Three In A Row

...officially makes it a streak! Go Wings!!!

Okay, we're going to try something new here. If it sucks...well, no surprise there. But we're going to break it down by the periods.

First Period
Okay, coming into this game, who the heck would have predicted the first 5 minutes? I don’t mean the fact that 3 minutes in, Newbury gets his first penalty on his first shift as a Red Wing; I mean that a minute after Newbury's out of the box, he gets his first goal off a gorgeous feed by Draper (meant for Miller, but whatever). Not me, but I’ll take it. Of course, Newbury looked as shocked by it as the rest of the Joe did. He looked much more comfortable when he took another penalty just a couple of minutes later. Since the cameras got to spend so much time on him because of his surprising debut, I discovered that Newbury's real contribution was comic relief. He was cracking me up, just because he looks constantly either confused or like he’s about to cry. Maybe both. I actually think it’s just his face, though.

In summary, the first 10 minutes were a big improvement over our recent starts, and I'd like to see that continue in future games.

I also have to give a shout out to that shorthander by Eaves off a hell of a wrister. I’ve been begging for one of those for weeks now. And let me tell you, it felt damned good.
What didn't feel so good was the latest edition to our hit parade of injuries. Raise your hand if you vomited when Rafi and Dats had to help Ericsson off the ice. And for Phx to get a goal off it made it doubly nauseous. How do you not get a whistle when a guy is down in the fetal position and clearly not able to get up? Yes, I know the whistle doesn't have to blow until the Wings get possession, but that's really a call at the discretion of the refs. Which means the Wings get screwed. You're right. I should just expect that.

2^nd Period
Hearing that Ericsson was definitely out for the rest of the night did not get things off to a very good start, but thankfully the Wings seemed determined to keep up the pace for at least the beginning of the period. Actually, the pace was a little crazy at the start of the period. The back and forth was pretty intense. But honestly, the momnet that made me label the period crazy town was Meech's shot from the blueline that just skated right on past Bryzgalov's catching glove. I mean seriously. Meech?

Eaves threw down another impressive performance. I've really been happy with his play both on and off the 3rd line. Actually, I think a serious portion of our kids, call ups, and new signings have been making themselves quite valuable for us. It makes me think that I really do not want to be Kenny or Uncle Mike when the stars start coming back and it’s time to make some roster decisions.

You know, if we ever get everyone healthy.

3^rd Period
Damn, the 3^rd period was UGLY. But we came up with the win, which is the bottom line. I’m still waiting to see a full 60, though. The last 25 minutes saw way too much of us circling the wagons and waiting for the end of the game instead of moving forward and shoving the puck down the throat of the opposition. Which is, of course, what I want to see. What I don't want to see is all of the time chasing the puck instead of controlling it, or all of the time spent in our defensive zone. I spent a lot of the third yelling at the TV about it looking like we were on a penalty kill when we were actually at full strength. That needs to change. Clearly.

Anyway, that's how I saw it. I definitely like making it a streak, but I want to see that streak continue. Without further injuries, please.

I'm just sayin'.