I still can’t believe it happened. Robert Lang, who has been invisible for the entire series, slips in alone and puts one past the rock steady Nabby to tie the game with 34 seconds left in regulation. Nabby, who made 46 saves in another heroic performance, fell to the ice and looked to the rafters in disbelief. Did this really just happen?? And Robert Lang of all Wings? Unreal.

Detroit stole Game Four and all it would have taken was 39 seconds. That’s it. Five more seconds of penalty kill in the 2nd period. 34 more precious ticks of the clock to go up 3-1 in the series and it’s lights out Motown. Instead, it is gut check time. The Sharks need to dig deep to pull this off. Detroit has all the momentum. They won two games they had no business winning. By all accounts, this series could very well be over. Instead, we will see what the team is made of….and I’ll tell you what. I don’t think it is a bad thing. Let me tell you why.

The Sharks are the most talented team in the playoffs. I still believe that. Doug Wilson put all the pieces in place to win a Cup this year. He added my invaluable namesake, Can’t Stop the Grier, and penalty killer Curtiss Brown. At the deadline, he pulled the trigger on Rivet and Guerin. These upgrades were made to improve a team that had already flexed its playoffs muscles and won 22 playoff games since 2004, more than any other team in the NHL. Yet, this stat means nothing without the big prize and we all know you can’t get to Lord Stanley without some major obstacles in your path. This is the Sharks test. Stand up tall, look each other in the eye and get it done. Here are three ways how.

1) Don’t take your foot off the gas. When you get the lead, keep applying pressure. Sitting back and letting the Wings pepper Nabby with 50 shots will not win a series.

2) Ron Wilson – Please stop changing the lines. Stick with what got us here. Separating Clowe-Bernier-Goc broke up our second best line. Stop moving them around and roll the four lines that were successful in the 2nd half of the year.

3) Marleau and Guerin. Time to show up boys. Moving them around isn’t going to help. Let them be and figure it out. If they don’t, there is no one to blame other than two big guns that have been shooting blanks all series. Put them back together (if Guerin still has a face) and I believe they will have a big Game 5. They have been called out and these All Star performers will not disappoint again.

I still believe and so should you. Is this a real series? Yes. Have the Wings proven to be a more worthy opponent than I expected? Yes. I stand by my statement of rather having the Wings first. I’m sure Mike would agree, with the Sharks playing at 60% we are 2-2 with the Wings. The Ducks would have swept us by now. We will come out bigger, stronger and better. There is no free ride to the Cup. This is a not a bad thing – it will make us stronger if we get throught this. If the Sharks get past Detroit, Anahiem should be shaking in the pond.

Arthur King of the Britains had the Killer Rabbit. We have some Nasty Octapus. But we will reach the Grail, I have no fear. Just a flesh wound friends, just a flesh wound.

Words fail me.

Cue the references to the ‘flip side of the coin’ and all that. Almost a mirror image of Game 2. Wings came out hot, early lead, and let it slip away, mostly due to dominant work in the corners by the Sharks. And a really bad slew-foot penalty by Bertuzzi. Although that was after the go-ahead goal, it really took the wind out of the Wings’ sails. A 6-on-5 Wings advantage would not have been fun for two minutes, or at least a minute-thirty. Instead, the Wings had to kill the penalty, on which the Sharks had good puck possession, then try to turn it around in 30 or 40 seconds, with the crowd on their feet, hopefully providing that final boost of adrenaline to the Grier line.

Joe was dominant. On a 6-game point streak now, he was double-shifting most of the third period, trying to tire out Draper and Lidstrom, and then create scoring chances once they were off the ice. Nobody other than Bertuzzi is really big enough to muscle Joe off the puck along the boards. And it didn’t seem like Bertuzzi was really playing much of a game. So bad, in fact, that E.J. Hradek is saying that the Wings should scratch him for Game 4. I can’t imagine them doing that, but Holmstrom is reported to be on his way to SJ in order to suit up.

