WCQF Game 2: Detroit Red Wings at Anaheim Ducks: Red Wings Win A Nail Biter 5-4 In OT
By Jamie Clarke
OVERALL RECAP
This series got off to an interesting note. The Ducks, despite their impressive record and their play that got them into the playoffs were the underdogs in this series. If we learned one thing from the Red Wings 21 straight playoff appearances it’s that no matter where they finish in the rankings, they are a threat. After dropping game 1 to the Ducks, that threat became apparent tonight. The series is now tied at 1 after an exciting 5-4 overtime victory for the Wings.
May 2, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) reacts after center Gustav Nyquist (14) scores the game winning goal for the victory against the Anaheim Ducks during the overtime period in game two of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
GAME RECAP
Despite being outshot in the first period, and for stretches being largely outplayed, the Detroit Red Wings stormed out to an early 2-0 lead. Hopping on the backs of Justin Abdelkader and Damien Brunner, the two first period goal scorers, the Wings looked poised to keep storming the gates. The opening salvo of play saw the home team down 2-0in just over 4 minutes. Playoff crowd or not, that is going to silence everybody.
As the second period started, and the Red Wings jumped to an early power play, things didn’t look good for many of the fans not even back to their seats yet. Johan Franzen is a dangerous man. Johan Franzen is especially dangerous on the power play and he proved it tonight. Givings the Wings a 3-0 lead early into period 2. However, with the Red Wings on the penalty kill, the Ducks woke up and got back into this game. Led by the ole wily vets, Saku Koivu drew the Ducks within 2.
Remember how I said Johan Franzen was dangerous? Well after taking a cup shot, Franzen got back in game shape, and potted his second of the night, just 20 seconds into the third. At 4-1, this game looked out of reach. To most teams it would have been. The Ducks however are a playoff team, and playoff teams are there because they have heart. Led by a Ryan Getzlaf goal almost half way through the third, the Ducks turned their fortunes around. With 2:22 left in the third, following a Kyle Palmieri goal, Bobby Ryan scored the goal that erupted the crowd. All the sudden, this game was going to overtime.
Catching a lucky break on a Sheldon Souray slashing call, the Red Wings started OT on the power play. As a rule of thumb, after 60 minutes of hard fought game, a power play is never something you want to give the other team. Gustav Nyquist gets the setup pass off a sweet Valtteri Filppula dangle, and this series is tied 1-1 after a 5-4 Red Wings win.
SENSHOT 3 STARS
1 – Johan Franzen
2 – Gustav Nyquist
3 – Bobby Ryan
OTHER GAMES OF THE NIGHT
OTTAWA DOWNS MONTREAL 4-2 IN GAME 1