Holmstrom ready for game 4
Tomas Holmstrom has been cleared by Detroit doctors to play. He is going to fly to San Jose today with the Ilitches (team owners) and will be ready to play in Game #4 of the series. Holmstrom was hurt in game six of the Calgary series by an accidental high stick from the Flames’ Craig Conroy.
This is absolutely fantastic news! Homer has been desperately needed as he is key (in my opinion) to the first line’s success (Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be better with Homer back in the lineup). Plus, San Jose’s goaltender (Nabokov) gives up a ton of big rebounds and Homer will hopefully be able to pounce on some of those and at least create some scoring opportunities. And we don’t really have anyone trying to screen Nabokov (Bertuzzi tries, but doesn’t usually stay in front of the net very much) so it’ll be great to have Homer back.
Other good news: It looks like Henrik Zetterberg is feeling better after suffering from the flu over the past week. He participated in the morning skate today.
Lebda update: Brett Lebda is still hoping to play in Game #5, but said that if it was the regular season he’d be out for six weeks. Personally, I doubt we’ll see him this series, but that’s just my opinion.
Photos from game two
As promised, here is a gallery of some photos taken by my dad at the Wings’ playoff game against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. He took a ton more photos, but these were the only ones he had time to work on.
My favorite photograph:
JP at Sharkspage posted a gallery of photographs from the Red Wings practice today in San Jose.
Detroit sports recap
I was at the Detroit Tigers’ game, which they won 4-3, so I just wanted to quickly talk about some other Detroit teams aside from my beloved Red Wings.
Detroit Tigers
Today’s game was a continuation of the pretty inconsistent play by the team over the past month. The Tigers’ overall record is 13-11.
Brandon Inge had three hits in the game including the game winning solo homerun. When the game was tied, Joel Zumaya was called in to pitch.
Then there was Joel “Big Funk” Zumaya, whom manager Jim Leyland didn’t really want to use but decided to when Zumaya said he felt fine. To a question mark of confidence, in other words, Leyland turned over a tie in the seventh with a runner on third and two outs.
Not odd, but a bit risky if “Big Funk” still was in a big funk.
But he wasn’t.
After an earlier calming chat with Kenny Rogers — “I can’t help out any other way,” Rogers said — Zumaya not only looked like himself on the mound, but he pitched like himself.
“I needed a talk like that,” Zumaya said. “That was big. He told me to keep my head up, not to beat myself up so much, not to give the other team an edge, and I followed his advice.
“I didn’t have my good curve, but I was able to get by. Plus, I also kept my mouth shut on a couple of close calls.”
Zumaya worked out of the jam, which turned out to be the Twins’ last threat.
I also decided that as soon as I find a Magglio Ordonez t-shirt in my size, I’m going to buy it. He was my favorite Tiger in the playoffs last season and he certainly did well today.
The Tigers also won because Magglio Ordonez always hits Santana and remembered that. With two more hits off the Twins’ left-hander, including a two-run home run, Ordonez has a .417 (15-for-36) batting average and 14 RBIs against Santana.
For more postgame reactions, check out the great Tigers’ blogs (TigerBlog and Mack Avenue Tigers).
Detroit Pistons
Yesterday, the Pistons completed their sweep of the Orlando Magic. Former Piston and current Magic player, Grant Hill, is contemplating retirement after the series loss.
Today, the Chicago Bulls (and division “rivals”) defeated the defending NBA Champions, the Miami Heat.
What’s so interesting about this matchup? Ben Wallace was the heart and soul of the Pistons’ squad over the past few years including their NBA title in 2004. The day after Steve Yzerman retired this past summer, Wallace signed with the Bulls.
Be sure to read Matt and Ian at Detroit Bad Boys for coverage of the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The Pistons and Bulls are meeting in the playoffs for the first time since Chicago swept Detroit in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals en route to the first of six NBA titles under Michael Jordan. We’ll be covering this from all angles between now and Saturday’s Game 1, but feel free to get the conversation started now in the comments.
Natalie at Need4Sheed is known for her great graphics and game recaps. She actually even wrote a playoff preview for Pistons.com!
Detroit Lions
The 2007 NFL Draft finally concluded today. Oh, the Lions’ first overall pick (wide receiver Calvin Johnson) made the ceremonial pitch at today’s Tigers’ game and got a nice round of applause from the hometown crowd.
