Playoff Stress and You
There's no escaping it and we all know it. Whether Detroit wins 16 straight games or loses 4 in a row, at some point in the next two months, we will all freak out for one reason or another. A questionable hit on one of our stars, a hit post with the game tied late, a terrible call against the Wings or dives that go unpunished. We're going to yell at our TV's, swear at nothing and probably plan our wardrobe around the hopes of good karma.
That's fine. I'll be right there with you. However, there are a few things we need to consider during the next two months and there are ways to prepare ourselves for the coming pain.
Jump for details:
First of all, don't forget that it's not your spouse's fault that Gary Bettman is a corrupt tool bag. There's nothing that he or she can do about biased officials, biased announcers or missed calls. It's also not your kid's fault if Lidstrom's shot hits the post in OT. Finally, don't blame your dog when Ericsson gives the puck away, Lilja style.
So what do we do about it? What are we supposed to do when bad things happen to good hockey fans?
#1: Gaming. I like playing NHL12 after a tough loss. It doesn't do jack for the standings, but it helps me. Here's another fun thing to try: Edit the rosters of the team you're pissed at by screwing up the speed, toughness and injury stats for the entire roster. Then play a playoff series against them. Smash Tootoo's digital face into next season. Rinse and repeat with all other players. It's awesome.
#7: Watch the old Stanley Cup DVD's. In a way this is kind of pathetic. It's like reading your old girlfirend's letters and crying yourself to sleep, but it does help to remember happier times. You'll also notice moments in that DVD where the Wings were not at their best, but came back to win anyways. Don't forget, even the stacked team of 2002 didn't sweep the Hurricanes. Also search youtube for moments like this:
#9: Unleash your anger in our comments section. We can take it and you'll probably find that a few other people are just as mad as you are.
#10: Dart board with the face of the enemy on it.
#12: Spend some time rethinking your strategy. Obviously the combination of the 2002 Stanley Cup Champions t-shirt, the Yzerman jersey and the 2008 hat didn't get the job done. Maybe try a different hat? No hat? Red Wings socks! That's the ticket. Just remember, what you wear while watching the game can make the difference between #5 for #5 and an early exit. Don't let us down...
#19: If the chips are down, think of a topic for a motivating post and tweet it to me, @Twig81. Lord knows I'll be thinking of one...
That's it. The playoffs are a cruel and unusual time to be a hockey fan and we love it. Every last miserable moment. Just try to keep that misery to yourselves.
I remember the 2008 finals. I'm sitting on the couch watching a game with my son who was 8 at the time. I don't remember what exactly happened in the game, but I let loose a torrent of profanity. My son looks at me and says, "Mom, is it really necessary for you to swear?" Seeing since I couldn't get a red eye flight to Mexico to stock up on Xanax and nitroclycerine tablets, I'll probably be using language so foul it'll make George Carlin proud!
I usually scare my wife AND two neighbors' dogs with the sounds I make during playoffs... LGRW!
I think that the NHL Playoffs are more of a stressor than say, 'March Madness'. That only lasts a few weeks whereas the NHL Playoffs, especially if the Wings go to the Stanley Cup Finals last 2 months until the party in June. I agree, this will be a period of little sleep and probable times of erratic emotions. So, to sum up my plan is to stock up on Energy shots for those all too early start times at work and sleep when I can in between games. LGRW!
It's that time of year when I turn in a bi-polar, occasionally catatonic mess. I will go an entire period barely breathing or moving a muscle. And then a disc of vulcanized rubber goes into the net breaking a late tie and I explode into hysterics. I imagine it's quite disturbing for those around me. It's also the return of the morning after playoff hockey hangovers. Morning work sessions are going to be pretty unproductive.
If we're playing like shit or it's a very close game, you'll all see me losing my shit on Twitter. I'm going to forgo the playoff beard this year, it hasn't helped in the past and I still can't grow a decent beard to save my life. I just end up looking like Sidney Crosby in May, which is to say it looks like someone has been gluing pubic hair to my face.
I think the key is to look at the positives for the season. We managed to break a long standing NHL record in one of the most competitive times of the NHL and even a first round loss to the Predators isn't going to take that away.
Well if this isn't your best work yet then I'm a real blogger. Every tip is (apart from being masterfully numbered) either sound advice to me to help me cope with the anxiety and despair this time of year brings so often or what I do already.
I love being a Red Wings fan. Cheers!
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Playoff beard hasn't worked too well past few years, changed it up to a playoff goatee like I had in 2008 which seemed to work out pretty damn good. Love #10 haha my roommate and I have a special edition Sid the Kid dartboard that gets plenty of use after every tough loss
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very nice touch using the retired numbers for the tips instead of just straight numbering.
