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I missed the game the other night because I was at a wedding in Big Rapids,
MI. Good times. I got to catch up with some people I hadn't seen in years...
Plus it was the first time I had seen my brother Drew since we played
against each other in October. His team was knocked from the AHL conference
finals after a great run.

So with the wedding and an hour and a half drive home around noon I am a
little tired...needless to say I wasn't in a writing mood much of the day. I
was in a lay on the couch until dinner mood and then back to the couch...
And then feel a little guilty about not commenting on a critical game so now
I am writing mood. This probably won't even be posted til Monday so bear
with my tardiness.

I read the write up and saw some highlights and talked to the resident
hockey expert at my parents house... The one and only Dean Miller, my
father. We didn't talk much hockey, just enough to get the gist of the game.
Dino thought that the skilled players for Detroit were great on defense and
very patient. They don't always have to attack. What that means is that they
know when to manage the game. When to put pucks in a safe place and wait for
the opponent to make a mistake or when to try a move to create some offense.
He also commented on how hard every player on the Wings works during a
shift. They are a machine and their game management is the difference...

If they can finish the series in Michigan I think it will be great for my
home state. The popularity of hockey in NHL cities always is jump started by
teams creating a buzz during the playoffs. We saw it happen in Buffalo the
last few years and it would be good for the youth hockey in Michigan for the
Wings to win. I never really like seeing another team win when my team is in
the running but I am looking for some positives here... People excited about
hockey in Michigan is pretty positive.




Tune in to Stretch on Maxim Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio each Wednesday morning at 11am ET for NHL All-Star goalie Ryan Miller's weekly Stanley Cup Playoffs report.

 



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