Spartans Get Back On Track, Winning Their Big Ten Opener-Islanders Give Wings An UnHappy New Year

Losing in overtime to a now 11 win team isn't the way the Red Wings nor their fans wanted to ring in the New Year. But that exactly what happened tonight down at the Joe with the Isle's winning 4-3 on a powerplay goal in overtime. The Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson helped his team carry a 3-2 lead into the 3rd period by coming up with big stops in the first 2 periods. Valtteri Filppula gave his team some much needed momentum going into the 2nd intermission when he scored with 8 seconds left to bring the Wings back to within one goal. In the 3rd period the Islanders were in full defensive mode trying to hold onto their slim 3-2 lead and Tomas Tatar made them pay by scoring his first ever NHL goal. The game would go to overtime tied at 3 and after the Islanders killed off about 1:30 of a Red Wing powerplay Henrik Zetterberg took a bad holding penalty to give the Isles their own powerplay which they would score on to end the game. The Red Wings seemed to have broken head coach Mike Babcock's cardinal rule of always starting on time by not getting going offensively until midway through the 2nd period and allowing the visiting team to build a 3-1 lead. It was fun to see the Wings mount a 3rd period come-back but im sure all the fans wanted to see a win tonight just like i did for New Years. The Wings will welcome in one of the best teams not only in the Eastern Conference but in the entire league and also one of their former players on Sunday when Ville Leino and the Philadelphia Flyers come to town.

The Spartans opened up their Big Ten title defense with a come from behind win against Minnesota today. It didn't start out the way the Spartans had hoped it would with them being down 28-22 at the half but they found their mark in the 2nd half. Michigan State outscored Minnesota 49-34 in the 2nd thanks in part to Durrell Summers leading the way in scoring for the Spartans with 19 pts. Draymond Green also had a nice game scoring 14 pts with 6 rebounds and 4 helpers to help his team to a win. Some positives that the team can take from this gritty win were getting 24 assists on 28 baskets and only turning the ball over 8 times, which had been a problem for the Spartans in the non-conference games. The team will enjoy this win on New Years day and get back to work on Monday when they travel to Evanston to take on Northwestern in the Spartans first Big Ten road test of the season.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! and good luck to the Michigan State football team tomorrow when they take on Alabama in the Capital One Bowl

Osgood Notches Win #400 In Overtime In Colorado

Third time was the charm for Chris Osgood, after failing to get his 400th win on two prior attempts he finally gained access to the ultra-exclusive 400 win club tonight in Colorado. It was an exciting game between the Red Wings and Avalanche in the Pepsi Center tonight with the teams going back and forth in scoring all night until Kronwall won it for his team in OT. The win gave the Wings their 50th point of the season tying Pittsburgh for tops in the league, but tonight was all about the Os-man. Chris Osgood became only the 10th goalie all-time to ever reach the 400 win plateau for his career and doing it in stellar fashion might i add. Ossie was flashing the pads all night stopping 46 of 49 shots again and making key saves when his team needed him to. As much as we all know that Osgood would have loved to have won number 400 in front of the fans in Detroit it seems fitting that the win came against a team and in a arena that he has always performed so well against. Tonight was just another chapter to the history of the Detroit-Colorado rivalry that Osgood has played a major part in over the years, who doesn't love watching the youtube video of he and Patrick Roy going toe to toe in the second Wings-Av's brawl. Now that he has reached his personal goal of 400 wins in his career he can start peeking ahead in the record books with Grant Fuhr at 403 and Glenn Hall at 407, both numbers very reachable for Ossie by the end of the season. 

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and once again congratulations to Chris "Ossie" Osgood for winning his 400th NHL game.

