The Wings matched up for against the Sharks for the first time of the season. The Wings are 3-0 at home, winning all of them without a power play goal. They look to continue their winning streak at home tonight.
After being out for the birth of his newborn son James Russell Howard IV, Howard is back in net. We wish him the best in his new full time career of being a dad!
First Period:
The first penalty of the night went to Lidstrom for hooking. Although the Sharks had several great chances they were unable to put it past Howard. Zetterberg had mini-breakaway but his shot on goal was blocked by Niemi.
The Euro twins are making their presence known as Datsyuk passes the puck off to Zetterberg and he takes another hard shot on Niemi, the shot is blocked. Zetterberg circles behind the net passes back to Datsyuk for another shot on goal which also got blocked. It’s starting to look like it’s going to be a Euro Twin night!
Lidstrom takes a long shot from the blue line ricocheting off the boards to Zetterberg who shot the puck into the back of the net for the first goal of the night! Datsyuk and Lidstrom get the assists.
The Sharks take the second penalty of the night as Winchester goes to the box for tripping White.
Hudler brought the puck back into the Sharks zone waited for the Wings to set up; he passed to Kronwall and onto Holmstrom who shot the puck into the net. However, the goal was called off because Holmstrom made incidental contact with the Niemi. No penalty was issued. This wrapped up the first period, Wings 1 – Sharks 0.
Second Period:
The second period got off to a bad start for the Wings with Cleary sent to the box for tripping with less than a minute into the period. Sharks stayed strong on Howard and Clowe scores a power play goal. The goal was assisted by Havlat and Vlasic.
Marleau and White wrestled down the ice over the puck, Marleau able to steal it away and put it up top over Howards shouldermaking score 2-1 in favor of the Sharks. The assist was given to Murray.
Just as I was thinking that this game has been quiet when it comes to hits….Havlat picks up a penalty for the Sharks for cross checking. On the power play, Datsyuk takes a shot on goal, with Holmstrom screening Niemi who tips it in for his first goal of the year tieing it up 2-2! Datsyuk and Lidstrom both pick up their second assist of the game.
Filppula dodges a hit to take a shot on goal that misses only to be double teamed by a couple of sharks at the board. Unnecessary. Moments later, Thorton takes off on a breakaway a puts the puck in the back of the net. Pavelski picks up the assist on this one. One minute left in the period, Havlat goes back on time out for hooking. Sharks up 3-2, onto the third!
Third period:
The Wings start off on a power play but are unable to take advantage of it. Then surprise surprise, Hudler gets put in the box for holding. If you ask me, it seems like both Lidstrom and Hudler have ended up in the box unusually frequently this season.
As if the Sharks hadn’t been in the penalty box enough this game, Niemi gets himself a penalty for tripping Franzen. This time was served by Marleau. Then yet another power play went by without a Wings goal. You can’t say they haven’t been trying because they have been out shooting the Sharks.
All I saw was Vlasic and Hudler on the ground… both get off setting minors. Hudler takes another holding penalty and Vlasic gets one for cross checking. Vlasic makes my NHL Hatelist and the game goes to 4 on 4.
Burns takes a shot on Zetterberg and then Burns goes after Holmstrom. They get some hits in on each other before it was broken up. No penalties were issued.
Howard is pulled as a last effort for the Wings to tie it up but Thorton scores on the empty net. The game ends Sharks 4 – Wings 2.
Next game:
The next game is Saturday, Oct. 29 in Minnesota. The game starts at 8 pm and will be playing on Fox Sports Detroit.
