They're Not Dead Yet

by Joe @ MHH on May 15, 2008 8:06 AM MDT in News Comment 14 comments

Thank god somebody finally beat the Red Wings, if only once. After helping the Wings win nine straight playoff games (two against Nashville, four against the Avs, and three against the Stars), Dallas decided they didn't quite want to go out in a sweep and won last night 3-1.

Chris Osgood, despite being the best goalie of all time, a sure bet for the Conn Smythe trophy and an obvious first-ballot Hall of Famer, allowed three goals on 22 shots. Marty Turco, the whipping boy of Stars and Wings fans alike, put on a clinic by stopping 33 of 34 shots. It's about damned time, Turco.

Obviously, the odds are still stacked against the Stars. As everyone has already heard a million times when one team goes up three games to none, the last team to overcome a deficit like that was the 1975 New York Islanders. I'm thinking 33 years is long enough to wait for a repeat of that come-from-behind insanity.

The Flyers, on the other hand, are done for. They were done for against the Capitals in the first round but barely squeezed by the upstarts from The District. Even though I want the Stars to beat the Wings (how sweet would that be?) I can't root for another Western Conference team to win the Cup, so the Penguins are definitely my adopted favorites. Say what you want about crying, whining or diving (good god that routine gets so old), but the Pens are talented, fun to watch, and a likable bunch of characters. Hockey is entertainment, after all.

Oh, and if you're not reading The Pensblog every single day, you're not really living. They hate Chris Osgood, too.

ADDENDUM: The Wall Street Journal analyzes the further decline of Emptytown and the hilarity of failing to sell out home playoff games. Even the Avalanche, a team nobody likes anymore (if you believe the naysayers), sold out all of their home playoff games. Step it up, Murder City.

The best quote, by far:

"I've seen them win a Cup, so I won't be totally disappointed if they don't win one this year," Bruce Anderson, a season-ticket holder for nearly 40 years, said.

What a die hard fan.

Hat tip to Greg Dubs at Puck Daddy.

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Oh really

Say what you want about crying, whining or diving (good god that routine gets so old) fans, but the ~~Pens~~ Wings are talented, fun to watch, and a likable bunch of characters. Minus Draper, Maltby, and Chelios

As much as I hate the Wings, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Lidstrom are some of the more likable guys in hockey (and I don't mind Franzen, Holmstrom, or Kronvall either). On the other hand if I see Crosby whine about a call one more time I might have to hire a $3/hour prostitute to infect him with every STD known to mankind. And If I hear one more Pens fan tell me how Malkin and Crosby are better than any player that has ever lived, and any argument to the contrary means you obviously don't know a tghing about hockey, I may have to break open a bottle of Iron City and stab them to death with it.

Pens fans have taken the mantle from Wings fans as whiney babies. Anytime it's mentioned that a ref made a bad call in favor of the Pens they act as if you are saying their entire season has been fraudulent. I may not be able to cheer for them, even against the Wings.

Seriously how bad do you have to be to out obnoxious Wings fans?

by Jibblescribbits on May 15, 2008 10:41 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

That is bad

comparing obnoxious Wing fans to obnoxious Pen fans. It is like arguing over which poop smells worse. Personally, I can still smell a wing fan from a mile away.

by Bob in Boulder on May 15, 2008 11:19 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: That is bad

...with just a hint of cheese.

by Joe @ MHH on May 15, 2008 11:38 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Oh really

You're talking to the wrong Pens fans, then. Those that I've come in contact with (blogosphere and elsewhere) have probably the best sense of humor of any other group outside us Avalanche deadbeats, and they know a bad call (against them or their opponents) when they see it. They've suffered a long time with a crappy team and now they're just soaking it in.

And seriously, Crosby and Malkin are two of the best players in a long time, and there's no harm in gloating about them. If they were on the Avs, I'd be gloating, too. So would you.

Both of our arguments are purely anecdotal, of course, but I don't think there's any competition for the official title of Worst Fans In Hockey.

That honor goes to the Minnesota Wild, no doubt.

by Joe @ MHH on May 15, 2008 11:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Oh Really

And seriously, Crosby and Malkin are two of the best players in a long time, and there's no harm in gloating about them. If they were on the Avs, I'd be gloating, too. So would you.

Agreed, but If any other fan says that a guy like, Ovechkin, Zetterberg or Datsyuk is better they are greeted with statements like:

But maybe I'll start checking out more pens blogs. In all honesty I have steered away from hockey since the Avs lost because it's been pretty boring

by Jibblescribbits on May 15, 2008 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Oh really

No disagreement there. Two series at 3-0 was as boring as you could get. I would like to see the Pens sweep the Flyers (because who outside of Philly actually likes that train wreck?), but hopefully Dallas keeps on kicking.

by Joe @ MHH on May 15, 2008 12:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pensblog

is only 1,000 times more witty and entertaining than the circle jerk over at a2y. Great stuff. a2y is about the worst hockey blog I have seen. Why does Kukla keep it in his korner?

From Pens blog about Ozzy:

Staying with his current trend of blatantly lying,
Chris Osgood spoke to reporters and said the Wings had actually won Game 4.

No doubt also referring to his statement after the butt end to Ribeiro.

by Bob in Boulder on May 15, 2008 11:45 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep

The Pensblog has been all over Osgood for both his butt-end and his obvious dive after taking a light stick tap to his chest protector. You know, the thing that absorbs 100 mph slap shots all the time without him even flinching.

by Joe @ MHH on May 15, 2008 12:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't think it would be a sweep

In fact I picked the Wings in six but I (and my nerves) would really prefer the Wings winning in five because I don't see Philly extending this series at all. I thought Philly was lucky to have made it by the Caps and then got some good goaltending while Montreal got some really bad goaltending. Last night's game was disappointing but it continues the streak of horrendous playoff officiating, not just against the Wings, I think all around it has been just awful.

Oh and this Wings fan showered today so hopefully you can't smell me a mile away. :)

by hockeychic on May 15, 2008 3:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You seem to be an exception ...

especially for the crowd at a2y. Don't you also live in Denver and have a daughter being properly raised as an Av fan? There still is much hope for you, hockeychic. Burn all of that evil winged wheel propaganda. Come over to the good side.

by Bob in Boulder on May 15, 2008 3:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

You'd actually be amazed, I've been a partial season ticket holder for the Avs since the very first game in 95. I love hockey and vowed to support the NHL team in Denver before the rivalry started. I am a Wings fan first and foremost. I couldn't burn all my Wings propoganda, I'd have to take out my Hall of Fame (posters from the 97, 98 and 02 wins) wall in my house and I kind of like it. Have Yzerman pics there too and a autographed photo from Joe Sakic, he signed it, "You need to become an Avs fan." :)

My daughter has her own ideas though, she loves the Avs and then the Wings second.

by hockeychic on May 15, 2008 3:51 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Well...

My daughter has her own ideas though, she loves the Avs and then the Wings second.

It's true, the children are the future...

by Mike @ MHH on May 15, 2008 4:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

They must

be taught well or they may become evil Wings fans though.

by Savage33 on May 16, 2008 2:22 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

That quote

seems more in line with a Maple Leafs fan, although he'd be hard pressed to remember their last Cup win. He clearly isn't a die-hard Wings fan though, he obviously doesn't live or die with his team.

by Savage33 on May 16, 2008 2:21 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs