During my 16 years in this business I've been to 4 Super Bowls, 7 All-Star games in various sports, 2 NBA Finals, 3 Stanley Cup Finals, 3 Tyson fights, several F-1 and Indy Car races, The Ryder Cup, U.S. Open, and several other big time PGA events, back stage at rock concerts, and generally in countless places, countless times where I said to myself, "I can't believe I'm here!" But I can honestly say, I've never been a part of anything like the NHL's Winter Classic in Chicago at Wrigley Field.

This event can't be duplicated. Every city that hosts it offers something different, something special, but not every city has a place as historic as Wrigley Field. Not every city has an Original Six team like the Blackhawks. Not every city "gets it." Heck, half the time the NHL itself doesn't "get it." But they got it this time around - and they got it right.

Reflecting on my time in Chicago for the Winter Classic puts a smile on my face from ear to ear. The thought of Wrigley itself makes me smile. I mean, I got to skate on the ice the two days before the game and I can tell you this;  it matters not whether you play hockey, have ever played hockey or if you can even skate, one step on to a "sheet of dreams" like that, and you've got a memory that you'll never forget.

As I took lap after lap I couldn't help soaking up the setting. Wrigley Field, the roof tops, Harry Caray's image, the outfield walls which were being decorated with the NHL's version of ivy covered brick...the boards, the glass, the benches, the logo at center ice - all of it - it was simply surreal. I felt like I was having my own little moment in the spotlight. I felt like I was truly some place special. And I was. And so were the fans and players who took part in the real game itself.

On game day, seeing all the people inside for the game was one thing, but walking the streets of Wrigleyville and seeing all the passionate fans in the streets was quite another. There were over 40,000 inside and easily another 10,000 outside just soaking up the atmosphere...or should I say creating an atmosphere all their own...and the roof tops around Wrigley, jammed with partiers disguised as hockey fans.

The cold weather seemingly warmed the hearts of everyone there. No one cared about the temp. The only thing anyone seemed to care about was the fact that they were seeing something they'd never seen before and the appreciation for that fact alone dulled the pain of the loss for the Chicago faithful and added to the joy for those who made the trek from Motown.

The Winter Classic was just that. The Red Wings loved it. The fans loved it. The TV networks loved it. The media covering the event loved it. And what's not to love? NHL hockey on an outdoor rink, in the middle of a venue that has history seeping from every nook and cranny, on a picture perfect day in one of the most electric cities in the country...add it all up and you get a Classic - an event that leaves everyone not only satisfied, but begging for more.

The Red Wings completely dismantled the San Jose Sharks at The Joe Thursday night. The win was a thing of beauty. Detroit dominated every aspect of the game from beginning to end, finishing it off with Ty Conklin's second shutout of the season. The most impressive thing about the win for the wings was the fact that they kept the highest scoring line in the league off the score sheet.

Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Devin Setoguchi had combined for a league-leading 104 points coming in to this highly anticipated matchup and they came away sucking air. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Shutdown and shutout. The Wings defense took a big bite out of these ever-dangerous Sharks and the fans at Joe Louis Arena loved every second of it.  This was the loudest and most passionate fans at The Joe have been all season long to this point. They were up for it and obviously so were the Detroit players.

Pavel Datsyuk, a 4 point night, Marian Hossa and Brett Lebda had multi-point nights, Brad Stuart got his first of the season (and at least 2 more monster hits) while Conklin stopped all 24 shots sent his way. As the boys like to say, "It was a total team effort." 

Oh man, do I hope these two teams hook up in the playoffs. It wasn't the Sharks best night to be sure, but you can sense the intensity bubbling below the surface as game time rolled around and with bigger stakes on the line you just know the hype and hockey are going to live up to all the expectations.

One more thing...I had a chance to talk with Sharks head coach and former Red Wings' assistant, Todd McLellan Thursday morning as his team took their morning skate. He came to town with the best team in the league this year, he had just received his Stanley Cup ring, and everyone at Joe Louis Arena was genuinely happy to see him and shake his hand one more time. Other than the loss, things couldn't have gone better for him in his return to Motown and that's a very good thing.

Todd McLellan is a very hard worker, an excellent hockey coach, and most importantly he's as a good a person as you'll ever meet. I really liked him when he was in Detroit. He deserves any good fortune that comes his way. He's the kind of guy you cheer for and I'll cheer for him as long as he's in the league. Red Wing fans everywhere should too - except during games against Detroit.

there is no goaltending controversy with the Red Wings. Chris Osgood is the number one guy, Ty Conklin is the backup and Dominik Hasek is not walking through that door...

But...

