Wings Win Round 1

One stunning fact occurred to me last night: if the Wings won game four, they'd be the first Stanley Cup champ in seven years to win the next year's first round series. I hit the internet and found out that Colorado was the last champ to do it since 2002. Weird.

The Wings looked like a veteran team last night, though a sloppy one. Maybe a 3-0 series lead had put some complacency in their skates.

They had a 3-1 lead...and blew it. They had a 5-3 lead...and blew it. They won the game anyway, 6-5. Ironically, it takes a good team to blow two two-goal leads yet keep their wits about them and pull out a win.

Columbus fans were angered by a late penalty call for too many men on the ice, but the refs had to make the call (and I am no fan of refs): when the one-too-many-man is the first one to touch the puck when he comes off the bench, then he forces the ref's arm to go up.

I've always believed that teams need a loss once in a while, just to teach them a lesson. While the Wings didn't lose last night, it was good that Columbus gave them a dogfight and reminded them that playoff hockey isn't supposed to be easy.

Photo: Getty