Chicago Blackhawk move to 6-0 on season, Defeat Detroit Red Wings in Overtime

By AJ Petronzi

In a slow, at times very physical, game in Chicago the Detroit Red Wings lost the Chicago Blackhawks in a game that took an extra 2:45 into overtime to conclude.

Duncan Keith opened scoring on an early powerplay goal for the Blackhawks. Johan Franzen waited until the third period to tie things up. Nick Leddy game Chicago the win in overtime.

The Blackhawks dominated the beginning of the game, scoring an early powerplay goal and then going on to control most of the first period. The Wings came back with a more physical look in the second and controlled most of the game after that point.

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Detroit Red Wings take on Chicago Blackhawks

By AJ Petronzi

The Detroit Red Wings will look to stop the Chicago Blackhawks from a franchise record 6-0 start in Chicago at 7PM eastern tonight.

Chicago is off to the second best start in franchise history having moved to 5-0 after beating Columbus last night. The Blackhawks last started a season 5-0 in 1971-1792. They are currently first in the Western Conference and the NHL with 10 points.

The Detroit Red Wings, who started last season 5-0, are off to a 2-2 start this season. Since both losses for the Wings came in regulation, their four points leave then 11th in the Western Conference and 21st in the NHL.

Also for the first time this season the Red Wings are starting a game without having lost any players to major injuries in their last contest.

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Sunday @ Chicago

The Detroit Red Wings will look to break over .500 this season Sunday night as they look to hand the Chicago Blackhawks what could be their first loss this season (The Blackhawks take on Columbus tonight). In Play! will be on the ground at the United Center in Chicago, so check back post game for interviews and photos from the night.

On a side note, if you're going to be in Chicago for the game be advised the forecast is calling for freezing rain. So if you have any experience with Illinois drivers, you'll understand why In Play! is recommending taking the train or bus instead of driving yourself.

WINGS SIGN NEW D-MAN, BIG BERT ON IR

RED WINGS SIGN KENT HUSKINS TO ONE-YEAR CONTRACT

… Veteran Defenseman has Appeared in 299 Career Games

with Ducks, Sharks & Blues, will wear Number 3 with Detroit …

Detroit, MI…The Detroit Red Wings today announced that 33-year-old defenseman Kent Huskins has been signed to a one-year contract. As per club policy, further details regarding this deal will not be disclosed.

Originally selected by Chicago in the sixth round (156^th overall) of the 1999 National Hockey League Entry Draft, Huskins has appeared in 299 career NHL games with Anaheim, San Jose and St. Louis, tallying 13G-54A-67P in addition to 169 penalty minutes and a +49 rating. The 6’4”, 205-lb. rearguard won a Stanley Cup with the Ducks in 2007 and has appeared in 48 career playoff contests, registering 0G-3A-3P-23PIM and a -3 rating. A native of Almonte, Ont., Huskins has also skated in 410 career games in the American Hockey League with Norfolk (2001-03, 2012-13), San Antonio (2003-04), Manitoba (2004-05) and Portland (2005-07).

Detroit’s 2012-13 home opener is set to be staged later tonight versus the Dallas Stars (doors open at 6:00 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m.). Tonight's game is in line to become the Red Wings 72^nd consecutive sellout at Joe Louis Arena.

Detroit’s next home game is Friday, January 25^th vs. Minnesota. 

Kent Huskins, Defense
Born May 4 1979  -- Almonte, ONT
Height 6.04 -- Weight 205 -- Shoots L
Selected by Chicago Blackhawks round 6 #156 overall 1998 NHL Entry Draft


 

RED WINGS RECALL GUSTAV NYQUIST FROM AHL

… Todd Bertuzzi and Carlo Colaiacovo Placed on Injured Reserve List …

Detroit, MI…The Detroit Red Wings today announced that forward Gustav Nyquist has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. Detroit has also announced that right winger Todd Bertuzzi (illness) and defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo (upper body injury) have been placed on the team’s IRL effective immediately. 

Nyquist has tallied a team-high 40 points (14G-26A) with Grand Rapids this season, ranking the 23-year-old playmaker fourth in the AHL’s scoring race. The 5’11”, 185-lb. native of Halmstad, Sweden, was named to the Western Conference’s roster for the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic last week, marking the second consecutive season he has earned the distinction.

Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round (141^st overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Nyquist set the Griffins rookie scoring record last season after registering 58 points (22G-36A) in 56 games. Prior to commencing his professional career, Nyquist played three seasons at the University of Maine (NCAA, Hockey East), amassing numerous awards and accolades during his tenure with the Black Bears. Nyquist wrapped up his collegiate career with 144 points (50G-94A) in 113 appearances.

