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>> THE FOLLOWING IS A
PRESENTATION OF HBO SPORTS.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
HBO]
>> EVERY KID AT ONE POINT OR
ANOTHER GETS ASKED THE SAME
QUESTION -- WHAT DO YOU WANT TO
BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
AT A YOUNG AGE, MOST PEOPLE
FIGURE THE ANSWERS DON'T REALLY
MEAN MUCH OF ANYTHING.
PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY SUGGEST
THE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE.
BUT THE DANGER THERE LIES IN
WHAT'S BEING FORGOTTEN.
IF NO ONE BELIEVED IN THE
IMPOSSIBLE, THERE WOULD BE
NOTHING LEFT TO DREAM ABOUT.
IN A PROUD BUT STRUGGLING
AMERICAN CITY, THEY HEAR A LOT
ABOUT WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE
ANYMORE.
THEY PREFER TO FOCUS ON WHAT'S
STILL GOING STRONG.
A TEAM THAT'S BEEN A MODEL OF
SUCCESS FOR DECADES IN A SPORT
THAT'S ENTRENCHED HERE NOT JUST
IN NAME BUT IN CULTURE.
THEY LOVE HOCKEY IN DETROIT.
THOUGH ACROSS THE BORDER,
THERE'S AN ENTIRE COUNTRY THAT
TREASURES THE GAME AS ITS
NATIONAL PASTIME.
AND IN THAT COUNTRY'S LARGEST
CITY, FOR GENERATIONS THE HOME
TEAM HAS BEEN AT ONCE ADORED AND
AGONIZED OVER.
NEARLY HALF A CENTURY HAS PASSED
SINCE THE STANLEY CUP WAS LAST
RAISED IN TORONTO.
BUT DISAPPOINTMENTS SEEM ONLY TO
FORTIFY THEIR FAN BASE AND THEIR
FAITH IN WHAT IS TO COME IN BOTH
THESE PLACES, THE GAME HAS BEEN
PART OF THE FABRIC SINCE
HOCKEY'S EARLIEST DAYS, BINDING
THE FRANCHISES TOGETHER IN
HISTORY, BUILDING TRADITIONS
AROUND LEGENDS.
THE UNCOMMON PASSION SHARPLY
INVIGORATES THE LATEST SET OF
STARS.
THE EXCEPTIONAL PROMISE DEEPLY
RESONATES WITH THOSE JUST ON
THEIR WAY.
THESE DAYS, AS MUCH AS EVER
BEFORE, THEY WANT TO BE HOCKEY
PLAYERS WHEN THEY GROW UP.
BECAUSE IT'S HOCKEY THAT MAKES
THEM BELIEVE IN WHAT JUST MIGHT
BE POSSIBLE.
THIS IS "24/7".
♪
♪
>> NEARLY FIVE MONTHS SINCE IT
DECLARED DISRUPT SI, DETROIT,
MICHIGAN, HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT
OF TOO MANY OBITUARIES TO COUNT,
BUT WHILE THE BLEAKNESS MAY BE
UNAVOIDABLE, THERE ARE ALSO
REMINDERS THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH
MORE FOR THE CITY'S SOUL TO
SUBMIT.
ONE PIECE OF ACTION WILL BE IN
ACTION ALL WINTER AND THEY HOPE
WELL INTO THE SPRING.
>> IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT THE
HOCKEY TOWN.
THE JOE LOUIS ARENA IN DOWNTOWN
DETROIT.
TONIGHT, THE 118TH CONSECUTIVE
SELLOUT AS THE RED WINGS FACE
THE FLORIDA PANTHERS.
>> IT'S NICE TO PLAY IN A CITY
THAT CARES ABOUT HOCKEY.
THEY'RE DISAPPOINTED IF YOU LOSE
AND HAPPY IF YOU WIN.
AS A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, YOU
NEED PRESSURE TO PLAY WELL.
>> THIS BUILDING ALONE JUST
BREATHES HOCKEY.
THIS HAS BEEN A WINNING
ORGANIZATION FOR YEARS AND YEARS
AND THAT'S JUST WHAT'S EXPECTED
AND YOU BRING IT EVERY NIGHT.
THAT'S HOW IT WORKS.
>> PUTTING ON THE JERSEY IS --
IT'S GOT A LOT OF HISTORY.
YOU WANT TO WEAR IT PROUDLY AND
WORK HARD IN IT.
>> UNTIL YOU COACH A TEAM ON THE
ORIGINAL 16 YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
THE TRADITION.
YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE SUCCESS
EACH AND EVERY YEAR AND I THINK
THAT'S A GREAT THING.
>> THE RED WINGS HAVE QUALIFIED
FOR THE PLAYOFFS EACH OF THE
LAST 22 SEASONS.
SO FAR, THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN HAS
BEEN A STREAKY ONE AND OF LATE
HINDERED BY INJURIES DO THEIR
TWO STARRED FORWARDS, ZETTERBERG
AND DATSYUK.
SHOULDERING THE LOAD IN THEIR
ABSENCE HAS BEEN A BLEND OF LONG
TIME CLUB POLLENSES -- PRESENCES
AND NEW ACQUISITIONS.
ENTERING GAME 31 AGAINST THE
FLORIDA PANTHERS, THE CLUB SITS
IN THIRD PLACE IN THE ATLANTIC
DIVISION.
>> WHAT'S UP, FELLOWS?
THEY SPLIT UP EVERY FATEOFF.
LET'S HAVE A PLAN.
ALSO THE WINGERS TONIGHT, MAKE
SURE WE'RE DIVING IN TO HELP.
GO EAST-WEST.
AND THE GUY ON THE WALL GETS THE
PUCK.
HE NEEDS TO PUSH THE FACE GUY.
HE NEEDS SOMEONE UNDERNEATH HIM
TALKING TO HIM.
LET'S EXECUTE.
PLAY FAST.
GUS?
>> YEAH.
>> LETS -- LET'S GET HER UP
HERE, KID.
>> STARTING ON THE RIGHT WING,
THE GUY WHO ASKED FOR A HAIRCUT
-- DONNY --
>> TONIGHT IS WINGER'S
BETARRED'S TURN AT BABCOCK'S
LATEST EXPERIMENTS OF KEEPING
HIS TEAM LOOSE.
HAVING A PLAYER ANNOUNCE THE
STARTING LINEUP WITH ANY
EMBELLISHMENT HE MIGHT DESIRE.
>> THE OLDEST GUY, HE'S 32 BUT
ACTS LIKE HE'S 16.
NUMBER 65 -- RECENTLY NAMED THE
BEST LOOKING ATHLETE IN THE U.S.
BY "G.Q." MAGAZINE.
NUMBER 50.
>> IT WAS YEARS AGO IN SWEDEN
THAT A COACH FIRST TOLD 6'3"
GOALIE GUSTAVSSON, THE MONSTER.
TONIGHT, THE BACKUP IS KEEPING
REGULAR STARTER JIMMY HOWARD ON
THE BENCH FOR THE SECOND
STRAIGHT GAME, BABCOCK ELECTING
TO STAY WITH THE HOT HAND.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, GUSTAVSSON HAS
STARTED NINE GAMES AND WON EIGHT
OF THEM.
IF THE RED WINGS' SEASON HAS HAD
A FEW QUIRKS, ONE IS THEIR
MEDIOCRE PLAY AT JOE LOUIS
ARENA, WHERE THEY'RE NORMALLY
DOMINANT.