Playing Homstrom is a risk, but down 2-1, it’s one the Wings have to take. It’s great to have a player with heart that will play through injuries, but do you want a player that’s not fully healthy? Just like Cheech wasn’t the rest of the Nashville series, and probably even now. I guess Holmstrom’s real asset is to stand in the front of the net and create havoc, and his injury is (supposedly) an eye injury, so he may be close to 100% right away. But not being able to see a booming Lidstrom shot from the point could be hazardous to your health.

One last note- I sure hope Guerin is giving ‘locker room leadership’ or ‘playoff know-how’ or some of that shit, because he sure ain’t doing squat on the ice. Shooting from every possible angle is great and all, but after a while it starts looking like the lazy way out.

I sure wish my Treo took better pictures, but oh well. Here’s one of the crowd after Cheech’s goal, about as loud as I’ve ever heard it in there, with a sea of white towels.

Tough game, tough loss. One good thing, I don’t think the Sharks took the early lead for granted this time, they way they did in game 1. They produced quality scoring chances throughout the game, and the Thornton line in particular was very troublesome for the Wings D.

But they didn’t score, and that reduced the margin for error to a razor’s edge. Which went the other way in the 3rd on a couple of bad giveaways.

Random thoughts:

• Get Bell out of there. I know he’s supposed to be a physical presence and all that, but he was pretty much invisible. I’d rather have Pavelski’s skill then Bell’s (occasional) physical play. Clowe can take care of the rough stuff, and he’s got decent hands. Bell’s puckhandling is painful to watch.
• The officiating seemed really bad. There were some non-calls on both sides that didn’t make sense. Especially when the McLaren and Bertuzzi calls seemed ticky-tack. Didn’t decide the game, but it still sucked.

Apropos to nothing- what’s up with all the people that stand up in the crowd when the puck gets near? They turn around, on their cell phones, and wave. If you’re playing a truckload of cash for a playoff seat and the jagoff in front of you stands up to wave for his mom, doesn’t that deserve a beating?

I’m disappointed, Wings fans, not chastened. I picked the series to go 7. Which isn’t to say I wouldn’t be thrilled to see the Sharks go back to Detroit up 3-1 like the Nashville series.

Will the come from behind victory by the Red Wings haunt the Sharks for the remainder of Round Two?

Will this game go down as “the one that got away” by Sharks fans across the Bay Area?

My answer is, simply, no.

Relax Sharks faithful. Remember, we lost Game Two to Nashville in more embarrassing fashion than this afternoon’s loss. I thought the Sharks did some things well today. We dictated play for the first period and the score could have been easily 4-0 if not for Hasek’s friend “the post”. Even after the Sharks lost the lead, I thought they had control of the third period. A blunder by Nabby on an attempted clear proved to be the decider. I agree with Mike – Mark Bell needs to sit and Pavelski should return. Other than that one change (which I don’t think Ron Wilson will make) there is no need to panic. Both teams played good, solid hockey and this day happened to belong to the Wings.

We got what we wanted – one in Motown. The Tank will be jumping and Shaved Ice will be there. I don’t think there’s any tickets Puckheads, not like a Red Wings game where you can walk up and buy a $90 nosebleed.

I’m not worried. I’m not even sweating. This game will not be remembered. There is something magic in the Bay Area water right now. The Warriors have the Dallas Mavericks on the ropes. The Giants had an eight game win streak. Even the 49ers had a good draft today.

“The one that got away” will be a minor speedbump on our road to the Cup.

P.S. If we put video of that fat man waving an octupus over his head in a time capsule, people in 400 years will think the Puckheads of Detroit were the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Wait – there’s going to be no Detroit in 400 years. Global Warming. Al Gore told me so.

