Wings Roast the Ducks

Saying the Wings started their season opener with a bang would be an understatement.

Overall there were 4 Red Wing goals, 3 major fights, and 70 penalty minutes!

Five minutes into the first period, Johan Franzen and Mike Modano scored goals within 24 seconds of each other for the Wings. Bobby Ryan got the first penalty of the night for the Ducks for high sticking. This put the Wings on their first power play but to no prevail.

Just over five minutes into the second period, Pavel Datsyuk scored the third goal for the Wings. The first of three major fights broke out with seven minutes left in the period. A total of 24 penalty minutes were given out. Andy Sutton received two minutes for roughing Ruslan Salei and Corey Perry got a ten minute misconduct for the Ducks. In return, Salei got a two minute penalty for roughing Sutton and Tomas Holmstrom got a ten minute misconduct for the Wings.

With three minutes left of the period, Dan Cleary made a questionable goal that was reviewed because the net came off. After much careful consideration, Cleary was awarded the goal assisted by Datsyuk making the score 4-0.

An astounding 12 penalties were given out in the third period and not a single goal was scored. Ryan Getzlaf got called for a slashing penalty on Henrik  Zetterberg. Zetterberg’s retaliation earned him a two minute roughing penalty. The second massive fight broke out between Datsyuk and Perry resulting in five minute fighting majors for both of them. Although the fight cost Datsyuk the Lady Byng trophy, he earned himself a Gordie Howe hat trick which consists of one goal, one assist, and one fight.

George Parros picked up two penalties: a ten minute misconduct and a two minute roughing penalty for trying to provoke a fight with Cleary. Holmstrom was next to take a two minute time out in the penalty box for hooking.

The third major final erupted between Brad Stuart and Sheldon Brookbank which also ended with in five minute fighting majors for both of them. At the same time, Boddy Ryan racked up two more penalty minutes for the Ducks for interference. This resulted in a 5-on-3 power play for the Wings.

Only seconds later did the Ducks get called again for another two minutes for having too many men on the ice, extending the Wings power play. The last penalty was called on Paul Mara for hooking bringing the total penalty minutes in the game to 70.

The horn sounded the end of the game leaving the score Red Wings 4 – Ducks 0. This is the first shutout of the season and Jimmy Howard’s fourth career shutout.

Did the Wings roast the Ducks or did they really roast themselves?

The next game is Saturday, October 9^th, away against the Chicago Blackhawks!

Quote of the game: “He will hop on the rebound.” – Ken Daniels

Preseason Highlights

If you missed out on the Wing’s preseason, here is your chance to catch up!

Detroit Red Wings Preseason Stats:

9.22.10 Wings Vs Penguins
L    1-5
9.24.10 Wings Vs Blackhawks
W    3-2
9.25.10 Wings Vs Blackhawks
L      2-4
9.26.10 Wings Vs Rangers
W    5-3
9.29.10 Wings Vs Rangers
L   1-5
10.1.10 Wings Vs Mapleleafs
W     7-3
10.2.10 Wings Vs Mapleleafs
L     2-4
10.3.10 Wings Vs Penguins
L    2-5

Overall Record:
3 Wins and 5 Losses

The Red Wings kick off their regular season this Friday, October 8th against the Anaheim Ducks!!!

Another Year of Broken Wings?

The Red Wings haven’t even made it through the preseason before incurring multiple injuries.

First on the casualty list is Kris Draper, a Wings veteran who suffered from a groin injury during training camp in Traverse City. Draper’s injury isn’t severe but is enough to keep him off the ice temporarily. He has been regularly seeing the Red Wing’s athletic therapist who determined it was only a contact injury. But Draper isn’t taking any chances getting back on the ice until he is sure that his health and skating is where he wants it to be.

Jiri Hudler was the next fallen Wing who bruised his left foot in the last scrimmage match at training camp when he used his foot to block a shot. Hudler’s x-rays showed no fracture and he was listed as day-to-day. His injury caused him to miss the preseason opener against Pittsburgh, but he has since returned.

While Hudler returned for the pre-season opener, two of his fellow Wing-mates, Johan Franzen and Derek Meech, sustained injuries. While chasing the puck down, Franzen took a knee-on-knee hit with a Pittsburgh defensemen. Although the hit could have caused a serious injury, it was a charley horse that was Franzen’s major complaint. Franzen returned back to the ice for yesterday’s game.

Also injured during the Wing’s pre-season opener was Derek Meech. Meech suffered a concussion in the first period of the game. He has since been determined to be indefinitely out for the season and released on waivers.

Practice yesterday morning got the better of Mike Modano who left early with some concern of tightness in his groin. Modano is expected to play in tomorrow’s game against Toronto.

Goalie Chris Osgood added his name to the injury list this past Saturday in a game against Chicago. Osgood endured a charley horse that has kept him off the ice. He is also expected to return tomorrow.

The freshest injury belongs to Patrick Eaves. He hurt his ankle during practice yesterday morning and was supposed to be re-evaluated earlier today.

That’s a total of 7 Red Wings to be injured before the regular season has even started. Is anyone else having a bad case of déjà vu?