It's Impressive Wings Still Have A Chance. Yes, Really [BLOG]

By Jeff Riger
@Riger1984

I don't believe in moral victories in sports, they just shouldn't exist.  Nothing makes me more angry than people being happy or even satisfied when their team "almost" wins.

Earlier in the season when Michigan lost to then No. 1 ranked Arizona in basketball at home, people seemed ecstatic that they kept it so close.  It angered me!

When Michigan barely lost to Ohio State at home in football, fans celebrated because they didn't didn't get blown out.  That's bad form!

Being happy that your team barely lost or isn't as bad as you might have originally thought is plain and simply -- weak.  This isn't Little League or inter murals, we're talking about college and professional sports where all that matters is success. Don't act like you won when you lost -- At least that's my rule.

But rules are meant to be broken...

The more time passes, the more it seems like the Red Wings will probably miss out on the playoffs this season. Detroit currently sits 2 points out of the postseason with 17 games to go and they have been out scored 7-1 in their last 2 games.

Yes, with some wins they can be right back in the thick of things, however it seems like this team is gassed and simply doesn't have enough healthy bodies to be able to finish strong.  Tuesday nights 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets was just another reminder that the all important streak could be nearing it's end.

And, this is where I turn into a hypocrite...

Despite the losing and the struggles, I've been impressed by this team.  The amount of injuries that has riddled this squad have been devastating.  Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Weiss, Helm and now possibly Jurco are reason enough why the Wings are on life support.  And that's just the current injured.  The Wings haven't been remotely close to healthy all season long and if it wasn't for the infusion of youth that was well over due, they wouldn't event be in the position they currently are.  But you already know that.

Injuries are never an excuse but they are reality.

So while I strongly believe there's no such thing as a moral victory, this Wings season could be the closest thing to it.  For them to even have a chance, should make Wings fans even more proud of this team than they already are.

Don't get me wrong, everything wasn't great this season.  It's disappointing that Zetterberg and Datsyuk went to the Olympics and are now out.  It's mystifying that some veterans got so many chances when it seemed apparent that they had nothing left.  And, being forced to give up a high draft pick and a highly thought of prospect for a potential rental center wasn't the greatest either.  However the positives in 2013-14 outweigh the negatives.

If any organization can make this work it's the Wings, however if it doesn't, I'm satisfied given the circumstances.

I hate moral victories but in this case it seems fitting.

What do you think?