Photos from DetroitLions.com. The second photo is of Johnson with Tigers’ manager Jim Leyland.
Here are the Lions’ selections (by round and overall number):
Round 1/Selection #2: Calvin Johnson (WR/Georgia Tech)
Round 2/Selection #43: Drew Stanton (QB/MSU)
Round 2/Selection #58: Ikaika Alama-Francis (DE/Hawaii)
Round 2/Selection #61: Gerald Alexander (FS/Boise State)
Round 4/Selection #104: A.J. Davis (CB/North Carolina State)
Round 4/Selection #117: Manuel Ramirez (OG/Texas Tech)
Round 5/Selection #158: Johnny Baldwin (LB/Alabama A&M)
Round 7/Selection #255: Ramzee Robinson (CB/Alabama)
For scouting reports on all of the Lions’ selections, you should check out this link. For more stories about the draft picks and their reactions (including Stanton on being a hometown QB), you can visit the Lions’ website.
Wings 3, Sharks 2
If you take away the first ten minutes or even the first period, the Wings played a great game. It was enjoyable and close. As someone sitting second row near the blue line, I really enjoyed the game. I will post photos as soon as my dad has time to go through them all (and he got some fantastic hits by the way).
Unfortunately, I have five days off between my winter semester and my spring term (which starts Tuesday). I’ve been busy running errands, packing up the dorm room, unpacking at home, driving to Canada to cheer on the Plymouth Whalers, and watching the Wings. I will be going to the Tigers’ games on Sunday afternoon and Monday evening (both for free!). Fortunately, the Tigers game starts at 7pm on Monday and the Wings don’t start until 10pm so I’ll probably just have to listen to the first period on the radio.
Anyways, that means I don’t have much time for game recaps so here are some quick thoughts…
- Hasek. Stay in your net. If it’s the last thing you do. Bad things happen when you venture outside that crease. You go mental. You lose your stick. You turn the puck over to the opposing team. Just stay in the net and do what you do best.
- Dan Cleary is the man. He’s scored two huge shorthanded goals this postseason (one today and one in game #5 against Calgary as a penalty shot).
- The Sharks are a big team! I’m only 5′5″ so any hockey player looks tall to me, but the Sharks definitely looked huge. Thornton looked great although it was funny to hear the little kid sitting next to me yell, “You suck Thornton,” at the top of his lungs.
- Nabokov does not scare me. Yes, he’s a good goalie, but he’s not Kipper or Luongo. I couldn’t even keep track of the number of times he gave up big rebounds. I only wish that Tomas Holmstrom had been healthy to try to and score off those rebounds.
- Crash the net! I’m not saying interfere with the goalie, but a lot of our good chances came when a Red Wings player was trying to screen Nabokov or at least skating in front of the net. I definitely missed Homer in today’s game.
- I counted at least four octopi that were thrown out on the ice (one was right before the conclusion of the Star Spangled Banner). Al Sabokta carried off two of them swinging them around his head like he always does. Three were thrown at one time and an ice girl came and picked up two with her bare hands. I was very impressed! That’s what you get when you have female youth hockey players as “ice girls” instead of paid dancers/cheerleaders in sexy costumes as ice girls.
Like I wrote above, I’ll post pictures as soon as my dad gets them to me. And there won’t be any posting for me tomorrow until after I get back from the Tigers’ game. Go Wings!
Lions select Johnson
The 2007 NFL Draft started today at noon (EST) and the Detroit Lions selected Calvin Johnson (WR/Georgia Tech) with their first round pick (second overall). The Lions could still trade Johnson away, but you can’t really go wrong with the best player in the draft (the Oakland Raiders didn’t select him because they have a greater need for a quarterback). I will post more draft analysis at my Lions’ blog following the Red Wings’ playoff game.
Analyzing Red Wings’ ticket sales
I read an interesting comment left below this Detroit Free Press column by Michael Rosenberg regarding the lack of sellouts at Red Wings’ playoff games. The comment said:
“Thousands of empty seats? Hmmm. Is that happening at Comerica Park and the Palace too? If not, maybe the problem is the Wings.
But if all major Motown sports franchises are showing lower attendance, it might have something to do with tens of thousands of people either leaving town or considering it. It’s hard to justify big entertainment expenses when one has neither a job nor good prospects for selling one’s home.