THE STRUGGLING PANTHERS WOULD
SEEM TO BE A RIPE TARGET TO
IMPROVE AGAINST.
>> SCORE!
>> DANIEL CLEARY'S OPENING GOAL
IS JUST THE SECOND OF HIS NINTH
SEASON IN DETROIT.
>> WELL DONE, MEN!
>> THIS SUMMER THE LEFT WINGER
HAD AN SUFFER FOR A MULTIYEAR
CONTRACT ALSO BUT RE-SIGNED TO
STAY HERE IN HOCKEY TOWN.
>> I'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME
AND WE TALKED A LOT OVER THE
SUMMER AND WE TRIED TO WAIT AS
PATIENTLY AS WE COULD.
I WAS GOING TO GO TO
PHILADELPHIA AND MY HEART
WOULDN'T LET ME DO IT.
>> THE SECOND PERIOD BEGINS WITH
THE SCORE STILL 1-0.
JIMMY HOWARD RECLAIMS HIS
POSITION AT THE END OF THE
DETROIT BENCH.
A SEASON AGO HOWARD'S BRILLIANCE
IN GOAL PROPELLED THE TEAM TO
THE PLAYOFFS AND EARNED HIM A
NEARLY $32 MILLION CONTRACT
EXTENSION BUT THIS YEAR HE'S
STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN THAT FORM.
>> YOU WANT TO PLAY YOUR STARTER
EVERY NIGHT BUT YOU WANT HIM
PLAYING WELL.
THE FACT IS WE NEED SUCCESS IN
THIS LEAGUE AND HOWEY CAN CARRY
A HUGE WORK LOAD AND LIKES TO
PLAY.
>> THIS SPORT IS VERY CRUEL AND
ALSO VERY GOOD TO YOU AT TIMES.
YOU TRY TO FIND THAT CONSISTENCY
OF PLAYING THE SAME WAY EVERY
NIGHT.
>> AND THREE MINUTES INTO THE
PERIOD, JONAS GUSTAVSSON IS
DEALT HIS OWN REMINDER OF THE
PERILS OF THE CREASE.
>> HE SCORES!
THE REBOUND TAKEN BY JIMMY HAYES
--
>> I THOUGHT I HEARD A WHISTLE
BLOW.
>> THERE'S NO MORE SCORING IN
THE PERIOD.
THEY'LL HEAD TO THE SECOND
INTERMISSION DOWN.
>> THAT PERIOD WE LET OURSELVES
DOWN.
FORGET THAT STUFF.
IT'S RIGHT HERE.
LET'S MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO ONE
ANOTHER.
DIG IN.
LET'S MAKE SOME GOALS.
WE'RE WAY BETTER THAN THAT DIAL
HER UP.
LET'S GO GET THIS DONE!
COME ON, LET'S GO!
>> THE RED WINGS EARN SOME
CHANCE IN THE THIRD PERIOD BUT
LIKE SO MUCH AT HOME THIS
SEASON, THEY REMAINED NOTHING
MORE THAN THAT.
IT'S THE PANTHERS WHO CAPITALIZE
ON WHAT COMES THEIR WAY.
>> THEY SCORE!
THE PANTHERS TAKE A 2-1 LEAD.
>> ONE, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT OUR
RECORD AT HOME AND ALL THAT THAT
TO ME IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ENERGY.
THEY HAD ENERGY.
WE WERE JUST HOPING THAT THE
GAME WAS GOING TO BE 2-1 FOR US.
BOTTOM LINE, WE DIDN'T HAVE
ENOUGH TO GET IT DON'T.
' YOU -- SEE YOU GUYS.
>> THERE'S ANOTHER GAME AGAINST
THESE SAME OPPONENTS THREE
NIGHTS AWAY IN FLORIDA.
A WALK DOWN THE HALLWAY OFFERS
THE FIRST CHANCE TO FIGURE OUT
HOW TO IMPROVE THE ENDING.
ON GAME DAYS IN TORONTO, THE
CHOICES FOR MAPLE LEAFS CAPTAIN
DION PHANEUF MOUNT LONG BEFORE
THE OPENING FACE-OFF.
AND WHEN THE RIGHT ASSEMBLE IS
SELECTED, NO DETAIL -- ENSEMBLE
IS SELECTED, NO DETAIL IS TOO
SMALL TO BE ATTENDED TO.
♪
>> ONCE READY FOR PRESENTATION,
ON HIS WAY OUT THE DOOR, HE
GRABS THE FIRST LOOK AT HIS PAIR
OF LADIES.
6-MONTH-OLD PEARL --
>> HELLO!
>> AND HIS WIFE OF FIVE MONTHS,
ACTRESS ALICIA CUTHBERT.
>> WE'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME.
>> IF A ENOUGH IS A NATIVE OF --
DION PHANEUF IS A NATIVE OF
EDMONTON, ALBERTA.
AND IT WAS THERE HIS FATHER, A
CONSTRUCTION WORKER BUILT HIS
FOUNDATION ON THE ICE.
>> VERY LUCKY TO HAVE A BACKYARD
RINK SINCE I WAS 2 YEARS OLD.
MY DAD PUT A RINK IN FOR ME.
NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT I WAS OUT
THERE.
UNTIL MY PARENTS BROUGHT ME IN
YOU HAVE THIS DREAM TO BE AN NHL
PLAYER AND THEN WHEN IT BECOMES
A REALITY, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE
LIKE NO OTHER.
THEY CALL TORONTO THE CENTER OF
THE HOCKEY UNIVERSE FOR A
REASON.
IT'S A HUGE HONOR TO REPRESENT
THIS CITY AND TO WEAR THE JERSEY
NIGHT IN AND NIGHT OUT.
>> NEARLY 10 WEEKS INTO THE
SEASON, HIS TEAM SITS TWO POINTS
BEHIND THE RED WINGS.
ANOTHER KIND OF FOOTBALL.
THE BOSTON BRUINS.
THE CLOSER IT GETS TO GAME-TIME,
THE QUIETER THE LOCKER ROOM
GETS, UNTIL HEAD COACH CARLYLE
ENTERS FOR A FEW FINAL WORDS.
>> FOR US IT'S ABOUT CREATING
OUR FORE-CHECK, ALL RIGHT?
WE HAVE TO CREATE OUR
FORE-CHECK, PUT PUCKS IN AND GO
TO WORK.
SKATE ON THESE GUYS.
WE WANT TO BE AGGRESSIVE.
FORCE THEM TO PLAY DEFENSE.
PUT THE PUCKS DOWN LOW AND GO TO
WORK.
STAY DISCIPLINED, PLAY OUR GAME.
LET'S GO, BOYS.
[APPLAUSE]
>> THE LEAFS BEGAN THE SEASON
RED-HOT ON THE STRENGTH OF THEIR
GOALTENDING AND SPECIAL TEAMS.
>> WHAT A SAVE!
>> GET THOSE FEET GOING!
>> BUT THANKS IN PART TO A SPATE
OF INJURIES, THE YOUNG CLUB'S
PLAY HAS BEEN MORE UP AND DOWN
OF LATE.
>> HEY, HEY, HEY!
GET OUT OF HERE.
HEY, WE DON'T NEED THAT.