Random thoughts on the game:

• Bertuzzi has really lost something. He was a one-man wrecking crew when he had the breakout season in Vancouver, then whole Steve Moore thing and a panoply of injuries. It’s strange to see Jiri Hudler being more physical in the Sharks zone than Bertuzzi. Maybe he really is rattled about the Moore incident, and can’t conduct his game with the same nasty edge as before.
• Big Joe looked nervous at first- man, he sure had a bunch of give aways right at the beginning, didn’t he? But settled down quite a bit in the 2nd and 3rd periods. Would have been nice to see him rush through the neutral zone a bit more.
• Vlasic- does anything bother this kid?

Funny, even though the score was 2-0, the big problem for the Sharks was offense. They seemed to retreat a bit into their shell after the 1st, and not pursue dump ins as aggressively, if at all. There were few attempts to carry the puck into the zone, something Michalek and Marleau are fairly adept at. This will increase the number of our power play chances, because Detroit is disciplined, and will not take penalties in the offensive zone.

The defense had a similar strategy against Nashville. Detroit is an even better possession team than Nashville, and the D’s job was to keep them on the boards, block shots, and not let any passes through the middle. I give an A+ in this regard. There were a couple of fat rebounds, but the coverage was stellar, not allowing clear shots. The redirect that Lidstrom missed was really the only uncontested open chance I remember. Every other scoring opportunity Nabby was nice and square. It was so good I’m not sure how much of an impact Holmstrom would have had. On several occasions Cleary or Bertuzzi were camped out, but no pucks got through.

No doubt game 2 will be a lot different. If the over-under is 5.5, I’ll take the over.

Now, now. I know hockey is new to us ignorant Cali-forn-i-a folk. We don’t know anything about hockey. We just like to wear buttless chaps, make sourdough bread bowls and watch our beloved Sharks while sipping fine Napa Valley merlot. Let’s get it straight Motown. I’m certainly smart enough to realize this series has only just begun but……ah, hell…..I can’t resist.

HOW ABOUT THEM SHARKS???

I’m not going to gloat or boast or dress up in my teal thong and ride down the Castro into a rainbow of hockey happiness. That would be dumb because we still have to whip your ass three more times. It is going to happen. Just like we said. The Sharks are bigger and stronger. The Sharks defense is better. And the Sharks had one power play and, guess what Puckheads, they scored. Just like Mike and I said they would.

I could continue to berate you Puckheads, but I’m showing uncharacteristic restraint. Maybe it’s the Girl Scout in me? Maybe it’s the case of Jack Daniels I just drank? Maybe it’s because I have to get up early to help Dominick Hasek close his five hole….

I just wanted to make sure we have your full attention Motown.

Our friend in Motown has spoken again and made some valid points. He calls our beloved Sharks “The Team We Don’t Speak Of”. A clear sign of fear, admiration and, dare I say, jealousy. Let’s break down this series, shall we?

PLAYOFF EXPERIENCE
Detroit fans can recite this mantra until they are blue….I mean red….I mean blue in the face. “We have Cup experience. We have players who know how to win. We have delicious hot spiced apple cider.” These may all be true, but the Sharks have been a team on the rise for three straight years now. They have won four playoff series from 2003-2007 with this core group of players in comparision to the Wings who have won two playoff series. “BUT WE WON THE CUP” you Puckheads will say. Yes, yes you did. But those players aren’t there anymore. Hull and Luc are drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon on a moose farm with Paul Coffey. The old farts you still have are a shell of their former selves. Hasek is one split away from another groin tear….more on this painful sack strain later.

THE BATTLE OF THE BLUE LINES
The Sharks have better defensive defensemen. This is a fact. Hannan is a shutdown blueliner who will get most of the time against the Wings top line. McLaren, Rivet and wonder-kid Vlasic are beyond steady. The Wings have the two best offensive defensemen in the league. I admire them, I really do. Chelios is still functioning, god knows how. After that, I am not afraid. “BUT YOU CLEARLY HAVEN’T WATCHED THE WINGS PLAY. THEY ARE GOOD. THEY ARE GOOD” you Puckheads will say. Um…I have. I wasn’t impressed with how Calgary played offensively. They made the Wings look good with the fact that they are completely “Corky” on the road. Playfair should be fired, by the way. I think I saw Sutter vomit in his mouth.

