He waited 1,390 days for a chance at redemption, but for Tomas McCollum, as long as that was, it proved to be worth the wait.
Rushed into action in the Detroit Red Wings’ net Sunday after starter Petr Mrazek was beaten for three goals on seven shots by the 13:37 mark of the first period, McCollum stopped seven of the eight shots he faced as the Wings rallied for a 6-4 victory at Joe Louis Arena, the first NHL win of his career.
“I’m still trying to figure it out,… McCollum admitted afterward. “It’s obviously not the way I imagined it would happen, but it’s a great feeling.
“I’m just happy with the team that turned it around and really turned it around after I got in there.…
Before Sunday, McCollum, 25, Detroit’s top pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft, had made just a lone NHL appearance. He came on in relief of starter Joey MacDonald on March 30, 2011 in a 10-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues and surrendered three goals on eight shots, leaving him with a 12.00 goals-against average and a .625 save percentage.
“After this journey it’s extremely exciting,… McCollum said. “It definitely makes you hungry for more and hopefully I can get another crack at it.…
That he got a crack at it Sunday was a bit startling at first to McCollum, who had a comfortable seat at the end of the Detroit bench.
“Honestly, I think it was easier (coming in cold) because I really didn’t have any time to think about it,… McCollum said. “Honestly, I didn’t even see the third goal go in.
“I was looking down at the face-off sheet, then I heard everybody kind of groan, and then Babs (Detroit coach Mike Babcock) was telling me to go in. So I didn’t really have time to think about it. Just get your stuff and get out there. Make the best out of it.…
McCollum’s teammates, especially those who played with him in the AHL with Grand Rapids, were elated that he’d finally got his second chance in the show.
“I think he's developed a lot down in Grand Rapids,… Detroit right-winger Gustav Nyquist said. “I think he's always been a great goalie. I know in practice, I know him well, and I don't score too often on him.
“I think the biggest thing for him, what he's developed is mentally. What I've seen over the years, maybe he got a little rattled the first year when he gave up a goal. Now he just puts it behind him and moves on to save the next shot. So I think he's turned into a real, real good goalie here and it's great to see him up here.…
McCollum admitted he wondered at times whether his second chance would come, but when Detroit No.1 goalie Jimmy Howard went down with a groin injury and he was recalled to back up Mrazek, he allowed himself to dream a little.
“At one point I was starting to, but after hearing that Howie’s going to be out for a couple of weeks I was sort of hoping that I was going to get a chance,… McCollum said.
The second time around, McCollum insisted he felt more confident in an NHL net.
“Four years ago I was a little unsure,… he said. “This time I went out there and I wasn’t worried at all. I was honestly excited because I knew I could play in this league.
“I’ve just been itching for that opportunity for the last couple of years.…
The back of McCollum’s goalie mask features an exit sign and Joe Louis Arena was the off-ramp he sought out.
“We’ve always kind of talked about how Grand Rapids is the road to Detroit, so Brad Thompson, who is our equipment manager in Grand Rapids, designed my mask and he decided that this was kind of going to be my next stop,… McCollum said. “So he put that on there.…
McCollum is the first to admit he didn’t travel the most direct route to get there.
“Took a lot of different exits, about 17 different detours and I think I went the wrong way 10 times too,… he laughed.
“Fortunately I found my way on the right path and the team played fantastic in front of me, which really made it a lot easier on myself.…
Three For Z Pacing Detroit’s comeback was the sixth career NHL hat-trick for Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg.
“I think it's been a while,… said Zetterberg, whose previous three-goal game came Feb. 1, 2013 vs. St. Louis. “So it's always nice to see the puck go in.…
Zetterberg appreciated that fans doffed their caps and sent them cascading ice ward in tribute.
“That's nice,… he said. “I wish I could give all of them their hats back.…
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