First Period
I was about to say “A miracle, 3 minutes without a penalty.” There’s a penalty. Wings do get a chance on the delayed penalty but Habs finally do touch. First trip to the Bad Boy Box of the game goes to Harris at the 3 minute mark. Wings get a few shots on the powerplay but /Mickey Redmond tone/ you gotta screen the goalie.
Habs got the first penalty and they also get the first goal. Seider gets a nudge from behind which had him doing the ol banana peel slip and fall. Glancing contact but enough to completely wreck his balance. This left Newhook room to pass to Matheson who shoots it in. 1-0 Habs. Petry delay of game = insult + injury. Wings on the penalty kill as Petry sits in the Crimes Cabana. Penalty killed and Petry has a shot at the ol out of the box into the net play except he shoots it right into the glove. Good try.
Wings take another chance at building on a delayed penalty. Petry ends that by simply turning the puck over losing a one-on-one battle. Pezzetta sits in the Degen Den, but to be fair who doesn’t want to hold Veleno for a few seconds?
50 seconds of powerplay and it’ll be 4v4. Raymond in the Sinning Swedes Stall for slashing. All penalties killed.
And the period is killed. The Wings didn’t play terribly but it was not energetic hockey.
Second Period
Anderson in the Asshole Asylum, Red Wings give their powerplay another chance. Does it work? No. However, Guhle goes to the Goon Garden and that gives the Red Wings powerplay a FOURTH chance. Does it work? No. It almost does for the Habs shorthanded but blessed saint goalpost saves the day.
Same story as the first period, everything just seems difficult. The Habs don’t look great so much as the Wings look meh.
Habs get their overdue call now. Walman in the Timeout Terrarium for holding. Unlike the Wings powerplay, the Habs one works. Monahan slashes Seider’s stick out of his hand, goes flying like one of those sky dancer fairy toys in the 90s (iykyk). Monahan scores. Everyone is beside themselves, another blatant missed call leading to an immediate goal. Can’t challenge that, but Newsy challenges for offside. NEWSY WINS THE CHALLENGE. NO GOAL. Still 1-0 Habs.
3 minutes to go and the Wings score! Or do they? Ras makes the shot and Fischer hits the puck with his hand, but was it on purpose? Refs say no – it’s a good goal! Tie game. First time all night there’s been some energy.
Look at that, another penalty! Absolute frame job, as we all know Larkin would never. He is sent to the Evildoer Enclosure. Outrageous.
Third Period
Habs finish their carryover powerplay with a goal. 2-1 Habs. Not the best start.
But, it gets better. Veleno, who has been hustling all night, bullies the puck to Compher who is able to hit the top corner from a tough angle. Tie game!
Gallagher and Seider wish each other a Happy Thanksgiving after Gallagher blindsided Seider. He’s having a tough night. Both get 2 minutes in the Asshole Asylum for roughing. 4v4 will get us to the halfway point. Maybe the Wings should always play 4v4 that’s when they’ve looked their best.
Czarnik is assisted into the boards feet first and limps his way off the ice.
5 minutes to go, Habs have had the puck far too often but still tied 2-2. Wings haven’t really had any good chances in…many minutes.
1 minute…
Achievement unlocked: Loser Point
OVERTIME
Larkin, Ras and Walman out first. Larkin wins the faceoff so Ras immediately heads off so DeBrincat can join in. How’s that for some strategy?
Seider falls down again. He’s continuing to have a night.
Suzuki gets a 1 on Reimer breakaway but out-dekes himself and doesn’t really get a shot. Larkin and DeBrincat are doing their very best but guess who gets a penalty for holding the stick? REIMER. DeBrincat serves the time in the Habitat for Horribleness on Reimer’s behalf. And it was a stupid penalty but not because of the refs. Reimer looked like he was riding a carousel. 4v3 for the remainder of OT.
Caufield scores. Habs win.
