I don't know who Frankie is... but do what he says!

DANGER!!!
DANGER!!!
PANIC!!!
PANIC!!!
RUN TO THE EMERGENCY EXITS!!!
TAKE COVER IN YOUR BOMB SHELTERS!!!
DISMANTLE THE TEAM!!!
FIRE EVERYONE!!!
CHANGE EVERYTHING!!!

What? Too dramatic?

The Red Wings dropped their third game in a row with a 4-2 loss against the Sharks tonight. This loss was met much hysteria, outlandish suggestions of what the team should do next, and just plain foolishness.

"Let's fire Mike Babcock!"

"It's all Jimmy's fault!"

"Problems start at the top... Let's fire Ken Holland!"

"Let's make significant moves that will extremely effect the dynamic of the team because we don't have depth!"

Dropping a few games in a row happens. It sucks. But it happens occasionally. Three is not a significant number if you really think about it. Granted, Inside a three game slide is not where the Wings want to be. The way the Wings played on some nights is not up to the level of play that this team is capable of. I know that, You know that, The team knows that, The coaches know that, and I'm sure the front office knows that. It's still really early in the season for anyone to be panicking just yet. This is just the eighth regular season game. There are 74 remaining games for the team to get it together. No one likes losing. Mike Babcock has made it perfectly clear that he does not like to lose. The three losses are done, however. There is no way to get those three games back. The key for everyone is to look forward to the games at hand. Suggestions that the Wings should use up their remaining cap space to land a power-forward have also been discussed. I understand that there is cap space available. Trust me, I get it. But using that cap space IN OCTOBER after losing JUST THREE GAMES would be jumping the gun a bit. Emmerton, Brunnstrom, and Commodore are all available. There are options. There are different roster combinations and switch-ups that the coaching staff might want to do that could and can still be made. Not to mention that many have also forgotten that Mursak will eventually make his return to the team once he has fully healed. I don't believe that the team is in dire straits. Changes will be made and the team will battle back.

Ramblings of perspective and what not

As much as I am disappointed with the loss tonight, I think many need perspective on this loss. After two goals were scored in the first period, fans began attacking everyone in the organization. Some of the blame was justified but some was overkill. The statements that the Wings cannot play "good teams" or are "incapable" of winning were almost laughable. Coming into this game we were 5-0-0. Obviously, we can win but tonight just wasn't our night.

This game was ugly. I will not deny or dispute anyone about that fact but it is just the sixth game of the season. Realistically, the Wings were not going to go 82-0-0. Did I expect we would get stomped like we did tonight? No. I don't believe anyone could have seen that coming. They need to use this game as an example of what not to do. Use this game as a building point to get stronger. It is, after all, just the sixth game of the season. Last season, we lost two of the first six. Granted, none were like the beating received tonight but those two losses didn't define our season. Just like this loss will not define our season. We are still 5-1-0.

5-1-0 is not a terrible start by any means. In the last five seasons, the Wings have had worse records in the starting six games.
2010-2011 4-1-1
2009-2010 3-3-0
2008-2009 4-1-1
2007-2008 4-1-1
2006-2007 3-2-1

Was the team going to go undefeated forever? No. That's just unrealistic in today's NHL. Should everyone jump ship and become fans of other teams now? Do what you want but I know this team better than that. They will put in the time and do their best to improve, fix the mistakes, and get better. The team is in transition still and many fail to realize that. There will be speed bumps and hiccups along the way of this season. The point is that this is a long season. There are still 76 games to play and throwing in the towel after one will not solve anything. Have faith in the team that they will do what needs to be done to fix any issues that there are. Improvements will be made, Changes will happen, and Lessons will be learned.

All the Difference or No Difference at all?

The subject of fangirls and puck bunnies seems to always pop up in conversations about females in the hockey world. How are puck bunnies and fangirls different? Are they different? Are there boundaries that separate fangirls from puck bunnies? These questions got me wondering: What is the difference between a hockey fangirl and a puck bunny?

I posed this question to some of my followers on twitter and other random people in the hockey scene. The responses were varied when it came to defining a hockey fangirl but were nearly unanimous when defining a puck bunny.

Most everyone who responded defined a puck bunny as a female who is all about getting with the players. Some also defined a puck bunny as someone who only likes the sport for good-looking men. MK (@One4theDagger) said that "[Puck Bunnies would] rather have the hottest players on their team of choice then the most talented," she went on to say that puck bunnies "ruin the enjoyment for other female fans by everyone now stereotyping us as a whole as puck bunnies." Essentially, the definition of puck bunny boiled down to a hockey groupie. No surprise there.

