MacDonald, Wings Shutdown The Blue Jackets In Columbus

The Red Wings 2-0 win tonight in Columbus stretched their win streak to 4 straight. Joey MacDonald played great for his team stopping all 37 shots he faced tonight for a well deserved shutout. Filppula made it two goals in as many games scoring on the power play tonight and Drew Miller scored in his return to the line up. It wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for the Wings tonight though. Pavel Datsyuk and Brian Rafalski both left the game with apparent injuries. Datsyuk seemed to avoid the brunt of Rick Nash's attempted hit, but still left the game after skating off the ice. Brian Rafalski was hit awkwardly by Antoine Vermette who slide right into Rafalski's right knee. Rafi immediately grabbed for his knee and was obviously limping off the ice. The early report out of the locker room is that Rafalski looks to be ok but Pavel might have picked up a lower body injury. Here is hoping that the team wont have to go without one of their star forwards for an extended period of time considering this is the time teams should be gearing up for the start of the playoffs which is rapidly approaching. Congratulations are in order for Mike Babcock who won his 300th game with the Wings tonight becoming one of three coaches including Scotty Bowman to win 300 games in their first 6 years with their team. The Red Wings will remain on the road for their next game when they take on the Preds Saturday night in Nashville.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and Happy St. Patty's Day Go Green!! Erin Go Bragh.

Drew in the D

Wings Get The Best Of Ovechkin, Capitals

I was lucky enough to be at tonights game between the Red Wings and the Capitals. It was a very competitive game between the two teams and very entertaining to watch as a fan of the game. Washington came into the Joe tonight riding a 9-game win streak looking to extend it and send a message that they are for real this year. To be honest i was almost more excited to the see The Great 8 in action than my team (almost). I had an opportunity to see Ovechkin live a few years ago but he ended up not playing due to an injury which was disappointing to say the least. I underestimated just how great he is as a player and the fact that he is playing more of a two way game these days makes him that much better in my opinion and it makes his team better which is probably more telling. Ovechkin's goal came on a one on one play where as soon as he got the puck and started skating up the ice against Stuart i said "uh oh" and no sooner had i said that the puck was in the net to tie the game at 2, wow is all i could say. Not to be outdone Henrick Zetterberg netted two goals in the game including the game winner on a vintage Zetterberg back hander over Michal Neuvirth's shoulder during a powerplay for the Wings in the 3rd period. In ending the Capitals win streak the Red Wings are now on a 3 game streak of their own and will try to keep it going tomorrow night n Columbus.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and welcome back Brian Rafalski with 3 assists and a +2 rating in tonights game. (hey i never knew colonel sanders was a wings fan.)

Drew in the D

The Nerazzuri Move To The Quaterfinals Of The Champions League In Style

The return leg of the Champions League between FC Internazionale Milano and Bayern Munich is why i love football so much. It was a pedal to the floor non-stop action match for both sides from the start. Samuel Eto'o brought the aggregate score level by putting in his teams first away goal amidst some controversy of whether he was offside or not in the 3rd minute of the match. Bayern answered and looked to be taking control of the game and on their way to the quarterfinals. That's when the defending European champs showed their class. Wesley Sneijder gave the Nerazzuri hope by scoring with plenty of time to find an equalizer that would put Inter through to the next stage, and Macedonian international Goran Pandev played the part of the hero scoring at the death to do just that on the away goal rule. This game was a pulse-pounding, attack minded affair between two teams that needed a win in it to help validate their current season. With Eto'os early goal the spot in the quarterfinals was up for grabs the entire 90+ and even after Pandev's top shelf strike in the 88th minute Bayern had a handful of decent chances to find their own winner, but came up short in the end. Inter's season has had its fair share of ups and downs this year, what with the change of managers early on and the injuries to key players they have had to battle through. But of late new manager Leonardo has the Nerazzuri playing as well as anyone in serie A and now his team looks to be regaining some of the magic they had last year in European competition just in time. 

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and get well soon Eric Abidal football/soccer fans around the world are praying for a safe and speedy recover for you.

Drew in the D

Pavel "Magic Man" Datsyuk Gets The GWG In Two Straight For The Wings

Can the Wing's #13 be any better? Pavel Datsyuk was at his best the past 2 games for his team, netting the game winning goal in both. Last night against Edmonton Pavel was shut down for most of the game getting double and even triple teamed at times by Oiler defense men. But as usual he finds a way through the defense of the opposition, as he took a pass in overtime and toe dragged around a sprawling Oiler player and snapped a shot into the back of the net for the GWG. Pavel was at it again tonight against the Blues with the game tied 3-3 in the 3rd period Pavel received the puck from Holmstrom along the boards and made two Blues hit each other as he slide in between them. Then he triple or quadruple deked by another Blue and beat Halak high blocker side for what would end up being the GWG. I mean this guy is just amazing he defies logic with some of the moves he makes and time seems to slow down or stop while he is working his magic. He is the magic man, the intellectual one, the greatest hockey player under the heavens. He is Pavel Datsyuk and he wears the Red and White #13 jersey for the Detroit Red WIngs.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world

Drew in the D

Not The Greatest Way To End A Road Trip-Liverpools Win Is A Win For Arsenal

It was a banner day for Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt today in his teams match against league leaders Manchester United. The Dutch international netted all three of The Reds goals today for his first hat trick  with the team and his first in any league since 2005. Liverpool had United on the back heel all day constantly attacking them at the back and putting pressure on their patch work defensive pairings. Even though Liverpool is still out of the top 4 of the league their defeat of United had huge significance on the EPL title race. By keeping the Red Devils from gaining any points from the match it opens the door for Arsenal to make up some points on United with the Gunners now only 3 points back. With 42 points and now being in the top 6 there is still hope for Liverpool of maybe somehow getting into the top 4 of the League and getting one of those coveted spots in the Champions League for next season.

