It’s been a trip down memory lane for goaltender Tom McCollum since he was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids by the Detroit Red Wings to serve as back-up to Petr Mrazek while Jimmy Howard (groin) and Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder) recuperate from injury.
His first game back was in Buffalo, in the neighborhood where he grew up and next, he’ll travel to St. Louis for Thursday’s game against the Blues.
The Blues are the only opponent McCollum has faced in NHL action and it turned out to be a night to forget for him, if only he could.
McCollum came on in relief of starter Joey MacDonald during a 10-3 loss to the Blues March 30, 2011 at Joe Louis Arena, allowing three goals in 15 minutes of action and making just five saves, finishing with a goals-against average of 12.00 and a save percentage of .625.
“Definitely since that day that’s all I really wanted was to get in another game and just kind of prove that’s not how I can play,… McCollum said. “I feel like I can play at this level.
“It wasn’t a very good display of what I can do.…
Detroit’s first round draft choice in 2008, McCollum 25, seemed to be a forgotten man as Mrazek passed him on the depth chart, but he revitalized his career last season with Grand Rapids and earned a new contract from the Wings.
“It’s just more of my mental outlook,… McCollum said of his improved game. “I think I handle adversity a lot better now.
“When things don’t go my way I do a lot better job of brushing it off and I think a lot of it is when things don’t go my way I still stick to my game plan and play the same way, knowing that as long as I do that things will turn around eventually.…
Detroit coach Mike Babcock views McCollum as the epitome of the late bloomer.
“Tommy’s career was going and then got off the tracks and he seems to have it back on now and good for him,… Babcock said. “(Detroit goalie coach) Jimmy B(edard) helped him. He just worked at it and didn’t give in.
“When things went bad for him, instead of feeling sorry for himself he worked harder and found a new way to do things. He’s been good.…
McCollum has utilized his poor NHL debut as motivation in pursuit of redemption.
“Yeah, it definitely helps,… McCollum said. “I really feel like I can play here. It’s just a matter of getting that opportunity.
“Until that time comes, I’m just going to keep working and do what I do.…
Babcock admitted he didn’t know if McCollum would get a start during his latest stint in Detroit.
“They get what they earn,… Babcock said. “It’s that simple. Your favorites are the guys who play the hardest and do the most.…
Blues Travellers The Wings and Blues were heated rivals for decades, first in the Norris Division and later in the Central Division until two seasons ago, when NHL realignment placed the Wings in the Eastern Conference.
The Wings make their lone visit to the Scottrade Center Thursday to face the Blues and while they don’t see them all that much any longer, they still anticipate a difficult challenge from St. Louis.
“Obviously we haven’t played them yet his year, but they’re always a strong physical team and they’ve got a lot of skill, too,… Detroit center Riley Sheahan said of the Blues. “I think we’ll have to be sound defensively, play strong and play a good game.…
The Wings last visited St. Louis for the final game of the 2013-14 season, with Mrazek posting a 3-0 shutout win.
“St. Louis is always a tough team to play, especially in their building,… Detroit left-winger Tomas Tatar said. “We just to play same as (in their 3-1 win Tuesday at Buffalo) – be responsible, play good and hopefully we can pick up another two points.…
When Detroit coach Mike Babcock goes down the laundry list of talent on the St. Louis roster, it sure sounds imposing.
“They're a real good team, they've been building their team for a long time,… Babcock said. “They’re built to win, they've got kids that have really come on and they’ve got a nice back end with goaltending, and solid up front with depth.
“We've been playing against them for a long time. We're going to have an opportunity to play in their building. We've had a lot of success there and lots of fun and lots of hard games.
“We've gotten thumped a few times there, too. Let's go play.…
After playing in Buffalo against one of the weaker sisters in the Sabres, Tatar felt it would be wrong of the Wings to approach the Blues as any different of an opponent.
“It’s just a hockey game, like any other game,… Tatar said. “Hopefully we will have a good start like (against Buffalo) and we’ll be on the horse from the get-go.…
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