>> AFTER THAT EXCHANGE OF HOCKEY
PLEASANTRIES, THE LEAFS FIND THE
FIRST OPENING.
>> THE SHOT WAS BLOCKED.
[HORN]
>> THEY'LL HEAD INTO THE FIRST
INTERMISSION UP 1-0, A LEAD THAT
MEANS ONLY SO MUCH THIS EARLY.
OF COURSE, IT WILL TAKE A WHILE
BEFORE THE LEAFS ARE COMFORTABLE
WITH A LEAD OF ANY SIZE,
CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED THIS
PAST MAY AGAINST THESE VERY SAME
BRUINS.
IT WAS THE DECIDING GAME SEVEN
IN THE FIRST ROUND OF THE
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS.
THE LEAFS WERE MAKING THEIR
FIRST POSTSEASON APPEARANCE IN
NINE YEARS AGAINST THE MORE
EXPERIENCED FAVORED BRUINS.
>> SCORE!
>> IT WAS THE LEAFS, THOUGH, WHO
HELD A COMMANDING 4-1 LEAD
MIDWAY THROUGH THE FINAL PERIOD,
EXHILARATING THEIR FANS BACK
HOME IN TORONTO.
BUT THEN IT ALL FELL APART.
>> GETS IT OFF.
SCORE!
WITH 10:42 REMAINING.
>> AND SCORE!
THE BRUINS SCORE!
>> THEY SCORED TO TIE THE GAME!
SCORE!
PATRICE BERGERON HAS WON IT IN
OVERTIME!
>> THAT WAS NOT THE WAY WE
ENVISIONED IT PLAYING OUT.
>> WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD JUST
HAPPENED.
WE JUST BLEW A THREE-GOAL LEAD
IN 10 MINUTES.
IT WAS A BIT SURREAL.
>> BLOWING A 4-1 LEAD IS TOUGH
TO DO IN HOCKEY, LET ALONE IN A
SERIES.
WHEN WE LOOK BACK ON THAT GAME
20 YEARS FROM NOW WE'LL STILL --
LIKE, NOT -- IT CAN'T HAPPEN.
BUT IT DID.
>> MY EMOTIONS WERE -- I DON'T
KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE THEM.
JUST SHOCK, REALLY.
YOU DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO
FEEL ANYTHING, REALLY, IS WHAT
IT CAME DOWN TO.
>> IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT, BELIEVE
ME.
IT WAS LIKE A STAKE IN OUR
HEART.
WE DID MAKE THE PLAYOFFS AND WE
HAD CAPTURED THE EMOTIONS OF THE
CITY.
IT WAS GREAT BUT WE FAILED.
WHAT WE'VE TRIED TO CARRY ON
INTO THIS SEASON IS THAT WE
WEREN'T GOING TO SIT BACK AND
WORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED LAST
YEAR.
WE CAN'T CHANGE THAT IT'S OVER,
GONE.
IT'S A NEW GROUP OF PLAYERS.
THIS IS A NEW LIFE FOR OUR GROUP
AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE GOT
CONFIDENCE FROM THAT PLAYOFF
SERIES.
>> TONIGHT, THOUGH, THAT
CONFIDENCE QUICKLY EVAPORATES AT
THE HAND OF THEIR RIVAL.
THREE GOALS PUT BOSTON IN FRONT
IN THE SECOND PERIOD.
>> SCORE!
MILLER!
>> AND THINGS DON'T GET ANY
BETTER IN THE THIRD.
>> SCORE!
>> THEN WITH JUST TWO MINUTES
LEFT AND THE GAME ALL BUT
DECIDED, DION PHANEUF COMES IN
DANGEROUSLY AND IMPRUDENTLY ON
BOSTON'S KEVIN MILLER.
>> AND MILLER IS IN A LOT OF
DISCOMFORT DOWN IN THE CORNER.
>> DION.
COME ON, BUDDY.
>> DANGEROUS LOOKING PLAY HERE.
HE GOES HEADFIRST HERE FROM
BEHIND -- OH!
RIGHT INTO THE BOARDS.
>> LATER ON IN THE NIGHT,
PHANEUF WILL BE TOLD THERE'LL BE
A HEARING WITH NHL'S DEPARTMENT
OF PLAYER SAFETY TO REVIEW THE
LATE HIT.
HARDLY THE KIND OF CODA THE
CAPTAIN ENVISIONED BACK AT THE
START OF HIS DAY.
>> YEAH, YOU HELP ME.
ARE YOU HELPING?
OK, CARRY IT.
OH, GOOD JOB.
PERFECT.
>> BACK IN DETROIT, SUNDAY IS AN
OFF DAY AND IN THE SUBURB AN
ENCLAVE OF BIRMINGHAM, A NEW
FAMILY IN TOWN USES SOME FREE
TIME TO DO SOME HOLIDAY
DECORATING.
AS STRANGE AS IT MIGHT SOUND TO
MANY IN HOCKEY, DANIEL ALFED SON
IS NOW A DETROIT RED WING AFTER
A STORIED 17-YEAR CAREER WITH
THE OTTAWA SENATORS.
>> I DIDN'T HAVE THE INTENTION
TO LEAVE.
I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO STAY
AND THEN TALKING TO KEN HOLLAND
AND BABCOCK ABOUT WHAT THEY
THOUGHT I COULD BRING TO THEIR
TEAM KIND OF GOT ME THINKING AND
MAYBE AT THIS STAGE OF MY CAREER
TRY SOMETHING NEW AND ALSO A
CHALLENGE TO MYSELF, BOTH ON AND
OFF THE ICE.
>> AFTER SO MUCH TIME WITH ONE
TEAM, ALFREDSSON HAS HAD SOME
ADAPTING TO DO, THOUGH THE MORE
DIFFICULT ADJUSTMENTS HAVE
FALLEN ON HIS WIFE BEBE AND
THEIR FOUR SONS.
>> IT'S EASY FOR ME TO SIT IN
THE JUNIOR TEAM.
THE TOUGHEST PART IS MORE FOR
THE FAMILY OFF THE ICE.
YOU CHANGE TO A NEW TEAM YOU
HAVE 20 NEW FRIENDS INSTANTLY
AND OFF THE ICE IT'S NOT THE
SAME WAY.
>> I THINK WE WERE ALL SO SUPER
EXCITED WHEN WE FIRST GOT ***
AND THEN WE REALIZED THAT WE'RE
STAYING HERE AND THIS IS WHAT
WE'RE DOING AND THEN THEY
STARTED MISSING THEIR FRIENDS
AND THE LIFE THEY HAD.
SO IT'S BEEN A LITTLE BIT
CHALLENGING BUT OVERALL I THINK
IT'S BEEN GOOD.
>> YOU WANT FULL GEAR?
>> FULL GEAR.
>> IS THIS YOUR STICK?
>> YES.
>> THE WHITE ONE?
>> IF LIFE IN DETROIT WILL TAKE
SOME GETTING USED TO, THERE ARE
BENEFITS TO BEING THE SONS OF A
RED WING STAR.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, DAD
TAKES HIS THREE OLDEST BOYS TO
THE OFFICE.
JOE LOUIS ARENA IS CLOSED TO THE
PLUCK -- PUBLIC TODAY BUT
EXCEPTIONS ARE MADE FOR CERTAIN
V.I.P.'S.
ON THE BUILDING'S HALLOWED ICE,
LESSONS OF THE FAMILY TRAILED
ARE PASSED ON.
