Helene St. James takes a look at the Wings’ seven Swedish players
Monthly Archive for December, 2005Page 2 of 5
Well, in the rush to get out the door last night, I forgot my notebook so I wasn’t able to take notes on the game. So, this won’t be a summary as much as a list of observations.
When we first got to our seats, the arena was nowhere near full. Once the game started, the upper bowl was pretty well filled but the lower bowl still had a lot of empty seats. Eventually, most of those seats were filled, peaking sometime during the second period, I think.
Regardless of how full the arena was, it got pretty loud when the Wings scored and there were definitely the expected collective gasps of excitement on scoring chances or cries of anger at the officiating. Still, the atmosphere was fairly tame for most of the game, until the end.
Pavel Datsyuk looked a little out of synch to start the game but got better as the game went on. Robert Lang scored in his first game back but seemed to me to be a step behind the play almost the whole night.
Sergei Fedorov was booed every time he touched the puck, something I found to be a bit ridiculous. Maybe it was appropriate the first season after he left but now it’s just stupid. It sure didn’t stop him from assisting on two of the Columbus goals.
The fans in my section liked to rag on Rick Nash all night, though they were silenced for a bit when he scored in the first. They also liked to yell “Fire Millen!” occasionally, something I found humorous. One guy tried to get the chant going but it didn’t spread.
I didn’t quite see it when Lidstrom was hit in the face by the puck but that was a scary couple minutes. I was glad to see him back later in the game.
With the game tied going into the middle of the third period, we started thinking “overtime.” But then, Shanahan scored sort of a surprise goal and we hoped the Wings could hold them off for the rest of the game. When they didn’t, I started getting a bit nervous, given the Wings’ record in overtime this season.
I flinched on every Columbus shot in overtime but fortunately, Osgood was steady. The Wings came close a few times but, as we got closer to the end of overtime, I think most fans at the Joe had the attitude that they didn’t want either team to score. We wanted a shootout.
As the final seconds of overtime ticked away, the Joe got louder with anticipation. The rules were explained over the PA system but I wasn’t able to hear them very well because of all the cheering. At this point, we were mostly sitting down but just before the shootout actually began, we all stood up and started cheering for Ozzie, who had to face the first shooter. The atmosphere was electric.
When Balastik scored on that first shot, we were deflated a little but then we saw that Babcock had gone with Pavel Datsyuk as his first shooter. Pavel made a beautiful deke on Leclaire and beat him high. The crowd went wild. Then, Rick Nash came out for Columbus. Osgood stoned him and we all went crazy.
Williams put the Wings ahead with a beautiful goal after that and then it was Sergei Fedorov’s turn.
The booing he had been forced to endure all game was nothing compared to what he got then, standing alone at center ice. I think every fan in the place was letting him have it at the top of their lungs. He skated in on Osgood and took his shot, trying to beat his old teammate on the blocker side but Ozzie made the save, winning the game for the Wings.
Of course, the fans went nuts and the Wings celebrated to the sound of “Ozzie! Ozzie! Ozzie!” being chanted from the stands.
Sergei was named one of the stars of the game for his two assists and as we filed out, he was soundly booed one last time.
Getting out of the Joe took forever but it had its light moments. The tunnel to the JLA parking garage, was completely packed, wall to wall, and moving very slowly, prompting the comic geniuses among us to “Moo” like the cattle we all felt like.
There was also the occasional cry of “Fedorov sucks!” by the odd drunk fan though I’m not sure who they were talking to. I didn’t see a single Columbus fan the whole night.
Overall, it was a great experience and a very exciting finish to the game, for sure. My thoughts on the shootout have been altered somewhat but while it may be an exciting way to win a game, it would still be an awfully sucky way to lose one. I hope it doesn’t become commonplace for the Wings to be involved in one because part of the excitement was its rarity.
The pictures are coming but I don’t know that they’ll be very good. When I go to the Blues game next month, I should have my sister’s Rebel 2000, which should produce some quality images for your viewing pleasure.
Update (24. Dec): Links to the pictures are at the top of the sidebar now.
Two current Red Wings players, Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios, were selected to the US team for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy. This time around with be Chelios’ fourth Olympics (1984, 1998, 2002) in his 44 years, two of those times he was named captain of the American squad. “I feel very lucky at my age and am looking forward to the challenge,” Chelios said.
