1458
OK, one last note... that makes two goals from mid-ice, though the empty net goal was actually scored from closer in than Lidstrom's! And a final tip of the hat to Ellis. Keep an eye on him, this was an incredible performance in the playoffs, and especially nice for a journeyman goalie who just got a starting job this year after several years in the league.
1454
And we're on to round 2. Let me say, I'm hoping sincerely for Dallas. Calgary and Anaheim are both the kinds of teams that are tailor made to upset us in the playoffs. And let me also say how much respect I have for live bloggers in hockey. This game is fast! You don't realize so much cause usually I'm just drinking beer, pacing, and shouting or making weird noises when the puck goes near the net. Actually forming thoughts and writing them down before something else happens is awfully tough. With that, siging off for the day. Have to be back to work in 4 hours. Can't wait for round 2!
1452
Icing on the cake. Mmmm.... delicious cake.
1444
OK, something has to be said. What the hell is with the shaving cream commercials with the scantily clad women flying up a dudes nose with jetpacks? What is this supposed to make me feel, apart from disgust?
1437
Have I mentioned yet in this blog how happy I am to see Chris Osgood in the game? I've had mydoubts in the past (and he's earned them) but he's really turned his game around. Not a knock on Hasek, but I think he's toward the end of his career, and how many times did he play 3 games in 5 days during the regular season? I know the conventional hockey wisdom is to pick a guy and stay with him through the playoffs, but this is not a conventional goalie situation. I still wouldn't rule out seeing Hasek in future rounds. And well rested and relaxed, I would welcome him.
1434
Detroit is staying aggressive. Which is a good sign. Like anything, as soon as you start playing "prevent" defense, you start preventing yourself from winning. So its good to see them continue to create chances. They just need to avoid getting too loose. This game is in hand without any breakdown.
1428
Just a quick note about the place I'm watching in. Its called "Pull Tabs" which I thought was a quaint reference to beer tops, which identifies a simple working class dive bar, likely to have cheap beer and lots of TVs. While that part was true, in fact it references the bizaare little cubby hole in which a dozen people are squeezed to play pull tab lottery games. Its the weirdest scene, like a little opium shack in the back of the bar. I remember working at 7-11 and seeing the weird attraction people had to scratch off tickets. This is far weirder.
1424
GOAL! Nice simple bingo bango as Mickey would say. Feeling very good about the game now.
1419:
Power Play. Unfortunately, Ellis still looks terrific. We need Downey to come out and give him a Riendeau a la Bob Probert.
1411:
Just for the hell of it, I'm live blogging the game. I just now was able to get to a bar where I could watch in West Seattle, and I worked until 7AM this morning (That's 10 for you East Coasters) so if I'm loopy, then you'll know why. As soon as I sat down NBC was BSing on their coverage so I went to the sportsline gamecenter and saw... a goal from mid ice? Seriously? I had to call my dad for an update to hear how it was scored. Shorthanded? Seriously? Not to make too big of a prediction, but if I remember correctly (questionable) this is how we *broke* Patrick Roy in a series where he had been stellar and then game up 6 goals in the game. I believe it was Lidstrom as well, taking a shot from just outside the blue line that blazed right past him, and the rout was on. Hopefully this marks the *breaking* of Ellis. God knows we need it.