Petr Mrazek maintains fond memories of Calgary and Wednesday he added another one to the list.
The rookie Detroit netminder blocked 28 of 30 shots as the Red Wings edged the hometown Flames 3-2 in the Scotiabank Saddledome, the same arena where Mrazek filled a starring role for the Czech Republic at the 2012 world junior championship.
“I played here in World Juniors in 2012,… said Mrazek, who was named to the all-tournament team and also earned the honor as he tourney’s top netminder.
“That was nice to see the building again and play here. I have great memories in Edmonton and here in Calgary. I was very excited to come back.
“The games on the road are fun. You have to enjoy it and have fun if you’re playing at home or on the road, it’s the same game.…
Seeing action for the first time since Dec. 23, Mrazek, 22, hasn’t found it challenging to take on a subservient role since he was recalled from Grand Rapids of the AHL to back-up Jimmy Howard after Jonas Gustavsson suffered a dislocated shoulder in early November.
“I wouldn’t say it’s difficult,… Mrazek said. “You have to be ready every game. You never know what happens. You practice hard and be ready.
“Of course, practice is very important. With (Detroit goalie coach) Jim Bedard, we’re skating and doing drills every day, so that’s helping me.…
Being in the NHL is what matters most to him.
“If I’m playing here one game in 10 days or two weeks, it’s much better than playing three games in the AHL,… Mrazek said. “The level here is so much higher.…
Sheahan Shines Riley Sheahan opened the scoring for the Wings, displaying some impressive wheels as he dipped around Calgary defenseman Deryk Engelland before zipping the puck past Kari Ramo.
Although he’s separated Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in recent games, the emergence of Sheahan as a capable No. 2 center allows Detroit coach Mike Babcock to unite his two stars on the same line when he so chooses.
“He’s a good player and he’s been able to play in the two hole for us,… Babcock said. “If he continues to develop that’s a key for us for sure.
“His confidence, his skating, his puck skills, and his ability to defend have made us a better team because we can play Pav and Z together or play them apart.…
Powering Up Justin Abdelkader scored the eventual game winner on the power play, Detroit’s league-league 38th goal with the man advantage.
“Specialty teams are very important, especially in tight games like this,… said Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg, who scored an even-strength goal in his 800th game as a Red Wing.
The tally set a new career high for Abdelkader, who has posted 2-3-5 numbers in Detroit’s two games. Nine of Abdelkader’s 11 goals and 17 of his 23 points this season have come on the road.
Franzen, Jurco Out The Wings played without two of their top forwards. Back spasms put Tomas Jurco on the shelf, while Johan Franzen was a late scratch with what team officials called an upper-body injury. Franzen, who has a history of concussions, absorbed a punishing hit in Tuesday’s game at Edmonton from Oilers forward Rob Klinkhammer and the Wings confirmed the hit was the cause of Franzen’s absence from the lineup. Detroit GM Ken Holland indicated that Franzen would be checked out by doctors back in Detroit and it was likely that he’d miss more than one game. Jurco, who left the Edmonton game early, was listed as day to day. “It’s a little bit sore,… Jurco said. “It’s my lower back. “It’s been a little sore for a while and (Tuesday) night it got really bad. I just had to get out of the game.…
Dip Into Pocketbook Diving on the ice forced Detroit right-winger Gustav Nyquist to dip into his wallet.
Wednesday, the NHL fined Nyquist $2,000 for embellishing a trip by Boston’s Chris Kelly during a Dec. 29 game against the Bruins at TD Garden.
With Franzen expected to be out for a bit, perhaps the wings will give another look to right-winger Teemu Pulkkinen.
Pulkkinen, who was scoreless in three games with the Wings last season, netted his 20th goal of the AHL season Wednesday and tied a Grand Rapids franchise record by scoring for the eighth straight game. “Of course it was nice,… Pulkkinen said of his record-tying tally in a 3-2 overtime win over Charlotte. “Everyone was talking about getting the eighth goal.…
Pulkkinen, who’s scored 51 AHL goals the past two seasons, shares the team mark with Donald MacLean, who tallied in eight consecutive games for Grand Rapids in 2005-06.
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