That got me thinking. I decided to compare the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Red Wings in terms of ticket prices and sellouts/no sellouts. I chose to compare the Pistons and Wings because both teams play 82 regular season games. Both are popular and successful teams (each have won a championship since 2002). Both start the playoffs around the same time.
I felt that a direct comparison to the Tigers would be unfair because they have more home games and play their season during the summer when people tend to have more free time. And I didn’t include the Lions because, they’re the Lions, and people go to the games no matter what.
I have no fast conclusion, but what I found was interesting.
Arena Capacity
The Palace of Auburn Hills (the Pistons’ arena) seats 22,076 people. The Palace is the second largest NBA arena. Joe Louis Arena (the Wings’ arena) seats 20,066 individuals. So the Pistons have room for just over 2000 more people. While that may allow them to offer lower ticket prices, the difference in seats isn’t so large to disregard the stats (in my opinion).
Sellouts?
The Pistons have played two home playoff games so far this postseason (they lead the series, 3-0, by the way). They sold out in both games. The Red Wings have played four home playoff games so far (three in the first round and one in the second). They have sold out none of those games.
How did the two teams finish the regular season?
The Pistons won the Eastern Conference and clinched the number one seed. The Red Wings topped the Western Conference and also received the number one seed.
How have the teams done since 2000?
In 2000, the Pistons lost to the Miami Heat in the first round. They missed the playoffs in the following year. They made it to the Conference semifinals in 2002, but lost to Boston. The Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference finals in 2003, but were swept by New Jersey. They won the NBA championship in 2004 over the LA Lakers. They reached the NBA finals in 2005, but lost to the Spurs. In 2006, the Pistons lost to eventual champs Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals. They are currently leading the first round of the 2007 playoffs. In total, the Pistons has had 7/8 playoff appearances. They reached the Eastern Conference finals twice, but lost the series. They reached the NBA finals two times with one championship in 2004.
In 2000, the Red Wings lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Colorado Avalanche. The following year, Detroit lost to the LA Kings in the first round. In 2002, the Wings won the Stanley Cup. They were swept the following year by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. In 2004, Detroit lost the conference semifinals to the Calgary Flames. Due to the lockout, there was no season and thus no playoff action in 2005. The Wings lost to the Oilers in the first round for the 2006 playoffs. This postseason, they are down 1-0 in the conference semifinals against the San Jose Sharks. In total, the Wings had 7/7 possible playoff appearances. They reached the conference semifinals twice, but lost. The Red Wings reached the Stanley Cup finals once and won the cup.
By comparing the last seven years, the Pistons have had more success in the playoffs. However, if you look at the seasons between 1990 and 2000, the Wings have played significantly better. They missed only one playoff series in 1990, won two Stanley Cup titles, and reached the finals once where they lost to the NJ Devils. In that same timespan, the Pistons missed the playoffs four times, lost in the first round five times, lost in the conference finals once, and won the NBA title in 1990 with the Bad Boys. The Wings obviously have the edge in the 1990s.
What are the ticket prices like?
Unfortunately, I’m really struggling to find ticket prices (for the Pistons) since you can’t look at Ticketmaster for old games.
First round ticket prices for the Wings were $63 (nosebleeds), $68 (standing room only), $81, $99, $126, and $144. Remember, that’s without Ticketmaster’s service charge fees. And that does not include the $15 for parking. During the regular season, the most expensive ticket was $85 and the cheapest was $22.
According to Team Marketing’s report on the fan cost index, the average Wings’ regular season ticket price was $43.13 (which was exactly equivalent to the league average). So the Wings organization is not charging their fans ridiculous prices in the regular season.
It’s a different matter in the postseason. The cheapest playoff ticket is $20 more than their average ticket price in the regular season. Around 2500 season ticket holders had to pass on playoff tickets because they couldn’t afford them. It was either watch the playoffs this year or get season tickets for next year and with the Wings’ recent playoff performances, they chose to watch the 41 regular season home games.
The Pistons’ playoff tickets are in such great demand that they held a lottery for 1000 tickets to the first two games of round one. What was the price of those tickets? $12. Yep, the cheapest Pistons’ playoff ticket was $51 cheaper than the Wings’ cheapest tickets. I would be totally happy if the Wings had 1000 seats for $12. You bet I’d get there in line for that lottery. As a college student, I can afford $12. I could even get friends who don’t watch much hockey to go. Unfortunately, it’s hard to convince friends who are also poor college students to splurge $63 for nosebleed seats especially if they aren’t a hardcore fan. I spent $250 to go to two games.
