe Louis Arena. Be there, or be in front of a big screen TV with a LOUD surround system!

GO WINGS!!!!

Game Five in Hockeytown...Can Wings Close Out Chicago?

It was a brutal, edge of your seat kinda game on Sunday, but the Detroit Red Wings took matters into their own hands and placed the Chicago Blackhawks on the edge of elimination 6-1 at the United Center. This, despite the absence of two of their top stars, Captain Nicklas Lidstrom and hot-handed Center, Pavel Datsyuk for Game Four in the Windy City.

Top producers of the Winged Wheelers lent a hand Sunday, scoring a bevy of early goals and chasing Goalie Cristobal Huet, who was playing his first start in these playoffs for injured top man, Nikolai Khabibulin, from between the pipes. Huet returned for the third period, but the damage had been done. Wings' #2 Goalie, Ty Conklin even got a little ice time Sunday and we can only imagine that felt good, because 'The Wizard of Oz' has done his part to remain the go-to man, thus far.

Hockeytown is ready....ready to celebrate....again!

The focus now turns to Wednesday night at the Joe Louis Arena, as the Red Wings look to seal the door shut on the Blackhawks and enter the final round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against what looks to be a talented....and vengeful Pittsburgh Pengiuns team. You'll remember the Wings defeated the Pens for last year's Stanley Cup, so if Pittsburgh can end the Canes' run tonight, it promises to be a challenging final round for Detroit.

GO RED WINGS!!!!

A Time to Reflect and Honor

Today is Memorial Day. A time to reflect, consider and honor the sacrifices of America's Soldiers. We live in freedom, because they gave the ultimate sacrifice. They went to a man-made hell, so that you and I can continue to have the right to exercise our God-given freedoms.

You are allowed to travel freely, worship freely, express yourself freely and live freely, because of the men and women buried beneath these crosses. Don't EVER forget that! They have paid a cost, which is incomprehensible to most of us...and never looked back. Remember that the men and women who defend this Great Land are VOLUNTEERS, my friends. They do this willingly and for very little pay.

Some have lost Families, jobs, homes....you name it....all in the name of preserving our freedom. Some have lost their sanity, their health and their overall well-being. All in the name of preserving our freedom. The American King James Bible puts it this way: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

You don't have to agree with a political party, or the man residing in the White House to support our troops. But you DO have to support our Troops! You must, if for no other reason than that they defend your right to disagree with a political party, or the man residing in the White House. It's very simple.

And so today, as you gather at a parade, or some other Memorial Day event, thank a Veteran. Make sure you let them know that you may not always agree with the mission, but you always support the warriors sent to fight it. They need to hear that, friends.....they yearn to know that you appreciate and understand the tasks they are sent to complete.

From the bottom of my heart, I say THANK YOU TO OUR MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES!

The Road to Lord Stanley's Cup is NEVER Easy

Unless you are this little guy (my Son, Josh), the road to the Stanley Cup is a battle. You gotta want it bad! You have to dig deeper than you have ever dug and come up with something totally new. It's not like I have ever played professional hockey, but I'm speaking as a hard core fan of the sport.

Game Three of the Western Conference Finals looked like it was going to be a spanking for the Detroit Red Wings last night, as host team, Chicago Blackhawks schooled them on puck posession-style hockey and fast-paced action. After taking a commanding 3-0 lead into the second period, Chicago let the Wings back into the game and it was tied by the end of the 2nd. That was the story through the end of the third and OT was on the way. As for that, well, it was short lived....less than two minutes in and the Blackhawks skated off with a 4-3 win.

It almost looked as if the Wings traded sweaters with the Blackhawks last night, but I'm not worried....yet! I know my team and they will show up for Game Four on Sunday afternoon.

Now, let's talk about these photos. Back in 2002, the Detroit Red Wings won the Cup. I visited the State Capitol, in Lansing, for an opportunity to see the most recognized trophy in professional sports and what a sight it was! Glimmering in the subdued lighting of the rotunda, directly below its ornately decorated dome, Lord Stanley's Cup was something to behold. Joshua was still about a month from his arrival to our home back then.

When we got into the playoffs last year, this little guy was geeked! He even stayed up, well into the night for that heartbreaking multi-overtime loss to the Penguins, which forced the Wings back to Pittsburgh, where they ultimately won the Cup. And so I promised him that if the Cup came back to Lansing, WE would go see it. And so we did.

Josh and I arrived, with my daughter, Amanda (to take photos) and we stood in a line that stretched from the Cup, down several corridors and outside, around to the front of the building. The 90 minute visit was sure to break many hearts, because as anyone knows, the Cup is always on time. It was a long, hot journey as we wound our way through the line and about 10 minutes shy of having our turn with the Cup, I realized it was not going to happen! Joshua would not get his moment as I had promised. My heart was sinking....but then I had an idea. I would at least get his photo with the Cup in the background. At least he would have seen it, somewhat close up.

