The Most Beautiful Sound: Silence At The Joe

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 6:43 AM MDT in News Comment 66 comments

The Detroit Red Wings were less than a minute away from the Stanley Cup. Up 3-2, the fans at Joe Louis Arena were on their feet and chanting "We Want The Cup," over and over and over. All the Wings had to do was clear the puck and run out the clock.

And then a man named Maxime shoveled some garbage from the slot past Chris OsBAD (hold your applause) and sucked the life right out of the building. It was the most beautiful sound in the entire world: complete silence in Detroit.

Joe Louis = Stunned.

With only 35 34.7 seconds remaining, Max Talbot scored the equalizer and forced the game into overtime, giving the Penguins (down 3 games to 1) a new lease on life. And not just one overtime, but three overtimes that lasted well past midnight in the Eastern Time Zone.

I have to admit, I tried to stay up and watch the whole thing, but I passed out near the start of the third OT period, which means I missed the game winner (by the Penguins) but got a nice surprise when I woke up, nonetheless. The Penguins now head back to Mellon Arena (where they have only lost one game since February) with a legitimate---though still small---chance to win the series. Few teams come back from a 3-1 deficit, but coming back from a 3-2 deficit is far less daunting.

For the Penguins, Sidney Crosby had two assists, Evgeni Malkin finally got on the board after helping Petr Sykora with the game-winner (that he freakin' called), and Marc-Andre Fleury was money in net from the third period to the third overtime. He stopped 55 of 58 shots.

Even if the Penguins lose game 6 at home, it doesn't matter. Stealing the Cup (and the enthusiasm) from the self-assured ass hats at the Joe will keep me smiling at least until free agency starts on July 1st. Getting to see the stunned looks on their faces over and over on ESPN News this morning was just icing on the cake.

Suck it Detroit.

Pens in 7.

EDIT: Comments have been closed at 66. I just thought that was appropriate.

0 recs | Comment 66 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Read More: red wings, penguins, playoffs

Comments

I overslept a bit this morning due to my dedication to the game. I didn’t know I could hold my breath for two+ periods of OT. I guess you learn something everyday.

Bring hockey back to Louisville!

by JDunman on Jun 3, 2008 7:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s probably not good for your long-term health.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 7:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 8:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

In Addition

No breakfast is complete without the alty tears of unfathomable sadness coming out of Detroit. Oh the schadenfreude makes me all warm and fuzzy inside

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 8:43 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not only was the silence at the Joe heartwarming, but the silence over at A2Y was priceless.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Salty tear of unfathomable sadness? Isn’t that from South Park? lol, Cartman gets back at that Scott kid, right? xD

by Mike the Avs Fan on Jun 3, 2008 6:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ding Ding Ding

That is correct, one of my all -time favorite episodes

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 8:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was marvelous.

I have to thank the NHL and the Pens/Wings organizations for helping me in my newest task: turning my fiancee into a hockey chick. It worked. We both sat there and watched it all. I was on pins and needles the whole time.

I want to see the Pens win in 7 :)

Oh, btw – the NBC broadcast team = suck.

by AaronHawn on Jun 3, 2008 8:28 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

“The next goal will be the winner” was their catchphrase throughout all the OTs. And seriously, Milbury and McGuire has to be the worst color commentary combination EVER. Dipshits, all of them. How many times did we all hear that the Penguins were “completely out of gas” and that the Wings looked great? SHUT UP.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:49 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least..

At least I like Emerick a lot, and Olzyck (i know it’s misspelled, i don’t care) isn’t too bad.