Fans had to be at the Palace for the lottery, but the team had four players there signing autographs to help pass the time.
Four Pistons - Lindsey Hunter, Jason Maxiell, Nazr Mohammed and Flip Murray - were in the West Atrium signing autographs and taking pictures with ticket buyers on their way to the box office window.
How bad is the Detroit economy?
I know a lot of you non-Michiganders have heard that the Detroit/Michigan economy is poor and probably don’t realize how bad it really is. Between the Big 3 automobile companies (Ford, GM, and Chrysler) cutting jobs and losing money, Pfizer leaving Ann Arbor, and Comerica Bank moving their headquarters, Detroit has hit some rough times. I know personally, my family’s lifestyle has really changed. My parents own their own company and had 65 employees before 9/11. Today they have 14 employees.
Michigan’s unemployment rate is 6.5% (it was closer to 3% before 9/11). The national unemployment rate is 4.4%.
Our poor economy can be seen through the housing market as well and the amount of foreclosures. Plus, our taxes are rising while property values are falling.
Continuing a trend from 2006, metro Detroit posted the highest rate of real estate foreclosures of the nation’s largest 100 metro areas during the first three months of 2007, with one foreclosure filing for every 51 households.
Michigan, which ranked fourth highest among states, saw an increase in foreclosures of nearly 30% from a year ago.
Plus, the future does not look too bright. Graduates from Michigan universities are leaving the state in large numbers.
According to New United Van Lines Data, Michigan tops the nation in 2007 for the rate of outbound moving grads. This means more recent graduates living in Michigan are leaving the state in greater numbers than anywhere else in the country. But what is causing this mass exodus of students? The statistics are startling.
According to a Bizjournal survey, Michigan has topped the nation as the worst economy for prospective job-seekers. Detroit, which ranks 66th overall, is the metro area with the bleakest outlook for workers in their 20s and 30s. The problems besetting domestic automakers, combined with the erosion of Detroit’s manufacturing base, have caused the area to lose 105,100 jobs in the past five years.
Some experts believe that it will take more than a decade for the auto industry to even begin recovering from record losses, leaving students battling for jobs that don’t exist.
I know many Detroit sports fans used to go support multiple Detroit teams especially in the playoffs. However, this poor economy has forced many to make a decision. It seems that these sports fans have gone with the cheaper tickets and more successful teams over the last year (ie. Pistons and the Detroit Tigers, who made it to the World Series last season). Unfortunately, it seems that the Wings are at the bottom of the list and their high ticket prices don’t help.
What do others think?
Reactions to the Wings lack of sellouts by bloggers and members of the media.
Michael Rosenberg’s column in the Detroit Free Press:
Between the second and third periods, I went online to find tickets to Game 2. Just my luck: I could get 12 seats together in Section 225B. Unfortunately, I can’t possibly find 11 friends who want to spend $90 a pop to sit in the corner of the upper level (and pay a $5.75 “convenience charge” for the privilege).
Of course, if my buddies don’t mind standing, they can pay $77 each — plus that same $5.75 convenience charge. (Whoever heard of a convenience charge to stand up?)
I don’t blame people for staying home. People can spend their money however they’d like. It is just too bad that Mike Ilitch has chosen to alienate his fan base like this, by acting like the economy is still thriving and the Wings are still the only winner in town.
In the last few years, we have seen the state unemployment rate rise, the Pistons become one of the best franchises in sports, the Tigers make the World Series, Steve Yzerman retire and the Wings’ payroll drop from almost $78 million in 2004 to $44 million this year. Yet the Wings expect fans to open the checkbook as they did in 2002.
Playoff ticket prices have dropped 10% from their peak, but they remain too high.
The Wings have clearly misjudged the market. And it’s sad, because — all kidding aside — I think a lot of people would jump on this bandwagon if the prices were reasonable.
The Toronto Star:
Maybe Detroit fans are becoming too blasé about a team that just keeps on winning. Maybe it’s the economy – this rust-belt city is taking a big hit due a downturn in the automotive sector. Maybe the ticket prices are too high. It costs $77 US for a standing-room ticket. The empty seats cost $90 US.