I got a few shots, including the consolation shot and 5pm rolled around. Cup Keeper, Bill Wellman stepped forward to dutifully remove the Chalice from its place and head to the next visit. As they began walking towards us, I called to Josh and told him to walk with the Cup....'get over there, bud!', I yelled to him. 'Walk with the Cup!' And he did.

As they neared me, I got shoved to the side by a State Capitol security agent. 'That's my son!', I told him...and he apologized. I reset for what would likely be the last chance to get a photo and Mr. Wellman did something I don't think I will ever forget. He slowed slightly and leaned towards Josh, allowing my little man his moment of glory. *SNAP!* A little boy's dream fulfilled. Mr. Wellman headed off with the Stanley Cup and I took Joshua home, satisfied that he had done something no one else got to do that day....he served (if only for a moment) as an honorary Keeper of the Cup!

A Man Takes His Bride

Tonight, we celebrate the marriage of two very special people. Joey and 'Nagel' are man and wife, as of this writing and I just had to sit down and comment on the beauty of this union.

I could not make the journey to The Rock Church, in Sacramento, California, but I got to view this blessed event online. Thanks to technology and my brother-in-law, Christopher Lombardo, we got to see every minute of the Wedding, via streamed video. But there is more to this story that I want to share with you.

When a man takes a woman to be his wife, there is much responsibility. He has chosen to spend the remainder of his life with that woman....and these two are so crazy in Love with each other, I cannot imagine anything but GREAT things for them.

Bishop Nathaniel J. Wilson had a bit of fun at the expense of the excited couple, too. As he closed the ceremony, Bishop took great care in seeing that he had the correct page. Then, once on the page, he s-l-o-w-l-y enunciated each syllable of each word in a way only he could do it. And why not? He has watched our beloved Angelica Rose grow from a little girl into the Godly woman she is today. And so, after what seemed an eternity (I am sure), the good Bishop pronounced that they were Husband and Wife, in the Name of Jesus and allowed them their first married kiss.

Angelica...Nagel....Angel, I Love you so very much! Congratulations to you and your new husband. I wish you only the best and I am convinced you shall have nothing but the best, because you have served God since I've known you. Joey is a good man and a Godly man and I trust that you will be in good hands, as you begin Life's journey in a new chapter. We look forward to the day that you announce the pending arrival of a new member of the extended Lombardo Family. Yes, I know your name is Ladd now, hun....but you will forever be a Lombardo, too. I Love You!

Joey...welcome to our Family. I am 2500 miles away tonight, but I laughed and cried with you at the ceremony and it was such a blessing to be able to witness your Special Day. My only regret is that I could not be with you all tonight, because it would have been my great honor to help video your Wedding. I know enough about you to know that you are a great fit for Angel. And it's refreshing to see two young people so crazy about one another. Keep that! Work at keeping that always! Friends first, lovers and the rest will follow. May you both have many years of happiness, a home full of children (hahaha) and a bright and wonderful future.

With Much Love,
Uncle Jim....er....Erv :-)

p.s. Chris.....one down.....FIVE to go! Love you all!

Red Wings Seal the Deal in Game 2 of WC Finals...in OT

It was Overtime madness in Hockeytown tonight, as the defending Stanley Cup Champs defeated fellow original six nemesis, The Chicago Blackhawks in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals 3-2. The Detroit Red Wings are now just SIX games away from collecting the Stanley Cup!

Another capacity Joe Louis Arena crowd in excess of 20,000 witnessed the Blackhawks as they put on a valiant effort tonight, actually outshooting the Winged Wheelers 39-38. But a three on two breakaway, early in Overtime, saw Valterri Filppula hand one off to Jiri Hudler, who in turn gave it to Mikael Samuelsson in the slot and he lit the red lamp. This gives Detroit a commanding 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals and both teams will now head to Chicago for Game Three on Friday evening.

Goalies, Chris Osgood and Nikolai Khabibulin were on their game tonight, with each making eye popping saves, but once again it was the veterans taking the younger players to the classroom. But give Chicago props, folks....those boys might not win the Cup this year (although it's still too early to tell), but they have some real talent on a team that is supposed to be far too young to compete at this level. I can only imagine that we will see much more of these budding superstars in the future.

Friday Night promises to be a much different look, as the Blackhawks faithful have their turn in the Windy City. You can bet it will be loud, raucus and charged with energy....I can't wait! GO RED WINGS!!!

Red Wings Roll in Game One of WC Finals

It was a nasty combination of European Puck Possession Hockey and 'The Wizard of Oz', as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 in Game One of the Western Conference Finals. A capacity crowd of 20,066 came to witness the spectacle and what a game it was!

