Red Wings Top Blackhawks, Secure Fifth Seed

Story and Photos by
By AJ Petronzi
In Play Magazine

It took more than three minutes of overtime until the Detroit Red wings forced the issue against the Chicago Blackhawks and scored to end the game 3-2 and cement the standings in the western conference.

Dave Bolland scored first today for Chicago. Then, five minutes into the second, Patrick Eaves scored. There was another period of silence until Tomas Holmstrom scored giving the Wings the one goal advantage. Three minutes later Colin Fraser tied the game. Then, off a brilliant feed, Brad Stuart ended the game and Chicago’s bid to win the Western Conference in overtime.

Detroit played a terrible game until midway through the third when they shifted things around to suit their style. Even then, Chicago held them to only six shots in the third, only three in the second, and a game high nine in the first. Detroit will face Phoenix in the first round of the playoffs. Detroit has not played Phoenix since January 26 – before Detroit had its full line back – and went 2-0-2 against the Coyotes this season.

In Play! Man of the Game: Jimmy Howard. Howard stopped 27 of 29 shots on the day – 16 of those shots came in the second period.

Jonathan Toews almost beat Howard in the second on this chance which Howard after the game described as, “Not even close.”

ADDED BONUS:
Post game audio with Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart and Nicklas Lidstrom



ADDED BONUS:
Post game audio with Jimmy Howard and Mike Babcock.

Read In Play! Magazine Here