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Game Summary:
Sometimes you do a lot of good things and lose. That’s sports. Vasilevsky stole a game that saw Detroit outshoot Tampa nearly 3 to 1. 3-0 while outshooting the lightning 45 to 18.
There’s not really a lot to say about this one. Tampa has been in the finals for 3 straight years, winning twice, and can turn it on. Detroit has been outshot and won, and tonight was on the other side of it.
There is an ugliness brewing in this rivalry that has some nasty chatter and aggressive play going. Detroit finally broke their losing streak to Tampa, and after a tough night in Buffalo Tampa found a way to roll over Detroit.
I can’t fault the effort, it was a difference of talent. Detroit came and played hard and lost to a better team. But, they didn’t quit. As I look at forward motion for this franchise, there was still fight up until the end. That effort on another night could lead to much better results for the Wings.
I’m sure there will be criticism on personnel selection, for sure. I don’t get overly excited seeing Lindstrom on the roster. But, it’s the game. There were some incredible saves and a long night of Detroit on the attack. There’s more sour than sweet in this particular sauce, but there are positives for certain.
We’ve all heard it from a boss, a coach, or a parent. There are a lot of things you can’t control everything, but you can control your effort. In the department I feel like Detroit put up a good fight. Hockey and life often have those balancing moments. Step back and realize this team has won 7 of the past 9. 3 days from the beginning of March they are in single digit negative goal differential. There has been improvement. It just didn’t take the game tonight.
I don’t agree with all the line combos and player decisions. There’s nothing any of us can do about that. In the end the bitter pill just has to go down and the team has to move on with a continued push to try and beat the next opponent. It’s a tough place to be when you have to try and win every night to stay in the playoff hunt. But, it’s good to see the team go for it. Regardless of the result, there have been positives in what we’re seeing.
First Period Detroit goals:
No goals for Detroit in the first
Tampa struck first at 9:04. 1-0 TBL
Shots: 12-9 DET Score: 1-0 TBL
Second Period Detroit goals:
With 7 seconds left TBL scores. Just not Detroit’s night
Shots: 31-12 DET Score: 2-0 TBL
Third Period Detroit goals:
No third period goals for Detroit. Killorn seals it with empty net tally.
Shots: 45-18 DET Score: 3-0 TBL