Just SEVEN Victories now separate the Detroit Red Wings from their twelfth Stanley Cup in Team history and fifth in 12 years.....and second in as many years. Should the Wings repeat this year, it would be their fourth repeat in the storied past of Red Wing lore.

Wings' Right Winger, Dan Cleary scored two goals, including the game winner, as the Winged Wheelers took a decisive 1-0 lead going into Tuesday night's matchup. The final tally came late in the third period, when Blackhawk netminder, Nikolai Khabibulin was pulled for the extra attacker and Henrik Zetterberg wristed one into the empty net from the nearside boards.

Goalie Chris Osgood stopped 30 shots and Khabibulin stopped 38 in what is likely to be a series of inches, bounces and stolen opportunities. And make no mistake, the Wings and Blackhawks are bitter rivals, because both are Original Six teams. You can expect lots of hard hitting action as this series progresses.

One good thing for the Detroit Red Wings is their post-season production. Last year's diggers were Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg, who peppered the net with puck after puck, but this year, the spotlight is being shared with a host of talent. Among them, Marian Hossa, who came to Detroit in search of Lord Stanley's Cup. As you may recall, Hossa turned down a more lucrative offer from his former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, to come to Detroit...so you know he's hungry. But Jiri Hudler, Pavel Datsyuk and the balance of the Detroit Red Wings have tasted the fruits of Victory and they are determined to repeat and take the Cup once again in 2009.

Game Two of the WC Finals is Tuesday night, 7:30pm puck-to-ice at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

GO RED WINGS!

It HAS To Be Said, Or I Can't Sleep Tonight!

From the beginning, Successful Thinkers struck a chord with me. I live in the State of Michigan, where the auto industry has been staggered by poor management and a flagging economy. On the news each night, the bad keeps getting worse and it affects me personally, because I work for the auto industry! But wait....I found something good that worked its way through the bad and I have to share it.

Successful Thinkers is more than a name...it's a call to action. Back in the 40's, during WW2, our grandparents did what needed to be done, so that future generations could survive. They rolled up their sleeves and even women went to work, which was more than a novelty back then. Men were fighting for our Country, so who else would work and keep America rolling?

Today, we are faced with a challenge not unlike those days, during World War 2. And like the 'Greatest Generation', we are called to help one another...to stem the flow of bankruptcies, foreclosures and lost incomes. Businesses cannot succeed on any level unless we take action NOW! And Successful Thinkers is the key to that action.

We are more than Successful Thinkers, my friends, we are learning to become Successful Doers (and yes, I read that somewhere). We have to...the stakes are too high and once STM has made its way throughout the United States, it will spread to other countries, as well. Why? Because there is a core of people in this land that CARE about our survival. By banding together now, we are going to become front line leaders as the economy recovers. We are positioning ourselves to show others the way.

The future might look bleak to some, but I am thankful that Successful Thinkers has emerged, because I do not see that bleakness. I see hope, I see growth for businesses and I see a new future emerging....perhaps without the auto industry, for me.

For the first time in my life, I can see a future where I am so busy helping Chapters establish themselves in Michigan and elsewhere, that I do not have time for a 'job'. My new 'job' will be something I love to do, because I love meeting people and I certainly love helping people. Jim Bellacera and his Team are leading the way, folks....what we do with it now is up to us. The call to action is being sounded.

God Bless, Erv

Half Way to the Cup!!! Here Come The Western Conference Finals...

At the conclusion of Game 6, Detroit Red Wings' Coach, Mike Babcock, said the Wings had to play with urgency and tonight, in Game 7, they did just that. Detroit defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 4-3, when Dan Cleary scored with just three minutes remaining in the deciding game of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Red Wings now prepare to take on their old nemesis and fellow Original Six foe, The Chicago Blackhawks in the Conference Finals. This is the third year in a row our Hockeytown Heros will head to the Finals...which is no small fete.

Red Wing netminder, Chris Osgood did everything, including standing on his head to stop 24 of 27 shots on goal tonight and it was just enough to seal the deal and clear the way for further defense of The Stanley Cup.

Give some credit to the youthful goalie in net for Anaheim, Jonas Hiller, who stopped 36 of 40 shots tonight. In the end, however, the expansive talent and depth of the Winged Wheelers was just too much for him. You can be sure this young man will be back next year and he certainly has all the tools to be a Superstar between the pipes....but not this year.

And so we wait for Game 1 of the 3rd round, hoping for a smooth journey. But be not decieved, the Chicago Blackhawks are hungry, talented and equal to the task. It won't be easy, especially for a Chicago team that wasn't supposed to make the playoffs to begin with. These guys are ready for war and The Boys from Hockeytown had better rest up and be ready when the puck drops in Game 1 at the Joe Louis Arena.

