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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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 Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: 2nd annual Detroit OTP gathering: Wings vs Hawks 04/06/2008 |
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I bought 5 tickets to this tilt about a month ago, but two of my Dad's friends couldn't make it. Skip and my Dad's friend Bob filled in admirably and joined my Dad, my girlfriend and I for the game.
The day started bright and early at 7:30am for the 4 hour drive. The border was backed up a bunch and the guards were asking plenty of questions when we crossed. Contrast that to coming home when we drove up, the guard simply said "Hockey game?", we responded yes, and then he just nodded and we went through 
We found parking and arrived at Cobo Joe's at about 11:30. Jules, Skip's favorite server, served us and was friendly. She had served us before but I didn't realize who she was at the time. She looked like she had had a rough night the night before, or she really doesn't like Sunday afternoon games If you're ever at Cobo Joe's get the onion rings for sure. Jules was ultra-friendly with Skip this time around Skip was certainly surprised, as she hadn't been this friendly the past few trips. Skip, Jules and I had the customary pre-game Jager shots and then headed over to the Joe for the game.
I think we were all surprised at the atmosphere at the Joe. It was a meaningless end-of-the-regular-season game with nothing on the line but pride, but the atmosphere was great. Everyone seemed excited and there were plenty of Blackhawks fans at the game and everyone was friendly with each other. Lots of Chicago Chelios jerseys. Unfortunately, he wasn't in the lineup for this contest.
We walked in and found our seats. Not the greatest seats, but still a great view of the game. My girlfriend, who had only been to my games and one OHL game(see the goalie races thread), was amazed at just how big the rink was, and how many people were there. They presented the Wings' 4th President's Trophy in the past 6 years to Captain Nick Lidstrom. Then the game was ready to go.
Chelios, Rafalski, Samuelsson, Draper, Maltby, Drake, and Stuart were out for Detroit. Babcock was mixing up the lines throughout the game. Helm, McCarty, Abdelkader, Meech(back on D), and Ericsson were all dressed).
The first period had a decent start to it. The Wings got on the Hawks early and Chicago took an early penalty. The Wings got on the board first when McCarty did some good work along the boards in Chicago's zone and fed a perfect pass in front to Happy Hudler for his first goal in forever. The line of Helm, Hudler and McCarty played an excellent game. Helm in particular was showing his speed and ability along the boards. His hands looked better than I expected. The Wings had some great chances in the first, with some scrambles and the Bulin Wall coming up with some good saves.
Again the atmosphere of the game was surprising. The crowd was much livelier throughout the game than I expected. My girlfriend was surprised at the crowd and especially at the speed of the game. TV just doesn't do the NHL justice. It's amazing live.
Skip gave Anam and I a complete tour of the Joe during the first intermission. We got to see Skip's usual seats and met his beer man Joel. Whoever was supposed to have Skip and his buddies' season tickets didn't show up
The second period was a bit more sluggish than the first, but Detroit still had some chances, as did Chicago. Detroit took a 2-0 lead late in the second-period on a perfectly executed 5-on-3. Detroit closed in on the middle of the ice and forced Chicago close to the net, Lidstrom fed it to Hudler at the left side of the net, moved in and then took the return pass for a one-timer on Bulin's glove side from inside the top of the circle.
The third period was the best of the game. Chicago came out with some good pressure and then forced the Wings into a penalty early. Detroit had a great kill and then increased their lead from the dreaded 2-goal 3rd period lead that they've blown a few times this season. Bulin went to play the puck and played it right to Hartigan. He tried to get back in the net, and Chicago's defender tried to block the shot but Hartigan was patient, moved around the top of the crease to get a clear shot and then put it in. Detroit scored another PP goal where they gained the zone, dropped the puck for Lidstrom, crashed the net quickly and then Lidstrom let the shot go and it tipped in off of a Chicago defender. 4-0 Wings. Hawks managed to get one by Hasek on a PP when Kane picked up a rebound and buried it.
It was a better game and a better atmosphere than any of us expected, and as Skip said when we were walking away from the rink, "There isn't a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at a hockey game". It was a great game and a great day. It was a Sunday afternoon, so the post-game shananigans consisted of stopping by Cobo Joe's to use the can before heading home 
It would have been nice to see Datsyuk hit 100 points and Filppula 20 goals, but it wasn't to be. Datsyuk still had some amazing steals in the offensive zone and had a decent game.
As usual, it was great to see Skip, actually see a Wings game with him, and he was a class act as usual.  My girlfriend had a lot of fun at her first game, the Wings are now 5-0 when I'm in attendance, and we went into the playoffs on a winning note against a team that has given us fits all year long. It was a great way to spend a Sunday
I'll post a picture of the 5 of us soon.
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Bring back the old OTP!
Last edited by Bosc Ulrich II on Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:39 am; edited 1 time in total |
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US679 Part Deux
Morally Bankrupt Scum
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 407
Location: Milton, Ontario
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:57 am Post subject: |
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Awesome Jeff.
So I guess this means, no atomic wedgie for Saskhab
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| US679 Part Deux wrote: |
Awesome Jeff.
So I guess this means, no atomic wedgie for Saskhab |
Chicago isn't in the playoffs, so it's not really necessary. If you want to for your own purposes, go right ahead!
_________________
Bring back the old OTP!
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Bosc Ulrich II
OTP Resident Historian
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 2441
Location: Your own blue line!
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:48 am Post subject: |
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Oh ya. Scare of the day went to Dan Cleary, when he deflected a puck into his own face. He was already using the football-helmet jaw thingie because of his busted jaw, so that meant the puck might have gone in their and gotten an eye or something. No blood, and he skated off under his own power, headed down the tunnel and then returned after a few minutes.
Hasek almost pulled another one of his sliding takeouts but it was offside.
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Bring back the old OTP!
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RW
Distinguished Gentleman of the Post
Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 251
Location: Seat 10, Row 8, Section 226B
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: 2nd annual Detroit OTP gathering: Wings vs Hawks 04/06/ |
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| Bosc Ulrich II wrote: |
| Jules was ultra-friendly with Skip this time around Skip was certainly surprised, as she hadn't been this friendly the past few trips. Skip, Jules and I had the customary pre-game Jager shots |
I guess Jules got over the ex-stripper bartender.
Excellent story Jeff. I really enjoyed getting together with you and your dad again. It was also nice to meet Anam and Bob too. I'm glad you enjoyed seeing my Joe Louis / Detroit atmosphere. We will have to make this an annual event.
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"The greatest victory a man can win is victory over himself."
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi |
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