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Wings outworked but not outscored as Walman grabs last second GWG |
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Game Summary:
Detroit didn’t have a shot on net in the third period until past the halfway point. Chances started to come in the tie game, and as it looked like a trip to OT was inevitable, Jake Walman (who has been a really nice surprise this year) scores the game winner with 3 seconds left. Full marks to Copp for finding the skating defenseman.
If I’m a Carolina fan/player/coach, I’d feel disenfranchised. Carolina dominated the play for long stretches and Ned stood tall after his former team scored twice in the second. Andersen had nothing to do for long stretches and came up with some big stops in the third. That goal is a gut punch for the team that played the better game.
Wins are always worth celebrating. In this one, Ned gave Detroit everything they needed to stay in it. It was impressive to see Larkin score just 7 seconds into a power play, to have Kubalik score less than a minute into the game, and of course Walman with the 3 second tally at the end.
Wayne Gretzky, years after stepping down as a coach, said one of the hardest things was realizing he couldn’t tell players to go out and be Wayne Gretzky. Rod Brind’amour definitely has his signature on the Hurricanes. He is incredibly strong (still) and has his team play as hard as he played the game. Man on man defense is exhausting hockey.
For Detroit, the wind down has allowed us to see Edvinsson and continue to see what a nice addition Perron has been. He seems to create something out of very little. Raymond needs his swagger back. He deferred and passed on a rush where he had a beautiful angle to shoot. Trying to be a good teammate, but you have to know when to be “selfish”.
Detroit needs to excite the fan base, and tonight was a night where anyone who had a ticket got to jump out of their seats with that last goal. Positive momentum feeds into hope, hope feeds into sales. That may sound crass, but the “brand” is being re energized. To see people buying jerseys and shirts, wearing the Winged Wheel is exciting. For tonight, the future looks bright. Carolina had all the pressure and Detroit has none (in terms of post season positioning). This is one that feels like, 9 out of 10 times if you give up that much zone time you’re not getting the “W”. It was a high energy finish and a high energy crowd at the end. What a way to end a game.
First Period Detroit goals:
Just 59 seconds into the game, Kubalik (20th) takes a pass from Perron at Detroit’s blue line and skates straight line and scored with a wrister short side. Seider with 2nd assist
Shots: 10-8 CAR
Score: 1-0 DET
Second Period Detroit goals:
42 seconds into the 2nd period hurricanes tied it up. 1-1
At 4:18 Carolina took the lead at the very end of a pp. 2-1 CAR
At 7:26 Wings score just 7 seconds into powerplay as Chiasson gets the puck to Larkin who went far side corner. Perron w/second assist. First shot of the period for Detroit. 2-2
Shots: 24-15 CAR
Score: 2-2
Third Period Detroit goals:
With only 3 seconds left Walman jumped off the bench, took a pass from Andrew Copp and ripped a wrister into the back of the net. Erne with second assist. 3-2 DET
Shots: 33-22 CAR
Score: 3-2 DET
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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