Wings GM Ken Holland told Chelios yesterday that he had been selected to the team.
“There’s no doubt the intangibles Chris Chelios brings to any team have to be discussed,” said Holland. “We brought him back for his ability to play, but also because of his leadership and competitiveness. When he’s on your team, he believes your team is going to win, and he has an impact on the players around him.”
Schneider has played in one other Winter Olympics back in 1998. He seemed to be a sure selection for this Olympic squad with his 28 points in 23 games placing him fourth among NHL defensemen. He is second among defensemen in scoring (10) and power play goals (7). Schneider also averages 24:05 of ice time
“With his ability to skate and handle the puck … the way he played two years ago and this year, it became pretty obvious that he had to be on the team,” Holland said.
GM of the US Olympic team, Don Waddell, is pleased with his defensive selections including former Wing, Derian Hatcher, and former MSU player John-Michael Liles. “We think our depth on defense is as good as it’s ever been,” Waddell said.
Phyllis Gretzky died two nights after Wayne Gretzky returned home to be with her. She was suffering from lung cancer and passed away Monday night. It is not known if or when Gretzky will return to coach the Phoenix Coyotes or continue to direct Canada’s Olympic hockey squad. My prayers are with the Gretzky family.
“Detroit: What do you get the team that has had everything for years? Nothing, that’s what!” Thanks, Jes!
Tonight is the third of eight meetings between these to supposed Central Division rivals. The Wings lead the season series 2-0 with wins October 22nd (6-0) and 24th (6-2). On the 22nd, Jason Williams scored a hat trick while Pavel Datsyuk netted two goals on the 24th.
The Wings are coming off a three-game road trip in which they went 1-1-1, wrapping up their Eastern Conference play for the season. They began the trip in Atlanta, losing 7-6 despite coming back from a four-goal deficit in the third period. They then headed to Florida where they lost 3-2 in overtime after tying the score a couple times. Finally, they got a win in in the final game after their offense exploded with three goal in the third against the Lightning to give them a 6-3 victory. The Wings are 0-2-0 following thee-game road trips so far this season, losing once even when coming off a win as well as when not.
The Blue Jackets are having an awful season and it hasn’t helped that Rick Nash has only played four games due to injury. He was activated off the IR list last week and played against the Predators, logging 14 and a half minutes and getting one shot. This is depressing: no player has better than an even +/- rating with the majority currently in the negatives. You know it’s bad when your best defenseman (and most offensively-oriented) is minus-21 (Bryan Berard). Adam Foote isn’t a whole lot better at minus-12. They have the lowest scoring offense (62) in the NHL but their defense is only fifth-worst, allowing 115 goals. They managed to beat two Eastern Conference opponents during their inter-conference series (the Islanders and Devils) but are currently on a three-game slide, losing most recently to Nashville, 7-3, Saturday.
Chris Osgood should get the start tonight. The News reports that the Wings have sent Jimmy Howard back to Grand Rapids and called up goalie Joey MacDonald in his place. They want Howard to get playing time and he isn’t likely to get much of that here.
Valterri Filppula was also sent down to the Griffins. Filppula played two games for the Wings and notched one assist, playing a total of 5:35.
Mathieu Schneider will be out of the lineup for this game. He had to leave the Lightning game due to a leg cramp and has not practiced, according to the papers.
Robert Lang could make his return from a groin injury tonight.
We’ll get to see former-Wing Sergei Fedorov for the first time this season tonight. Sergei was traded to Columbus last month but has just one goal and four assists over 14 games for the Jackets, a deficiency that can be attributed in part to a lingering groin injury. He announced last week that he would skip the Olympics, saying his focus needed to be on playing for Columbus. Given his performance so far, it’s hard to disagree with him. Kris Draper, who’s offensive production has been similarly dry, can identify with him.
Despite the Wings’ two previous encounters with Columbus this season, I don’t expect the Jackets to be push-overs. They do have some skill and would surely like to pull off an upset at the Joe.
I was able to obtain a couple tickets for this game from someone a while back (thanks Terry!) so I’ll actually be at the game. I’m definitely looking forward to it and I’ll be sure to get a lot of pictures to go along with my thoughts on the night.
