Red Wings fans are going to be bitching like there's no tomorrow in the morning. And you know me, I've had my fair share of run ins with those folks. But man, if there was ever, ever, EVER a time when everyone in the nation could agree that the bitching coming from Detroit was actually, you know, legit and justified... This would be it.

I'm not sure how, but this was not ruled a goal. Go ahead and watch the video. Feel free to fast forward to the 3:00 mark, since it's kind of hard to tell what happens in real time -- and not because it's tough to see, only because the goal light doesn't go on and everyone seems generally confused.

Watching the replay at full speed, it's clear that Brad May takes a backhand shot and the puck squeaks into the corner of the net. There's no doubt it's over the line. No one had to jab at it five times to push it over. Goaltender Alex Auld didn't sell a save really well (did he even try to sell it?). It's just a straight shot going into the net without any real issues or early whistles. And when refs are blowing this call, man, you gotta wonder what they're thinking.

Not only did they blow it (and my, did they ever blow it).

But they didn't get it right after all the on-ice officials conferred and they couldn't get it right after video review.

Ouch. The only consolation is that this was a 1-of-82 situation and not 1-of-7.

Pat Celesnik was very ill last year, enduring a 2 week coma, a heart attack, and the removal of half of her lower intestines. Miraculously and thankfully, she made it through. When she awoke from her coma, she asked "Is there a hockey game tonight?" It's like Schultz on most Saturday afternoons, but much more dramatic and important.  Being from the Pittsburgh area, she is a devoted Pens fan, and every time she made a stride in her recovery, the Penguins won (don't you feel bad NOW, Philadelphia?!). The Pens heard about it and saw it fit to send one of their own to visit Mrs. Celesnik, who has since made an almost complete recovery, putting Peter Forsberg and his foot owie to shame. They sent Maxime Talbot to visit and spend some time with the Celesniks, which may seem like quite the goodwill gesture on their part. I'm not so sure. Imagine BMR told you that we were sending me instead of LD? I think it's kind of like that. Nice try, Pittsbrugh. Nice try.

(Totally kidding, it was a great thing for Max and the Pens to do. But every blog reader would rather have LD instead of me. She has boobs.)

PD

Tuesday's game is the classic "best player in the league vs they must be good because they play in New York!" television match up. That's how it was scheduled, I imagine. As it turns out, the best player in the league has been nicked up and hasn't played the last few weeks, and the Rangers... well, they play in New York! A case could be made that they are the third best team in the New York area at this point, as the Devils are among the class of the NHL and they have as many points as the Islanders, and the Islanders are 6-2-2 in their past 10 games. But it's the Rangers! The only thing that keeps the Rangers from being the most annoying team in the league for their off ice coverage is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

DRINK

... every time a picture of the tree at Rockefeller Square is shown. Because November 17th means Christmas!

... if anyone giggles uncontrollably when the name "Semin" is said.

... if Michael Nylander is caught swearing on camera. Drink thrice if his infamous interview with Pierre McGuire is replayed. Finish the drink if it is uncensored.

... because Sports Soup is next !

Drinking player of the week: Matt Gilroy

- Matt won the Hobey Baker award last year. That's Matt holding the Hobey Baker award. The picture was undated, but I am guessing it was taken last year.

- Mr. Gilroy is a rookie this year, having just graduated from Boston University. He is 25. Wait. 25? Of COURSE he won the Hobey Baker award. He was 5 years older than the competition.

- Gilroy went undrafted, unlike they clearly more talented Aaron Voros (8th round).

Now, if you've been a rather loyal reader, you'll know that there has been no shortage of love for Jeremy Roenick. Whether we had him berating us for being the losers we are, appearing on some random shin as a tattoo, or possibly appearing in porn, he was a part of all of us.

So please, accept my apology on behalf of all the other BMR writers here as I excuse us for totally not knowing there was to be a Roenick heritage night tonight (November 15.) Here's a screengrab of the Blackhwaks site:

Now that I think about it, the place I got my teeny Felix Potvin did have a teeny Roenick that I almost got for giggles, just for this blog. I should do that now.

Sorry, JR. Please don't kick our asses.

Don Cherry always has interesting suits. We know this. Cherry wearing something that looks like the designer created it out of carpeting or while on hallucinogenic drugs is the norm. But on Saturday night Cherry had something new to unleash on the world. Ladies and gentlemen, the flower power suit.

I'm really curious about what's going on here. Is Cherry sympathizing with hippies? Was he a hippie at one time? Did he ever have a three day drug binge in the Canadian Rockies in May of 1972? Was Theo Fleury there with him? Was it a totally self awakening experience that allowed Cherry to realize his full potential as a Professional Yeller at Cameras?

None of that may have any merit but doesn't someone have to ask the hard questions? And maybe I'm wrong. I'm simply a concerned blogger asking questions. Someone has to stand up and ask the tough questions. You're welcome.

(Picture from Leahy's Twitpic)

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Hello, my name is Ville Leino, and I play left wing for the Detroit Red Wings. I have no relation to the American comedian Jay Leno. Our names are not the even spelled the same. I understand the confusion. Our names are similar, and just one look at me tells everyone that I have an excellent sense of humor.

Please, review these other differences between myself and Jay Leno.

- He is Italian, and I am a Finn.

- He is from Boston, I am from Savonlinna. Savonlinna is more ethnically diverse.

- He tells jokes on television and despite his efforts, he is mostly unliked. I play hockey in Detroit, and because of that, I am mostly unliked.

- He has witty but forced banter with Kevin Eubanks. I have swift but precise 2 on 1s with Kris Draper.

So you see, I am not the big-chinned American Jay Leno. I have an i in my name, and am not the reason Southland got cancelled. Please stop sending me his hate mail.

OK, FINE you guys already know about the bet. You saw the shirt (It was a fold, dammit!)

Now, I present to you, Mrs Tavares's Day Out.

For the second week in a row, our drinking game will involve Boston. No, I am not taking money (or free beer) from Sam Adams. My understanding is that the internet is abuzz with rumors that I'm on the take from those Boston brewmasters. Versus might be though, given how much attention they seem to be getting. Let's put this conspiracy talk to rest and just talk about a drinking game.

DRINK

... If Evgeni Malkin is seen with ear buds in his ear. It's probably not the Jonas Brothers.

... If anyone says that the Bruins should take a page from the Coyotes on how to beat the Penguins. Drink thrice if they do. Finish the bottle if the Bruins file for bankruptcy at any point in the game.

... For every time it's mentioned that David Krejci has the swine flu. Double if sex with pigs is mentioned at all.

... If Martin Skoula does anything for the Pens that he never did with the Wild. Like play hockey well.

Drinking Player of the week: Byron Bitz

- Byron has a serious problem with Donald Brashear.

- With 3 points this season, Bitz ranks 381st in the league. He's 4th in the league in getting punched in the throat, however.

- Would have played football, but realized Chris Berman would call him Byron "Ballroom" Bitz and thought better of it. Also, he's from Canada and isn't sure this football thing is every going to catch on.