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Game Summary:
It felt like a good start to the game. The Wings were skating and making plays. But, sure enough, Ottawa scores 2 while outshooting Detroit 11-6 after the first. The past few games have had this similar first period feel. In some, Detroit outworked the other team but had nothing to show for it. Tonight didn’t seem like that kind of night. The team deflated a bit after the first goal and didn’t get back on track quickly enough.
And then the second period hits. Detroit outshoots Ottawa 7 to 2 and Pius Suter got Detroit on the board after a nice pass by Raymond. The 2nd year winger skated to the net but couldn’t get a shot off. Instead he deferred to the centerman Suter and you’re at a one goal gap. At the end of the period it’s now a one shot game and Detroit has seemed to play their best hockey in the third. Maybe get to OT?
Nope. In a span of about 2 minutes Raymond, Soderblom and Rasmussen all score and now lead the game 4 to 2 up until the final horn. From 3:13 on Detroit just played hard and well. They even drew a penalty with 3:23 left which is a pretty good sign that things may well go the team’s way as long as they maintain possession or score.
It’s really hard to peg this team. The past three games have had good third periods, with this and the Pittsburgh game having good 2nd and 3rd periods. The phrase “underlying stats… from LaLonde is becoming a bit grating. Watching the game, the first periods have just looked off. And later in the game, it looks like the team had been eating espresso beans during the break. (I once ate a container of chocolate covered espresso beans as a teen. Don’t do it).
Kudos to big Rasmussen. Of the three “big man… first round picks in a row (Mantha, Svech and Ras) he is the one who worked his way into Yzerman’s plans. Depth role, okay, but takes faceoffs on the top line and uses his size to cause problems for the other side. On pace for roughly 17 or so goals that’s decent contribution from what would be on your healthy roster your third line center.
Raymond seems to be finding himself again, Seider made some good plays (including saving a goal). Hronek is just in a little bit of a funk that I think he can get out of. Just seems to be having little issues (like scoring for the other team and losing an edge, etc) that make it hard to have some more swagger. Walman is earning ice time, and Larkin continues to lead. It wasn’t pleasant seeing his one good hand get potentially injured. However, the captain came back. He wants to be on the ice and part of the solution. An old soul is a fairly speedy young man.
This was a nice end to the year. I won’t miss 2022. Save for the reality that I’m a year older, 2023 is more than welcome to be even slightly better. There will be good and bad times, ups and downs. But to watch this team grow with Yzerman and Lidstrom in the offices is a treat. A lot to be excited for and a lot of growing yet to be done. I hope you’ve enjoyed chunks of the season and am grateful for each of you that returned to the blog when I was able to come back. It’s been a great privilege to write for this team. I’m wrong, often, but have no issue admitting it and moving forward in a hopefully wiser point of view. At some point, I may even make slightly fewer mistakes and get the hang of this! Thanks to Eric and Ek for taking me back when I was ready. That is a big deal to me and always will be.
First Period Detroit goals: No first period Detroit goals
Ottawa scored the first two after a decent start by Detroit. Already in a 2 goal hole. Watson and Grioux both scored.
Shots: 11-6 Ott Score: 2-0 Ott
Second Period Detroit goals:
At 8:42 Suter found the back of the net after Raymond missed an opportunity to back hand the puck and passed to the centerman who ripped a nice clean shot. 2-1
Pius Suter finishes off a beauty. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/7hLIJ6Qe7B
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023
Shots: 13-13 Score: 2-1 Ott
Third Period Detroit goals:
Detroit tied things up as Raymond tipped a Maata shot from the line with Berggren collecting the assist. So far a two point night for Raymond at 1:18.
RAY RAY! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/fugSIUr1xD
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023
Wings pull ahead just over a minute later at 2:36 as Soderblom dropped to one knee and wristed a puck in after a pass from Veleno. Walman with 2nd assist.
BIG ELMER! BIG GOAL! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/xotgWUx80Q
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023
About another minute later Rasmussen turns it into a 2 goal lead as he intercepts Talbot’s pass behind the net and wraps it around into a wide open cage. Ras continues to build his numbers this year.
And Ras :37 seconds later... 👠pic.twitter.com/gWUygcKtsU
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) January 1, 2023
Shots: 25-23 DET Score: 4-2 DET