Hockey Day in America; Great Day in HockeyTown

It's Hockey Day in America, so where better to spend the day than in HockeyTown? And it was a great day of hockey for everyone except for San Jose Shark fans... So everyone because we all know there aren't any real Shark fans, just the obnoxious fake ones that pretend like they know hockey.

But anywho, The Sharks came to HockeyTown with the hopes of ending the Red Wings 22 game home winning streak, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was at least a little worried that they'd beat us. San Jose had won the previous five regular season meetings against Detroit.

Something had to give, and it wasn't Detroit. Detroit did what it needed to do by jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first period on a Zetterberg backhander. Drew Miller would add to the lead in the second period.

Sharks would "answer" and cut the lead in half. By answer I mean they scored an absolute fluke of a goal, typical Sharks fashion.

But the Red Wings bounced back when Darren Helm found the back of the net in the third period, to give the Wings back that two goal cushion; a cushion they needed as Marleau netted the second Shark goal later in the third.

But this win would not have happened if it weren't for the play of Joey MacDonald. He has been amazing filling for the injured Howard and incapable Conklin. Without his play, the streak doesn't even get to 20. As good as he's been during the streak, today was his best effort. He made a plethora of key saves, especially in that second period when the Wings got out shot 19-8. Without his efforts, it would have been an easy loss.

Recap and Highlights of the Wings 3-2.

Blackjack! Red Wings Hit 21 Straight Wins at Home

21... 21 straight games. Think about it. The Red Wings have just set an NHL record by winning 21 straight games at home.

The Red Wings flat out dominated Dallas, right from the get go. There was nothing going to keep them from getting the record for consecutive home wins.

It's been an incredible streak, winning 21 games in a row at home in today's NHL is an amazing accomplishment. The talent is very evenly spread out in the league and anyone can beat anyone. Some of these wins even went to shoot out, and those are a crap shoot.

They've also been doing it with their third string goalie in Joey MacDonald, who's playing the best hockey of his career and deserved a shutout in tonights game, but it just wasn't in the Stars... Pun completely intended.

Wings will take on Nashville on Friday then Sunday will play San Jose, two very tough opponents. Can they get the streak to 23? You better believe it.

Audience Participation Required

Okay I have an awesome idea that requires audience participation, admittedly I'm stealing it from Karsch and Anderson's instant feedback fun. But whatever.

Okay here's the idea. NHL all-star game is this weekend, and quite frankly, it's kind of boring. Here's what I want from you guys. Send me "ways to make the NHL all-star game more exciting."

Best one's get blogged and seen by tens of people! FB message me, tweet me, email me, beardedfellow1621@yahoo.com, text me, write me a letter, I don't care. This could be fun, so let's make it fun.

Yes, it is pretty much a rip off of Karsch and Anderson, but I think it'll be fun. Plus if this goes well, I'll try to do these every so often. C'mon I know I'm friends with some funny people, so let's see it.

Izzo Gets 400th Win

Photo Credit: Mlive.com

Last night, The Michigan State Spartans beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 68-52. The win was Choach Tom Izzo's 400th win in his illustrious career.

I didn't get to watch the game, but I just wanted to take time out to congratulate Coach Izzo (cuz he'll totally read this, right?) and mention how truly impressive this achievement is.

He's truly one of the best college coaches of all time and what he's buil at MSU is truly something special. 400 wins. It's quite the feat, all for MSU. 400-165 is a pretty impressive mark.

He's done so much for the school in his time here and he will continue to be a fixture up in East Lansing til those pipes give out from all the shouting.

Seriously, does any coach yell more than Izzo?

Michigan Finally Wins on Road

Photo Credit: umhoops.com

Michigan traveled to West Lafayette on Super Tuesday looking to take on the Purdue Boilermakers and won 66-64 in a thriller.

