In Which I Agonize Over Which Games and Moments Are My Favorites

... and least favorites but, we'll get to that later.

Inspired by the "Dollar Hot Dog Power Hour" podcast with Mike, Kevin, and Michelle (special guest Peter - Octopus Thrower), I have decided  my favorite Wings memories must be shared. Although they shared the ones that they were in attendance for, I think I'll just share my favorite, and least favorite, moments over the life of my Wings fandom.

Here they are (I'll go in chronological order):

1. Since I was 4 when the Wings won the Cup in 1997, I was not really supposed to be up watching hockey with my dad but... I was. I remember leaning up against my dad during the second period and dozing a little (I was four, gimme a break). My dad woke me up just in time for DMac's second period goal. I was so pumped that I stayed awake for the rest of the game. I remember being so tired by the end that I started to daze and then they brought out The Cup. For the next while, I was so excited that all my parents' friends and my brother's friends were mad at me because I live in Chicago. No one here was at all happy with that, which leads me to....
2. The Cup win in 1998. I was five then and my dad wanted me to stay up with him, so I did. I remember my dad looking at me in disbelief, with sheer joy, saying "They're gonna win it all again. I knew we could do it for Vladdy." I watched them win and I, again, annoyed the Chicagoans with my happiness. To this day, it still gets dusty when I see the Cup presentation and Vladdy.
3. In 2002, my family had a skybox for a couple games a year (at the United Center, I live in Chicago). It was so much fun and for a while, it was the only way I got to see my Wings live. I got to see some great players that way. A few times, I saw Steve Yzerman score at the United Center... everyone was so upset and I was on cloud nine for a long time each time. For that reason, that is one of my favorite memories.
4. Then, we won the Cup (again) in 2002. That was fun :)
5. (LEAST) Then the lockout happened... I hated the league.
6. (LEAST) In 2006, Oh Captain, My Captain Steve Yzerman retired. :(
7. Then, we won the Cup (again) in 2008... That was fun too :) Nicklas Lidstrom 1st European-born/trained Captain to win!
8. (LEAST) Then, there may, or may not, have been playoffs in 2009... Come to think of it, I really don't think there were.
9. (LEAST) In 2011, I saw a few Wings v Hawks games, both losses, one in Detroit and one in Chicago. I enjoyed them but.... WE LOST.... 
10. Then, in 2012, I saw a few Wings games. One on my birthday, it was definitely a great day. I woke up and opened a Jimmy Howard jersey present. That is when I knew something was up. For a while, my dad had been saying that we were doing something special on my birthday. I knew there was a Wings/Hawks game and I really wanted tickets. We went out to dinner, my dad and I, and started driving down to the United Center. I was so excited. Then, we got to the game and Conklin started. I wasn't sure how well this would go. We were down 2-0 at the end of one. By the 3rd, it was knotted at 2 and it was through most of OT. Then, Pavel Datsyuk happened. Then, Franzen happened. Then, on the way home EddieO and Steve Foley were complaining on the radio it was so great and entertaining. Definitely a favorite.
11. (LEAST) Lidstrom retired and then there was a lockout. 

Okay, there they are... I think I'm gonna go find some hockey.