Drew in the D

This Is What 23,000 Teddy Bears Look Like On A Hockey Rink

This is the annual Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear toss where the fans throw teddy bears on the ice after the first Hitmen goal is scored and the teddy bears are hand delivered to the local childrens hospital by the players, how cool is that

Lidstoms Hat-Trick Helps Wings To A Win Over The Blues

It took 1,442 games into his carrier but Nick Lidstrom finally has his first hat-trick. Lidstrom's 4 point night helped his team beat their divisional rival St.Louis 5-2.  Cleary and Zetterberg also had big multi-point nights to help their team to the win. Datsyuk only recorded one assist on the night but he was up to his old tricks going all "Magic Man" on the Blue's defensive players, at one point beating 3 out of the corner and almost setting up Z for a goal. The "Magic Man" also pulled a new trick out of his very deep bag when he tried to go backhand forehand through his legs and almost beat Jaroslav Halak far side had the Blues goalie not been able to get a piece of it to send it just wide of the post. It was a very nice bounce back game for the Wings tonight after what had to have been a frustrating night on Monday getting shut out by Jonathan Quick on 51 shots. The Red Wings will travel out to Chicago tomorrow to get ready to take on the 'Hawks friday night at the United Center.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and once again hats off to Nick Lidstrom on his first career hat-trick

Drew in the D

Quick Denies Detroit A Third Win In A Row

Uhh..is there a reset button on this thing? That's what the Wings were saying after their 5-0 loss to Jonathan Quick and the Kings tonight. Kings goalie Quick played out of his mind tonight saving 51 of 51 shots against him for his 1st shutout against the Wings. Basically this game was the entire Red Wings team against Jonathan Quick, and you know what Quick 51 Wings 0 i give the LA 'tender full marks for his outstanding play tonight. The fact that the Wings got shut out wasn't for lack of trying but it was just one of those nights when a hot team runs into a hot goalie and something had to give, except tonight Quick didn't give..AT ALL. While it wasn't what the Red Wings had in mind for their rematch with the Kings they can't let this one linger as they have two big division games this week, starting on Wednesday against the Blues at the Joe and Friday night against the wannabe Wings in Chicago

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and will someone get the number of that purple and white truck that just ran over the Red Wings....i mean seriously WTF!!!

Drew in the D

Lions Give Fans Early Christmas Present

The Lions won their 3rd game of the season ending a 10 game losing streak to the Packers and picking up their first division win in 19 games. It was all about Detroit's defense today holding the Packers to 66 rush yards, 3 pts, 3 turnovers, and recording 4 sacks. Landon Johnson knocked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers out of the game in the 2nd quarter with a concussion when he finished a tackle bouncing Rodger's head off of the turf. Back-up Matt Flynn took over for the Pack' and for a time looked to fill the void fairly well until he threw a huge interception to Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy in the end zone. 3rd string quarterback Drew Stanton did just enough to win the game for his team today tossing tight end Will Heller the ball on a well set-up and executed screen play that went for the games only touchdown, thanks in part to a great down field block by running back Jahvid Best. The Lions finally had a run game today gashing the Green Bay defense for 190 yds on 41 carries. It was great to see this team finally close out a game getting stops at the end when they needed to and not making the "same old" mistakes that us as Lions fans i'm sure were expecting to see. But those penalties never came, the bone headed mistakes never came and the Lions can and should feel good especially on the defensive side of the ball about their teams 60 minute effort today, i know this fan does. Detroit heads back out on the road next weekend to Raymond James stadium to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to try and get that ever elusive road win.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and get those shovels and snow blowers out people you're gonna need them tomorrow.

