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.

Another Generation of Red Wings Fans!

Wanna see the photos from this entry? Look here

Finally, the time had arrived! For most of the past 3 weeks, my younger two children were drooling at the sight of the four tickets, which were tucked neatly into the cupboard door, sitting there like a chocolate Easter Bunny tempting the little ones daily. The 'Family Four Pack' kept them watching the calendar. The tickets, a gift from one of our local Hams' sons (Tim Wilson) were welcomed with open arms...that is a story all its own! How do you say 'Thank You' for a gift like that? I don't think he really understood just how thankful my entire Family of Red Wing fans were, but I hope to return the kindness somehow.

"How many days now?", Josh asked.

"Oh, let's see.....seven....seven more days and we go to the Joe Louis Arena!" I replied.

Josh has been 'indoctrinated' into Red Wing traditions since his early years, so when it comes to the Wings, he's into whatever it might be. Even at 15-18 months of age, we taught him the 'Let's go Red Wings' chant, complete with claps. By age two, Joshy was clappin' right along with us. But it goes beyond even that!

When our little man was born into this world, Dad was wearing a Red Wings sweater (jersey). It was 2002 and I had a Center Ice version of the Home Jersey. Nothing special and no number, or name, just the jersey. Well, when we won the Stanley Cup that year, I went out and bought a brand new away jersey, found and purchased an official 2002 Stanley Cup patch and added my nephew's number and name, because he also played in the youth hockey league in town. That sweater is Johy's now, once he can fit into it, but until then, I wear it (and I had it on last night).

And so, we head out Friday afternoon about 4pm, well ahead of time, in case of traffic. I wasn't going to be late for my kids' first Red Wings' game....and we weren't. But it was fun, watching Josh and Mick looking in awe at the Joe Louis Arena in the distance. We walked about 3 blocks to the raised tunnel that would take us into the JLA and got there about 30 minutes before the doors opened.

Once inside, we got the important stuff....the Red Wings #1 sponge finger, a puck, a book on the Wings' 2008 Stanley Cup Season and various other goodies. We also stopped for a Little Caesar's pizza and some Coke, before heading to our seats. Sec. 217C, row 20....a bit near the top, but if you have ever been to the Joe, there really aren't that many bad seats in the house and I have not seen the few that exist!

The magic of your first professional sporting event is something you never forget. Mine was going to see the Detroit Tigers, back when Mark 'The Bird' Fidrych was pitching for them. I will never forget 'The Bird' manicuring the mound, or talking to the ball.....or the animated way he did his job. And as we walked around the Joe, snapping pictures and watching the warm-ups at ice level, I was witnessing Josh marking this date in his life. Mick was enjoying herself, too, but this was a boy-thing. A Father-Son thing....something we will both remember for the rest of our lives.

Well, the Wings were shutout tonight...falling to the New York Islanders 2-0. The Islanders are the worst team in the NHL, but I was afraid this might happen. The neat thing was that we got to see Chris Osgood in goal for Detroit and my wife loves Ozzie! But the Wings tried...boy did they try. There were so many flurries in front of New York's goalie, Joey MacDonald (a former Wing, by the way), we should have won that game 8-2! LOL But it was not to be.

Walking out of the Joe Louis, Josh and I were walkin' hand in hand, chatting about the game. I felt I needed to see how he enjoyed the time.

"So what did you think, bud?", I asked. "Sorry you didn't get to see the Wings win tonight."

"That was fun, Dad.....", he said. "And don't worry, you can bring me back to see them win a different game!"

Yep, my little Winger enjoyed his first NHL Hockey Game....a new chapter begins!

My Daughter's FIRST Red Wings' Game

See photos for this blog entry here.

There are few things in life more fulfilling than taking part in a number of different firsts in the lives of your children. Maybe it's getting baptized, or meeting someone of importance in their lives (an idol, perhaps...or a dignitary), attending their first dance....you get the idea. Well, on Friday, February 20th of this year, my daughter Amanda and I attended her first NHL Hockey Game at Joe Louis Arena, in Detroit.

We went as guests of a good friend of mine and I was determined to make this first a special one, because we are HUGE Wings' fans at my home. From our early years together, my wife Laurie and I have always watched the Wings, listened to the Wings and been a part of everything Wings that we can. As a result, our kids knew the 'Let's Go Red Wings' chant as early as they learned 'Let's Go Blue'. (Unfortunately, Amanda went Green on us back in third grade, but we are holding out hope for Mick and Josh).

So we arrive at the Joe about 6pm on game night. It's bitterly cold and since the Joe is on the waterfront, it was that much colder! Amanda was soaking in the sights and sounds of downtown Detroit, as we made our way to the arena. Hart Plaza, the RenCen, Cobo....Windsor (just across the water from us). She reminded me of......well......ME, at an early age. Just takin it all in. It was fun to watch, actually.

Puck to ice is 7:30 on this particular evening, so we had a bit of time to walk around. I wanted to find out where some of 'Red Wings Live' was shot, so we made our way along the concourse, picking up our program and getting a photo taken near one of the many hockey posters and statues inside The JLA. Immediately after getting our picture taken, my eyes were drawn to a red banner, just down the way from where we were standing. There was a small group forming near it and the people seated at the table below it. It was Hall of Fame Winger, #9, "Mr. Hockey", Gordie Howe!

Mr. Howe was signing copies of his book, "9" that evening and to me, price was no issue. I had a small wad of spendin' cash with me and I knew that Laurie would be thrilled to know I got to meet him, despite the fact she could not...but bringing home an autograph would be a plus. So, I got in line, patiently waiting my turn to meet this incredible Hockey legend. As my turn comes, I completely forget to have him sign to the Family and just give him my name. I knew, at that moment, there would be problems for me......LOL. We shook hands, I thanked him and we made our way to the seats.

The game was awesome and Amanda REALLY wanted to see a fight. I explained to her that fights are not as common these days, due to the NHL's tighter reign on players and coaches. Fines are expensive and no team wants to lose players this close to the playoffs. No sooner had I uttered these words and 'The Mule', Johan Franzen was scrappin' with someone at the other end of the ice. Amanda was on her feet cheering and laughing at me.....for even thinking a fight would not happen at her first Hockey Game.

It was a Great experience for both of us. The Wings soundly defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, 5-2 and Amanda was an even bigger Red Wings' fan at the end of the night. Mission Accomplished!