Gustav Nyquist
Left Wing
Born Sep 1 1989  -- Halmstad, Sweden
Height 5.11 -- Weight 185 -- Shoots L

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NHL 2013 Predictions

By AJ Petronzi

The 2012-2013 season will be a shortened 48 game sprint to the playoffs. Teams with surpluses of defenseman and solid goaltending will go far. The teams with front loaded offenses will be packing their golf bags by the end of April.

 

In-Play is projecting that the Detroit Red Wings will make the 2013 playoffs. However, this is only if the team updates their defense with a trade (and long before the April 3rd deadline) and stays mostly injury free on the blue line. While Detroit has a major surplus of forwards, it's two-way defense first mentality for it's forwards will push them into the playoffs. Below is In-Play projections for how the standings will be on April 27th after the final horn sounds.

 

East

1. New York Rangers
2. Boston Bruins
3. Washington Capitals
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Philadelphia Flyers
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Buffalo Sabers
9. Carolina Hurricane
10. Montreal Canadians
11. Florida Panthers
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Ottawa Senators
14. Winnipeg Jets
15. New York Islanders

 

West

1. Los Angeles Kings
2. St. Louis Blues
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. Chicago Blackhawks
5. Edmonton Oilers
6. Anaheim Ducks
7. Detroit Red Wings
8. San Jose Sharks
9. Nashville Predators
10. Minnesota Wild
11. Calgary Flames
12. Phoenix Coyotes
13. Colorado Avalanche
14. Dallas Stars
15. Columbus Blue Jackets

Biggest Shocker: Edmonton. With a core of young players (most of which have been playing AHL games since September) they will hit the ground running. Remember, mid December 2011 Edmonton was #1 in the league.

 

Best Chance to Improve: Toronto. If they can get the Roberto Luongo deal done (not holding my breath here) then they could easily jump to 7th in the East. Outside the Atlantic division, most teams in the East will likely struggle to stay above .500.

 

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RED WINGS HOME OPENER JAN 22 VS DALLAS STARS

RED WINGS ANNOUNCE 2012-13 SCHEDULE

… Fee-Free Single Game Tickets On Sale Thursday … 

Detroit, MI…The Detroit Red Wings today announced their 2012-13 schedule that has the Wings playing 48 games in 99 days as Detroit looks to extend its 21-season playoff streak, the longest current streak in professional sports.

        
Detroit’s first home game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, Jan. 22, versus the Dallas Stars.  Tickets to this match and all 24 of the Red Wings’ 2012-13 home games are set to go on sale this coming Thursday, Jan. 17, beginning at 1:00 p.m. As part of the Red Wings ‘Thanks for sticking with us’ initiative, the club and Ticketmaster have teamed up for 35 hours of no fees for any regular season ticket purchased.  

DETROITRED WINGS

2012-13 REGULAR SEASON

                 DATE      DAY       OPPONENT                        SITE                                           TIME (ET)

January         19      Sat          at St. Louis                           Scottrade Center                                  8:00
                       21      Mon.       at Columbus                         Nationwide Arena                                 7:30
                       22      Tue.        DALLAS                               Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       25      Fri.          MINNESOTA                       Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       27      Sun.        at Chicago                            United Center                                        7:00
                       29      Tue.        DALLAS                               Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
February         1      Fri.          ST. LOUIS                           Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30     
                         2      Sat.         at Columbus                         Nationwide Arena                                 7:00
                         5      Tue.        CALGARY                           Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                         7      Thur.       at St. Louis                           Scottrade Center                                  8:00
                         9      Sat.         EDMONTON                       Joe Louis Arena                                    2:00
                       10      Sun.        LOS ANGELES                   Joe Louis Arena                                  12:30
                       13      Wed.       ST. LOUIS                           Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       15      Fri.          ANAHEIM                            Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       17      Sun.        at Minnesota                        Xcel Energy Center                              6:00
                       19      Tue.        at Nashville                          Bridgestone Arena                                8:00
                       21      Thur.       COLUMBUS                        Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       23      Sat.         NASHVILLE                         Joe Louis Arena                                    7:00
                       24      Sun.        VANCOUVER                     Joe Louis Arena                                    5:00
                       27      Wed.       at Los Angeles                     Staples Center                                    10:30
                       28      Thur.       at San Jose                          HP Pavilion                                         10:30
March              3      Sun.        CHICAGO                           Joe Louis Arena                                  12:30
                         5      Tue.        COLORADO                       Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                         7      Thur.       EDMONTON                       Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                         9      Sat.         at Columbus                         Nationwide Arena                                 2:00
                       10      Sun.        COLUMBUS                        Joe Louis Arena                                    5:00
                       13      Wed.       at Calgary                            Scotiabank Saddledome                      9:30
                       15      Fri.          at Edmonton                        Rexall Place                                          9:30
                       16      Sat.         at Vancouver                       Rogers Arena                                      10:00
                       20      Wed.       MINNESOTA                       Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       22      Fri.          at Anaheim                           Honda Center                                     10:00
                       24      Sun.        at Anaheim                           Honda Center                                       8:00
                       25      Mon.       at Phoenix                            Jobing.com Arena                              10:00
                       28      Thur.       at San Jose                          HP Pavilion                                         10:30
                       31      Sun.        CHICAGO                           Joe Louis Arena                                  12:30
April                 1      Mon.       COLORADO                       Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                         4      Thur.       at Phoenix                            Jobing.com Arena                              10:00
                         5      Fri.          at Colorado                          Pepsi Center                                         9:00
                         7      Sun.        ST. LOUIS                           Joe Louis Arena                                  12:30
                       11      Thur.       SAN JOSE                          Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       12      Fri.          at Chicago                            United Center                                        8:30
                       14      Sun.        at Nashville                          Bridgestone Arena                                7:30
                       17      Wed.       at Calgary                            Scotiabank Saddledome                      9:30
                       20      Sat.         at Vancouver                       Rogers Arena                                      10:00
                       22      Mon.       PHOENIX                            Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       24      Wed.       LOS ANGELES                   Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       25      Thur.       NASHVILLE                         Joe Louis Arena                                    7:30
                       27      Sat.         at Dallas                               American Airlines Arena                       8:00

