Ann 2Powerplay Units Shine In Winter Classic As Red Wings Defeat Blackhawks 6-4
January 3rd 2009 04:34
For the third edition of the NHL's Winter Classic which pits two teams against each other in an outdoor rink, the fans and players were blessed with almost perfect weather conditions. Indeed, the overcast sky and slightly below freezing temperature were a nice contrast to the Siberian cold five years ago when the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers met at the Commonwealth Stadium. It was also better than the incessant snowfall last year during the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at the Ralph Wilson stadium. The structure of Chigaco's historic Wrigley Field prevented the wind from having a real impact on the game as the fans witnessed two Original Six rivals – the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks – going at it like there was no tomorrow.
Spurred by the home crowd, the Blackhawks ended the first period leading 3-1, two of their goals coming from the powerplay. Those powerplays were the result of the Red Wings losing their focus as Blackhawks winger Andrew Ladd wreaked havoc in Detroit's zone, hitting everything that moved. Of course, the defending champions didn't appreciate it and ending up taking a penalty for roughing. The highlight of the first period though had to be Brent Seabrook's hit on Dan Cleary which sent the winger over the boards onto Chicago's bench. Detroit, thinking they were missing a player, had another skater jump onto the ice just to receive a too-many-men penalty as soon as Cleary found his way back to the ice. Detroit's lone goal also came on the powerplay.
The defending champions took matters in their own hands in the next 40 minutes, controlling the game until a few seconds before the final whistle. As if they suddenly had decided to play, they scored five goals without reply during those two periods, one of which came on the powerplay in the third period while Jiri Hudler scored twice in the second period. Their fourth goal, scored towards the end of the second period, was a thing of beauty as Pavel Datsyuk somehow made his way through two defensemen to beat Cristobal Huet with a backhand. Chicago's final goal was scored ten seconds before the final whistle on their sixth powerplay of the day.
Overall, the game was very entertaining. Their were hits, lots of goals, great stops by the goalies, and some beautiful hockey played by the skaters. If there's one thing the game showed, it's that the Detroit Red Wings have the ability to decide whether they're going to lose or not even if the other team gives its all. The Red Wings don't have great goalies, but their offense is a well-oiled machine that scores goals almost at will.
Spurred by the home crowd, the Blackhawks ended the first period leading 3-1, two of their goals coming from the powerplay. Those powerplays were the result of the Red Wings losing their focus as Blackhawks winger Andrew Ladd wreaked havoc in Detroit's zone, hitting everything that moved. Of course, the defending champions didn't appreciate it and ending up taking a penalty for roughing. The highlight of the first period though had to be Brent Seabrook's hit on Dan Cleary which sent the winger over the boards onto Chicago's bench. Detroit, thinking they were missing a player, had another skater jump onto the ice just to receive a too-many-men penalty as soon as Cleary found his way back to the ice. Detroit's lone goal also came on the powerplay.
The defending champions took matters in their own hands in the next 40 minutes, controlling the game until a few seconds before the final whistle. As if they suddenly had decided to play, they scored five goals without reply during those two periods, one of which came on the powerplay in the third period while Jiri Hudler scored twice in the second period. Their fourth goal, scored towards the end of the second period, was a thing of beauty as Pavel Datsyuk somehow made his way through two defensemen to beat Cristobal Huet with a backhand. Chicago's final goal was scored ten seconds before the final whistle on their sixth powerplay of the day.
Overall, the game was very entertaining. Their were hits, lots of goals, great stops by the goalies, and some beautiful hockey played by the skaters. If there's one thing the game showed, it's that the Detroit Red Wings have the ability to decide whether they're going to lose or not even if the other team gives its all. The Red Wings don't have great goalies, but their offense is a well-oiled machine that scores goals almost at will.
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