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Winning a game in overtime on a penalty shot in overtime is one of the more special moments that you just don’t see very often. The tension on the benches is palpable as players watch. It’s like the world stops for a second. Walman’s winning shot and now infamous celly closed down the game as a visibly irritated (and highly skilled) Vancouver team shuffled down the tunnel. The Wings were celebrating on the ice and on kids day of all things the screams and shouts were fueled by adrenaline and soda instead of ginger ale. Then, there’s the possibility of a “receipt….
Every sport has its own version of “the receipt…. Even “sports entertainment… (pro wrestling) and I’ve seen a few behind the scenes glimpses. From a physical reminder to an outright humiliation the ability to get back some dignity is something that seems embedded in sports culture. After a tough loss in Edmonton, Detroit is rolling into town against a team that’s more than ready to return the favor of a game that saw a suspension and the aforementioned penalty shot. There’s probably an envelope taped to the board in the home locker room.
Now, in context, the “make up… game of 2024 isn’t even close to what it was 30+ years ago. When the penalty box was overflowing and the ice was being scraped clean after involuntary plasma donations. This one will be settled on the scoreboard and maybe a big hit or two. Plenty of trying to hide clutching, grabbing and rabbit punches from the refs but not the all out brawl the used to make dentists a good amount of money.
Detroit has to fight to stay in the bubble being only 2 points ahead of New Jersey and 3 points ahead of the Isles. They stand back 2 points of Toronto and 3 points of Tampa. It’s crunch time and more bean counting. We’re heading into the second best part of the season. The first 20 and the last 20 games are incredibly special. Players shake off the mid season muck and leave it all on the ice. Wings fans will sincerely hope that Detroit walks away with 2 points tonight (or at least one). A dropped game tonight puts the team in a place where this trip at best would be a .500 effort as the scrum for playoff positioning picks up.
Husso may be done for the season, but most (if not all) are anxious to see Lyon carry the mail for the rest of this campaign. Kane and Debrincat connected with some beautiful plays and there are the wild cards of Sprong, Compher, Ghost and Walman that could all chip in. Instead of pizza and soda, tonight may be a saltines and club soda night.
In an odd bit of news the current developmental system may well be headed to court. We’ve had more than a few good conversations about another option for drafted players. If they’re playing a head above, at least open the ECHL. This all revolves around the financial game. Jr teams count on big names to sell tickets, along with the influx of money from the drafting organizations. It’s a strange setup, and the players who go the collegiate route or stay in Europe give themselves a lot more flexibility. Scholarship athletes can get a degree and been a UFA at the end of the journey. European athletes can skip over the younger leagues and either play in the over 18 leagues or head to the AHL. Now, the draft picks who feel like they have no control are ready for a change.
To say the timing is less than “ideal… is an understatement. We’ve talked at length about the issues surrounding broadcast rights, underperforming teams, missed revenues etc. The move toward a lawsuit to change the landscape for 18 year old prospects is far more significant than it seems on the surface. If/when the high end prospects are brought into the system there is an exchange of money and that money keeps some of these teams going.
This has been a long time coming and some of you have been voicing the issue that seems to be ridiculous. If a player is sent down to jr they are there for the season. Jiri Fischer took this on and has been a voice in developmental that has changed player’s outlooks. “If you want a job, you have to take it from someone. Then, for the rest of your career someone will be trying to take it from you…. That may not make it onto a throw pillow or a poster but it’s as honest as it gets. Fischer famously told Detroit leadership “either send me down now or keep me all year… as a rookie. He had no desire to play 8 or 9 games as a pro and then be back on the bus.
Let me know your thoughts. The league would be wise to settle the issue with a revolving door to the ECHL, possibly even the AHL and then set restrictions to give stability to the developmental teams. Otherwise, a judge is going to make a decision and in court arguments tend to burn bridges. As for tonight, can Detroit pull out 2 points after a rough Edmonton defeat? I showed my wife the score and CMD’s points for the night. It felt like a video game screen.
At some point, the hope is to do a pizza party/viewing somewhere in Oakland county with anyone who can make it. If you’re in the area DM me. There’s a great place in Highland (Duke’s) or a Buffalo Wild Wings in White Lake that would both be fun. If possible I’m going to try and get to at least one Griffins game so my GR crew needs to hit me up and let me know where they congregate. Maybe we can grab some pre game burgers and have some fun.
Be good, be safe, and have some fun. This season has had a lot to be happy about. It’s hard to believe the home stretch is just around the corner. I went to get a Walman bobble head off of EBay but the markup is a tad high ($165 for the link my good friend sent me). Let me know if you have some new purchases on the list. A “77… jersey for me and a “53… for my wife may well be on Santa’s list
*final time, here are the links to the guitar I designed for Frank Stallone Guitars. Versions 2 and 3 are in process with some side projects on the way. Good times ahead!