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 12:02 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

sometimes, I just want to take their heads and squeeze them till they pop like zits. particularly the Piere Mcquire guy. GOD please shut up!

by AaronHawn on Jun 3, 2008 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is probably the best thing that’s happened in the NHL all year. I mean, not only did this do a great job of showcasing the sport on national TV, but the friggin’ Wings got DENIED! Ah, it was glorious.

by Rather Dashing on Jun 3, 2008 9:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And all-in-all a really great game. Both teams were playing their asses off.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:49 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

you guys are all class, aren’t you?
(grumble, grumble)

I’ll admit, I spent a rather sleepless night with visions of Marc Andre Fleury’s left pad flashing through the nightmare. And I’m kinda worrying about it now…but the fact that Fleury had to play superhuman for this series to continue makes me feel not suicidal. I don’t know that he’s capable of that for two more games, and all the Wings need is one…

by ahtrap on Jun 3, 2008 9:10 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I’d be more worried about Chris Osgood, who hasn’t been supernatural and may still have to be at some point. Game 6 is going to be enormous.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:50 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sleep

I also succumbed before the end. Stupid comfortable couch.

I loved hearing the “We Want The Cup!” chants quieted. That was even better than seeing Umberger shut up Habs fans and their stupid Ole chant.

by PPP on Jun 3, 2008 9:23 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Also a great post-season moment.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I may need to hire an exorcist to get the image of Max Talbot scoring the tying goal out of my head. Yuck. I feel like I got kicked in the gut.

I just wish they would give us some decent broadcasters. I miss having CBC coverage.

by hockeychic on Jun 3, 2008 10:04 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m with you on that one.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:51 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

i made it all the way to the end! The silence was indeed awesome, Joe.

great game, red wings were dominant most of the game but just couldn’t get it past Fleury. Those goaltender interference calls in OT were a little odd—the first I could see, but the second? Seemed pretty weak.

You gotta wonder whether the much-older red wings will feel the effects of the 3OT game more than the pens in some way. Just a thought.

by thedoctor on Jun 3, 2008 10:31 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You gotta wonder whether the much-older red wings will feel the effects of the 3OT game more than the pens in some way. Just a thought.

Except for a few minutes in the first round, the Wings haven’t had to try very hard this postseason. Methinks they have some effort left in the tank…

Of course, up until this series, the Pens didn’t have to break a sweat either, so maybe it’s a push…

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:25 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

As far as “gas in the tank” goes, I really don’t think either team has an advantage. The Penguins were supposed to be totally exhausted last night and they still came through and won it. I have a feeling both teams will be digging pretty deep.

Talk about a deep statement.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 11:52 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of Detoit...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=zmrrO0YjSes

by ChiTownAv on Jun 3, 2008 11:57 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice

Excellent find. That’s golden

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 12:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course the refs blew the game. What else could it be?

Anybody see this.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/SPORTS05/80603109

Don’t blame the refs. That is just whiney scapegoating. Somehow I think the sentence, “And I’d say the same thing if the Wings won the Cup in Game 5 under the same circumstances.” is an empty point of total BS.

InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Jun 3, 2008 4:09 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I should link to the article correctly

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080603/SPORTS05/80603109

InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Jun 3, 2008 4:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess whining about the refs is as much an integral part of the NHL as diving is. Except I think whining about the refs is actually more annoying.

The only thing I can say to the whiners is: the refs have sucked all playoffs for all teams. Get used to it. Just be glad this isn’t the NBA.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not as much fun as the kitten cannon…

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jun 3, 2008 4:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Try this again…

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/MULTI/80530114

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jun 3, 2008 4:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Post

I was planning a ratings post, but there will be a post on this tomorrow over on Jibblescribbits. Besides being utterly homerific, it’s wrong, simply put if referees aren’t calling penalties in OT their inaction is deciding the game

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 4:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

The refs NEVER call penalties in OT. That’s just part of the tradition of the NHL.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know

That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t. I get what the guy is saying, sort of. You don’t want a ticky-tac fould to decide the game. But that high stick on Hudler was hardly ticky-tac.

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 3, 2008 5:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bob McCown, in his book, had this choice quote:

Of course, there are still those who don’t like to see penalties called late in close games. There are those who insist that the game is only pure when you “let them play.”
I’ve never understood exactly what “let them play” means. I mean, it’s an incomplete thought. What comes next? Let them play … and kill each other? Let them play … and do whatever they want? Let them play … until no one is standing? How far are you willing to go with this argument?

