Sundqvist made a play in the Wings zone that sent Zadina down the right side boards past an errant stick and straight to the goal. Instead of shooting, he passed. Just as Redmond was about remark on the decision, Sundqvist got the puck back to him and Calgary’s netminder had already committed to a shot from Sundqvist. It must have seemed like an eternity as Zadina saw a gaping net and tapped in the game winner in his first game since November.
Sutter’s team have a definite feel to them. Everyone out there is working hard. The Wings were outshot more than 2 to 1 and Husso put on a show that we had seen a couple times early in the season. Lots of hitting, lots of scrums, and more often than not a game where you’re outshot that badly (36 to 17) it’s not going to go your way. Tonight it did.
This is a hard part of year to watch. There’s that little voice in the back of my head (it’s not a tumor - Arnold Schwarzenegger) that wonders how many more times I’m going to see some of these players in Red Wings jerseys. I hate that feeling. Sports is a business, I get it, and with the amount of fantasy hockey leagues more and more people hope for lots of movement.
Detroit did do a lot of nice things in the O zone but couldn’t get through Calgary’s defense and goaltender for most of the night. The Wings are credited with 17 blocks (to Calgary’s 11). I have to say that with all the departures from Western Canada, this is a team with a lot more discipline and grit. Walman got his bell rung, and we’ll find out tomorrow if it’s more serious than it looked (clean hit, just big difference in body mass).
This had some old time hockey, some moments of speed, and plenty of board play. Not that I’ve ever been a huge fan, but Kadri really does shine away from Toronto. Colorado misses him, and he can make hard and dangerous plays. He’s matured a bit and gets out there to create havoc. Taffoli was a guy I wanted in Detroit. C’est la vie.
In the end, it was a close and fun game to watch. Another one goal game for Calgary and a much needed win for Detroit. Larkin’s break through goal and Zadina’s first in a long time were welcome additions.
I hope you got to enjoy the action. I can see Sutter’s fingerprints on the team. The cup winning L.A. teams had some serious bite to them and reminded me of the 97 and 98 Wings cup teams. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
First Period Detroit Goals:
Walman hurt in a clean hit with Zadorov. Hopefully not serious.
No goals scored
Shots: 12-5 CGY
Second Period Detroit Goals:
Calgary opened the scoring in the second at 18:07 with a tipped shot from the point after Detroit failed to convert their third power play.
With 13 seconds left, Larkin takes a really nice feed from Perron and goes top shelf. 16th goal for Larkin, looks like Seider with the 2nd assist.
At 5:51 into the third, Zadina found himself on a 2 on 1 with Sundqvist on the other side. Instead of shooting initially, Zadina passed. Sundqvist got the puck right back to him as he was standing in front of an empty net in his first game back since 11/5/22. Hagg (also fairly newly back) with 2nd assist.
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