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Praise for every day players
Post Game Summary:
It’s funny, at the beginning of the season I really wanted to get Pius Suter here. There was some “banter” about he, Bertuzzi and Fabbri all playing for Guelph but the three really minimized the connection. Right now, those three look really good together.
So, my assumption is that Vrana will get a crack at skating with Larkin and Raymond. I don’t hate that idea. Zadina is playing hard. He is gutting it out and has made some strong defensive plays. One commenter, in fairness, said that a 6th overall pick playing in the bottom 6 is a failed pick. I balance it out with Bertuzzi being a lot of bang for the buck. I don’t think Zadina has played his best hockey (nor Veleno). I do think that the opportunity to have a top 6 that is clicking can give them both chances to grow with less pressure.
As for the referred to commentor, he’s not wrong or alone in his thinking. A top 10 pick is something you want to get right. It doesn’t always work that way unfortunately. I respect the opinion and hope that Zadina works his way into that top 6, for sure. I also respect anyone who can hold down a gig in the NHL. It’s hard to get there and harder to stay.
I haven’t said much about it in a while. I’m still in bad shape. I have “hybrid” ways of tracking the game. I can’t flat out watch it. It actually causes mini seizures on the right side of my face (i look weird enough). But I love this team. I love each of you. I’m hanging in while they look for a replacement. Someone actually told me I will be “hard to replace”. That is the greatest compliment I’ve gotten. Bless you all for your support.
Let’s see if Philly brings some nasty fight back for the next tilt…
First Period Wings’ goals:
The untouchables combine for another ppg, Larkin’s 24th. To be fair, the very easily could have been Bertuzzi’s goal. He was in the right place for the redirect. Raymond gets his 25th assist and Seider gets his 26th!! It’s a fun year for rookies:
Larkin gets an apple as Raymond nets his 12th of the season (Hronek also on assist). What I like about this goal is Raymond’s focus. The initial shot rebounds, he follows the puck and slides a backhand through the goalie. Zadina was skating hard to the net and nearly factored into that one. Raymond now with 27 points and Larkin with 46 in 45 games. Not bad.
Second Period Wings’ goals:
I love Bert and Larks together, but this Guelph line has really had some decent looks this year when they’re together. Bert had the secondary apple on Suter’s 11th of the season. This looked like a bubble hockey goal. 2 guys in the right spot, pass and shoot.
The highlight reel for Suter’s 11th wasn’t even posted when Fabbri got his 13th (both now have 11 assists). Seider had his 2nd assist of the night and 27th of the year as a sent a stretch pass from his own zone to Suter in the neutral zone. Suter caught Fabbri mid flight and he skated in a nailed it. Bert was out there, so again the Guelph line certainly looks good sometimes.
3rd period Wings’ goals:
The 4th line figured into the scoring in the 3rd as Givani Smith got his 4th of the season with assists from Veleno (3) and Lindstrom (9). Veleno can skate. He’s powerful and has a history of scoring goals in jr. This goal by Smith was a great example of Veleno playing a simple North/south head up and get the pass to the shooter. The potential is there, it just hasn’t translated to the scoreboard yet. I like Smith’s release. Just a simple play to get to the net.
Namestnikov puts the cherry on top of this one with an empty net tally (his 13th goal this season) in the last minute assisted by Gagner.
Some of my previous posts:
Wings lose to Kings 5-3
Oesterle’s first as a Wing OT winner
Wings give up 4-1 lead, lose to Toronto
Wings can’t outscore ‘Hawks 
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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