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Summary - I cannot believe Detroit pulled this off. Chicago seemed to be in control for most of the 2nd and 3rd, but a goalie pull with 2 minutes left led to a Bobby Ryan back hand goal that tied the game up. Ryan would go on to close out the shootout as well. You can read my full game coverage below.
Pickard had better not be buying his own dinner tonight. A shaky start to the 2nd had Detroit down 3-1, and Pickard came in and played perfect through 1 and a half periods in regulation and an overtime set. He let in 2 in a row to start the shootout, but was able to shut down Chicago’s final 2 attempts and give Ryan a chance to close it out. Erne and Hirose both tallied on the shootout as well.
The special teams looked better tonight. The PK was much smoother in the diamond and box formation. The power play had several keep ins and some decent (but not high danger) attempts. Keep in mind this lineup isn’t the A group on the man advantage, but likely is the top PK.
This game was stolen, and it was a welcome sight. The puck betrayed Toews with 9.9 secs left in regulation as it stopped itself on the red line. I’ve never seen anything like it. Congrats to the road team, let’s hope for a good showing at home against Buffalo tomorrow night.
First Period
To be fully candid, I couldn’t watch or listen to the game when it started. For some reason my stream of 97.1 wasn’t working, the game was blacked out on DirecTV, and the ESPN app wasn’t showing it. From game center it looked like Detroit carried the play early on, outshooting Chicago. Rasmussen had the game’s opening tally (see below). The period ended tied with Detroit leading in shots 10-7. Fairly impressive but again, i have to go completely off of the Game Center report.
The opening goal in the first period saw strong play from what should be the third line this season. Erne skates hard into the zone, floats a beautiful backhand pass to Rasmussen who hits a snap shot top shelf. I love when Rasmussen scores. He looks like he wants to break through the boards with an angry celly.
Chicago opened the second with 2 straight goals 1:37 apart from Haigl and Khaira before newcomer Stephens was able to get Detroit back within one. Stephens goal was similar to one he’d had in training camp. He took a stretch pass and walked into the zone. This time, he skated toward his off wing, opened up his stance and changed the angle of his wrister while moving. Very nice shot. (See below)
By now I’m able to watch some of the game. Greiss looked outstanding during a PK at about 8 minutes. Chicago created some fantastic chances. PK was able to clear multiple times. One thing that is sticking out to me is that the “diamond” and “square” formation on the PK is in really good shape. The player tasked with staying by the goalie is doing well and the top points are challenging and making it hard to get a one timer. Much better movement, and this is the group that will likely see that time.
The period ended 3-2, and honestly Detroit’s B team is really hanging in there. Chicago is now outshooting Detroit 23-21. Pickard had some strenuous work when he came in but was solid. Greiss has had some good lucks, but the two goals early in the second were tough. Kubalik goal still hard to watch. He had forever to back hand and score 5 hole standing still in front of the net. Good to see Dach out there for Chicago. Big kid who got derailed a bit by injury. Toews is back, and that’s a plus too. Rivalries aside, he’s a player that became a great leader and is an absolute workhorse.
Third Period:
Not a great start as the refs call a phantom cross check at 1:42. Replay shows no contact at all, just a weird one to start if off. Rasmussen makes a nice play about 45 seconds into the pk to stop a chance and clear the puck. Wings survive, but due in part to a shot off of a goal post. Within seconds of the end of the kill Erne is called for hooking. Not a real strong call on this one either.
Wings have 4 strong clears during the kill and survive the penalty. At 6:51 Detroit had their strongest shift of the game offensively. They didn’t convert, but managed to get the puck on net and had a mini cycle. Lashoff ripped one off the pipe at 9:11 after some nice give and go. To this point Detroit just hasn’t had much O zone presence. The couple looks they’ve had were promising, but Chicago has done well to keep the puck out of their own zone and on the attack.
Pickard made a point blank save at 10:11 off of Connolly. Chicago has clearly had the better opportunity, Pickard has kept it close. Detroit finally caught a break at 10:14 on an interference penalty. This is one I’d like to see called more. Skaters go out of their way and set up a pick, especially on the power play. Tampa Bay does a masterful job of it. Eddie Ol was complaining about the penalty saying it was “open ice”, but it was clearly an attempt to pick a defenseman.
