Red Wing Hockey

The Red Wings just finished a grueling playoff series with the Anaheim Ducks.  They had to play all seven games and most of them were tight.  They won the final game at home to secure entrance to the next round.  Now they are on to the Chicago Blackhawk’s.  Before we get on with the games, let’s discover how the Red Wings and Hockey came into existence.

In 1904 five US teams and one Canadian team formed the World Hockey League.  In 1917 the National Hockey Association was born.  In 1924 the first hockey game was played in the United States between Boston and Montreal.  In 1926 the World Hockey League resolved and became the National Hockey League.  The three teams that moved were the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawk’s and the Detroit Cougars (later named Red Wings).  These teams joined with the Boston, Montreal and Toronto.  Thus these 6 teams became known as the original six.  Not wanting two different leagues, the National Hockey League expanded in the 1960’s.  They now have 30 teams in the NHL.

This year is the first time in a number of years the original six are playing again.  The Red Wings are playing the Chicago Blackhawk’s and the winner goes on to the next series of 7 games.   The first game is behind us and the Wings won 5-2.  The Wings play a procession game.  Dan Cleary scored one goal and Mikael Samuelson and Johan Franzen each scored two.  I was a great game for Wings fans.   The second game is scheduled for Tuesday.