Meet Me in Hockeytown....For Game 7

Try as they might, the Detroit Red Wings just couldn't get the puck past young Anaheim netminder, Jonas Hiller tonight. Hiller faced 39 shots, allowing one goal and forced a dangerous Game 7 back at the Joe Louis Arena on Thursday night, as the Ducks take Game 6 by a score of 2-1.

Chris Osgood faced fewer shots on goal, but that isn't surprising. What is surprising is how the Mighty Ducks' defense shut down the Red Wing offense this evening. Pavel Datsyuk continues to struggle to find the back of the net, but Zetterberg, Hossa and a host of others were also left silent as the final horn sounded.

Coach Mike Babcock wouldn't tip his hand (as well he shouldn't) during a post-game interview on Fox Sports Detroit, but he did say the Red Wings needed "to have an urgency for all 60 minutes in tonight's contest", but did not. As Red Wing One departs California tomorrow, you can bet the Team will be focused on getting the job done, in order to face the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference Final.

Yep, it's good old fashioned Stanley Cup Playoffs and it's never easy. Let's hope the boys from Hockeytown get to life Lord Stanley's shimmering chalice one more time, when the dust settles. It's all on the line now...and we'll see what happens on Thursday evening. Let's GO WINGS!

Successful Thinkers Meetup...What's That?

With all the bad news on the TV and Radio lately, doesn't it seem good when you hear good news? How about fantastic news? Well, I am about to share some fantastic news with you, with the best part being that everything I am going to share with you is FREE!

For the moment, please lay aside the adage that came to us by way of Ralph Nader many years ago. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" Remember that? Well, as I said, set it aside (within reach, if you must) and please give me two minutes of your time. Deal?

Successful Thinkers Meetup is a revolutionary organization, whose sole aim is to help business owners become more successful. Interesting concept, eh? It's so simple, you wonder why it's never been tested!

Much like organizations such as BNI (a group that touts itself as the "World's Largest Referral Organization", Successful Thinkers Meetup is poised to take a gigantic leap towards that title. The biggest difference, once again, is that EVERYTHING they do is FREE. The Mixers are FREE, the Seminars are FREE, even the membership is FREE! Now, I ask you, in this troubled financial time, what can be better than FREE?

Jim Bellacera made his name in Multi-Level Marketing and, while we welcome MLM teams to attend, this is NOT the function of Successful Thinkers Meetup. How could it be, since EVERYTHING is FREE? But what sets Jim Bellacera apart from everything I've learned about business, is that he is sincere in his goal to help rebuild America...One Business At A Time. Talk about revolutionary.

So please accept my invitation to visit Successful Thinkers Meetup. You won't regret it and I look forward to meeting you at a Mixer REAL SOON!

Sometimes, You Just Have To STAND STILL and Marvel

It's been a long several months, here in the land of the Automobile. Michigan has been in a downspin for 5 years now and the news has only gotten worse, since the US Economy has joined the 'party'. As a result, it's been a difficult task to find good news on any front. Stay with me, cuz it's gonna get better, I promise!

My Mom moved to Sacramento in January, as I noted in an earlier post and I got to spend six days of quality time in town, visiting my Sister and her 'Brady Bunch-like clan'. I stayed at their home, because Mom's was really packed with boxes....and I am allergic to cats, so it was just best to sleep in Weezy and Chris's travel trailer. Even in January, it is about freezing (though not by much), so the little ceramic heater was put to work and did quite nicely.

During my visit, I had the unfortunate chance to see my little buddy and nephew, Christopher battling yet again against Crohn's Disease...something he was diagnosed with in late 2007. He had just come home a few days earlier from the hospital and now his fever was spiking and he was headed back.

Tears streaming down his face, Christopher was pleading not to have to go back there. He hates the hospital, but that is because he has been there so often the last year, or so. The once fun lovin little guy has lost a lot of weight (because he has a really hard time eating anything) and his eyes are sunken. He looks very gaunt and not anything like I know of him. The sight of my nephew begging not to be taken back was hard to deal with.

Months go by and finally the trips to the hospital stop. Doctors have found the solution...or have they? The GJ tube and Mic-Key button-both have been getting the nutrition to his body that it needs and he begins growing again. But the good news just kept coming. You have to read the account here and let my brother in law tell the story. WOW!

Fast forward to this past week and Christopher may lose the GJ Tube and Mic-Key button. On top of that, his wish to the 'Make a Wish' foundation was to go to Euro Disney, in Paris, or Hawaii. It looks like Euro Disney is gonna happen and I couldn't be happier for Christopher (and the rest of the Family!).

Look, I have three healthy kids. When you see a child who is suffering with any illness, if you are at least half-alive, you feel for them. And when a miracle happens, you celebrate, too! God is blessing Christopher and for the first time in MANY weeks, there is something good to talk about. What GREAT News!

As for the Red Wings....I can talk about them and their bid for their 5th Stanley Cup in 12 years later on. For now, I wanna celebrate God's Healing Touch.