THUNDER JOE – MVP
The Wings will be unable to stop Thunder Joe. They will be unable to deal with the size of the 220 pound ++ Sharks forwards. Joe will dominate but the difference in this series will be the line of Bernier/Clowe/Goc. Remember those names, Puckheads. They are going to make your life miserable the next two weeks. I don’t need to fill you in on who these babies are….you will know them soon enough.

Now for my three predictions.

1) Hasek will injure himself sometime in the first three games and not return for the rest of the series. He will later be arrested for betting on the World Championships with Rick Tocchet.

2) The Sharks power play (#2 in the NHL) will find its groove again versus the Wings. The Sharks struggled against the Preds (the #3 PK team), but it just didn’t matter…did it? We whipped their ass anyways, power play be damned. There’s no way the leagues second best PP can be on ice forever.

3) The Sharks will win in six. Sharks/Ducks live out the movie California Dreamin: Ron Wilson’s Revenge. All you Puckheads will be crying in your Eastern time zone beers, talking about the glory days and how San Jose hasn’t won any Cups. The end.

Excuse me….I have a girl scout meeting. Anyone want to buy some cookies?

I hate to divert from our spirited debate with Abel to Yzerman, but I have to get my 2nd round picks in. Short and sweet.

Wings vs Sharks. Sharks- too big. Wings- too old. Sharks in 7.

Anaheim vs Vancouver. Not scoring against Dallas- we can still win. Not scoring against Anaheim- smell ya later. Ducks in 6.

Sabres vs. Rangers. Rangers beat up an overrated team, but have good goaltending. Sabres will turn it on after wandering a bit versus the Isles. Sabres in 5.

Devils vs. Senators. Normally I’d pick the Devils, my second favorite team for reasons that make little sense. But their injuries are too numerous to ignore against a streaking Senators team. Sens in 6.

John Bucigross: Sharks in seven.

Congratulations to Abel to Yzerman for finding our little blog out here in beautiful California. We welcome you with open arms but a word of caution: this eleven year old girl has Barbies with playoff beards, nasty hip checks and a few comments of her own.

Scott Burnside: Sharks in seven.

As you know, California is the land of fun and sun, and although we don’t have as much of a storied hockey history as your legendary Red Wings, Sharks fans do have the foresight to recognize that our time is now and the Red Wings are only treading water in our tank.

Linda Cohn: Sharks in six.

Like Mama Cass, the Red Wings love a good choke job. They’ve been here before. Here is how I would break down a typical Red Wing hockey season formula. Number one seed + Home Ice = Early Exit. Let’s face it, the boys will be doing Chris Chelios a favor. The prescription for his osteoporosis meds runs out in early May.

E.J. Hradek: Sharks in six

This is not a good match up for Detroit. Your so called “deepest D in the league” has looked really sharp this year against San Jose, allowing eighteen goals to them this season. Just in case you forgot, and I doubt you have, here were the scores.

Thursday, October 19th Sharks 5 Red Wings 1
Wednesday, October 25th Sharks 1 Red Wings 2
Saturday, December 2nd Sharks 3 Red Wings 2
Thursday, January 4th Sharks 9 Red Wings 4

Barry Melrose: Sharks in six

Sorry. I did watch the Red Wings/Flames series. I had some extra time because, you see, my team won their playoff series in five games.

David Amber: Sharks in seven

The Sharks are deep, deeper than Scottie Bowman’s bowl at all you can eat pasta bar. Bertuzzi is already making plans for Gretzkyland next season. Hasek has booked his ticket for the next flight back to Retireslovakia. The Sharks are your biggest nightmare and in two weeks, you and your readers will hang up your octopi and ponder one of life’s great questions: Will the Lions win four games this year?

SHARKS IN SIX!