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when Bernier was taken out of the game late in the second period, a sinking feeling set in. JB had stopped 22 of 22 while Detroit had scored 2 goals on only 11 shots. Strictly from a player point of view, Bernier holds the team together, and 2 goals no longer felt like enough to win.
Well, it turned out that 2 goals weren’t enough. Luckily Fabbri had his second career hat trick and that third goal was all the insurance that Detroit needed. Dallas had previously come back against Tampa Bay being down 3 goals. They’d scored twice skating 6 on 5. Tonight, they only scored once after potting an even strength goal just seconds after Fabbri’s third.
There was a bonus to Detroit giving up 2. Greiss got just his second win of the season. He needed it. The team needs him to have some success. Greiss wasn’t rewarded early on for the yeoman’s task of holding the team into games. Unfortunately, his numbers have dropped off. Bernier is boasting a .930 SV% on a team that is in the bottom 5 of the league. That is getting a lot of attention. As Mickey rightly said, “Bernier is playing himself right out of Detroit”.
Gergeswillems, wherever you are, your ability to call these wins is getting a bit unnerving. Even though Detroit was outshot 2 to 1, they didn’t look “badly” outplayed. Mantha and Larkin both had some beautiful assists for Fabbri. Plays driving the net where some quick thinking got #14 in position to finish. The patience on the Larkin assists was like watching a shootout move. Just calm, cool, and tap it in.
Since his arrival, Fabbri has been something very special to Detroit. Not just getting on the board, but his attitude. He took a puck to the throat and came back, no worse for wear. He’s always smiling, just seems like a positive force. Something desperately needed during a rebuild. I do believe Fabbri has made himself a part of the core. And, look, anyone can be traded. But, cost vs value will always be assessed. The team has had an almost 2/3 roster turnover since Yzerman came. It has been hard to get consistency and chemistry between that and injuries. Next year will be another year where up to 1/3 of the roster could be different.
For myself, hearing “Let’s go Red Wings” when only a few hundred fans are allowed to come to the came was a huge ray of sunshine. It’s been far too long, and that handful of fans made the game better. It was, perhaps, a glimpse of good things to come.
So, what besides Gergeswillems ability to see the future stood out to you? Let’s mark up the comments and enjoy the win!
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