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Detroit has 5 more chances to empty the tank, Wings face Capitals |
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For the final five games, the Detroit Red Wings are aware that they need to empty the tank in each contest. From puck drop to the final buzzer. Faceoffs, puck battles, stay out of the scrums and out of the box. Focus the energy and put it in the back of the net. The room for error is minuscule (if not non existent). That’s a lot to put on someone’s shoulders.
I learned what the phrase “running on fumes” meant in about the most uncomfortable scenario you can imagine. Like some of you, I grew up with “visitation” weekends with my dad after he and mom had split up. Dad loved big cars and pickup trucks. One Friday night, about 15-20 minutes away from his house the “low fuel” light came on. My step mom started to panick when the engine would sputter but dad insisted we could make it. I didn’t know at the time that he couldn’t get gas that night. The fear of being stranded in the snow in the late 80s meant no cell phone and a walk. If you’ve been through it you know. This time, though, dad was right. The car sputtered into the driveway and gave a final “cough”. We were exhausted from stress, but we made it.
The Red Wings will start with a full tank tonight and need to give every bit of what they have. Let the engine sputter after the horn. Refill the tank and do it again. 5 games left and Detroit is still in a wild card spot. The kind of pressure and tension at this time of year feels like the return of an old friend. Fans rise and fall with each win and loss with plenty of heated debate in between.
More than any time in my far to close to 50 years on this planet, there is no shortage of Michiganders who need something to celebrate. Pro and collegiate football, NCAA hockey and a fast start for the Tigers have all been boosts. There’s a population off fans who wear a Winged Wheel on their heart. From the heartbreak in a New Jersey sweep in 1995 to the elation brought to the team in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008 the decline into a rebuild was pushed out past what logic would dictate as the post season streak was a source of great pride.
The frustration of getting in and being bounced out quickly would now be a welcome step forward of the new iteration of the Detroit Red Wings. For some, it’s the only acceptable outcome. For others, being in this mix is a sign of better days ahead. To see a full arena and Winged Wheels brandished in the form of porch flags, hats, jerseys, shirts and on the minds of fans who had taken time away is the start of a rebirth of the passion that used to define this club.
Much more than a circle of vulcanized rubber is being carried by the players. Dreams of better days are ready to be realized by the fans. Another step in the right direction faces a team with the 2nd greatest scorer in the history of the NHL. Ovechkin sits just 43 goals behind Wayne Gretzky. A feat I did not think I’d see in my lifetime. After a slow start the winger eclipsed 20 goals for the 19th time and is 1 away from 30. There are a lot of reasons for Washington to come out flying. It will be up to the Wings to try and keep them grounded.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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