>> COME ON.
GOOD STICK.
>> QUIT PICKING YOUR NOSE.
>> 24 HOURS LATER, ALFREDSSON
RETURNS TO THE SAME ICE
ALONGSIDE HIS 20 NEWEST FRIENDS
FOR PRACTICE.
>> I'M GETTING OLD.
>> HIS LAST 13 SEASONS IN OTTAWA
WERE SPENT AS TEAM CAPTAIN.
HIS LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
HERE AREN'T AS BIG.
>> IT'S MIXED EMOTIONS.
I MISS BEING THE GUY SOMETIMES
BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S BEEN A
LOT OF FUN TO BE PART OF THIS
LOCKER ROOM.
THEY EXPECT TO WIN AND IT RUBS
OFF ON PEOPLE THAT COME IN FROM
THE OUTSIDE.
YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE A GREAT CORE
GROUP HERE THAT'S BEEN AROUND A
LONG TIME.
AND IF I CAN ADD TO THAT A
LITTLE BIT WITH MY EXPERIENCE --
>> WITH CAPTAIN HENRIK
ZETTERBERG SIDELINED
INDEFINITELY WITH A BACK INJURY,
OTHER VETERANS INCLUDE WINGERS
JOHAN FRANZEN ANDED TO BERTUZZI
AS WELL AS DEFENSIVE ANCHOR
NICOLAS CROMWELL.
ANOTHER FROM INNOCENT FIGURE IS
THIS MAN, CENTER PAVEL.
HE'S ON THE CUSP OF RETURN.
SOMETHING HIS TEAMMATES ARE
EAGERLY AWAITING.
>> HE WORKS ON THOSE THINGS
EVERY DAY IN PRACTICE.
EVENTUALLY WHEN HE DOES GET INTO
THE GAME, IT'S NO SURPRISE TO
ME.
>> THE ANTICIPATION AND BALANCE
HE HAS ON HIS SKATES IS SPECIAL
TO WATCH.
>> I THINK THE BEST TWO-WAY
PLAYER IN THE WORLD, BAR NONE.
UNBELIEVABLE WORK ETHIC AND A
GREAT LEADER, QUIET LEADER WHO
STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE AND
SUCCESS.
>> YOU RELY ON CERTAIN PLAYERS
TO STEP UP EVERY GAME AND HE'S
ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO DOES THAT
FOR US.
WE MISS HIM AND WE'RE LOOKING
FORWARD TO HAVING HIM BACK.
>> IN TORONTO, THE LEAFS'
PRACTICE IS CANCELED ON MONDAY
FOLLOWING THE LOSS OF THE
BRUINS.
ONE PLAYER DOES HAVE WORK TO GET
DONE.
WINGER JOFFREY LUPUL IS ONE OF
SEVERAL LEAFS WHO BATTLED
INJURIES IN THE EARLY PART OF
THE SEASON.
HE WENT DOWN WITH A GRADE TWO
GROIN STRAIN IN LATE NOVEMBER.
>> YOU HAVE TO BE MENTALLY
STRONG.
IT CAN BE PRETTY FRUSTRATING NOT
TRAVELING WITH THE TEAM AND NOT
PLAYING.
FIRST TIME I'VE HAD ANY TYPE OF
MUSCLE INJURY LIKE THIS BEFORE.
IT'S FRUSTRATING.
YOU GO FROM FEELING PRETTY GOOD
ONE DAY AND GET ON THE ICE AND
IT DOESN'T QUITE FEEL AS GOOD AS
YOU THOUGHT IT WAS.
YOU WISH YOU'D NEVER GOTTEN HURT
BUT I THINK FOR THE MOST PART I
DO A GOOD JOB OF WORKING HARD
OFF THE ICE AND TRYING TO COME
BACK 100%.
I THOUGHT INITIALLY I WAS GOING
TO MAKE A PRETTY QUICK RECOVERY
BASED ON HOW IT WAS THE FIRST
COUPLE OF WEEKS.
NOW I'M AT PRETTY MUCH TWO WEEKS
STRAIGHT WITHOUT COMPETING AND
HOPING I'LL BE ABLE TO PLAY
WEDNESDAY.
>> ADVERSITY IS NOTHING NEW FOR
THE 30-YEAR-OLD LUPUL.
HE'S STRUGGLED WITH INJURIES
OVER HIS DECADE IN THE LEAGUE
AND BOUNCED AROUND WITH FOUR
DIFFERENT TEAMS.
BUT SINCE COMING TO THE LEAFS IN
2011 WHEN, HEALTHY, LUPUL HAS
THRIVED AS AN OFFENSIVE FORCE
AND DEVELOPED INTO A TEAM
LEADER.
MINUS THE INJURY, HE COULDN'T BE
HAPPIER TO BE HERE.
>> I HAD A CHANCE TO PLAY IN
OTHER PLACE THAT IS HAVE THAT
TRADITION.
A PLACE LIKE PHILADELPHIA.
GREAT SPORTS TOWN, GREAT FANS
AND THE ORGANIZATION HAS THAT
REAL SENSE OF HISTORY AND
TRADITION, BUT COMING HERE IS
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.
IF A NEW YORK YANKEE, A DALLAS
COWBOY, A TORONTO MAPLE LEAF.
IT'S COOL.
IT'S SPECIAL.
♪
>> BEING A MAPLE LEAF ALSO
PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY -- TO BE
PART OF THE GROUP THAT ENDS THE
LONGEST STANLEY CUP DROUGHT IN
THE NHL -- 46 YEARS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF
THE PEOPLE WHO BRING THE STANLEY
CUP BACK TO TORONTO.
THAT ALMOST GOES WITHOUT SAYING.
AS FAR AS THE 46 YEARS GOES, I
DON'T EVEN -- IT REALLY DOESN'T
HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ME OR
ANY OF THE CURRENT PLAYERS HERE.
EVEN CURRENT STAFF HERE.
SO YES, YOU FEEL BAD FOR FANS
THAT -- IN TORONTO, BUT ALL WE
CAN CONTROL IS WHAT WE CONTROL
ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
HOW HARD WE WORK, HOW MUCH WE
IMPROVE AND WHETHER OR NOT WE
WIN THE STANLEY CUP IN OUR TIME
HERE.
IT SEEMS LIKE KIND OF A DAUNTING
TASK WHEN SOMEONE SAYS WE
HAVEN'T WON THE STANLEY CUP IN
46 YEARS.
WELL, I HAVEN'T WON IT IN THE
THREE YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN
HERE.
THAT'S ALL I CAN APOLOGIZE FOR.
>> UNLESS SOMETHING COMES UP,
I'D SAY I'M READY TO GO.
BUT AGAIN, THAT'S A DISCUSSION I
HAVE TO HAVE WITH THE TRAINERS
AND THEN ULTIMATELY THEY HAVE IT
WITH THE COACH.
SO WE'LL SEE BUT I FEEL GOOD.
I'VE MADE STEADY IMPROVEMENT
EVERY DAY SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT
YOU'RE -- YOU'RE AFTER IN THESE
MUSCLE PULL-TYPE INJURIES, SO
WE'LL SEE.
>> WHILE THE LEAFS HAVE NO
PRACTICE TODAY, THERE IS A
DIFFERENT SORT OF ICE GATHERING
IN THE AFTERNOON.