Drew in the D

Spartans Hold Of Gizzlies Down At The Palace-Osgood gets win # 399 Against The Devils

The Red Wings put in two early goals on Martin Brodeur to start on their way to a 4-1 win tonight in New Jersey. Pavel "En Fuego" Datsyuk was en fuego tonight recording another 3 point night with a goal and 2 helpers in the game. Pav's twin Henrik Zetterberg also had a multi-point night scoring a goal and recording an assist, Holmstrom and Cleary would also score on the greatest goalie of all time tonight. Not to be out done by his teammates Chris Osgood played in what was most likely his best performance this season stopping 33 of 34 shots and nailing down win number 399 of his hall of fame career. With this win Ossie brings himself with in one win of the exclusive 400 win club and now is just 5 wins away from passing Grant Fuhr and owning the 9th most wins in NHL history, i think its safe to say he will get there before the end of the season. The Red Wings will fly back to Detroit tonight and get ready to play the LA Kings Monday night down at the Joe when they will try to avenge the lose in OT they suffered out in la la land last week.

The Spartans avoid an upset to Oakland University in another out of conference road game down at the Palace of Auburn Hills, winning 77-76. The Grizz' gave MSU all it could handle never letting the Spartans build on a lead keeping it close to the final buzzer. Kalin Lucas led the way for his team scoring 25 pts and 5 assists, while Draymond Green had another solid game with 11pts and 5 assists. The team seemed to finally get control of their turnover problem during the game today only giving the ball up 8 times, although Lucas turned it over 5 times by himself. Little by little you can see this years team starting to gel and get more comfortable with each of their own roles on the floor, but they are a long way from being the pre-season #2 team and National Champion favorite that a lot of people had them at. 7-3 is a disappointing start to their season but im sure no one would argue that they have had one of the most difficult if not the most difficult out of conference schedules, playing all of their ranked opponents on the road. They have two more home games against Prairie View A&M and then against Texas before they open up the Big Ten season on New Years eve against Minnesota in East Lansing.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and congrats go out to one of the great Swedish players ever to play in the NHL, Marcus Naslund's #19 was retired in Vancouver tonight and very deservingly so.

Drew in the D

Wings Snap Their 3 Game Slide With A Win Against Original 6 Rival Habs

First off let me apologize for being missing in action for the last few days, with a nasty cold and finals this coming week i was a little distracted so i humbly ask for your forgiveness. Now onto the real business, Jim Howard put on another all-star showing tonight in his team 4-2 win over original six foe Montreal. The Red Wings big guns were on display tonight with Lidstrom, Kronwall, and "Magic Man" Datsyuk all scoring goals. Lidstrom got his team on the board and tied the game at one when he scored with 1.2 seconds left in the 1st on a 5 on 3 power play in the 1st period. Jim Howard was the big star for the Wings again tonight stopping 36 of 38 shots and stonewalling the Habs in the 3rd when they tested him on multiple occasions, including a spectacular glove save on a rebound from his behind. Howie has quietly become the goalie that every team wishes they could have and has had anything but a sophomore slump this season with 16-4-2 record and a .916%. The Red Wings will take the flight out to New Jersey tonight to take on the Devils tomorrow night at 7pm.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and GO GREEN in the Big Chill tomorrow

Drew in the D

Wings Go Duck Hunting In Anaheim

Jim Howard records his 2nd shutout of the season blanking the Ducks again this time in Anaheim 4-0. This wasn't cheapy either Howard stopped all of Anaheim's 41 shots on goal, with more then a few high light saves. Johan Franzen broke the ice scoring just 1:09 into the 1st period and the Wings would take that 1-0 lead into the 1st intermission. Anaheim come out strong in the 2nd carrying the play to Detroit and bulging their shot total to 25 to the Wings 10 mid-way through the 2nd. But the Wings picked it up and Homer found a juicy rebound off of a Zetterberg shot in front of the net and banged it home putting the wings up 2-0, and about 4 minutes later Cleary would deflect in his team leading 12th of the year giving his team a 3-0 lead at the break. The Red Wings played a solid third but the Ducks were still able muster 41 shots on net that Howard had to deal with and deal with them he did, always managing to find a way to get in front of the puck and keep his 2nd clean sheet of the season intact. It was self-admittedly not the teams best 60 minute effort but when you have number 35 between the pipes right now you don't have to be perfect every night. The Wings will take the short trip up to L.A. from Anaheim to take on the young and dangerous Kings tomorrow night at 10:30, looking for the sweep on this short 3-game road trip.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and maybe don't do the sing-along next time Rich Rod it's just not working.

