Todd's Two Lifts Wings over Jackets

by Casey Richey on Dec 27, 2009 10:17 AM CST Comment 8 comments

More photos » David Guralnick - AP

Todd Bertuzzi provided another two goal night, his third of the year, for what has become an increasingly surprising boost in production from #44.

The Blue Jackets got on the board first at 12:10 of the first on a goal from Antoine Vermette. Derek Meech's lazy pass in behind the line ended up on the stick of Jakub Voracek. Voracek's shot was stopped by Howard but mopped up by Vermette to give the Jackets a lead heading into the first break.

Early in the second, Brad May was screening Mathieu Garon and a shot from the point rang off both goalposts before going back into play. Bertuzzi would add his first goal of the night and 11th of the year minutes later on the power play. Pavel Datsyuk's great lead pass to Bertuzzi put him in all alone with Garon and Bert went forehand to backhand across the goalmouth to tie the game at one. Garon must have been thinking one timer as he laid out for a save to the near post and Bertuzzi kept it on the ice and skated around for an easy goal.

Bertuzzi got his second of the night early in the third period on a shot from Brian Rafalski that hit off the ever lively end boards at The Joe, right onto Bertuzzi's tape on the far side of the net. 2-1 Wings early in the 3rd. The play of the night may have been Darren Helm's save on a bouncing puck that hopped over Howard. Helm swatted at the puck with his stick and got enough to stop it and then batted it out of danger with his hand. Howard stopped 28 of 29 for his 12th win of the year and 2 much needed points for the Wings.

Detroit also had the much awaited return of Valtteri Filppula. In his return, Fil had three shots, two hits, a -1 rating, and won 5 of 8 faceoffs in 17:42.

Detroit faces Columbus again on Monday, this time at Columbus.

Player of the game: Todd Bertuzzi, no doubt. Bertuzzi's starting to find his role in this offense and is positioning himself better. He had 2 goals on 4 shots in 17 minutes on the ice.

Todd Bertuzzi

#44 / Right Wing / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 6-3

Weight: 225

Born: Feb 02, 1975

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was out last night

no game thread?…Go Wings!…nice to see Filpulla back now time to start getting everybody else back

we seem to have gotten over that HURDLE

thanks for a great season Rockies!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Dec 27, 2009 10:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah my bad. I had written the game thread for mondays game against the jackets instead of yesterdays.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Dec 27, 2009 11:12 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Nice Comeback

The Wings really played well in the second and third periods. Jimmy Howard saved them in the first period. He made some really timely saves or else this game could have been lost in the first period. Todd Bertuzzi hit the post in the first period and came back to save the Wings. I hope he can continue his offensive play as we roll into the new year.

by maksohockey on Dec 27, 2009 3:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just a quick thanks...

For not tossing me under the bus re: Bertuzzi, like everyone else (deservingly) has. HA!

by Michael Petrella on Dec 27, 2009 10:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Chelios

Plus 10 in AHL with great stats better than any of the defense call ups this year. Who would you rather see on defense this year? Janik and his turnovers in front of the net or Chelios and his slow legs, quick stick and smart corner play!

by Marcmargolis on Dec 28, 2009 12:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I wasn’t a fan of getting rid of him in the first place. It’s not like he’s particularly expensive and he’s a responsible defenseman who makes very few mistakes; something some of our defensemen are not (or at least consistently so).

Plus, if they kept Chelios around until at least next season, they could seriously try to get Lidstrom to sign for another 5 or 10 seasons.

by bleep bloop on Dec 28, 2009 6:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There comes a time when you just have to give the young guys a chance. Kindl needs some games under his belt, so a call up here and there will help him in the future. With Lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart, Kronwall, and Ericsson as your top five D-men, then Lebda and Meech as 6th and 7th D-men. Plus Lilja if he ever comes back. Then in case of emergencies you have Kindl who’s future looks destined to be in the Winged Wheel. Chelios just doesn’t fit. When 2 or 3 D-men are out, then you need the prospects to show what they can do and help them develop an NHL game. Having Chelios in there just pushes back young guys development.

by dewman8810 on Dec 28, 2009 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

well...we hadn't planned on losing so many people

If we had known that Kronwall, Ericsson, and even Lilja were all going to be out for an extended amount of time, i think they would have tried to work something out with him. But, as it is, he is property of the Atlanta Thrashers right now and it will probably stay that way. No way Holland trades for him.

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Dec 28, 2009 8:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs