Red Wings Topple Anaheim Ducks 5-0

Story and Photos
By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

The Detroit Red Wings ended their losing streak in glorious fashion tonight by overwhelming the Anaheim Ducks 5-0 in Detroit.

Niklas Kronwall opened scoring (and game winner) with a blast from the top of the faceoff circle shortly after the end of a power play.

Jiri Hudler and Johan Franzen watch Niklas Kronwall's shot slide into Anaheim's net.
Photo by AJ Petronzi / In Play! Magazine

Henrik Zetterberg was next on the board followed by a pair of goals by Nicklas Lidstrom. Johan Franzen capped the night with the Wings’ fifth and final goal.

Detroit came to the ice to play tonight, quickly overwhelming Anaheim and taking a 16-1 lead in shots on goal. As frustration set in, Anaheim started making bad plays, gave up the puck and took some bad penalties. Ducks leading scorer Teemu Selanne got tossed from the game at the start of the third for mouthing off to the officials.

Teemu Selanne gets tossed after running his mouth at the referee from the Penalty Box.
Photo by AJ Petronzi / In Play! Magazine

In Play! Men of the Game: Nicklas Lidstrom and Jimmy Howard. Lidstrom netted two goals and briefly took the lead in goal scoring on the team before Franzen tied them both up at five on the year. Howard notched a shutout, turning away all 22 on Anaheim’s shots.

Jimmy Howard tells Corry Perry he's sick of Perry whining.
Photo by AJ Petronzi / In Play! Magazine

 He also had some fun at the expense of Corry Perry.

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Red Wings Hope to Cap Winless Streak at Six

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

Tonight the Detroit Red Wings will look to end their winless streak at six games as they face the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Tonight marks the midpoint of the Wings longest home stretch of the season.

Detroit is looking to bring desperation into their game tonight. If Detroit can keep momentum going in their direction, Anaheim has a history of taking lots of penalties and costing themselves games. Penalties and costing themselves games have been what’s derailed the Wings the last six games, so it’d be good to see them turn the tables tonight.

 
Factoids: Last time Detroit lost six straight games in a season they brought both the President’s Trophy for the most wins in a season and the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown in 2008. The Wings have not lost seven straight games since they last failed to make the playoffs

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RED WINGS REASSIGN BRENDAN SMITH TO AHL

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings announced today that defenseman Brendan Smith, 22, has been reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).

Currently 5-5-1 on the season, Detroit will hit the ice tomorrow night for a 7:00 p.m. home game versus the Anaheim Ducks (Fox Sports Detroit and 97.1 The Ticket).  All fans in attendance on Saturday will receive a free 2011-12 Red Wings wall calendar, compliments of Fox Sports Detroit.

The 19^th annual Motor City Mitten Madness also continues at tomorrow’s game.  Fans making a monetary donation or those who donate new or gently-used winter gear, including mittens and coats, will be entered to win a game-used, autographed Tomas Holmstrom stick.

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Red Wings Drop Sixth Straight

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

The Detroit Red Wings lost 4-1 at home to the Calgary Flames. It is Detroit’s sixth straight loss since starting the season 5-0.

Jimmy Howard's reaction to Calgary's third goal of the night

Lee Stempniak opened scoring tonight late in the first with a weak shot from behind the goal line. Jarome Iginla scored Calgary’s second goal before Dan Cleary opened scoring for the Wings. Iginla and Olli Jokinen added Calgary’s final two goals.

Detroit is pressing to end this loss streak and that push is causing even more errors and leading to even more losses. Detroit had a brief period of unity tonight after Jiri Hudler was boarded midway through the second period.

Jiri Hudler is helped off the ice after being boarded in the second period

This led to Detroit’s only goal, but afterwards the team quickly fell apart again. Slumping players like Hudler may find themselves wearing new sweaters Monday if Detroit can’t break this losing streak Saturday.

In Play! Man of the Game: Jarome Iginla. Iginla netted two goals tonight and gave up the hat trick goal on an empty net in the third.

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RED WINGS RECALL BRENDAN SMITH FROM GRAND RAPIDS

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings today announced that defenseman Brendan Smith has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). Smith, 22, has appeared in seven games for the Griffins this season, posting two points (0-2-2) and 20 PIM.

Currently 5-4-1 on the season, Detroit is back in action tonight when the Calgary Flames pay a visit to the Motor City for a 7:30 p.m. showdown at The Joe. The first 7,500 fans in attendance at tonight’s ‘Bobblehead Thursday’ contest will receive a free Henrik Zetterberg bobblehead compliments of the Detroit Medical Center (DMC), home of the Red Wings’ team doctors. Five (5) of the bobbleheads given away at this game will be brandished with a distinct marking on the inside of the box lid. Fans receiving these specially-marked bobbleheads will win a post-game meet-and-greet with Zetterberg outside of the Red Wings’ locker room.  

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RED WINGS REASSIGN GUSTAV NYQUIST TO AHL

… Rookie Center Made NHL Debut Last Night Versus Minnesota …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings today announced that 22-year-old forward Gustav Nyquist has been reassigned the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). After being recalled from Grand Rapids on Monday, Nyquist made his NHL debut at Joe Louis Arena last night, logging 11:07 worth of ice time during a 2-1 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild.

Currently 5-4-1 on the season, Detroit is back in action tomorrow night when the Calgary Flames pay a visit to the Motor City for a 7:30 p.m. showdown at The Joe.

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