A hockey fangirl seems to be the harder to define. Some suggested no real difference between the two, while others described a fangirl as a dedicated, loyal fan of the game of hockey. MK said "A fangirl to me is a fan who knows the game, knows the players, the stats and details of their team of choice...but.. They still find players attractive like any female fan. The guys are hot, talented and rich. If a female has eyes and hormones, you can't blame them... especially when they are playing a sport you love." Jason (@Waffleboard) said, "The difference to me is the sex. Both are pretty obsessed with X Player(s), but fangirls don't make it their life's goal to have one inside of them. Or if they do, they're at least a bit more tactful about it and don't advertise it." Ian (@inflemingdunha) said, "Fangirls are girls that have mega crushes on players". Others said fangirls were girls who find players cute.

With vastly different definitions, the line between a fangirl and a puck bunny seems to be either very narrow or on the other side of the world. With answers, more questions seem to arise. Are some fangirls actually puck bunnies? I followed up with MK by asking her if she thought some puck bunnies hide under the title of fangirl. MK said, "I'm sure. Who wants to admit they're skanky? Especially if their friends are mostly fan girls and they're the odd one out in a worse way. But they're typically easy to spot out. They usually only know the hot players, how much they make, their birthdays, and where they hang."

There seems to be a gray area that the term fangirl falls into. Some are not anywhere in the neighborhood puck bunnies, but some are. Some are true female fans with eyes and the ability to notice a man's attractiveness, and some are only fans for the attractiveness. As a negative or a positive, the term certainly strikes up a debate.

Man, I love college

College hockey kicked off it's season last week and over the weekend 8 Michigan Colleges played 16 games to really kick off hockey season right.



In Michigan State's first game of the weekend on October 7th they squared off against Boston College. While Seniors Brett Perlini and Trevor Nill both scored for the Spartans, the Eagles proved to be a tough opponent as the Spartans were defeated 5-2. In Michigan State's second outing of the weekend on the 8th it was the all Sophomore show. Sophomores Lee Reimer and Greg Wolfe shared the scoring duties for the Spartans including Reimer's OT goal to give State a 3-2 win against Air Force. The top performer on the score sheet this weekend was Sophomore Lee Reimer with 2 goals and an assist in the win against Air Force. The Spartans are 1-1-0 to start the 2011 Hockey Season off.

The University of Michigan Wolverines kicked off their hockey season with a 5-0 win against Niagara on October 4th. Juniors Chris Brown and Lindsay Sparks each scored two goals a piece in that win. Senior goaltender Shawn Hunwick recorded the shutout as well as an assist on the Wolverine's second goal of the game. This weekend, Michigan were faced with a double header against Bentley. On Friday, the Wolverines defeated the Falcons in a 5-1 win featuring goals from Seniors Greg Pateryn, David Wohlberg, and Luke Glendening as well as tallies by Junior A.J. Treais and Freshman Alex Guptill. On Saturday, the Wolverines continued on their roll as they defeated Bentley in a 4-1 contest. Freshmen Phil Di Guiseppe netted two goales while fellow Freshman Alex Guptill and Junior A.J. Treais each netted one a piece. Top performers of the week were Senior Shawn Hunwick with the shutout win against Niagara and Juniors Lindsay Sparks and A.J. Treais who each had 2 goals and 2 assists throughout the week. Michigan now stands 3-0-0.

The Ferris State Bulldogs kicked of their season with a pair of games against St. Lawrence. Junior Travis Ouellette led the Bulldogs to a 4-2 victory over the Saints on Friday by netting two goals in the Bulldogs' season opener. Freshman T.J. Schlueter and Junior Kyle Bonis also got in on the action with a goal a piece. On Saturday, The Bulldogs dominated with a 5-1 win over St. Lawrence to sweep the weekend. This time, it was Junior Kyle Bonis with a pair of goals to lead the Bulldogs in scoring for the night. Senior Jordie Johnston, Junior Travis Ouelette, and Sophomore Cory Kane each scored goals in the victory. The Bulldogs' top performer of the weekend was Kyle Bonis with 3 goals and 1 assist. Ferris State is currently 2-0-0.

The Lake Superior State Lakers started their season before most other teams. On October 1st, the Lakers defeated the University of Alabama-Huntville Chargers by a score of 3-2. Freshman Chris Ciotti, Sophomore Kyle Jean, and Junior Zach Trotman each scored a goal to give the Lakers the win. The next night, the Lakers defeated the Chargers 2-1. The line of Juniors Nick McParland and Ben Power with Freshman Chris Ciotti proved to be the Lakers' top line. McParland scored both of LSSU's goals with helpers from Ciotti and Power on each. The top performers of the week for LSSU are Junior Nick McParland who leads the team in goals with 2 and Freshman Chris Ciotti who leads the team in points with 4 (1 goal and 3 assists, respectively). The Lakers are now 2-0-0 with the weekend off from regular competition for the Blue and Gold game.