Also, our condolences to the Gretzky family on the death of your matriarch, Phyllis Gretzky, last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Mathieu Schneider and Chris Chelios will return for another tour of duty
Brendan notched nine points (2G, 7A) in four games last week
The Wings wrapped up their three-game road trip with a win last night, beating the Lightning 6-3 in Tampa Bay in front of a large contingent of their own fans. The defending Stanley Cup Champions had Detroit playing catch up for two periods but the Wings’ exploded with two goals early in the third period to take the lead. They never looked back, scoring once more before mid-period and ending their two-game slide.
Both teams started with their big guns on the ice, the Wings with Pavel Datsyuk centering Jason Williams and Brendan Shanahan and the Lightning with Brad Richards between Martin St. Louis and Fredrik Modin. Nicklas Lidstrom and Andreas Lilja were on defense for Detroit while Darryl Sydor and Cory Sarich manned the point for Tampa. The St. Pete Times Forum was filled with the “Let’s go Red Wings” chant as play began, providing a friendly atmosphere for the Wings to skate in. Sidenote: is it just me or are Wings fans more vocal on the road than they are at the Joe?
Jamie Rivers, in the lineup for Brett Lebda and playing his first in eight games, went to the penalty box for hooking at 2:42. The Lightning got set up and put on some good pressure but the puck was cleared a few times and it looked like the penalty would be killed off.
Then, at 4:29, the Lightning scored a surprising goal and took the lead. Fredrik Modin took a shot from the point and Chris Osgood made the save but the puck went high in the air on the rebound. Instead of catching it with his glove, Osgood tried to bat it out of the air with his stick but he missed. Rob DiMaio crashed the net and knocked the puck in, bowling Osgood over in the process. The Wings protested the goal and debated with the referees, either because Osgood was knocked down or because they thought it was knocked in by a glove (Ken Daniels thought this was the case) but the goal stood. 1-0 Tampa.
The Wings responded less than a minute and a half later when Pavel Datsyuk took a pass at his own blue line from Nick Lidstrom, skated through center around two Lightning defensemen and ripped off a shot from just inside the right circle. He beat Tampa Bay goalie John Grahame just inside the left post to tie the score at one (5:53). Great individual effort by Pavel and a nice up-ice pass from Nick, who was standing on his own goalline at the time.
Despite that play, which was the result of a great pass, the Wings were not very crisp passing the puck offensively at this stage in the game, I noted.
At 9:39, Chris Osgood was called for tripping but it was a pretty weak call. Dave Andreychuk had skated right through the crease in Osgood’s face and stumbled a bit after his feet made contact with the goalie’s stick. Veteran ref Kerry Fraser, who didn’t make the call, talked it over with NHL Competition Committee-member Brendan Shanahan, who looked more incredulous than anything else. Fortunately for the Wings, the refs evened the score by calling Evgeny Artyukhin for goaltender interference a mere six seconds later, just after the start of the Tampa Bay power play.
With the teams skating four a side, Jason Woolley drew another penalty, giving the Wings a 4-on-3 power play. They generated some good pressure but the closest they got to scoring was when Williams hit the post at 14:27.
The Lightning got another power play before the end of the period but didn’t score.
At the end of the period, Tampa led in shots with 13, nine of which came on the power play. The Wings only had five but two of them came with the man advantage. Tampa set a physical tone to the game, out-hitting Detroit 7-3 in the first. Artyukhin in particular had a few big hits along the boards.
During the first intermission, Ken Daniels sat down with former Wings head coach Scotty Bowman and asked him for his thoughts on the Wings’ Fathers’ Week. He said he thought it was a wonderful idea and opined that it helped build team chemistry.
Daniels then asked Bowman what he thought of the “new NHL” and what he’d like to see change. The winningest coach in NHL history replied that he’d like to see more 5-on-5 scoring. He noted that we’re seeing more power play and shorthanded goals this season and said he would like to see goalie leg equipment made even smaller. He pointed out that there was much more space in a 6′x4′ net 20 years ago when goalie’s leg pads were smaller than today. He didn’t say anything about upper body protection needing to be smaller, just the big leg pads that were reduced in size already for this season.
The Wings began the second period without defenseman Mathieu Schneider, who was hit along the boards in the first by Darren Reid and suffered a hamstring injury on the play. Reid made his NHL debut last night, by the way.
