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That's more like it.

Tonight Detroit played like the big red machine that Red Wing nation is used to watching. Despite falling behind 1-0 after 42 seconds of play, the defending champs held their composure lead by their big guns. Criticized of late, Hossa exploded with 2 nice goals matching the same feat by playoff scoring sensation Johan Franzen. The first 10 minutes of this game looked as though the Wings hadn't learned anything from the previous games versus the water fowl, but Mike Babcock had a trick up his sleeve. In previous playoff series, Babcock would mix up the lines a bit, putting Datsyuk and Zetterberg together on the same line. That move shifted the Ducks focus, and while Anaheim spent the majority of the evening trying to cover Pavel and Hank, they seemed to forget about Hossa and the Mule.
Hossa was sending a message tonight. Telling the entire NHL why he left truck loads of money on the table in order to wear the winged wheel with pride. I'm sure he can still feel the sting of watching Detroit celebrate their Stanley Cup win from the opposing bench, as the haunting memories are quite vivid in his mind. Tonight, he took matters into his own hands, and helped win back home ice advantage sending this best of three back to Hockeytown.

Franzen was a beast. 2 big goals, 1 sweet assist on Hossa's first, and like a bulldozer he drove Niedermeyer out from the front of the net to provide the screen on Hossa's second of the night.

Chelios looked one hundred and forty-seven years old tonight, and really frightens me when he's out there. I can't wait for Rafalski to get healthy.

Ozzie looked sharp, Darren Helm can absolutely fly out there, and I really liked the looks of Filppula with Franzen and Hossa.

Obviously the win exactly what we needed, but I couldn't help but enjoy watching Mike Brown attempt to throw a big hit, then miss his mark, only to crash into the open gate to the Ducks bench leaving himself winded and in some discomfort. (I wonder how that compares to 10 stitches in the face??) That would be the hockey gods teaching Mikey a lesson.

I'm officially clearing my schedule for Sunday... Series tied at 2...
Game 5 back at the Joe.

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