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!!!

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.