Tampa controlled play once more in the second, getting help from referee Blaine Angus, who seemed to take Fraser’s silence as license to call everything.
Nick Lidstrom took a rare high-sticking penalty at 1:45 and opened the door for another Lightning goal not long after. Dave Andreychuk redirected Pavel Kubina’s point shot at 3:18 to put Tampa Bay up by one again. It didn’t look like much of a deflection to me and I thought it was a pretty weak goal for Osgood, who had a clear line of sight on Kubina, to let in.
The Lightning followed up their goal by controlling the play and forcing the Wings back on their heels for the next couple minutes. Then, Johan Franzen scored kind of out of the blue after taking a through-crease centering pass from Draper, who had carried the puck over the line and down the right wing. Franzen tapped in the pass practically on the goalline and tied the game up at two. It was Franzen’s 7th goal of the season but he is still without an assist.
Although the score was tied, the Lightning had dominated the play for most of the game. To give you an idea, Tampa had outshot the Wings 20-7 through Franzen’s goal. The Wings came on a bit after that, however, and seemed to be doing pretty well until 8:44 when the Lightning scored again.
I had just written “Osgood steady” in my notes when Ryan Craig, playing in his first NHL game, made a nice memory for himself by scoring his first NHL goal. Cory Sarich took the initial shot from the point and Craig got his stick on it in front of the net, changing it’s direction pretty drastically. Osgood didn’t have much of a chance on that one. 3-2 Lightning.
For the next ten minutes or so, the teams traded chances and power plays until the Wings evened things up at 18:39. Nick Lidstrom started the play off with pass to Draper from his own blue line. Draper crossed into the Tampa zone, dumping the puck off to Williams who immediately sent it to a streaking Jason Woolley. Woolley, who had just come off the bench, paused and then shot the puck, beating Grahame short side for a nice goal. 3-3.
The Wings were in the process of finishing the period with some pressure when Shanahan was called for interference, sort of a BS call. Shanny voiced his displeasure but headed to the box with 9.7 seconds left in the period. On the ensuing face-off, Draper won control of the puck and fell on it. His slowness in getting up made the Lightning a bit upset but they got a shot off before the period ended.
Tampa still led in shots, 26-17.
With Shanahan in the box, the Wings began the third period shorthanded but they were able to keep the puck in the offensive zone or at center ice for most of the Lightning power play.
Once Shanny got out of the box, things really heated up as the Wings put on the pressure.
Jason Woolley had a nice chance in the slot but sent the puck back to Lidstrom, who sent a blast at Grahame that was stopped. The rebound went directly to Mikael Samuelsson on the right wing, however, and he one-timed it right back at the Tampa goalie. Grahame must have been surprised at the velocity of the shot and wasn’t quite set when it beat him up high, just below the cross-bar. 4-3 Wings, at 2:12.
Immediately after the goal, Jason Woolley again got in on the offense but this time the team didn’t score. Kirk Maltby took a shot from the point and Woolley was right on the doorstep but Grahame kept the puck out, freezing it for a faceoff.
The Wings won the faceoff and Shanny got off a hard shot immediately but it was stopped. A few seconds later, Rivers got off a shot and the rebound went right to Pavel Datsyuk, who knocked it in for his second of the night.
John Grahame was pulled at this point and Sean Burke was brought in to replace him.
After Datsyuk’s second goal, the Lightning regained some control and play evened out a bit as the game headed toward mid period.
At 8:48, Burke mistakenly played the puck behind the goalline and outside of the trapezoid, resulting in a Red Wings power play.
The Wings made good use of it, scoring at 9:31 to take a three-goal lead. Pavel Datsyuk notched his third point of the night on the play by sending the puck to Henrik Zetterberg who in turn sent it out front to Shanahan. Shanahan one-timed it past his good friend Burke and then batted it in again just to make sure it counted. Someone on the Lightning defense had stupidly left him wide open out front and it made it easy for him to put it in the top right corner.
The Lightning got a couple more power plays after that and got a couple good set ups going but they couldn’t get the puck past Osgood again. 6-3 Wings final, the Wings’ 7th 6+ goal game this season.
Next up, Columbus at home on Tuesday. I’ll be there, actually.