Losing the last two games of a road trip including giving up a 3 goal lead in the 3rd period of last nights game in Phoenix isn't how the Wings wanted it to go. The San Jose game was a grinder with the Wings looking like a team that had just played the night before and the Sharks looking like a team that was waiting for that team. The Phoenix game started well enough with the Red Wings building a 4-1 lead though two periods, but something happened in the 3rd where they turned off and the Coyotes turned on. It started with another bone head play from Jakub Kindl when he decided it would be a good idea to give Helm a hospital pass in front of their own net while his goalie was behind the net. Needless to say the puck bounced over Helm's stick and right onto a forechecking Coyote for a gift tap in to an empty net. It wasn't the play that lost them the game, but when you have a team by the throat like the Wings did you dont give them anything especially a free goal like Kindl did. The team returns home to take on the Kings for the last time for the regular season on Wednesday night.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world

Drew in the D

Spartans Send Senior's Out In Style-Ducks Win It On A Dive

The Red Wings pick up a point in the overtime lose to the Ducks tonight. Jim Howard was great tonight stopping all but 2 shots in the game. Pavel Datsyuk scored once again tonight, banking in a shot off of Ducks tender Dan Ellis to take a 2nd period lead. Jason Blake would tie up the game early in the 3rd when he snapped the puck past Howard. The Wings had a great opportunity to win the game at the end of the 3rd period and in overtime on a powerplay but just couldn't get anything going and ended up losing the game on a penalty shot. Yes Bobby Ryan beat Howie fair and square but how about calling the dive stripes. I mean yes Salei flailed at Ryan but thats exactly what it was, he barely made contact with his stick on his arm which pushed him off balance and he acted like he got a two hander to the back of his knee. Call it sour grapes call it what you want to but thats kind of ridiculous when not only does the ref allow the player to embellish on the call but then the ref embellishes his penalty shot call. Seriously did you have to skate in front of the net and then wind up before you pointed to center ice? I think not. Oh and i dont know if you got the message Anaheim but if you are going to have a professional hockey team you might want to figure out how to maintain a professional level ice surface, get it together that shit is disgraceful. 

It definitely hasn't been the senior season that Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers were hoping for. But they ended their careers at the Breslin Center in winning fashion. The Spartans were able to get a little pay back on Iowa tonight who had beaten them in Iowa City when the Spartans were still ranked, by beating them 85-66. This game wasn't just about the fact that the team needed the win to help solidify their spot in the NCAA tournament. But rather showing the appreciation every Spartan player, fan, and alumni had for what this senior class helped the basketball team achieve in the past few seasons. 2 straight final four appearances and a Big Ten championship among the accomplishments that this graduating class helped bring to Spartan Nation. I for one have had a great time watching this team play together and help each other develop as players along the way to the accolades that they have earned. While Kalin and Durrell's future in the NBA is less than assured i hope that they can always look back with pride on the four years they spent here in Michigan, in East Lansing, as college basketball players, but most importantly as Spartans.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and congratulations to Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, and Mike Kebler on a great college career at Michigan State

Drew in the D

Wings Dethrone The Kings In LA In First Of 4 West Coast Games

After a 3 game stretch of not starting very well in games, the Wings got off to a great start in LA against the Kings. They conceded an early power play goal but quickly took back control of the game by scoring two quick goals and three over all in the 1st. I do have to say that i really like how the Kings are playing this season. They Play fast and hard and are fairly organized at the back playing a very strong defensive brand of hockey. But the Red Wings were a little to much for them on this night, after Pavel Datsyuk scored the Wings 4th goal the writing was on the wall, and it was all Detroit for the remainder of the game. The Wings had 6 goal scorers in total including Drew Miller who netted two in the game to help his team to a 7-4 win. There were three highlight reel plays that stuck out in my mind during the game tonight; one was Pavel "The Assassin" Datsyuk absolutely sniping his goal over Jonathan Quicks left shoulder on the power play, another was Darren "The Manitoba Missile" Helm's break away short hander that beat Quick five hole, and newly extended Jim Howards triple right pad save during a Kings power play in the second period. Speaking of Howies new contract, he gets extended for two years for $2.25 million a year to be Detroit's #1 goalie for the foreseeable future. The Red Wings will continue on this west coast swing now taking the short trip down to Anaheim to play the Ducks on Wednesday night.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and congratulations to Johan and Cecilia on the birth of their first child

Drew in the D