Anaheim tied up the score. It's tied 1-1 in the 3rd period.

Wings take the lead late in the 3rd period! Anaheim is on the power play though... The Wings have to hold the lead.

The Red Wings take the first game of the series after a final score of 2-1! Huge first game win for the Wings!

Great game by the dominator.

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Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

Good win for the Wings (wins are all good even if they are lucky and ugly looking). Wings need to send to thank you notes - the first and foremost do Dom for stealing one and the second to Beuchemin for "assisting" on both Red Wings goals. Very important win.

Pronger and Neidermeyer will hold us to 1 goal eventually.
But I think we're over the hump. And healthy.
Needless to say, if it aint rough at aint right.

I have an admission to make. Bob Wojnowski is my favorite Detroit columnist. I can't even listen to the Stoney & Wojo show when he is away and someone else fills in.

Dominator lives up to his nickname

Dom was superb last night. I watched the Canadian telecast on TSN and at the first and second intermissions, they went roundtable on Hasek and gave him major props. It was great to hear as I watched him have a fantastic performance.

The whole trick to beating these power teams is capitalizing on the PP and not getting intimidated. This year's Wings team is so much more resilient and determined compared to year's past. If that bum Robert Lang would play with some purpose, we would probably have beaten San Jose and Calgary one game sooner.

I'm very positive about this series. We can hang with the Ducks and if we can hang, we can win.

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Momma was queen of the mambo, Poppa was king of the congo, deep down in the jungle, I start banging my first bongo
Every monkey like to be, in my place instead of me, cause I'm the king of bongo baby, I'm the king of bongo bong
-Manu Chao

Good to see demolitionman at work again.

Why does a Wings win just fires me up to no end more than any other? I just want to get to The Stanley Cup. If we drink, all the better!!!

Hasek is the anchor of this entire team. I had my doubts about his abilities this year, to be honest.

I knew he had a good year last year, but didn't see him play (Ottawa, Eastern Conference)... and he got injured at the olympics.

But with Lidstrom and Hasek, I really liek our chances. I also think that having some young, hungry guys is helping. I also think that getting rid of some of the old guard in the locker room has helped Zetts, Dats, and Homer step into leadership roles.

They are Yzerman type leaders (by example) and not Hull and Shanahan type leaders (by resume).

But really, if the DetNews makes one more pun on Swedes (How Swede it is... Swede shot... How Swede... Swede Goals...) I'm going to personally fire bomb the whole building.

Samuelson has been a surprise. I was lobbying for him to ride the pine (in favor of Hudler). I still think Hudler should play in favor of Calder, or maybe Maltby.

And Lilja has really stepped it up on physicality. Which has been great.

Lang has came to life.

Chelios is playing like he's 20 years younger than he is.

Filppula is a future star blossoming before our eyes. He is going to be a GREAT 2 way player. He's playing for one of the toughest coaches in the league, and he's killing penalties in the Western Conference finals as a rookie. Give the kid some love.

Franzen has been outstanding, and helps provide mismatches.

At the start of the year I was excited that the Wings were going to start playing some of their "home grown" talent. It has turned out to be a great situation. Filppula, Franzen, Hudler, Quincey, Lebda... this is one of the deepest teams in the league, and it is wearing down other teams.

Best of all - the entire team seems committed to "mucking" it out and playing physical. Datsyuk even got chippy and threw a few punches when he was bulldogged onto the ice.

This team is worlds apart from any Wings team since the last cup winner.

GO WINGS!

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