Michigan got its first road win after dropping to Arkansas on the road in their previous game (a game in which they trailed by 20 but rallied and lost only by two)

Both teams were coming off road losses, Purdue losing to Michigan State. For those that don't know, Purdue arrived in East Lansing at 10 a.m. for a noon game. Needless to say, they lost a lot to a little.

It's a big win for the Wolverines, they needed to prove that they could get the job done on the road, and even though Purdue isn't great, Mackey Arena is a tough place to play. Michigan's win snapped a seven game losing streak at Mackey Arena.

It was good to see Tim Hardaway Jr put up a big scoring day. If the Wolverines are going to make a run in the Big Ten they need him to right the ship. Hardaway scored 19 points in the victory.

Zack Novak continued his good play, except his impact wasn't on the offensive end, but rather doing a good job defensively on the always dangerous Robbie Hummel.

Next game for Michigan is a trip to Columbus, to take on the #3 team in the country... That team... The Buckeye one.

If Michigan is going to pull off the upset, Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway have got to both be on their game, and guys like Novak and Stu Douglas need to make their three point shots when they get good looks.

Also, Jordan Morgan needs to find a way to score against Sullinger, and try to keep him in check. But most importantly, he has to stay out of foul trouble. Michigan absolutely cannot afford for Morgan to sit for an extended period of time due to foul trouble.

I think Michigan will lose, they are a different team on the road... But anything can happen, right?

Prince Fielder Coming to Detroit

Photo Credit: nasord.com

Prince Fielder is coming to Detroit after signing a 9 year, $214 million deal.

I have one word... WOW.

I am stunned, shocked, excited, concerned, enthusiastic, insert adjective here

This is monstrous, unbelievable. Prince Fielder is a great player, and everyone in baseball has to be shocked for so many reasons. He has a bad relationship with his dad, former Tiger Cecil, Tigers have Miggy at first, V-Mart at DH (after this season.)

I love it... for 2012-2014. With V-Mart out for the season, Tigers needed to get a bat to replace him. Prince will do that and then some. This makes the Tigers batting order the best in baseball, no doubt, especially when V-Mart is healthy.

But here's my concerns...

Miggy has said he's willing to go back to third or DH. Can he play third long term? He was atrocious at third when he first came to town.

Which brings me to my next concern, our defense is straight up terrible. The run production will probably out weigh the poor defense, but you never know.

My biggest concern is it's 9 years, $214 million with NO opt out clause. No way of getting out of this deal. Also a no trade clause will probably be involved, so good luck dumping him if he stops producing.

This deal is a great deal for next three or four years. But if we don't get World Series rings, yes rings plural, it's a bad contract. We have to get at least one, but need to get two. Our window for a World Series is now and we must capitalize.

Welcome to Detroit, Prince. Enjoy hitting behind Miguel Cabrera.

Rest in Peace Joe Paterno

Photo Credit: Inquistor.com

Yesterday the legendary coach and college football icon Joe Paterno died. Now many people don't think of all the great things he did during his 46 years at the helm of Penn State football because of the way his tenure ended.

No need to rehash it, we all know what happened. I will say Joe Pa didn't do enough, but the ones I'm most mad at are the Mike McQueary for not doing anything to stop it when it happened or going straight to the police, and his dad, who I'm more angry at, for telling his son to go home. Mike was probably in shock, but elder McQueary needed to be and should have been level headed enough to say "call the police," instead of "go home." But everyone involved didn't do enough.

But any who, back to the purpose of this blog, remembering Joe Pa for what he should be remembered for and that's being the greatest coach in college football history, and for all the great things he did for Penn State. Everyone who's ever played for Joe Pa speaks volumes of the kind of man he was and how he shaped young boys into men.

Joe Pa did great things for Penn State, in fact Joe Pa is Penn State. Without him, that university wouldn't be what it is today. I have tremendous respect for the man and all the things he's done. I will remember him for all that he did for Penn State and for college football.

I honestly thought he'd die on the football field... It doesn't seem fitting that he didn't...

Rest in Peace Joe Pa