ACROSS TOWN AT THE RICOH
COLISEUM, THE CLUB AND ITS MINOR
LEAGUE AFFILIATE ARE HOLDING A
JOINT CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR
PLAYERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
AMONG THE FIRST LEAF ARRIVALS
ARE 29-YEAR-OLD TORONTO NATIVE
DAVID CLARKSON.
HIS WIFE BRITTANY AND THEIR
2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER MCKINLEY.
CLARKSON PLAYED HIS FIRST SEVEN
NHL SEASONS WITH THE NEW JERSEY
DEVILS BUT MADE BIG NEWS HERE
THIS SUMMER WHEN AS A FREE AGENT
HE DECIDED TO COME HOME.
>> I THINK BEING FROM HERE AND
BEING LUCKY ENOUGH TO WEAR THAT
JERSEY THAT I WORE AS A YOUNG
BOY, IT'S SPECIAL.
I THINK BEING IN THE U.S. AS
LONG AS I WAS, I LOVED IT THERE
AND ENJOYED IT BUT ANYTIME YOU
GET TO GO HOME AND YOU HEAR YOUR
ANTHEM, EVIDENT -- "O CANADA,"
THAT'S SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT
YOU FEEL INSIDE.
ARE YOU READY?
THAT'S MY DAUGHTER AND SHE'S A
LITTLE PRINCESS.
SHE RUNS AROUND THE HOUSE
DRESSED UP AND WEARS HER OUTFITS
BUT IT'S FUN.
IT BRINGS A SMILE TO YOUR FACE
AND TAKES YOU AWAY FROM WHATEVER
BAD DAY YOU HAD OR WHATEVER YOU
HAD GOING ON.
>> THE PARTY ALSO INCLUDES FOOD
AND DRINK IN AN ADJOINING ROOM.
A MORE POPULAR GATHERING SPOT
FOR THE UNMARRIED TEAM MEMBERS,
WHO COMPOSE THE MAJORITY OF THE
REEFS ROSTER, INCLUDING STAR
WINGER PHIL KESSEL, JAMES VAN
REAMES *** AND NAZEM KADRI.
A TRIO AMPLY ENTERTAINED BY THE
DIVERSIONS.
MEANWHILE, FOR TEAM CAPTAIN DION
PHANEUF, A HEAR ONLY HIS LATE
HIT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED FOR 10:00
A.M. TOMORROW MORNING, BUT HE'S
NOT GOING TO LET THAT SPOIL SOME
TIME AT THE RINK WITH HIS WIFE.
>> I'M JUST HERE TO ENJOY THE
HOLIDAY PARTY.
SO TOMORROW IS TOMORROW AND
WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT TOMORROW
BUT OBVIOUSLY I'M HERE TO ENJOY
THE EVENING AND HAVE SOME FUN
WITH MY WIFE AND ENJOY THE DAY.
>> WE'RE REAL FORTUNATE THAT THE
PEOPLE ON THE TOP OF OUR TEAM,
THEY BRING IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THEY'RE THEIR OFF-ICE TRAINING
IS METICULOUS.
THEIR ON-ICE HABITS
UNBELIEVABLE.
THEIR WILL TO HAVE SUCCESS IS
FANTASTIC.
THAT IS VERY BENEFICIAL TO ANY
COACH AND ANY ORGANIZATION AND
THAT'S PART OF THE CULTURE THAT
WE TRY TO PASS ON HERE.
>> AFTER RED WINGS PRACTICES,
MIKE BABCOCK SPENDS A HATCH HOUR
CIRCLING THE CONCOURSE AT JOE
LOUIS ARENA.
HIS EIGHT-PLUS SEASONS IN
DETROIT, HE'S WON MORE GAMES
THAN ANY OTHER COACH IN THE
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE.
AS HE RUNS, HE PONDERS WAYS TO
WIN MORE.
>> HE DEMANDS A LOT OUT OF HIS
PLAYERS AND HE'S GOT A LOT OF
LOYALTY TO GUYS THAT WORK HARD,
DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY.
THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES
DURING THE YEAR WHEN THINGS
DON'T GO THE RIGHT WAY BUT I
THINK HE'S BEEN VERY GOOD AT
KEEPING EVERYONE GROUND, MAKING
SURE THAT EVERYONE STAYS
POSITIVE, STICK WITH IT AND KEEP
BELIEVING IN WHAT WE DO.
>> WHAT WORKED LAST YEAR ISN'T
GOING TO WORK THIS YEAR.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP EVOLVING AND
GETTING BETTER.
THAT'S THE SAME FOR PLAYERS AND
COACHES AND MANAGEMENT.
WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO FIND WAYS
TO GET BETTER EVERY DAY SO WE
CAN BE IN THE PLAYOFFS AND HAVE
A RUN.
>> BABCOCK HAS ALSO LED TEAMS TO
THE GOLD MEDALS AT THE OLYMPICS
AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.
BUT BABB CORKS MAINTAINING A --
EXCELLENCE IS A SOURCE OF PRIDE.
>> AS A COACH, GETTING ON ONE
TOP IS ONE THING.
STAYING ON TOP IS ANOTHER THING.
A LITTLE DIFFERENT FOR OUR
FRANCHISE.
>> THE FLIGHT FROM FRIGID
DETROIT TO SUNNY FLORIDA WILL BE
A LITTLE LESS THAN THREE HOURS,
A QUIET CHANCE TO CLEAR THE MIND
WILL BE WELCOMED BY ALL WHO
CLIMB ABOARD.
♪
>> THEY TOUCH DOWN IN FORT
LAUDERDALE AT DUSK, GETTING THE
BRIEF DOSE OF THE COMFORTABLE
WEATHER BEFORE HEADING OFF DOWN
THE HIGHWAY.
SO FAR THIS SEASON, THE ROAD HAS
PROVED TO BE AN ALLY.
THE TEAM HAS ONE OF THE BEST
RECORDS AWAY FROM HOME IN THE
LEAGUE.
A TREND THAT LIKE SO MANY OTHER
THINGS IN THEIR GAME IS
ULTIMATELY UNEXPLAINABLE, BUT
THEIR FOCUS IS SOLELY AND SIMPLY
ON CONTINUING IT.
>> WE'RE JUST HUNGRY.
>> I BET THEY HAVE FISH AND
CHIPS HERE.
>> AFTER CHECKIN, SEVERAL RED
WINGS RECONVENE AT THE HOTEL.
ABDELKADER, BRANDON SMITH, AND
DANNY DEKEYSER COMPOSE AN
UNOFFICIAL DINNER CLUB ON TRIPS
LIKE THIS EVEN IF TONIGHT THE
HOUSE SPECIALS AREN'T ENTICING
EVERYBODY.
>> HOW ARE THE RIBS HERE?
[LAUGHTER]
>> WHEN DID YOU ORDER ANY RIBS?
>> THE WAVES OF FOOD COME
QUICKLY AND ABUNDANTLY AND
ULTIMATELY THE CONVERSATION
SHIFTS TO THE POTENTIAL RETURN
OF PAVEL DATSYUK.
>> IS PAVEL GOING TO PLAY?
>> I'M GOING TO SAY YES.
HE'S SO SPECIAL.
HE'S TOP TWO, ONE IN THE WORLD.
