He met his boyhood idol. He got the win. And he garnered himself a souvenir of the event.
It was Dominik Hasek’s night as Petr Mrazek began his tenure as interim No. 1 goalie for the Detroit Red Wings, but it would be difficult to determine who enjoyed the evening more.
The Buffalo Sabres retired the No. 39 worn by former Wings goalie Hasek, and then Mrazek turned aside 25 shots to earn Detroit a solid 3-1 road victory over the Sabres Tuesday at the First Niagara Center.
Mrazek, stepping up with regular No. 1 netminder Jimmy Howard out at least 2-4 weeks with a slight groin tear, proudly displayed the game puck after the contest was won.
“It's Dom's number on the puck, so I'd like to keep it,… Mrazek said. “It's nice to have these memories. I have every puck from (the world) junior championship or from the (AHL) Calder Cup Finals. So I rescue every puck I can. It's nice to keep.…
Even nicer, fellow Czech Mrazek got to meet Hasek, the man he grew up worshipping in his homeland.
“I just say congrats to him,… Mrazek said. “To see what he did, I think that was an amazing moment for him and for us too.
“It's nice when you meet the legend and the goalie who did so much stuff for our country and for himself. He won everything he could.…
Detroit left-winger Tomas Tatar was shocked to learn that Mrazek and Hasek had never crossed paths prior to Tuesday’s ceremony.
“I think they met before,… Tatar said before being informed he was mistaken. “They haven’t? OK, I’m surprised. I was sure they met.…
Even though he’s from rival Slovakia, Tatar could appreciate what the moment meant to the two Czech goalies.
“I guess for him he might be his idol from when he was growing up,… Tatar said of Mrazek’s fondness for Hasek. “He was probably the idol for all Czechs. He did something big in the NHL and he accomplished a lot.
“I was actually really excited to watch the ceremony as well. It’s just an honor to be part of it. I didn’t know him, but I was watching him when I was growing up and I think he accomplished a lot.
“It’s a big-name goalie. It was a pleasure to see that.…
Detroit coach Mike Babcock ensured that the moment would not pass without Mrazek finally meeting his hero.
“I said, ‘Pete you better get on the ice and shake his hand before he starts, talk to him in Czech’… Babcock said. “Dom's had a significant impact on the game, especially in his country, so I thought it would be a real thrill to make sure that happened.
“I'm sure someone took a photo of it so he'll have that.…
That will fit well alongside Mrazek’s memorable puck.
“I would like to keep it just for the reminder if I would see it again in a couple years I can tell I played the game,… Mrazek said, once more displaying the puck.
“It's nice. I have it for the rest of my life.…
Special Status Gustav Nyquist scored Detroit’s NHL-leading 39th power-play goal, but it was Darren Helm’s first-period tally that was truly unique, because it was the first shorthanded goal scored by the Wings this season.
Detroit was the 29th NHL team to net a shorthanded marker. The Florida Panthers are the only team left without one.
“It was great to get the shortie on the PK there,… defenseman Kyle Quincey said. “Our power play is pretty dangerous when you give them that much time.…
Get Going For the first time since Dec. 21, the Wings scored the opening goal of the game, ending a stretch of eight games in a row where they fell behind.
“We scored first, but we really started good,… Babcock said. “We talked about it - you're way ahead of the game if you can start on time.…
Slow starts have been an ongoing issue for the team this season and the last time they faced the Sabres, the Wings fell behind before rallying for a 6-3 victory.
“It’s huge,… Quincey said. “You don’t want to give teams like that hope.
“Last time at the Joe, we were down 3-1 and had to grind our way back. That’s not the game we want to play.…
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