Drew in the D

Wings Take A Bite Out Of The Sharks

The Euro Twins were in full effect last night in the Wings 5-3 win over San Jose at the Shark Tank. The Wings didn't waist time getting on the board first ,when Henrik Zetterberg recorded his first of 4 points on the night putting the puck on Cleary's stick for a tap in, giving Cleary his 11th goal of the year and his team a 1-0 lead. The it was Datsyuk's turn and once again he went all "Magic Man" splitting two San Jose defenders and fighting off a desperation hook to regain control of the puck and shot it past a sprawling Antero Niittymaki, making it 2-0 in favor of the Red Wings. Datsyuk and Zetterberg would combine for a total of 7 point on the night with Pavel recording a goal and 2 assist and Zetterberg scoring twice and getting 2 helpers on the night. Jim Howard just continues to be the solid-get the job done goalie that this team needs between the pipes with all the offensive talent that he has playing in front of him. He saved 25-28 shots and made a big save that lead to Zetterbergs 2nd goal on the night providing a big 2 goal swing in the 3rd period that made it a 3 goal game and basically sealed the win for the Wings. The Sharks scored late in the game to make the score a little more palatable for the home fans but they were never really in this one after giving up that early goal in the 1st period. The Wings will make the short trip up to Anaheim where they will get an extra day off and play Friday night at 10 pm est.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world

Drew in the D

Wings Take Both Games Of Their Home And Home Against Columbus

I was lucky enough to be in attendance for tonight's Red Wings 4-2 victory over the Blue Jackets and here is a shot of the national anthem. The Blue Jackets got on the board first scoring in the late stages of the 1st period taking a 1-0 lead into the break. The Wings would tie it up on Nick Kronwalls powerplay goal mid-way through the 2nd, followed 14 second later by Darren Helms roof shot to give the wings a 2-1 lead heading into the 3rd. Just 50 seconds into the 3rd Val Filppula slotted home his 6th of the season off of a great play from Bertuzzi and Franzen making it 3-1 Wings. The Jackets showed just how improved they are this year by not giving up and giving a good push back after the 3rd goal, eventually drawing a 4 minute high-sticking penalty that would turn into a 5-3 chance for 2:00 when Kronwall was called for holding. Thats when Jim Howard and the Wings penalty killers took over and shut-down the Jackets offense with Howie making big saves including a high light reel flashy left pad save to stop a sure goal for the Jackets. The Wings killed off all 6 minutes of penalties during that time bringing the home crowd to their feet who roared their appreciation. Columbus would score late on a powerplay to make it a one goal game with 1:30 to play but Dan Cleary would seal it back-handing in an empty netter for his 10th of the season sending the fans and yours truly home happy. The Wings will hope on their team plane tonight and head out to the west coast for a few games next week starting with a meeting with the sharks on Tuesday.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and here is to another great night down at the Joe love the energy down there every time i go.

Drew in the D

2010 Big Ten Co-Champion Michigan State Spartans

What else is there to say then what an amazing year it has been for Mark Dantonio and his Michigan State football team. It started with the late night drama in East Lansing when on 4th down in OT on a play called little giants they faked a field goal and passed it for a game winning touchdown. This win spring boarded them to an 8 game win streak including big wins over Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and North Western, all back to back games mind you. The team hit a big time road block in Iowa city getting dropped by the Hawkeyes 37-6 and handing the Spartans their first loss of the season. Thats when the questions about this teams heart and character and are they the same old spartans started to come up. But coach Dantonio and his team answered all those questions emphatically by winning their final three games including a big-time road win at Penn State, a place that they have not won at since 1965. It was a year of first for the Spartans which saw the first time they had beaten their big sister Michigan three times in a row, the first time the team has won 7 home games in a season, the first time the team won 11 games in the regular season in its history, the first time they have beaten Penn State at Penn State since they joined the Big Ten and the first Big Ten Title in coach Dantonio's regime. The way that the Rose Bowl birth will be awarded will most likely see Wisconsin making the trip out to Pasadena this year but the Spartans still have a good chance of getting a spot in one of the New Years day bowls thanks in part to the loss by the Boise State Frauncos last night in Nevada.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and Congratulations to Coach Dantonio, his coaching staff and his great team for winning the Big Ten title this season and thank you for all of the memories through out the season