>> I'D BE HONEST, IF I HAD THE
PUCK IN THE ZONE, I WOULD SAY
13, NONSTOP.
[LAUGHTER]
>> HEY, HOW DID YOU GET --
>> A PLAYER WENT DOWN.
I DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS JUMPED
OVER ME, PUT ME IN THE AIR.
>> SKATE?
>> YEAH, PART OF MY EAR CAME
OFF.
>> GUYS, THE END OF THE BAR --
TG INTELLIGENCE
>> THOSE LOOK -- [INAUDIBLE].
>> WHAT DID YOU GET?
>> SOME CHICKEN AND CURRY --
WHAT IS THIS?
[LAUGHTER]
>> IT'S BEEN A LITTLE MORE THAN
A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE RANDY
CARLYLE WAS NAMED HEAD COACH OF
TORONTO MAPLE LEEFERS.
THE HIRING WAS SOMETHING --
MAPLE LEAFS.
THE HIRING WAS SOMETHING OF A
HOMECOMING FOR CARLYLE, WHO AS A
PLAYER WAS A SECOND-ROUND DRAFT
PICK IN 1976.
HE EVENTUALLY WON A NORRIS
TROPHY WITH THE PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS AND FINISHED AN 18-YEAR
CAREER IN WINNIPEG WITH THE
JETS.
AS A COACH HE LED THE ANAHEIM
DUCKS TO A STANLEY CUP IN 2007
AND HAS COME HERE WITH THE SAME
OBJECTIVE.
AS WELL AS HOCKEY BELIEFS THAT
ARE SIMPLE AND TIMELESS.
>> I THINK MY COACHING STYLE IS
BASED ON FIRM BUT FAIR.
I BELIEVE THAT THERE HAS TO BE
STRUCTURE CREATED.
I THINK IT'S THE COACH'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE HIS
TEAM IS DISCIPLINED IN THE AREAS
THAT ARE TO THE RULES OUT THERE
IN THE GAME AND THE TEAM
CONCEPTS.
IF YOU'RE NOT PREPARE TOLD HOLD
THEM ACCOUNTABLE TO THAT THEN
YOU'RE LACKING IN YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY.
>> HE'S COMPLETELY HONEST.
SOMETIMES BRUTALLY HONEST.
SOME STUFF YOU REALLY DON'T WANT
TO HEAR BUT IT IS GOOD THAT YOU
HEAR IT.
>> HE IS A BIT *** YOU
SOMETIMES BUT EVERYONE NEEDS A
GOOD KICK IN THE BUTT EVERY ONCE
IN A WHILE.
ESPECIALLY MYSELF.
IT WAS A GOOD CHANGE FOR THE
ORGANIZATION, I THINK AND HE
REALLY BROUGHT HOPE AND FAITH
INTO THIS ORGANIZATION AND THE
TEAM THAT NOT ONLY COULD WE WIN
BUT WE COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST
TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE.
>> THIS MORNING IN THE TEAM
LOUNGE, THE COACH'S MOOD IS
BRIGHT.
>> BREAKFAST, HUH?
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?
>> WANT SOME TOAST?
>> THEY FORCE YOU TO EAT THE
HEALTHY STUFF.
NO MORE PEANUT BRLT.
IT'S ALMOND BUTTER.
OH, YEAH.
YEAH.
>> THE SPREADS AREN'T THE ONLY
THINGS TO VEX HIM.
>> THE TOAST STUCK IN THE
TOASTER.
[LAUGHTER]
IT IS STUCK IN THE TOASTER.
MAINTENANCE!
BOBBY!
YOU GUYS DID THIS ON PURPOSE.
[LAUGHTER]
THERE IT GOES.
THERE GOES THAT OMELET.
>> THE CHIPPER DISPOSITION MIGHT
BE A BIT SURPRISING CONSIDERING
LATER THIS MORNING, CARLYLE
COULD WELL BE LOSING HIS CAPTAIN
TO A SUSPENSION.
>> WE'RE NOT BEING TOO ROUGH ON
THIS, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
WE'LL DEAL WITH IT LIKE WE DO
INJURIES.
THE OTHER ONES THAT WE'VE HAD.
WE'VE HAD OUR FAIR SHARE OF
ALTERATION TO OUR LINEUP WITH
INJURY AND SUSPENSION THIS YEAR.
A FEW MORE HEADACHES FOR THE
COACH.
>> UPSTAIRS LEAFS GENERAL
MANAGER DAVE NONIX VICE
PRESIDENT OF HOCKEY OPERATIONS
DIVE POOLEN WILL PREPARING FOR
THIS MORNING'S PHONE HEARING
WITH THE LEAGUE DEPARTMENT OF
PLAYER SAFETY, A HEARING THAT
HAVE DECIDE THE SHORT-TERM FATE
OF DION PHANEUF.
>> WE'RE DOWN BY TWO GOALS.
DION IS GOING AFTER THE PUCK OR
GOING AFTER THE PLAYER.
>> IT'S A SPLIT-SECOND DECISION.
THE PLAYER GOES OFF BALANCE
BEFORE THE PLAYER GETS THERE.
IT'S EASY TO SAY STOP AT THAT
POINT.
YOU'RE TRYING TO RETRIEVE THE
PUCK AND AT THE LAST SECOND THE
PLAYER IS PROPELLED IN AND HE'S
PROPELLED IN BECAUSE OF ANOTHER
ACTION.
>> EVERYONE'S OPINION OF WHAT
HAPPENED IS ALWAYS DIFFERENT BUT
IT'S A FAIR PROCESS.
>> WE'LL PRESENT THE CASE THE
BEST WE CAN.
WE FEEL THERE ARE MITIGATING
FACTORS TO THE PLAY AND WE'LL
SEE WHAT THE LEAGUE, HOW THEY
FEEL ABOUT IT.
>> IT'S INTERESTING AT A JURY
TRIAL, ONE OF THE FIRST
QUESTIONS TO A JURY IS HOW MUCH
TO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CASE?
IN THIS SITUATION IT'S JUST THE
OPPOSITE.
EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT
THE CASE SO EVERYONE HAD -- HAS
MADE THEIR OWN DECISION.
WE DON'T DO THAT WE DON'T
SPECULATE OR PREJUDGE.
THE SYSTEM IS IN PLACE AND THE
UNIQUE THING IS THE SYSTEM
REPRESENTS BOTH SIDES OF THE
PARTIES.
THAT'S UNIQUE.
THE D.A. IS REPRESENTING BOTH
PLAYERS.
THE NHL IS REPRESENTING BOTH
PLAYERS, SO IT IS A FAIR
PROCESS.
>> A FEW MINUTES BEFORE 10:00,
IF A ENOUGH IS ESCORTED UPSTAIRS
TO JOIN NONIS AND POULIN FOR A
CLOSED-DOOR CONFERENCE CALL.
THE TEAM'S PRACTICE IS HELD
LATER ON IN THE MORNING.
BY THE TIME THE COACH SKATES ON,
HE'S BEEN APPRISED OF THE
LEAGUE'S DECISION.
NEWS HE SHARES WITH PHANEUF AT
CENTER ICE.
>> I GOT TWO GAMES.
HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?
NOT VERY GOOD.
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
>> AT THE START OF EVERY SEASON,
EVERY NHL PLAYER HAS CERTAIN
DATES HE CIRCLES ON THE
CALENDAR.
