Matt Gerwitz, Freelance Author of U. S. Sports Media, Inc
The Red Wings Steamroller Rolls On
6/2/2009
Author: Matt Gerwitz
U. S. Sports Media, Inc
On the eve of game three of the Stanley Cup Finals, it seems inevitable that the Detroit Red Wings will soon hoist hockey's most beloved trophy for the fifth time in twelve years. This team, like their championship predecessors, seems like a steamroller on ice, a "beat-down" machine that cannot be stopped. Oh, I had high hopes when the playoffs started, but those hopes began to fade as the opponents fell one by one. First it was Columbus who went down, and without much of a fight mind you; Anaheim followed, almost pulling off the victory by taking the Wings to seven games; then came the Chicago Blackhawks who didn't play as well as the statistics indicate.
So here we are, Detroit leading the Penguins 2 games to none as the series heads to Pittsburgh. Sigh.
Look, I'm not a Detroit hater by any means. God bless 'em - they consistently play great hockey year in and year out and contend for the Stanley Cup. Winning the Cup is what it's all about, so the Red Wings are doing their job. I guess I just wish that other organizations would learn from the Red Wings' example and put a better product on the ice. Although I have my own favorite team to root for there is one thing I greatly admire about the Detroit organization, and that is their ability to adapt.
The team of today does not play the same style of hockey as the 1997 team that ended a 55 year championship drought in the Motor City. Back then it was built on speed and deadly accurate shooting. The Russian Five skated circles around opponents while finding the net with apparent ease. Detroit dispatched St. Louis, Anaheim, Colorado and Philadelphia to win it all, with the most impressive feat being the two sweeps against the Ducks and Flyers. The speed and finesse game continued for a few years while the team had the players to do it, but as those players left and were replaced, the team adapted to their new crew.
The 2009 Red Wings aren't necessarily the fastest skaters in the league, but they are among the most disciplined. They choke off center ice like nobody's business, not allowing the opposition to mount a sustainable offense. Henrik Zetterberg is doing a masterful job blanketing Sidney Crosby, and the whole Detroit defense is protecting the net as though they were all goalies. In the offensive zone the wings have a punishing fore check that dares the Penguins to stop them. They shoot early and often knowing that getting the puck to the net will eventually produce goals.
So what about Pittsburgh? I am as disappointed with them as I have been with the rest of Detroit's opponents. They live or die on the backs of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, which is not such a bad thing in the less-than-tough Eastern Conference. But going against the Red Wings they've discovered what it means to be battered and slammed for sixty minutes of hockey. And like Columbus, Anaheim and Chicago before them, they have played timid in both of the first two games.
If the Penguins hope to mount a comeback series win, they need to understand that skate and shoot isn't going to cut it. They need to be just as aggressive, just as stifling at center ice, and just as willing to play hard hitting hockey. They need to play the entire game the same way they played the final four minutes of Sunday's loss. They need to adapt, or the steamroller will finish its job quickly.
Source: http://www.HockeyWeeklyNews.com, U. S. Sports Media, Inc
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- You Can Watch NHL Hockey Games Online - Can I View Hockey TV On PC
- The New, High Scoring NHL?
- Why Every Nhl Fan Should Have an Nhl Jersey
- History Of NHL Jerseys
- Autographed Nhl Memorabilia: What to Look for and Why you Should Get it
- Why Getting a Custom Made Nhl Hockey Jersey is a Good Idea
- Do Nhl Betting Strategies Work?
- Nhl Tickets - a Brief History




Washington Capitals Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Washington is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of USA. Basically, Washington was found to be in the western part of the Washington territory. This was ceded by Great Britain and that too in 1846 by the treaty of Oregon. However, this state was admitted in the year 1889 and also, this state was admitted as the forty second state. This state was admitted as fort second state in 1889 to its union.
Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Toronto is the word that is well known by many of the people round the world. Toronto is the city, which is not only popular in the Canada but also in the world. The location of the Toronto is on the southern Ontario in the northwest direction. In this state the population found as per the latest survey is around 3 Million, out of which 2.5 million are simply resident.
Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Hockey is basically a game well known all around the world but, ice hockey is not so in comparison. However, ice hockey is a famous game played and entertained by many in western countries. There are certain rules to be followed in each and every game to make it entertaining and so do this game, ice hockey have certain rules. There is restriction laid by NHL for twenty players out of which there should be only eighteen players in the game and rest may be substitute.
Pittsburgh Penguins Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Pittsburgh is the second largest city in Pennsylvania which is located in the United States of America. It is a county seat of Allegheny County. The population of Pittsburgh is around 334,563 and till now it is estimated to have decreased to 312,819. The population of the metropolitan area consisting of Pittsburgh is around 2,462,571. Pittsburgh ranks 25th in the country in case of substantial economic jobs while it stand sixth in case of job density.
Philadelphia Flyers Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Philadelphia, being the largest city in Pennsylvania, ranks the sixth in the list of most populous cities in United States of America. The population of the city is approximately 1.4 million while the population range of greater Philadelphia which is a metropolitan area is around 5.8 million.
Ottawa Senators Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009Ottawa is a state of Canada, being clearer it is the capital of Canada. In the province of Ontario, Ottawa is a municipality. It is situated in the Ottawa valley which is in the eastern part of Southern Ontario. Ottawa is located on the banks of Ottawa River specifically on the Southern part.
New York Rangers Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009If you are the one who watches national geographic channel then you may know that New York is the most populous state in United States. It is also one of the most well known places in the world. It is surrounded by New Jersey as well as Pennsylvania to the south, and Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east. It has also got marine neighbors like the Rhode Island and some international neighbors like Canada to the west and the north.
New York Islanders Tickets
By: Robert E. Wright | 06/12/2009New York ranks third in case of most populous cities of United States. It is also one of the most well known places in the world. It has also got marine neighbors like the Rhode Island and some international neighbors like Canada to the west and the north. New York City is the most famous and well known city in New York State.
Red Wings Steamroller Rolls On
By: Matt Gerwitz | 03/06/2009 | HockeyOn the eve of game three of the Stanley Cup Finals, it seems inevitable that the Detroit Red Wings will soon hoist hockey's most beloved trophy for the fifth time in twelve years.
MLB Weekly Capsule
By: Matt Gerwitz | 01/06/2009 | BaseballMajor League Baseball found itself in the midst of discipline issues again this week, having to deal with an outburst from Carlos Zambrano on Wednesday night. Zambrano's Cubs were playing host to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a game they went on to win 5-2.
NASCAR Weekend Report 5/25
By: Matt Gerwitz | 27/05/2009 | Sports & FitnessLowe's Motor Speedway was the setting again this week for NASCAR's top two series, The Nationwide and the Sprint Cup, while the Camping World Truck series took the weekend off.
NASCAR Weekly Report
By: Matt Gerwitz | 19/05/2009 | Sports & FitnessSmoke was on fire Saturday night at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the NASACAR Sprint Cup Series' annual all-star race.
MLB Weekly Capsule
By: Matt Gerwitz | 19/05/2009 | BaseballThe steroid issue once again reared its ugly head this week with Roger Clemens making a Tuesday appearance on ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning, and Manny Ramirez addressing his Dodgers teammates on Friday afternoon.
Hello Minnesota, My Name is Brett
By: Matt Gerwitz | 12/05/2009 | FootballIt's mid-May and Spring is in the air; the grass has had its first mowing, the magnolia tree in my yard has bloomed, baseball is fully under way....and NFL fans have begun a ritual that has become an annual rite of Spring - speculating about whether or not Brett Favre will play again this fall.
NASCAR Weekend Report
By: Matt Gerwitz | 11/05/2009 | Sports & FitnessThe track nicknamed "The Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" hosted NASCAR's top two series over the weekend, adding to its reputation of being a track that puts drivers right on the edge.