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Stanley Cup Final: Game Seven Live Blog

Written by: Tyler Bodman on 12th June 2009

Stanley Cup Final: Game Seven Live Blog | read this item

Detroit, MI — Wow, what a beautiful day for a game seven!

We arrived in Detroit around 9:30 this morning to check into the hotel. Detroit is hopping right now. Tomorrow there’s a Red Bull Air race on the Detroit river. The track is set up in front of the hotel and the planes are whizzing by doing their practice runs. It’s pretty cool to watch live. They’re about 30 feet off the water flying through around giant inflatable pylons.

After we grabbed breakfast, I had a fried egg sandwich and Jesse just had a normal two egg meal (we were too late for the buffet), we quickly headed to the rink to talk to the players.

By the time we got to the Wings’ locker room most of the players had already hit the showers so we were only able to talk to Maltby.

I’m going to be posting a story on players’ favourite game seven memories that they were and weren’t involved in.

The Penguins once again seemed a little bit tight. They just didn’t seem as playful as they were in Pittsburgh. “I think so,” was Tyler Kennedy’s response when i asked them if they were loose.

Interestingly, the Pens also had their stalls changed from the first three games here. Talbot, Kunitz, and Fedotenko all switched spots. Fleury and Garon also traded places. Sid, Staal, Gill, Dupuis, Kennedy and Eaton were all in the same spots as before. Well see if this has some kind of psychological effect on them.

It’s 2:00p.m. now and we’re back at the hotel.

The plan was to have a little nap before we wrote our pre-game stories. But, as I mentioned earlier those damn planes are doing their practice runs. They’re very loud. So, no nap for us. Oh well. Time to get psyched for this game!

7:00p.m.
We’re at the rink now.

The shuttle took a new way down because the street (Atwater) along the water is closed for the Red Bull Air Race.

Dinner was good. Ordinary but good. Roast beef, chicken, scalped potatoes etc..etc.

It’s still gorgeous outside. There’s a ton of people just milling around along the boardwalk. There’s a pretty cool chopper that was done up hockey styles. Jesse got some pictures we’ll try to get them up soonish.

Jesse is going to toss in his keys to victory for both teams. Whenever he thinks them up.

7:20p.m.
Now these do not reflect my opinion. I have not even read these yet. But here you go…

J-Mike’s Keys to Victory

Pittsburgh –

1. Sustained pressure through the first ten minutes. This can be done a few ways, but mostly through the cycle. No matter what line starts the game, the first shift is very key. The crowd will be into it, so they will need to pump the puck deep, hit everything in sight, and try to generate turnovers on the banged up Red Wings defense.

2. Stay out of the penalty box. The Red Wings powerplay was deadly in game five, accumulating for three goals with the man advantage. The un-disciplined march of the Penguins to the penalty box surely did them in, and will only burn them again if the trend continues tonight

3. Emergence of Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin. With Sidney Crosby playing basically a 1 on 5 game, there should be a lot of room for both Kunitz and Guerin, but both haven’t produced. It’s time these two free-agent pick ups dig deep and find the back of the net

Detroit –

1. Hossa needs to wake up. He has been silent all finals and needs to produce. Tonight. Not much else has to be said for the guy who switched from the Penguins to the Wings in the offseason.

2. Continued contributions from 3rd/4th lines. Everyone knows that Detroit is the deepest team in the league. With Zetterberg and Datsyuk tied up with Crosby and Staal, players like Jiri Hudler and Darren Helm will have keep up the pressure on the Penguins defenseman, and get in the face of Marc-Andre Fleury

3. Take advantage of home ice. The Red Wings have been dominant in the face off circle at home in these playoffs, and with the line matchups in their favour, the center men will be looking to win those big draws. Oh…and the 7th man (the crowd) should surely come into play as well.

7:21
For those who love the hockey rumours that never come to fruition, the man who calls himself Eklund is in the building. Personally I’m not a fan. He’s wearing his media pass backwards so to not reveal his true identity. Whatever Dwayne we already know who you are and we don’t care. Keep making your stuff up.

7:45p.m.
Up in the press box now. Both teams are out for the pre-game skate.

20 minutes after the Cup is awarded tonight we (the media) are allowed out onto the ice to interview the players. We don’t have a photo pass but I’m going to act like I do and see if I can get some solid pics on the ice.

The fans have started chanting. Five minutes left in warm up. I wish I hadn’t worn my tie.

8:05
Seven minutes till puck drop. Anyone else’s hairs standing on the back of your neck? Words cannot describe this well enough.

Puck Drop
I’m very impressed with the crowd tonight. That was the loudest I’ve heard any American arena sing their National anthem. It was no Edmonton or Calgary. But it was nice to hear.

18:21
Wings get off to a quick start. Thew some hits really have the crowd into it. They look good.

15:56
The Penguins look very sloppy so far. Detroit is beating them in the small battles for the puck. It’s going to cost Pittsburgh soon.

13:12
I’m in awe right now. Muhammad Ali is here tonight.

10:39
Two or three huge saves by Osgood. If they win he has my vote for the Conn Smythe.

9:27
A lot has been made about Marian Hossa and his lack of production and if he made the right choice in signing with the Wings over the Penguins. Only 50 more minutes to find out if Karma was watching over him.

8:36
Kronwall gets away with almost taking Talbots head off but Stuart gets called for slashing on Malkin. PP Penguins.

6:14
Wings keep the Penguins to the outside for the entire PP. Pens controlled the puck but weren’t able to generate any chances.

End of First
Pretty much what you would expect from the first. Zetterberg’s line is once again matched up against the Crosby line. They are getting more chances than the Penguins number one unit. Zetterberg and Datsyuk look dangerous. Crosby does not.

Marc-Andre Fleury has looked sharp facing six shots as has Osgood with the 10 he faced.

The most dangerous looking line for the Penguins is the same on from game six: The Staal, Cooke and Kennedy line have generated some decent chances.

Second Period
18:01
The Superstar Maxime Talbot with some nice fore checking causes a turnover and buries his seventh of the playoffs. Wings turnaround and put the pressure on and Staal gets called for hooking and Holmstrom gets called for holding. Four-on-four action.

13:44
Hal Gill gets called for holding but the bigger concern for the Penguins is the apparent groin injury Crosby may have suffered in a hit from Franzen. He left the ice and headed to the locker room.

11:44
Gill gets out of the box and has a breakaway. However he’s caught within a few strides. Staal has taken Crosby’s spot between Guerin and Kunitz for now.

9:53
The Superstar strikes again. Osgood gets caught way off to the side of his net and Talbot made no mistake 2-0 for the Crosby-less Penguins. Penguins fans are now louder than the Wings’ fans.

5:45
Pretty insane in here. It’s Jesse for a bit, Scott went to the bathroom.

3:38
Detroit applying pressure, and they seem to be gaining momentum as the period is coming towards the end…

2:23
Jordan Staal has stepped up in a big way right now. He’s winning battles and using his size to his advantage

1:00
The Wings are coming hard and fast now….I officially have no fingernails left…

I apologize for the lack of posting in the final period. My internet was cut out. I’ll posting something about the rest of the game tomorrow. WOW what a game. What a series. Almost feel bad for Hossa. Almost.

Topics: Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby, Stanley Cup finals