When the Ducks scored twice in less than 30 seconds at the start of the second period, it seemed like the winning ways would stop at 2. 8 minutes later, Filip Hronek unleashed a beautiful slap shot and got the Wings within 1. 2 minutes later, Getzlaf makes a great feed to Fowler and the Wings are down 3-1. The second period seemed, once again, to be the undoing of Detroit. With just under 3 minutes left, Anaheim seemed to gain possession and be heading out of their own zone when Filppula made a strong defensive play. He sent a puck on net and Athanasiou tipped it in for his 3rd of the year. That play was one that you wouldn’t have expected even a week ago. It happened quickly, and required confidence and quick reactions. Less than a minute in regulation and LARMANZZI connected for the game tying tally. The Wings overcame, dug deep, and found a way to OT.
The trio of Larkin, Fabbri and Cholowski were on the ice halfway through OT. Fabbri made a nice play in the neutral zone and got the puck to Cholowski. The young Dman entered the zone and shot a quick wrister far side top corner and sealed the win. That shot was, frankly, beautiful. Not the expected hero of overtime, but one that was a welcome sight.
Robby Fabbri continues to make an impact early. Assisting on the OT winner gives him 2 goals and 2 assists in his first 3 games. Athanasiou scored again and has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 5. Bertuzzi added 2 helpers. Filip Hronek looks, at times, like the 4th member of the Wings top line. There is a connection there that is impressive. Bowey had an assist on Bowey’s goal and is starting to find his game as well. The future core of Detroit is coming together.
Three straight wins seems to have bonded the team and corrected some of the mental portion of the game. It’s not a winning formula to let three goals in during the middle frame. However, the team held together and came back. Special teams are drastically better as Detroit went 1 for 4 on the PP and killed off both penalties they faced. And, while it’s been hotly debated in this forum, a strong night at the faceoff dot helped the Wings out. 57.8% is fairly impressive. Larkin’s game tying goal was the direct result of a won faceoff. Lose that battle and the clock winds quickly down.
The combination of winning and this road trip may end up paying off in spades. The team is bonding. New nicknames are probably being formulated even now. The future captain has experience of how things can get turned around and can relay that information. The team is having fun. These moments are important for a group that is finding its way. Knowing the pain of losing 10 of 11 feeds into the elation of winning 3 straight, and builds a desire to keep winning. The players are now developing the mental tools that will help them throughout their careers when adversity hits. A future team may well look back on this season as the time when the foundations were laid for a stronger and contending group.
Thanks to everyone who stops by to read and comment. Keep it coming!
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