TONIGHT'S MATCHUP IN FLORIDA IS
ONE SUCH OCCASION FOR A MAN WHO
PLAYED 11 SEASONS FOR THE
PANTHERS BEFORE LEAVING THIS
SUMMER.
RED WINGS CENTER STEPHEN WEISS.
>> YOU WANT TO DO WELL AND WIN
THE HOCKEY GAME, OBVIOUSLY.
A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I PLAYED
FOR A LONG TIME BUT I'M SURE
THERE WILL BE SOME MIXED
EMOTIONS.
I HAVE A LOT OF GOOD FRIENDS
THERE AND A LOT OF BUDDIES THAT
I PLAYED WITH OVER THE LAST FEW
YEARS.
>> THANK YOU.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> INSIDE THE VISITERS' LOCKER
ROOM, THOUGH, WEISS'S RETURN IS
FAR FROM THE ONLY NOTABLE
ANYWHEREA ACTIVE.
AFTER A SEVEN-GAME ABSENCE,
PAVEL DATSYUK IS BACK IN THE
STARTING LINEUP, AS IS HIS
GOALIE JIMMY HOWARD AFTER
SITTING OUT THREE OF THE LAST
FOUR CONTESTS.
>> I UNDERSTAND AND -- WHY COACH
SAT ME.
GUSTAVSSON HAS BEEN PLAYING
AWESOME.
>> GAME DAY, YOU DON'T TALK TO
HIM.
YOU KNOW, THE GOALIE QUIRKS.
HE'S ALREADY DOING HIS MOVES IN
THE MIRROR, YOU KNOW.
>> LET'S GO!
>> THE WINGS GET OFF TO A FAST
START, EARNING A POWER PLAY IN
THE GAME'S OPENING MINUTE,
TRYING TO TAKE THE GAME'S FIRST
LEAD.
>> NO GOAL.
THEY'RE WAVING IT OFF.
>> NO GOAL.
DETROIT PLAYER 71 IN THE CREASE.
>> THAT'S A GOAL!
HE'S INSIDE.
HE'S INSIDE.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET MORE GOALS,
NOT LESS.
>> A WARM WELCOME BACK TO
STEPHEN WEISS!
>> IN THE NEXT BREAK IN THE
ACTION, THE PANTHERS HONORED A
MAN WHO PLAYED MORE GAMES FOR
THEM THAN ANYONE ELSE IN HISTORY
AND WEISS CAN'T HELP BUT PEEK AT
THE TRIBUTE.
>> THEY'RE SHOWING MY
HIGHLIGHTS.
>> THEY OFFERED ME A CONTRACT SO
I WAS TREE TO DO WHAT I WANTED
AND TO COME TO A PLACE LIKE
DETROIT, A TEAM I GREW UP
WATCHING AND HAVE A LOT OF
RESPECT FOR IS PRETTY AWESOME.
>> WITH THE EVENING CEREMONIAL
COMPONENTS COMPLETE, A FEW
MINUTES LATER, THE RED WINGS GET
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY UP CLOSE.
>> BERTUZZI!
>> TREMENDOUS JOB.
>> AS BABCOCK LOOKS FOR MORE OF
THE SAME IN THE SECOND, WEISS
FINDS HIMSELF IN A PLACE IN THIS
ARENA HE'S NEVER BEEN -- THE
VISITORS' PENALTY BOX.
>> HEY, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
OH!
>> BUT ON THE SUBSEQUENT POWER
PLAY, THE PANTHERS FAIL TO
SCORE.
AND THEN WHEN THE WINGS GET A
MAN ADVANTAGE, PAVEL DATSYUK
CONVERTS.
>> TO THE SIDE OF THE GOAL AS
DATSYUK SCORES!
>> NICE PLAY.
>> BACK IN THE LOCKER ROOM, THE
TEAMS -- TEAM'S TWO INJURED
CENTERS, ZETTERBERG AND HELM
LIKE WHAT THEY'VE SEEN, BUT IN
FRONT OF A HOSTILE CROWD, THE
WINGS HEAD INSIDE KNOWING HOW
MANY THINGS CAN HAPPEN WITH A
PERIOD TO PLAY.
BABCOCK IMPLORES THEM MAINTAIN
THE PRESSURE -- PRESSURE.
>> THEIR FRONT D IS GOING TO BE
JUMPING ALL THE TIME BUT NOT IF
WE'RE PLAYING THEIR ZONE
DRIVING.
KEEP THE SHIFT SHORT, STAY
CONNECTED.
LESS ATTITUDE.
PUT ON THE GAS, HE'S GO GET THE
NEXT ONE.
>> BUT IF THE THIRD PERIOD WILL
PROVE ON THE PROBLEMATIC FOR
NASTY MANAGERS, THINGS DON'T GO
MUCH BETTER FOR THE VISITORS.
FIVE MINUTES IN, THE PANTHERS
FINALLY FIND A WAY INTO THE NET
TO GET ON THE BOARD.
>> KUEHL COVE, SHOT REDIRECTED
AND SCORE!
>> AND SUDDENLY THE PRESSURE ON
JIMMY HOWARD IS INCREASED
SUBSTANTIALLY.
>> WHEN I FIRST ARRIVED HERE,
OUR GOALTENDING DIDN'T HAVE TO
BE AS GOOD AS IT IS NOW.
WE USED TO GET WAY MORE RUN
SUPPORT AND NOW THREE IS A GOOD
NIGHT FOR US.
WE NEED GOOD GOALTENDING.
>> HE SCORES!
[HORN]
>> LET'S GO!
LET'S GO HERE!
LET'S GO GET THE NEXT ONE!
WE NEED A WIN HERE!
>> BUT THE REST OF REGULATION
AND OVERTIME GO BY WITHOUT
ANOTHER GOAL SCORED, SETTING THE
STAGE FOR A SHOOTOUT, AN ELEMENT
OF THE GAME WHERE THE WINGS HAVE
STRUGGLED OF LATE.
>> HE SHOOTS AND SCORES OFF THE
INSIDE OF THE LEFT GOALPOST
BEATING JIMMY HOWARD.
>> DATING BACK TO LAST SEASON,
IT'S DETROIT'S 10TH STRAIGHT
SHOOTOUT LOSE.
AFTER A SHORT LATE-NIGHT FLIGHT
ACROSS THE STATES, THE TEAM
RECONVENED AT THE TAMPA BAY
TIMES FORUM FOR PRACTICE THE
NEXT MORNING IN ADVANCE OF THEIR
GAME THURSDAY NIGHT AGAINST THE
LIGHTNING.
>> FOR ME PERSONALLY, I'VE
LEARNED HOW TO TAKE THE SCHEDULE
IN STRIDE.
I THINK WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND
WHEN I WAS FIRST TRYING TO COME
INTO THE NHL, IT WAS A LITTLE
BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER.
YOU COME TO WORK EVERY DAY AND
WORK HARD.
>> WHEN YOU HAVE GUYS THAT HAVE
WON BEFORE, THEY KNOW WHEN NOT
TO PANIC.
IT'S EARLY IN THE SEASON.
WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT IN THE
STANDINGS.
YOU HAVE TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD
AND BELIEVE THAT IT'S GOING TO
TURN AROUND, TAKE A BOUNCE.
>> BUT JUST AS PRACTICE IS
WINDING DOWN, A NEW CONCERN
ARISES, AS HOWARD EXITS THE ICE
WITH AN APPARENT INJURY.
