Thanks for a GREAT Season, Detroit Red Wings

The Pittsburgh Penguins got the job done this evening, taking Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals by a score of 2-1. I'm not going to pretend to be a fan of the Pens, but Captain, Sidney Crosby and his team simply outplayed the Red Wings, forcing this pivotal game in Hockeytown.

You can bet the guys savored this win, too, because last year, it was our beloved Winged Wheelers who celebrated in Pittsburgh. And, in the long playoff schedule these teams play, the strongest of the two left standing get to dance with Lord Stanley's Cup. Most notably, NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman announced that Pens' Captain, Crosby was the youngest Captain to hoist the Cup for their team.

Regrets? I can think of one Detroit Red Wing who probably has a little bit tonight. Marian Hossa defected from the Penguins after being defeated in the Finals last year, saying he wanted to have a chance to lift the Cup. Will he be back next season? Hmmmm, I wonder myself. And from what I hear, a few other Wings may not be back for 2009-10.

Among them, 47 year old Chris Chelios, who is rumored to be heading to Anaheim for a season of helping the younger members. This makes sense, since he has a home in L.A., but what about Netminder, Chris Osgood, who had a less than stellar season? His playoff performance certainly redeemed him a little bit, but at 36, is it time for him to move on? Let me be clear, I do NOT want him to leave, but Ken Holland constantly has his eye on emerging talent-and how long will he keep Osgood and hold the new guys at bay? Ty Conklin seems ready to step up and Jimmy Howard is patiently awaiting his chance.

With the campaign over, you can bet Holland and Company will be looking at the older Wings closely. With the depth of the team, he doesn't have a lot to worry about, but the next few days should be interesting.

Hey, it was a great year. No sour grapes here....just sincere thanks to my Detroit Red Wings for giving us one whale of a ride. Sure, a parade down Woodward would be better, but we will have to wait until next Spring to see if we make the cut once again.

And so, this is my final hockey posting until the fall....so Thanks, guys. We had a GREAT year and it was a pleasure to join you in Hockeytown three times this season. Enjoy your summer.

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!!!!