Maybe the Pistons and Tigers are just too much competition. And it won’t be an easy sell Saturday with the NFL draft on television at the same time as the hockey game, and fans here wondering who their Lions will pick.
“The state isn’t in a great financial situation, but we just got to go out and play regardless if it’s a sellout or half full,†said Maltby. “The crowd is still into it, and if we could have scored a goal, I don’t think you would have noticed anything.
“If you’re going to let an empty seat throw you off your game or worry you, you’re going to be in trouble. Tickets aren’t cheap and it’s no secret the state of the economy. It’s not just the car business, it’s a whole trickle effect.â€
Wall Street Journal’s The Daily Fix:
Part of the boredom stemmed from a surprisingly sparse, and quiet, Detroit crowd. Michael Rosenberg attempts to remind the city about its once-beloved franchise: “Surely you remember the Red Wings. Hockey team … perennially in the playoffs … the guys like to skate around with the Stanley Cup every few years … does any of this ring a bell?” Mr. Rosenberg writes in the Detroit Free Press. “There were thousands of empty seats at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday. The Wings gave the official attendance as 18,712, but I suspect they meant limbs.”
James Mirtle at Globe on Hockey:
You’re right, Tim — it is sad to see Joe Louis Arena sit partially empty for a playoff game, especially when there was an 11-year sellout streak heading into the game. But it’s also fairly predictable given the way ticket prices were hiked for the playoffs, and the resulting fan backlash online.
Upper-bowl tickets for season-ticket holders nearly doubled for Round 1 from what they were in the regular season, and the team asked for huge sums of cash upfront for the first two rounds of the postseason. Hockey Night in Canada reported around 2,500 season-ticket holders decided against buying the packages, which is 15 to 20 per cent of the team’s (rapidly evaporating) season-ticket holder base.
Last fall, the sudden disappearance of the Red Wings’ longstanding season-ticket waiting list foretold the potential problems at the gate — but it took the price hike for fans to stay away.
If you decide you want to go, tickets are available through the Joe Louis Arena box office or on the Detroit Red Wings website. They range from $63 U.S. to $144. “The problem down here is the economy,†said Devellano. “The auto sector is in the dumper and it’s hard to sell out a 20,000-seat arena when people have to pay their mortgages.â€
On the positive they still have 17,000 season tickets holders and as the team advances in the playoffs the later rounds sell out fast.
But the first round is always a little tougher which creates an opportunity for hockey fans here. “It would be great to see them,†Jimmy said of the Ontario fans.
But the fan enthusiasm that surrounded the Tigers turn-around last season hasn’t spread to the Wings so far, perhaps due in part to the team’s disappointing finishes in recent years.
On Wednesday, several hundred tickets were still available in all price ranges for tonight’s game.
On average, about 174,000 Metro Detroit households are watching the playoff games on FSN Detroit, a 150 percent gain from the regular season, according to Nielsen ratings released by the network.
But that’s a far cry from the frenzy in 2004, when about 250,000 local households were watching the games.
“The excitement is getting there,” said Tim Bryan, a spokesman for FSN Detroit. “There’s definitely more interest that we’re in the playoffs. This is a huge sports town.” …
“We have to decide between Red Wings playoff tickets now, or save up and hope the Tigers make another run for the pennant,” said Rogers, who estimated his family attended a half-dozen hockey games and an equal number of baseball games last year.
“If they go deeper in the playoffs, I’d consider paying for those tickets but not for the early rounds.”
Red Wings ticket sales for the first round against the Calgary Flames were OK, team spokesman John Hahn said, but as the series moved forward, more people started buying tickets for future playoff games.
Dave at Gorilla Crouch:
Rosenberg points out that there is a lot of competition for the attention of Detroit sports fans as every professional sports franchise not named the Detroit Lions has been excellent of late. That, combined with a difficult economic situation in Michigan, is going to force the Red Wings to drop ticket prices if they want to continue to sell out games.
Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated:
The last time the arena seemed this moribund was when Steve Yzerman was barely old enough to shave. Of course, there were no-shows in the stands during the regular season, but unsold tickets and a game presentation Thursday that failed to match the originality and passion that has come to be associated with the Red Wings truly was shocking.
“That was something I wasn’t expecting,” Rivet said. “I looked up in the stands and there was a lot of empty seats there. That’s really uncharacteristic of Detroit.”
