Where there's a will there's a way. (Wings 3, Wild 2)

That was scary. (Who else out there literally gets angry at the television when this team is down anymore? I've started going into every game expecting the lead, expecting the win. It's nerve-wracking and awesome and exciting and it says a lot about what a joy the Red Wings are this season.)

But like I said, that was scary. Lackluster first and second, worrisome effort overall despite Dominik Hasek making several brilliant saves on Marian Gaborik (none of which threaten to send him flying this time), and the Wild were up 2-1 with mere minutes to go, but just as you think it's over, Mr. Clutch pulls through.

Thanks, Dan Cleary. (And thanks, sound guys at the Joe.)

41 wins.
86 points.
17 points above Dallas.
27 games left.
GO WINGS.

(Following tonight's game, Wild fan Kirsten is divorcing Brett Lebda after OT game winner - she even devoted a post to him with some beautiful artwork and notes on the game as well.)

Playing Catchup

Red Wings:

Friday night the Wings played Minnesota - I had to work Bronco Hockey, but Kirsten kept me up to date (I have a feeling it pained her to do this; sorry about that) on scores so that I could let my whole section block know we blanked them 5-0. The story of the game should have been Henrik Zetterberg's hat trick, but instead it as crazy-as-ever Dominik Hasek and his ridiculous trip on Marian Gaborik. I think he's gotten bored not being able to do that move yet this season. I'd be remiss if I didn't post it because, well, it is certainly hilarious:

Nice to see he's got his confidence back.

Sunday afternoon the Wings took on the Carolina Hurricanes at home for the first time in years. The sheer amount of red on the ice was a little overwhelming and I was working on a Logic exam at the same time so I didn't take a lot of notes. Valtteri Filppula scored a nice goal that Cam Ward actually helped him out with and Jiri Hudler had a career-high three point night (all assists). Says Babcock of my rookie: “He’s been getting better and better. Each night that I watch him he seems to be growing with confidence with the puck. … He’s got a bright future.”

The game was a seesaw for the first two periods, but the Wings pounded it home in the third, resulting in a 5-2 victory and keeping this stat alive: besides an overtime victory in Game 1 of the 2002 Stanley Cup finals, the Carolina/Hartford franchise hasn’t won in Detroit since beating the Red Wings 3-0 on November 14, 1989. Interesting.

This evening (as I type) the Wings are taking on Nashville - check back post-game for a recap.

Bronco Hockey:

I haven't been keeping with the updates a lot thanks to the fact that, well the record hasn't been stellar. This past weekend, however, we took on the Wayne State Warriors (and defenseman Phil Partyka who I went to highschool with - huh.) in a weekend series of (unfortunately) non-divisional play. The Broncos shone, winning Friday's game 5-2 and Saturday's 5-1. I hear from the players that it's the first time they got to go out after a game in, well, quite a while.

The next Bronco Hockey game is Tuesday December 18th against the US World Junior Team, whose final roster was just announced, before they head off to the Czech Republic. We've been promised a staff autograph session, so if anyone's interested in any particular team members (including James VanRiemsdyk) let me know and I'll see what I can do for you.

The Broncos are looking up lately - backup goalie Jerry Kuhn, who made some spectacular saves this weekend, was recognized as the CCHA Rookie of the Week, and the team just got signed letters of intents from four new recruits - Culhane's not particularly known for his recruiting ability, but they sound sturdy enough. I suppose we'll see come next season.

In other news...

It's great to hear that Boston Bruins star forward Patrice Bergeron is feeling a bit better and making a trip back home to Quebec City. It sounds like he's improving every day and keeping up hope that he'll be back yet this season:

"I'm improving these last few weeks, like I say, and in my heart I want to get back, too," he said. "So I believe it's an achievable goal to get back this season. We'll see what happens."

We wish him the best and would love to see him back - hopefully things will only continue to get better from here on out.