Drew in the D

Wings Take The First Of The Home And Home In Columbus

Jim Howard was stellar tonight, playing a big role in his teams win against the Blue Jackets down in Columbus. A lot of fans (myself included) were wondering how Howard would bounce back from the loss he took in Atlanta, where he let in 4 goals before getting lifted during the 2nd intermission. He did more then bounce back he was absolutely dominant in the win tonight saving 34-35 shots with a .971 save % and making more then a few highlight reel saves on the night. Johan Franzen got the scoring started for the Red Wings netting his 10th of the season early in the 2nd period, Filppula would get the first assist on his goal. The Wings would get their 2nd goal of the game on a powerplay in the 3rd period when Filppula made a great give and go pass coming around the back of the net to one-time a shot in past Steve Mason for his second point of the game. The Wings were brilliant on the penalty kill tonight killing off all 5 of the Jackets opportunities with more then a little help from their All-Star goalie (yea i said it) Jim Howard. Howies best save of the night came in the 2nd period, when during a Columbus powerplay he went from right post to left post flawlessly to absolutely rob Jackets forward Jakub Voracek who thought he had a wide open 4x6. It was a solid win against the team that the Wings had been tied with at the top of their division and a good all around team performance on the road in a hostile environment against a quality hockey club. The Red Wings will play the Blue Jackets in the return leg of this home and home on Sunday evening at 5 pm at the Joe.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and i hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Drew in the D

Kalin Lucas, MSU Flex Their Muscles In Second Half-Thrashers Start Thanksgiving Celebration A Day Early

The Wings looked like they were thinking about all the turkey and stuffing they were gonna be eating tomorrow already instead of the game that they had to play down in Atlanta today. It started with the Thrashers scoring just 3 minutes into the game followed shortly there after by a short handed goal to put them up 2-0, Bertuzzi would score on a powerplay to cut the lead in half. Thats as close as it would get as the Thrashers and their goalie Ondrej Pavelec turned it up winning the game 5-1. It wasn't the Wings best effort by far and im sure Babcock wont let this kind of game happen to many more times if at all this season. The team will enjoy the holiday tomorrow with their families and get ready for the home and home they have starting on Friday with the Blue Jackets down in Columbus then hosting them on Sunday in the return game. 

It wasn't looking good at half-time when the Spartans were down 44-34 to Washington. The second half was much different with the normal Spartan defense taking over holding the huskies to 27 pts to their 42. Kalin Lucas had another banner day showing why he was the pre-season Big Ten player of the year, scoring a new career high 29 points. While im sure the team was disappointed about losing to Connecticut last night and not playing in the championship their coach Tom Izze says they are leaving a better team then when they come here. The Spartans take third place in the EA Sports Maui Invitational and leave Hawai'i with a 4-1 record. Michigan State will welcome Tennessee Tech to the Bres' at 1 pm this Sunday.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and just enjoy the turkey tomorrow folks, gobble gobble.