I guess this will always be a problem. You’ve got guys like Don Cherry call for a penalty-free, free-for-all in the OT periods, while guys like McCown want penalties strictly called from start to finish.

Me, I’m not even going to touch this one.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 5:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

LMAO

Does anyone else notice how that Snowman looks like the Avs’ snowman, the guy whose footprint is on our jerseys? And that game is set in an avalanche-like enviroment too. That’s an AVS game, not a Wings game! lol

by Mike the Avs Fan on Jun 3, 2008 6:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

caught this from fanhouse...

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/06/03/last-nights-nhl-triple-overtime-best-game-5-ratings-in-six-years/4002

link says most of the interesting stuff—good news for the NHL. Another interesting part for us here: obviously Pitt and Detroit were the 2 biggest markets, but look who’s in 4th? Denver!

and people say there’s no hockey fans here. :p

by thedoctor on Jun 3, 2008 4:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

the important part is Denver beat Minneapolis

InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Jun 3, 2008 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the ice and in front of the tube. Colorado FTW.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 4:57 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Psssh, State of Hockey eh? lol

by Mike the Avs Fan on Jun 3, 2008 6:13 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did Oklahoma NOT make that list? I know StructuralPoke was watching until the wee hours, becuase he came to work looking fried.

Me? I took a Benadryl and was in a coma by about 8:30-ish. Do I have to turn in my card?

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only if it had been Avs-Pens. I don’t blame anyone for choosing to skip a game that involves the Detroit Red Wings.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 7:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Woot!

Go Denver/Colorado!

by Mike the Avs Fan on Jun 3, 2008 6:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, in the Annals of Hockey Lore

What will this game be named.

The “34.7 seconds game?”
The “Sykora has a better prediction percentage than Nostradamus game?”
The “Inevitable return of Sergei Gonchar game?”
The “Hasek is a bitch game?” (I’m partial to this one despite the fact he had nothing to do with the game except looking like a loser because a goaltender with the nickname dominator was on the bench.)

InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Jun 3, 2008 7:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I prefer the “In Yo Face Detroit, In Yo Face Game,” honestly.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 3, 2008 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could like with that

And maybe a slide show of crying Wings fans can play any time someone looks up info on the game.

InYoFace Hasek! InYoFace

by InYoFace on Jun 3, 2008 7:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

It's just my luck,

They show all the Cup games in Australia but since i was at work i had to settle for taping it, so i get home thinking the Wings won and i’d at least get to see the presentation. Unfortunitaly the gods, and i don’t mean the hockey gods but the other ones everyone seems to love, have conspired against me. I take the DVD out and go to watch it in my room and it doesn’t work so i think this sucks, try it in the room where i taped it and it ends up with a message Disk is not compatibal, WITH the dvd recorder i used to tape the game with. Then i see the highlights on ESPN Sportcenter, a 3OT classic, i was uber pissed.

by Savage33 on Jun 4, 2008 1:43 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

i was uber pissed.

Again with the anger. We’re going to have to address this in the offseason. We need you level-headed for the beginning of the 2nd Dawn of the Granato Era.

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 7:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s weird, generally i’m not that angry in my normal day to day stuff, it’s only when i get involved in anything competitive with mates(Video games, skating, hockey) that i get annoyed. Atlthough when one thing goes worng or upsets me then any little thing(can’t find TV remote, door closes in front of me) causes me to start going ballistic. I can’t promise to try, but i’ll try to try and address my anger issues.

by Savage33 on Jun 5, 2008 5:17 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Refs and OT

I’m not going to whine about the refs because I believe that is bad form after a loss. I just think that the officiating in the entire playoffs has been horrific. There were plenty of missed calls on both sides in that game. I had no problem with the call on Hudler, you have to call that. Jiri has to control his stick better in that situation. I did think that both goalie interference goals were very ticky tack. I also thought the hooking call on Sykora was really borderline. Didn’t matter much though as the Wings PP has been a nightmare in this series.

by hockeychic on Jun 4, 2008 8:42 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the Avs PP is contagious?

