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Game Summary:
The loss to Tampa Bay was easier to watch. It was line after line of Red Wings offense and grit turned away by fantastic goaltending. Tonight was a reminder of the past several years in all the wrong ways.
There’s a part where you want to blame something, but in the end the team didn’t bring the effort they had against Tampa. This trip home should be quiet and somber. Detroit was schooled in a game that should have been much more competitive. Over the course of an 82 game series, it happens. Still, this was a stomach churning watch.
Walman stands out as someone who literally put his body on the line. Perron, Larkin and Bertuzzi worked at trying to stir things up. But, overall, no one should feel good about this. I don’t think the coach needs to say much after one like this.
As bad as it feels, reality sinks in. After a horrible second period, I receive a text that an uncle has passed away. Our 4th relative gone since around October (lost 3 in just over 6 weeks). Hockey is a game. It’s a great game, but sometimes I lose sight over the reality that sports, for me, is escapism. It’s not “real life… for most of us. Just something we enjoy.
There is no joy in “Mudville…. If Detroit played anything resembling the game versus Tampa this would look quite different. They didn’t. Ottawa is in the middle of being sold and players are playing for their jobs. The physicality and desperation had the ice tilted for much of the contest.
I can only hope that the bitter pill of this loss combined with Tampa leads the team we’ve seen at times through this last stretch to hit the ice ready to go. In the middle of all the chaos, sometimes a hometeam win is something that lifts a lot of spirits.
First Period Detroit goals:
Bertuzzi opened the scoring at 11:48 as Sundqvist found him alone in the neutral zone and fresh off the bench. Pass right onto Tyler’s tape and he was away for a 1 on 0, sliding a backhand pass as he crossed the front of the net. Kubalik with secondary assist. 1-1 DET
Tyler Bertuzzi starts us off! pic.twitter.com/tB9q5k2put
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 28, 2023
Shots: 15-9 OTT Score: 1-0 DET
Second Period Detroit goals:
At 3:41 Ottawa tied it up on their third power play attempt. 1-1
Detroit got that on back at 5:11 as Perron wristed a shot from the left faceoff circle in on Detroit’s Power play. Hronek with the assist. 2-1 Detroit
DP's 15th puts us up 2-1. 👌 pic.twitter.com/IWvJt2rO9S
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 28, 2023
Ottawa ties it up again at 12:25 as the team continues to get proper plays 2-2
Ottawa grabs lead at around 15 minute mark. 3-2 OTT
Ottawa adds to the lead with 2:19 left: 4-2 OTT
Shots: 31-18 OTT Score: 4-2 OTT
Third Period Detroit goals:
No Detroit goals in third Ottawa got on the board just 47 seconds in. 5-2 OTT
Shots: 40-23 OTT Score: 5-2 OTT