Detroit had a couple of nice looks on the power play. Won faceoffs, puck kept in multiple times. Not much in terms of high danger chances yet, but definitely holding the zone. Lost faceoff gets a Chicago clear with 25 seconds left in the man advantage. Still not potent, but better than last year and this is the “B” group. Detroit getting more pucks on net, but Chicago doing a good job keeping shooters to the outside. Nothing high danger.
Sebrango with a fantastic back check used a diving sweep to shut down a possible 1 on 0. Did it without drawing a penalty. Hawks starting to buzz with 5:30 remaining in the period. Detroit really needs a breakaway to get a strong opportunity. Just not creating on the cycle.
Hronek had a nice opportunity with a screen, Lankinen with a strong sliding save. With 2 minutes left Blashill pulled Pickard and it paid off. Quickly after the 6th skater gets on the net Bobby Ryan backhands the equalizer into the Blackhawk net.
Detroit had a lot of jump after the goal and the pace for the last 90 seconds was much higher. End to end sequences and just a higher level of play all around. Stephens won an own zone faceoff and Detroit was able to get the puck down to the Chicago zone. 3-3 at the end of regulation.
Erne, Rasmussen and Oesterle start the OT. Pickard made a huge save 1:00 in. Erne gets a breakaway and Lankinen stops a nice back hand attempt. Hirose could have had a nice shot but opted to pass. Detroit was buzzing for a minute on the attack.
A lost faceoff led to a 2 on 1 Chicago breakaway with a save by Pickard (who gave the puck away and almost got scored on trying to keep the play moving). Pickard has stopped 20 of 20 at this point. A stray forward made the exact play for Chicago I was worried about. Broke in alone and PIckard made a couple of incredible stops. Detroit’s man to man coverage in OT is really bad. They just can’t sort it out and it’s amazing this is still going.
With 10 seconds left the puck literally rolled to and sat on the red line. I’ve never seen anything like it. Toews is talking to himself about it now. Wings win the own zone faceoff and skate the puck all the way down. Pickard was borderline brilliant in that OT. I’m shaking my head in disbelief.
On to the shootout:
Toews slipped a beautiful backhand 5 hole past Pickard to open things up.
Erne matched it with a slick wrister over the stick
Reichel went 5 hole on. PIckard to go 2 for 2 Hawks.
Rasmussen skated in and was stopped.
Kurashev was stopped by Pickard trying to go 5 hole.
Hirose with a slick backhand on a serpentine skate in ties it up
Dach tries to stick handle and doesn’t get a shot off.
Ryan comes in with a filthy deke and puts the puck in past Lankinen.
Check out my previous blogs:
Wings vs Chicago pregame
”Twas the night before Red Wings
Red and White game
Training Camp Day 3
Interviews from Seider, Nedeljkovic and Erne
Training Camp day 2
Edvinsson gets assist in Frolunda loss
Day 1 of training camp
Vrana should switch to Discover
Yzerman did a pre camp presser
Training Camp Preview
Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO Bobby Ryan has signed a PTO
My final thoughts on the Prospects Tournament
Another injury riddle tournament
St Louis had their way with Detroit
Pregame Detroit vs St Louis
Soderblom and Edvinsson combine for GWG
Detroit is looking for a 2nd straight win,
Detroit won its first game of the prospects tournament
Frolunda won 2-0
Detroit is streaming the prospects tournament
Word on Woodward talks prospect tournament
Givani Smith signs 2 yr 1 way deal at 750k
Up Close with Jared McIsaac
Griffins TV packages are available
Frolunda Drops opener, Oesterle on Wings TV
Word on Woodward with Robby Fabbri
Prospects Camp Roster and Denver Wings
Cholowski signs with Kraken
Simon Edvinsson is picking up points
10 Days Until Prospect Camp
The Atlantic Division is a bit of a gauntlet for a rebuilding team.
Filip Hronek’s 3 year extension
Who’s your newbie? 
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