Ty Conklin is suddenly getting plenty of play between the pipes for the Red Wings of late. Friday night he is set to get his third straight start despite allowing 7 goals in his last two. That's not Red Wing-like defense by any stretch of the imagination, especially considering both of those were home games.

It's obviuos the Red Wings goaltending hasn't been the strongest aspect of the teams' game to this point in the seaoson and it's no surprise that Conklin is getting work. What is surprising is that he's getting three straight starts when Chris Osgood isn't injured.

Conklin told me he's happy to be getting games under his belt and while he's a bit surprised at the level of activity he's been getting, he isn't letting it go to his head. He knows he's got a job to do, meaning he has to win games while he's in there, and that's all he is focused on. A third straight win in as many starts would indicate he's doing his job.

However, three or more goals against for a third straight game would indicate he and the defense need to do their jobs just a little bit better.

Whether is Osgood, Conklin or the ghost of goalies past, it really doesn't matter who minds the crease right now. What matters is if the team winning. It's a season full of ups and downs for everyone and when one guy is down its up to a teammate to pick him up. In this case Conklin is doing just that for Osgood. It won't be long before Ozzy is back doing the same for the rest of his mates.

No one has been as good on the road this season as the Red Wings. That is an execellent sign because winning on the road is what seperates good teams from great ones. However you have to win your home games too and something tells me that's exactly what Detroit is about to start doing this month.

After chasing their tails from one stop to another around the NHL for the first 2 months of the season, the team is finally home for 8 of their next 12 games in the month of December. Mike Babcock and the players feel this is important because not only do they get the benefit of playing in front of their home fans, but they get to eat and sleep at home, spend time with their families and most of all, they get more practice time.

All of these factors make December a big month for the Wings as they look to establish the home ice dominance they displayed in the past, while creating even more separation betwenn themselves and the rest of the Central Diviision.

Look for the Wings to start pulling away from the pack starting Thursday when they host Vancouver, right through the 30th when Blackhawks come to 'The Joe' looking for their beat-down. Meanwhile, they will continue to road warriors through the rest of the season because, as I said, that's what separates the good teams from the great ones and this team truly is great.

Last year during the NHL Finals I had a bit of a debate with Mickey Redmond about Marian Hossa. I thought he was soft, a bit of a floater, a guy who put up good numbers on mediocre teams in the past. 

Mickey said, "He's one of the top 5 players in the league, hands down. And he's about as good with the puck as Datsyuk." Mickey raved about his hands, his skill and his ability to make a team better.

I was surprised by Mickey's analysis and watched Hossa through a different set of eyes for the rest of the series.

I didn't think he was THIS good and I was wrong - way wrong. Mickey Redmond was right - way right!

Hossa didn't collect a point in the Red Wings shutout victory over the Edmonton Oilers Monday night at the Joe. For the first time in 5 games the opposition had managed to keep the hottest of the hot wings off the score sheet. However that didn't stop him from being the most dominant player on the ice.

Hossa has to be accounted for by opposing defenses every time he puts a blades on the ice because he's a threat to score from anywhere in the offensive zone and as his 13 assists prove, he can find the open man with the best of 'em.

His defensive game is stellar, he's strong as a bull on his skates and his size and skill set are enviable. He truly makes everyone around him better. But the thing Wings fans need to appreciate most about him as this season rolls on is the heart and desire this guy has as well. He's on fire to win his first Stanley Cup and that along with his immeasurable talent will help lift Detroit when they need it most down the line.

Holy Hossa! This guy is good, really, really good. I'm happy to say, I'm pleasantly surprised at just how good.

Stay tuned to Red Wings Weekly all season long. You just might see Hossa in an upcoming episode of "Trev Takes On." Yeah, I'll get my butt kicked, but it's always worth a good laugh.

This season's first rematch of the '08 Stanley Cup Final between the Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins turned out to be one hell of a hockey game. In fact, it was without a doubt the most fun I've had watching a regular season game since the lockout ended. Too bad it will wind up being memorable here in Detroit for all the wrong reasons.

The Red Wings managed to turn a 5-2 third period lead in to a 7-6 overtime loss. It was a loss that was unnecessary, unexpected and completely unacceptable. However in many ways it was also worth it.  The talent that was on display at The Joe was as good as it gets in the NHL, making the entertainment value priceless.

Very rarely will you see 13 goals scored in a Red Wing game, unless the Wings put 9 of them on the board. In their game against the Pen however, no one could keep the puck out of net. When you've got gunners like Staal, Malkin, Crosby, Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Hossa on the ice it feels like an all-star game... but is was simply a Tuesday night Hockeytown when the best of the best happened to be going head to head.

Yes, the entertainment value was priceless, but if you're head coach Mike Babcock, the end result was sickening.