The problem is a downturn in the local economy and an upturn in the fortunes of the Tigers, Wings owner Mike Ilitch’s other big sports property. Detroit’s surprising appearance in the World Series in 2006 became an economic drain on the Wings, who are just another competitor for the sports entertainment dollar here. Without being able to ice a lineup of Hall of Fame players circa 1997 and 1998 due to the constraints of a salary cap, some of the Red Wings glitz is gone. Not that the place is about to become the Meadowlands of Michigan, but if Hockeytown wavers, the NHL must be concerned about traditionally softer markets.
Overall
Obviously, I’d love to see the Joe packed and rocking. Unfortunately between the economy, ticket prices, and the increase in people willing to spend their money on other teams (Tigers/Pistons), Red Wings have failed to sell out this postseason. Maybe this will send a message to owner Mike Ilitch to lower playoff tickets for the future.
I honestly don’t know if we will see a change next year. If Ilitch can still sell out a majority of the arena at those high prices, he may make more profit than he would if it was 100% full at cheaper ticket prices. It’s all about making money. I’m also curious to see when the Wings fail to sell out in the regular season. With the season ticket waiting list rapidly dwindling, it seems only a matter of time.
Hank actually sick with flu
I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to hear that Henrik Zetterberg really does have the flu. Now it makes sense why he didn’t practice and stayed away from the guys to try to prevent further infection of his teammates.
It’s also a relief to know that it isn’t his back acting up.
And here it comes straight from Bruce MacLeod, reporter for the Macomb Daily:
Here’s a surprise … valid information from an NHL team during the playoffs. Henrik Zetterberg spoke with the media after Friday’s practice (he didn’t skate) and he really does have the flu. He looked like he has the flu. He acted like it. Coach Mike Babcock originally thought that Zetterberg missed Wednesday’s practice because the Swede’s back was acting up, but it wasn’t. This isn’t like the case of Patrick Elias and a cold.
Another interesting note from practice: Valtteri Filppula was seen practicing on the second line and center Robert Lang had been demoted to the fourth line. I like it. Aside from his “big” game six against the Flames, Lang hasn’t been great this postseason, which is when he usually shines. I’m also pleased to see Filp actually receive some more ice time and hopefully he’ll make the best of it.
Valtteri Filppula skated on the second line Friday between Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi, replacing Robert Lang, who was moved to the fourth line with Jiri Hudler and Mikael Samuelsson. Wings coach Mike Babcock said not to read too much into it. I will anyway. It’s certainly worth a shot, maybe Filppula’s speed and energy, his ability to control the puck in traffic, will be a boost for that line. Lang finished strong in the Calgary series but didn’t play well at all in Game 1 of this series.
Another Bernie update
I have not yet watched the game. It’s recorded and on my laptop, but from what I hear it sounds like I probably shouldn’t watch it so I may not. I obviously don’t like being down in the series, but from others’ recaps I don’t feel like I should be totally stressing out yet. We’ll see what happens Saturday (when I’ll be at the Joe in the second row, lower bowl) and that game’s result will determine my stress level.
On a good note, the Bernie the Rally Bird t-shirt I bought Kris Draper has made it to his locker and you can see it in this photo:
To say I’m ecstactic is an understatement. Go Wings!
Update: Bernie the Rally Bird
I have some exciting news about Bernie the Rally Bird! All the players aside from Kyle Quincey and Jiri Fischer (and they will be getting their’s shortly) have received their Bernie t-shirts. What’s even more exciting is that they are hanging in their locker room stalls and you can see that Chris Osgood and Dominik Hasek have received their t-shirts:
The t-shirt to the right of Ozzie that’s white with red around the ends of the arms and with red wings on the back- that’s our Bernie the Rally Bird t-shirts! Yay! Dom’s t-shirt is also hanging to the right of him, just over his shoulder.
The players have not been given our notes yet, but hopefully they will soon!
Sharks vs. Octopus
Little known fact: Octopi have been found to eat sharks.
Sidenote: The sharks were only 3-4 feet in length.
But still, aquarium shark tanks should have signs reading “Beware the Octopi.” Al, the Rally Octopus, shall make his appearance. And hopefully, devour the sharks in the shark tank (HP Pavillion). Go Wings!
Image made by skatergod247 @ Lets Go Wings