Like VD, the Avalanche powerplay insures you will never score!

Yeah, I blockquoted it, because upon typing, I realized how AWESOME it was!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 9:36 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just like VD!

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m seriously going to write a post about last season’s PP and that WILL be the title!

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 2:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it is general consensus among all fans of all teams in the playoffs this year that the officials have sucked. No argument there.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 9:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Franzen kicking Fleury?

Did anyone else see Franzen kick Fleury with the blade of his skate as he was lying on the ice after the first OT interference call? How in the hell wouldn’t that be a penalty? My guess is he was kicking (more like horizontal stomping) at the puck, but nonetheless, an incredibly dangerous play and one, given events this past season, probably worthy of a suspension. What really po’d me about it was the jokesters on NBC were reviewing the interference call, complaining about how weak it was, and completely ignored Franzen kick.

Wtf? Oh well, yet another reason to hate the Wings. Of millions.

by Bob in Boulder on Jun 4, 2008 10:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Franzen

Normally, I wouldn’t argue back but I’m just feeling ornery enough to do it today. So you talk about Franzen kicking Fleury…hmm how about the two Pens players that punched Franzen in the head his first game back from “concussion like symptoms” or whatever the heck he had. There were no penalties called there and no suspensions either. Like I said before, there have been missed calls on both sides and some of them very, very blatant.

by hockeychic on Jun 4, 2008 11:58 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody is trying to justify the Penguins here. He brought up a good point that nobody has talked about—-that Franzen kicked Fleury with his skate blade during the same play in which Zetterberg was called for interference. Nobody’s saying it was the only illegal act committed in the game, or that other things should not have been penalized.

And let’s be honest, punching another player in the head is not grounds for a suspension. It’s grounds for a roughing penalty. If Franzen is on the ice, he is effectively “fit to play,” and assumes all risks that come with playing. If he was still suffering concussion symptoms that would have prevented him from surviving a blow to the head, he should not have been on the ice. By the way, he survived and was just fine.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 1:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

He did in fact kick at Fleury with his skate. The refs called Zetterberg for interference for his initial contact, then Franzen fell into the pile and kicked at the puck (which happened to be under Fleury’s arm).

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

MAF must be one layed back netminder, cuz when that happens to me in my beer league, even with the ankle-benders and pylons out there, I completely loose my shit. I go all red and get all Eric Bana/Ed Norton-on-the-verge-of-CGI-taking-over crazy. But maybe that’s just me…

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 2:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, somebody is kicking at you with a giant sword attached to their foot. I’d be pretty pissed, too.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 2:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we just agree the Eric Bana version of the hulk never happened, and hope that the Ed Norton version makes things right in the world again?

by ahtrap on Jun 4, 2008 3:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen

This is like Hollywood’s version of a mulligan

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jun 4, 2008 4:12 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except it’s still probably going to suck. And I like Ed Norton.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 5:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a minute. Name a Norton performance that sucked. Seriously, name one. Even if the movie is kinda meh, he’ll likely elevate it to eh.

by Mike @ MHH on Jun 4, 2008 7:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t name one that sucked, and that’s why I like Ed Norton. But there’s a first time for everything.

Go Avs! Let's get some goals!

by Joe @ MHH on Jun 5, 2008 7:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nightmare

Wings up 3-1 7 minutes to go in the third.

About to win the cup.

Nightmare.

Don't Go, Joe!

by texacogirl on Jun 4, 2008 8:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Done

I fuckin HATE the Wangs…

See those dirty bastards next season…

Avs for the Cup!

Don't Go, Joe!

by texacogirl on Jun 4, 2008 8:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

And how close was that last chance by Hossa…
damn those inches. Damn those dead things!

"The difference between a successful person and others,
is not a lack of strength,not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will."
-Vince Lombardi-

by Americanario on Jun 4, 2008 8:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs