By AJ Petronzi
In Play Magazine
In the first of three meetings between Columbus and Detroit in the next week, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Blue Jackets 3-2 to pull only three points shy of guaranteeing a spot in the playoffs.
Tomas Holmstrom scored the opener tonight, but Columbus’ Andrew Murray tied the game up after the first period. Pavel Datsyuk gave Detroit another lead in the second and Todd Bertuzzi extended that lead early in the third. The final goal of the game was scored late by Columbus’ RJ Umberger.
Detroit didn’t play a great game through the first twenty minutes, but came back and took control of most of the game afterwards. Detroit scored an additional goal tonight but the goal was taken away because Todd Bertuzzi spiked the puck out of the air and into the net with his hands. While the goal didn’t count, it did cause some laughs on both Columbus’ and Detroit’s benches. Tonight marked Detroit's seventh consecutive win.
In Play! Man of the Game: Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk scored a great goal, plus had an assist and on more than one occasion turned the Blue Jacket’s defensemen inside out with his stick work.
ADDED BONUS:
Post game audio from the dressing room with Bertuzzi, Stuart, Lidstrom, Howard and Babcock
