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In the pregame post I talked a little bit about Detroit needing to limit shots on net, after a brilliant performance on Thursday where Greiss kept the squad in the game. Detroit scored 7 goals on 23 shots while Greiss turned away 43 of 46. The first period tonight saw more impressive goaltending and high percentage conversion.
As tough as any loss can be, what Bernier managed to do was absolutely astounding. In 2 games Dallas had 98 shots, scoring 5 goals and gaining an overtime win. Detroit had 40 shots in 2 games, scored 8 goals and took 3 of 4 possible points. That is about the craziest thing I’ve seen in a while.
Dallas dominated the first period, with Bernier turning away 17 shots in the first 16 minutes, and Cholowski struck for his first of the season on just the third shot of the game for Detroit. Bernier (as Greiss in the previous game) gave Detroit more than ample support for the first 20 minutes. Stecher very nearly connected on a beautiful feed from Zadina early on in the period, with Vrana coming close to striking again just moments later. For the second straight game, the Stars are pouring shots on net but find themselves behind on the scoreboard. The period ended 19-3 shots in favor of Dallas.
The second period started out in similar fashion with Dallas registering 7 shots in the first three minutes. Bernier made a couple of beautiful stops helping Detroit kill an early power play by Dallas at 2:00. Nearly five minutes into the second and Detroit still doesn’t have a shot on net, stills sitting at only 3. For whatever reason, Dickinson has drawn the ire of multiple Wings players. Comeau got away with a nasty helmet rip on Stecher (supposed to be a penalty now). Refs had every angle of that and ignored it. Instead they yelled at Stecher to leave the ice. While that is required for the player to leave or put it back on, the decision not to call the penalty is frustrating. Epic fail for the Zebras. Regardless, at 6 minutes in shots are 30 to 3. Bernier has already stopped a game’s worth of pucks.
Detroit’s first offensive zone start came around the 7:30 mark due to an icing. Still no shot registered with 12 minutes left in the period. More than 11 minutes in Detroit is being outshot 36 to 3. Detroit finally added to the shot total near the 12 minute mark 4 shots to Dallas’s 37. Dallas continued to pour on the pressure leading to a hooking penalty on Detroit at at 14:07. Detroit managed a short handed chance, but the overcommitment led to a 3 on 1 rush by Dallas that Bernier shut down with a stick deflection. Dallas managed 2 shots, now outshooting Detroit 39 to 5 with 3:52 left to play.
Detroit started to get a little more o zone pressure in the final two minutes. Khudobin, not wanting to take chances skated out to cut off a breakaway for Sam Gagner, and the Stars did their best to block every single attempt. Shots on net at the end of 2 periods are 41 - 6. In 5 periods Detroit has been outshot 87 to 28, but they’re scored 8 goals to Dallas’s 3. Wow.
Detroit hit the ice flying to open up the third, drawing their first penalty of the game as Dickinson got tossed for holding. Dallas won the opening draw and cleared the zone. After another clear, Detroit started to set up the cycle but the PK was able to intercept and clear. With only 30 second left, Detroit is yet to register a single shot as the Stars play with desperation, keeping the Wings to the perimeter. Dallas ended up with an odd man rush and rang the goal post. Finally, on their 43rd shot on net Dallas tied the score on a net mouth scramble. A dogged effort to kill the goose egg. Dallas continues to buzz, shots now 45 to 8. Detroit starts to hem the stars into their own zone and managed 2 shots and some decent pressure at around the 5 minute mark.
Mickey Redmond pointed out that Detroit was playing a 1-2-2 at around the 7 minute mark. Are they playing to protect a tie at this point? Detroit continue to try to chip the puck to center with little offensive pressure. At 8:30 Vrana had a nice bit of attack in the Ozone trying to cause a turnover. Dallas is getting frustrated and throwing hard hits. Detroit is completely overwhelmed as the Stars continue to attack. Shots are 48-11 at the halfway mark.
Adam Erne opened the second half of the period with a 200 ft rush, a save led to Dallas having a 2 on 1 breakaway with a near miss. A shot attempt from Cholowski ended up out of play with an O zone faceoff for Detroit at 10:40. Dallas cleared the zone and set up in Detroit’s zone, gathering their 50th shot on net at 11:00. At 13:58 Bernier made a career high 50th save. The resulting faceoff saw Detroit turn over the puck dangerously close to the net, but get it out to center. Detroit really seems to be hunkered down trying to survive the last 5 minutes and maintain the 1-1 stalemate. Dallas has dominated all over the ice and in nearly every category available. Somewhere a GM is kicking themselves for not finishing the trade due to a perceived “high ticket” on JB. He looks worth every bit of what Yzerman would have been asking for.
At 18:01, Dallas ices the puck. Detroit gets a free trip to the offensive zone. Faceoff is a toss up, no shot on goal as Dallas skates it out. Wings come right back and register just their 15th shot on net at 18:32 to Dallas’s 51. Dallas controls the faceoff and gets the puck down ice. Detroit comes right back and Khudobin holds the puck for a faceoff. Detroit wins and gets their 17th shot. 40 seconds left and Detroit still battling. Marc Staal has been a huge contributor and Detroit manages to keep Dallas without a shot in the final 5 minutes. Heading to Overtime. Shots 51-17.
Overtime starts with Detroit taking the faceoff. Hronek turned the puck over and at 32 seconds Dallas won on their 52nd shot. Dallas earned the win, no doubt. But an outstanding effort by Bernier and Marc Staal is to be admired.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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