Drew in the D

Kemba Walker, UCONN Hands MSU Its First Loss Of The Season

For the first time in a long time the Spartans guards got out played in a game. Kemba Walker, point guard and star of the Huskies absolutely went off tonight against the Spartans scoring 30 points giving him his 4th straight game of scoring 30+ points. Walker finished with 30 points and 4 assists and carrying his team to the upset of #2 Michigan State and tomorrows Maui Invitational final. Draymond Green recorded another double-double scoring 22 pts with 12 rebs but in the end it wasn't enough to help his team win the game. The game was close up until the final possessions when Draymond missed to free throws and Kalin Lucas threw away the ball on an errant pass sealing the win for UConn. It was another game that i'm sure coach Izzo will be disappointed with his teams effort in but they have another chance to put it together for two halves when they take on either Kentucky or Washington tomorrow in the third place game of the invitational.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and it wouldn't hurt to work on passing the ball, 14 turnovers just wont cut it if you want to win a championship this year.

Drew in the D

Michigan State Makes It A Bit To Close Against Chaminade In Maui

#2 Michigan State survives a scare put into them by division 2 and host school of the Maui Invitational Chaminade, winning 82-74. Not only did the Silverswords hang with the Spartans they took a lead as large as 8 points in the first half. There were 4 ties and 8 lead changes in the first half of play and the Spartans looked like they forgot they had to beat Chaminade before they got to play Connecticut tomorrow. Chaminade came out hitting threes all over the court, shooting 53% from the field at the half and scoring 39 points on a normally stout Spartan defense which had just held South Carolina to 25 points in the first half of their last game. Michigan State took notice and came out in the 2nd half the way they should have started the game going on a 16-3 run to open up a double digit lead and they never looked back. While Chaminade never gave up in the game they just couldn't find away to get back into it and the Spartans sure weren't giving them any. Kalin Lucas lead the way for his team in the win scoring a career high 28 points and Draymond Green recorded another double-double this season, scoring 10 pts and grabbing 10 rebs. Coach Izzo will rally his troops and get them ready to take on Connecticut tomorrow in their semi-final match-up at 7 pm est.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world (wipes sweat from brow) that was to close, hats off to Chaminade see you at the big dance this year i hope.

Drew in the D

Lions Get Horse Collared In Dallas-Lidstrom, Wings win a thriller in OT

WINGS WIN!!!!!!!! The Red Wings finish off a great comeback on the Flames winning in overtime 5-4, thanks to their captain Nick Lidstrom. The Wings looked like they had broken their coaches cardinal rule of starting on time, falling behind Calgary 3-1 i the second period. But as they have been able to do lately they found away to battle back with Henrick Zetterberg scoring with 3.2 seconds left to send the game into overtime. It was all Wings in the extra period culminating in Darren Helm making a great centering pass to Lidstrom who made an even better play deking out Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff and tucking it in on the back hand for the game winner. Despite the slow start the Red Wings made it a great game to watch turning it on in the third with Datsyuk and Zetterberg scoring to keep their team in the game eventually leading to Z's 2nd goal that tied it up at 4. Red hot Danny Cleary was not only held without a goal in the game but left the game with what looked to be a shoulder injury near the end of the 2nd, hopefully it is nothing to serious that will cause him to miss an extended amount of time. All in all it was a great way to end the 6 game home stand taking 11-12 available points. The Wings will take to the road, traveling to Hotlanta to battle a much improved Thrasher team on Wednesday night.

The Lions lost their 26th road game in a row today, losing to the Cowboys 35-19. It was another typical Lions performance that ended just how it should have with them getting swept under the rug by the end of the game. Apparently though the NFL has instituted a new rule where it is only a foul if the Lions commit it. Numerous times today the officials called the Lions for illegal block in the back, but when the cowboys made similar plays later on in the game not only were they not called for the block in the back but the broadcast team showed on replay just what a great play it was. The worst penalty i have ever seen in my life was called today, when on a second down and goal play Ndamukong Suh made a big play in the back field clearly grabbing Marion Barber by his dreadlocks and pulling him down to the ground to set up what would have been a 3rd and goal from the 11. But remember kids its only a foul if the Lions do it, so predictably a yellow flag was thrown on the play and they ruled the Suh had used a horse collar tackle to bring down Barber. The call gave the Cowboys a new set of downs and an extra five yards which they took advantage of scoring a touchdown. The Lions get a few days to rest and regroup and then get to enjoy being the turkey on Thanksgiving when they will most likely get run out of their own building by the New England Patriots.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and go fuck yourself NFL officials

