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Written by Mark Bates on Monday, 15 February 2010 14:38
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Detroit finally came up with a much needed win Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, the Wings needed that win heading into the break as they needed to do something to end beofre the olympics on a good note. Kirk Maltby, Pavel Datsyuk, Dan Cleary, and Johan Franzen all scored in this 4-1 beat down of the Senators, Jimmy Howard played the full 60 minutes stopping 40 shots on net during this game.
The Wings currently sit 10th in the Western Conference heading into the break with only 2 points out of the final playoff spot. Yes the Wings needed this win to stay in the fight, it is most likely they will be fighting right up until the final game of the season unless they can put a good string of wins together after the Olympics and once again become the Wings of old.
I would like to congratulate the Women's Canadian Hockey team beating Slovakia 18-0
I would also like to congratulate Alexandre Bilodeau(Men's Moguls), Jenn Heil(Women's Moguls) and Kristina Groves(3000M Speed Skating) for winning the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals.
I would also like to congratulate Chloe Dufour-Lapointe who put on a tremendous performance also in the Women's Moguls event, although she did not win a medal finishing 5th in 2014 she will be a top contender.
Thanks for Reading!
Mark
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Written by Mark Bates on Friday, 12 February 2010 21:13
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The Sharks get a win over the struggling Wings.
Johan Franzen opened up the scoring with a nice feed from Zetterberg re-directing off Evgeni Nabokov's glove giving the Wings the lead and Franzen's first girl since his return. Just 25 seconds later the Sharks came back with Joe Thorton knotting it up at 1 following that the Sharks got another one at 19:50 of the first period. The second period was quiet as far as scoring Jason Williams would tie it in the third sending the game into OT which would settle nothing, once again the game would have to go to a shootout.
6 shooters took in total Datsyuk, Williams, and Bertuzzi from Detroit, Datsyuk would miss his shot as Williams and Bertuzzi would be stoned by Evgeni Nabakov. The sixth shooter was the Shark's Patrick Marleau who would beat Howard giving the Sharks the only goal in the shootout and the win
In my last opinion the Wings are in big trouble heading into the Olympic break. With Ottawa heading in Saturday the Wings have 1 more chance to keep themselves in the hunt. Although Anaheim and Minnesota are the only 2 that can easily pass Detroit, now in 10th spot after the break ends they will have a tall hill to climb win or lose when they come back in March.
I am interested to hear your thoughts on Detroit's chances.
Mark
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Written by Mark Bates on Wednesday, 10 February 2010 21:26
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So everything looked good for the Wings, as Kris Draper netted his 7th of the season 12:19 into the 1st period until 12:20 (a full period of play later) of the second when Paul Kariya of St. Louis pulled out a goal tieing the game. Less then 6 minutes later Kariya scored another goal giving the Blues a 2-1 lead. Andy McDonald would score again early in the 3rd to put the Blues up by 2, it seemed all but over for the Red Wings after that, but just 9 minutes later the wings would score 2 goals 3:14 apart to tie the game, could they pull out a win?
They would play to a standstill in OT needing a shootout. Both Andy McDonald and Pavel Datsyuk would miss their shots as T.J Oshie and Justin Williams would net theirs Brad Boyes would break Howard giving the Blues 1-up on the Wings, it was all up to Henrik Zetterberg, Zetterberg could not score on Chris Mason giving the Blues the "W" despite rallying in the 3rd to almost come back.
So what happen? Johan Franzen despite living up to his nickname "Mule" he only had 17:28 of ice time while 9 players had higher ice times. The goalie issue in Detroit does eventually need to be addressed. Marty Turco from the Dallas Stars is rumoured to be traded from Dallas now that Kari Lethonen has switched scenery. Could the Wings sign a short term deal with Turco to get them back in the playoff hunt? Some suggest the Wings need more offence and/or defence, in my opinion the blue line is still solid as is the physical and offensive presence on the lines are solid and with the depth Detroit has in the minors should substitute if needed, the goaltending is what i see is needed to be changed or assisted to help the team make the final run to the playoffs.
What is next? Calgary and Nashville now tied with 67 points as the Red Wings now have 65 with 2 teams to pass and the road does not get easier. Although both games are in Detroit, San Jose and Ottawa will march in and try to push Detroit further down in the standings as both are in pretty good shape both standing wise and current winning trends, after that comes the Olympics. Detroit will not play again after that until March 1st.
My final thought is that Detroit should make a change within the crease if they hope to have a good run into the Playoffs and beyond. Turco would make a good fit with the veterans that Detroit already pocesses but time will tell.
Thanks for Reading
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Introduction & Preview for Tonights Game |
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Written by Mark Bates on Tuesday, 09 February 2010 20:41
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