>> I WAS MOVING TO MY RIGHT,
WENT TO MAKE A SAVE AND ALL THE
WEIGHT ON MY LEFT KNEE JUST -- I
HEARD A POP.
>> WE'LL GET SOME IMAGING AND
HAVE HIM SEE A DOCTOR.
KEEP HIM OUT TOMORROW BUT
HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE LONG TERM.
>> HE SAYS HE'S LEARNED TO TAKE
THE TURNS OF A SEASON IN STRIDE,
BUT SUDDENLY, WHAT'S BEHIND THE
NEXT DOOR IS NOTHING BUT
UNCERTAINTY.
♪ WEDNESDAY IS ANOTHER GAME
NIGHT IN TORONTO AND IN THE
PRE-GAME CALM OF AN EMPTY LOCKER
ROOM, THE NUMBER 19 SWEATER
TAKES ITS RIGHTFUL PLACE AT THE
END OF ITS ROW.
JOFFREY LUPUL HAS BEEN GIVEN THE
GODE PLAY AGAINST THE LOS
ANGELES KINGS.
>> ALWAYS TO THE LEFT?
>> IDEALLY.
UNLESS YOU'RE ON A LOOP.
BUT IDEALLY I WANT TO PUSH TO
OUR LEFT SIDE.
>> THE LEFT WING'S RETURN TO THE
LAST TIME HAS COME NONE TOO
SOON.
THE TEAM FACING A KINGS' CLUB ON
A FOUR-GAME WINNING STREAK.
FORCED TO DO IT WITHOUT CAPTAIN
DION PHANEUF, WHO'S BEGINNING
HIS TWO-GAME SUSPENSION.
>> WELCOME BACK.
>> COME ON, NOW!
>> WHOO!
>> RIGHT AT THE OUTSET, THE
CROWD'S FAVORITE WASTES LITTLE
TIME MAKING AN IMPACT.
>> PUT IT IN!
CAUGHT IT WIDE.
>> BUT WHEN A PETER HOLLAND'S
HOLDING PENALTY INTERRUPTS THE
LEAFS' SBRGETIC START, THE KINGS
QUICKLY TAKE ADVANTAGE ON THE
POWER PLAY.
HIGH GOVERNOR AIR CANADA CENTRE
ICE, PHANEUF IS REDUCED TO
WATCHING WITH THE REST OF THE
92,000 SPECTATORS.
-- 19,000 SPECTATORS.
THE BREAKTHROUGH FINALLY COMES
LATE IN THE SECOND PERIOD ON A
FIVE-ON-THREE POWER PLAY FOR THE
LEAFS.
>> HERE COMES KESSEL.
>> THE TYING GOAL IS CODY
FRANSON'S FIRST OF THE YEAR AND
ENLIVENS THE CROWD AND THEN
JOFFREY LUPUL STEPS INTO THE
SPOTLIGHT AGAIN.
[WHISTLE]
>> YOU --!
>> THE FOUR-MINUTE PENALTY MEANS
LUPUL WILL SPEND THE REMAINDER
OF THE PERIOD WATCHING THE GAME
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM.
WHEN HIS TEAMMATES JOIN HIM, THE
GAME IS STILL TIED.
AND RANDY CARLYLE'S INSTRUCTIONS
ARE STRAIGHTFORWARD.
>> IN THE LANE DRIVE, REBOUNDS.
HOW MANY REBOUNDS ARE COMING OFF
THIS GUY?
BIG CHEST, LOTS OF REBOUNDS.
FEED THE CHICKENS HERE.
SIMPLE.
WE'RE NOT ASKING TO BE A
COMPLICATED TEAM HERE.
20 MINUTES FOR A BIG WIN.
LET'S GO.
>> AS THE FINAL PERIOD BEGINS,
THE LEAFS HEED THEIR COACH'S
WORDS AND KEEP THE PRESSURE ON
THE KINGS' ROOKIE GOALIE MARTIN
JONES.
>> SAVE BY JONES.
REBOUND --
>> BUT MIDWAY THROUGH, THE LEAFS
GET CAUGHT UPICE AND THE KINGS'
CARTER MAKES THEM PAY.
>> CARTER FIRES IT HOME AND THE
KINGS LEAD 2-1!
>> THE GOAL IS A PAINFUL BLOW,
BUT THE LEAFS CONTINUE TO PRESS
FORWARD, DOING EVERYTHING
THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO EXCEPT
SCORE.
>> THE FINAL TALLY IS 3-1 LOS
ANGELES.
EVEN IF THERE ARE ENCOURAGING
SIGNS TO BE FOUND FOR THE HOME
TEAM.
>> WE MADE SOME MISTAKES.
WE CAN'T SAY THAT WE DIDN'T GIVE
OURSELVES THE BEST CHANCE.
YOU HAVE TO USE IT AS A BUILDING
BLOCK AND I KNOW IT'S TOUGH.
THAT'S WHAT SPORTS IS.
YOU HAVE TO USE THIS AS A
STARTING POINT FOR THIS HOCKEY
CLUB TO DEMONSTRATE THE KIND OF
WORK WE HAVE TO HAVE ON BOTH
SIDE OF THE PUCK.
KEEP YOUR HEADS UP AND GET ON
THE PLANE.
♪ I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO GREAT
THINGS
I WASN'T RAISED TO SHOOT FOR
FAME
OOH ♪
>> IN A SEASON THAT LASTS SO
MANY MONTHS AND IS COMPOSED OF
SO MANY GAMES, THERE ARE FACTS
OF LIFE THAT CAN BE HARD TO
APPRECIATE.
NONE PERHAPS MORE COUNTER
INTUITIVE THAN THE REALITY THAT
LOSING IS ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT THINGS A TEAM CAN DO.
PAINFUL AS DEFEAT CAN BE,
THERE'S NO MORE POWERFUL WAY TO
REINFORCE TOGETHERNESS.
FRUSTRATING AS IT MAY SEEM,
THERE'S NO MORE VALUABLE METHOD
FOR RECALIBRATING TACTICS.
AND WHILE, OF COURSE, THE
PINNACLE OF THE SPORT IS
ULTIMATELY REACHED THROUGH
VICTORY, IT'S EVERYTHING ELSE
THAT REMINDS THEM HOW TRULY
DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET THERE.
♪
♪
>> ON THE ROAD TO THEIR OUTDOOR
CLASH AND WELL BEYOND, ADVERSITY
WILL CONTINUE TO SHADOW THEM.
SIMPLY PLAYING THROUGH IT MIGHT
WELL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
THESE TEAMS CAN DO.
>> PART TWO OF "24/7 RED
WINGS/MAPLE LEAFS: ROAD TO THE
NHL WINTER CLASSIC" PREMIERES ON
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21 AT 10:00
P.M. EASTERN AND PACIFIC.
DECEMBER 17 TUNE IN FOR THE
"REAL SPORTS" YEAR IN REVIEW FOR
A LOOK BACK AT THEIR FAVORITE
AND MOST INTRIGUING STORIES OF
2013.
JANUARY 18, IT'S AN ALL-CANADIAN
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT MATCHUP AS
JEAN PASCHAL AND LUCIEN BUTE
MEET AT THE BELL CENTRE IN
MONTREAL.
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY
HBO]
CAPTIONED BY THE