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NHL Rumor Wagon! Tomas Holmstrom to Announce Retirement

By AJ Petronzi

If the NHL kept stats for most cross-checks received, most slashes received from a goalie or most goals "awarded" the next morning, Tomas Holmstrom would likely be the holder of all three. And with Wayne Gretzky style leads, to boot.

The NHL rumor wagon is that Holmstrom will announce his retirement on Saturday or Sunday, depending on when the CBA is ratified.

Holmstrom finishes his career a legend in Detroit Red Wings history. Having played in 1,026 games, all with Detroit, he finds himself one of only six players to play over 1,000 games wearing the Winged Wheel. That list of players includes Gordy Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper.

Holmstrom's career is considered league-wide to have been possibly the hardest 1,000 games ever played because he relentlessly took beatings from other teams defenseman and goaltenders (not to mention the 100MPH pucks getting shot at him from his own teammates).

An unlikely NHL player, Holmstrom reported to the Red Wings in 1996 as an alternate, but his lack of skills meant he wasn't likely to make the team. However, Red Wing's coach Scotty Bowman fell in love with Holmstrom's relentless work ethic and willingness to do whatever it took to get ice time. Holmstrom made a career out of that mentality, filling a role player spot for 16 seasons while most role players only last two or three.

Holmstrom was also a force in the locker room. When recently asked what the locker room will be like without Holmstrom, Red Wings forward Daniel Cleary stated, "Dull and boring." Despite having twice the bruises, twice the padding and missing ligaments in one of his knees, Holmstrom was rarely seen on the ice or in the locker room without a smile.

Homstrom's retirement might also save the NHL money. After all, without Holmstrom crowding the front of the net, Toronto could probably lay off half the staff in the war room.

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NHL AND NHLPA REACH DEAL ON NEW CBA

By AJ Petronzi

In an announcement that came in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, the NHL and the NHLPA have announced they have reached a deal on the framework for a new CBA. This should mean the NHL's deadline to begin training camps by January 11th, and starting the season by January 19th, should be met.

"We have to dot a lot of I's and cross a lot of T's," stated NHL Commissioner Gray Bettman. "There is still a lot of work to be done, but the basic framework has been agreed upon."

Bettman also offered thanks to the US Federal mediators who assisted in the negotiating process.

In order for the CBA to take effect, it must first be written and pass a vote by the NHL Board of Governors. It then must go to the players for a ratification vote.

More information about the 2012-2013 modified schedule will be released at a later date.

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USA WINS GOLD AT WORLD JUNIORS, CANADA'S MEDAL STREAK ENDS

By AJ Petronzi

Team USA defeated defending champions Sweden 3-1 in the World Junior Tournament in Ufa, Russia to win the Gold medal.

Scoring was opened up in the game by Sweden before Team USA'a Rocco Grimaldi netted two goals in the second period to give the USA everything they would need to take the gold. USA added an empty net goal in the dying moments of the third.

USA goalie John Gibson was awarded the best goalie award of the tournament.

The biggest headline of the tournament may be that Team Canada, which has historically dominated the U20 tournament, was held without a medal after it fell to Team USA and Team Russia in the medal rounds. It is the first time in 14 years that Canada leaves the World Juniors without a medal.

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