The Northern Michigan University Wildcats kicked off their season against the Wisconsin Badgers. On October 7th, the Wildcats defeated the Badgers 3-2. Senior Justin Florek, Junior Kory Kaunisto, and Sophmore Reed Seckel each scored a goal to lead NMU to the win. The next night, the Wildcats weren't so lucky falling 2-3 to the Badgers. Both Wildcat goals were scored by Senior Justin Florek. The top performer of the weekend goes to Senior Justin Florek with 3 goals. The Wildcats are now 1-1-0.
The Western Michigan University Broncos faced up against the Alabama-Huntsville Chargers this weekend. On Friday the 7th, the Broncos stomped the Chargers with a 7-1 victory. Junior Matt Tennyson and Sophomore Shane Berschbach each had a pair of goals in the victory. Freshman David Killip, Sophomore Dan DeKeyser, and Junior Dane Walters each had a goal in the win as well. On Saturday, the Broncos kept rolling with a 4-0 win. Freshman goaltender Frank Slubowski recorded the shut out for the Broncos. Senior Kyle O'Kane, Junior Trevor Elias, Sophomores Chase Balisy and Shane Berschbach each scored goals to defeat the Chargers. Top performers for the Broncos this weekend include: Freshman goaltender Frank Slubowski for his shutout victory, Sophomore Shane Berschbach for leading the Broncos with 3 goals this weekend, Junior Matt Tennyson who had 2 goals and 1 assist, and Sophomore Chase Balisy who had 1 goal and 3 assists for the Broncos. WMU is now 2-0-0

The Michigan Tech Huskies faced the American International College Yellow Jackets in this weekend. The Huskies defeated the Yellow Jackets by a score of 4-3 on Friday. Freshman Blake Pietila netted two to assist Tech in their win. Junior Steven Seigo and Senior Jordan Baker both scored in the victory as well. On Saturday, Tech defeated AIC in a 3-1 victory. A pair of goals by Sophomore Jacob Johnstone and a goal by Senior Brett Olson led the Huskies to their win. Top performers for the Huskies this weekend were Freshman Blake Pietila with 2 goals and 1 assist, Senior Jordan Baker and Junior Steven Seigo who each had 1 goal and 2 assists. The Huskies are currently 2-0-0.
The Oakland University Grizzlies have been very busy since the kick off of this season. The Grizzlies traded wins on September 23rd and 24th with the Liberty Flames. OU lost 4-1 on the 23rd but rallied back to win 3-2 on the 24th. Oakland swept their next weekend series beating University of Michigan-Dearborn 5-3 on September 30th and 6-3 on October 1st. Oakland participated in the ACHA showcase this past week. On October 7th, The Grizzlies lost to Minot State by a score of 5-2. On the 8th, OU rallied to a 5-1 win over Arizona. And finally on the 9th, OU lost to Illinois by a score of 5-2 to conclude the weekend. The top performers in the past seven games were: Jordan MacDonald, Adam Novak, and Billy Balent who are in a three way tie for the points lead with 7 a piece. Oakland is now 4-3-0.

A Very Scrappy Birthday To Me

To kick off the return of Scrappy Monday, since it's my birthday, I decided to feature a few of my favorite fights/scraps.









And the Pièce de résistance

New Season, New Content

As I do several times throughout the year, I've come up with daily features to look out for since we are entering a new season of hockey.



Mondays will go back to being Scrappy Mondays where videos of recent or classic fights will be posted.

Tuesdays will be a weekly state of Michigan college hockey round up.

Wednesdays will feature an NHL player in their younger days.

Thursdays will be the day to look for Jackhole posts. The Jackhole posts will no longer be a weekly event but more of a "when the situation warrants it" type of deal.

Fridays will contain the "Player of the Week" as well as the returning Fan Profile posts. A fan submitted vote for who ruled the NHL for that week.

Saturdays will be reserved for all the latest suspension news.

Sundays will be a weekly update of how the Grand Rapids Griffins are doing.



In addition to these new features, I will still be my usual ornery self and post rants as I see fit. This new schedule of sorts will not start until the 10th. As always, all features are on a trial basis. If there is a feature that you liked that is no longer being done, let me know. I'm open to bringing back any of the features of days gone by.