Drew in the D

Michigan State Keeps Big Ten Title, Rose Bowl Hopes Alive

It wasn't pretty today for Michigan State but they got the job done, beating a very game Purdue team 35-31 in Spartan Stadium. The Spartans looked good on their opening drive scoring to take a 7-0 lead, but the Boiler Makers would answer quickly with an 80 yard run by Keith Carlos. Purdue would score two more times to the Spartans one touchdown and a missed extra point to take a 21-13 lead at half-time. The 3rd quarter didn't go any better for the Spartans with them not being able to do much on offense and Purdue scoring making the score 28-13 heading into the 4th quarter. Thats when the game turned in the favor of Michigan State, when Purdue quarterback Rob Henry threw up a dead duck pass that was picked off by Chris L. Rucker which lead to a touchdown. Kirk Cousins would engineer three straight drives that resulted in a  touchdown including a two point conversion totaling 22 points in the 4th quarter alone. Cousins was very good today even while being injured for most of the game completing 28-37 with 276 yards and 3 touchdowns with only 1 interception. Mark Dell had a huge game receiving today catching 8 balls for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns. But once again it was the Spartan defense and special teams making big plays in crunch time that helped turn the game around for them today. Ruckers interception, then a blocked punt recovered on the 2 and Chris Normans late interception on a 4th down to seal the win for Michigan State. Now this team has a chance of a life time next Saturday when they travel to Happy Valley to take on Penn State for at least a share of the Big Ten title which would be their first since they shared it with Michigan in 1990.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and Go Green

Drew in the D

Is There Anything Suh Can't Do?...I Mean Seriously This Dude Is A Freak

Wings Lose A Close One In OT To The Wild

The Wings drop one to Minnesota in overtime tonight, losing 4-3. The Red Wings looked a little slow in the first half of the game tonight, but give the Wild full credit for pressing them and gaining a 2-0 lead mid way through the 2nd period. Darren Helm scored his first of the year with 30 seconds left in the 2nd making it a one goal game and giving the Wings life again. The Wings were all over Minnesota in the 3rd pushing them back in their defensive zone and drawing a penalty that Franzen scored on to tie the game up at 2. Then Patrick Eaves and the 4th line provided their 2nd goal of the night and the Wings 3rd, scoring to put them ahead in the late stages of the 3rd period. The Wild turned it up after the goal and found a way to score to send the game into overtime and then eventually would score to win it in the extra period. Wild goalie Jose Theodore was outstanding tonight recording 41 saves on the night while, to be honest Howie looked a little tired letting in 2 on his first 13 shots of the game and 4 over all. Jim Howard still looked very good at points of the game making big saves for his team but a soft goal in the 2nd and some bad rebounds hurt his team tonight. While its good for the Wings to get a point out of this game when they could easily not have i'm sure they are anything but satisfied with the outcome. But with one more game in this 6 game home stand they have gotten 9 points out of the available 10 with a chance to take 11 out of 12 when they play the struggling Flames on Sunday at 5pm down at the Joe.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and can someone get me in touch with the people who hired Matt Millen, seriously i need some job security like that.

Drew in the D

Green Big In MSU's 2nd Win-Wings Give St. Louis the Blues

The Red Wings explode offensively in the 3rd period to beat St. Louis 7-3, pushing their win streak to 4 in a row. The first goal of the game should have served warning to the Blues when goalie Jaroslav Halak in trying to clear a puck from in front of his net slapped it in his own net to put the Wings up 1-0. But the Blues had some fight tonight answering before the end of the first to tie the game at 1 going into the 2nd. Then St. Louis would take the lead on a Brad Winchester power play goal in the 2nd period, that would be their last lead of the game. The teams would go back and forth until with about 7 minutes left in the 3rd and the game tied at 3 the Wings decided it would be a good idea to score 4 goals in about 3 and a half minutes. The Blues were reduced to taking cheap shots and dirty play in frustration from the smack-down that the Wings had just put on them, taking runs at some of the Red Wings. Dan Cleary and Jim Howard were the top players out on the ice once again tonight with Cleary scoring 2 goals putting his season total at 9 which leads the team. Jim Howard...i mean what else can i say, Howie just gets the job done night in and night out when he starts for his team and let me stress that again HIS team. Howie is now 10-1-1 with a .921 save percentage, more importantly he comes up with the big saves when his team needs him to which is exactly what a team like the Red Wings needs out of their goal tender. It was great to see Jim get fired up at the end of the game, after making two flashy glove saves David Backes took offense and gave Jim's left arm a little slash so Howie calmly gave him an elbow to the teeth...classic. Wings get back to it on Friday night when the Minnesota Wild come to town.

Michigan State looked solid in their 2nd win of the season, beating South Carolina 82-73. The Spartans looked solid on both sides of the floor in the first half scoring 42 pts and only allowing 25. The 2nd half was a little different, the Game Cocks came out running a tough full court press that gave Michigan State problems in bounding the ball which caused some costly turn overs that resulted in points. The Spartans adjusted to the pressure by moving the ball out of their end quicker and getting it in the hands of their ball handlers. Draymond Green had a monster game recording a double-double , scoring 18 pts with 12 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 blocks. A bit of a scary moment took place in the last 5 minutes of the game when starting point guard Kalin Lucas went down grabbing his left ankle, the same foot that he sustained the season ending achilles injury last year on. There hasn't been an update on his condition yet but he looked to be ok on the sideline, most likely Izzo kept him out for precautionary reasons. On a lighter note Michigan State Big Man and Shakespearean actor Delvon Roe was performing in "As You Like It" before the game, playing Charles the wrestler in the production. He continued his performance on the court scoring 15 and grabbing 5 rebounds and a career-high 6 assists. The Spartans will rest up and pack their bags for their trip to sunny Hawaii for the Maui Invitational over Thanksgiving.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and ice that ankle Kalin

Drew in the D

Wings Beat A Hurt But Not So Tired Avalanche Team

The Red Wings move to 11-3-1 on the season downing the Av's 3-1 tonight down at the Joe. Todd Bertuzzi opened the scoring in the game sending a laser over Avalanche goalie Peter Budaj's shoulder making it 1-0 Wings on a power play. About 30 second into the 2nd period Lidstrom sprung Jiri Hudler coming out of the penalty box who skated in on Budaj and banked the rebound off the back of his leg for his 1st goal of the season giving his team a 2-0 lead. 5 minutes later Bertuzzi would back his way into the Av's zone and find a streaking Cleary who beat Budaj with a backhand that may or may not have taken a deflection off a defender on its way in, the 2nd would end with the Wings up 3-0. The Avalanche were playing the back end of a back-to-back tonight and they seemed to finally find their legs in the 3rd skating hard and forcing the Wings to take a few penalties including a to many men which lead to a 5-3 powerplay opportunity for them that they took full advantage of scoring to bring themselves to within 2 goals of the Wings. Thats when Jim Howard put his foot down and seemed to say "not tonight", Howie turned away 21 of 22 shots on the night including 8 big shots in the 3rd clinching the win for the Red Wings tonight and moving his record to 9-1-1 on the young season. The Wings have three more games at home in this current home stand including their next game on Wednesday with the red-hot St.Louis Blues.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and i hope all you Michigan State footballers enjoyed your week off its back to work on Monday.

Drew in the D