Red Wings are becoming “that team” for the Bruins. The annoying pests who somehow have them figured out when nobody else does.
First Period
4 minutes without a goal or a penalty. As I was typing that sentence, Bruins did ring one off the pipe though.
5 minutes and we do have a penalty! Geekie in the Bad Boy Box for holding. Time for a Rrrrrred Wings powerplay! Hockey player and used car dealership name-having J.T. Compher scooooooooooores! Bruins #1 penalty killing unit could not kill more than a few seconds of the mighty Red Wings powerplay.
That goal put some major pep in the Red Wings step, they had been getting the run around before the powerplay but now they’re all over Swayman like a swarm of attack bees (not that I know anything about those or am trying to build an army).
Perron gets his own holding penalty, just double-checking grabbing a jersey and pulling on it is a penalty since it was for Geekie. He goes to the Crimes Cabana and Wings go to the penalty kill at the 12-minute mark. Penalty killed! Shots are 7-3 Wings and goals 1-0 Wings at the halfway mark.
Another penalty! Or is it? Yes, but…Pastrnak was sentenced to Jerk Jail but found not guilty. The true culprit was Zacha. In any case, it’s another Rrrrred Wings powerplay! Powerplay killed.
You’re gonna want to watch this highlight. The Cat swipes the puck for a breakaway and makes it count. 2-0 Detroit on a beautiful goal from DeBrincat!
That’ll do it. Shots tied 9-9 but what matters is Wings are up 2-0.
Second Period
We make it two minutes before the first penalty. Maatta gets a holding call, the favorite penalty of the day apparently. He’s in the Offender Office and the Wings are on the penalty kill. This time the penalty is not killed and DeBrusk scores. 2-1 Wings.
Quick pace throughout the period and pretty evenly matched. Wings get a big opportunity after some bear-on-bear violence. OR DO THEY? Gostisbehere bleeding after a high stick (not malicious) but it’s determined as a follow-through and not a high stick. No penalty.
It doesn’t take long for the Bruins to commit a true sports crime. High sticking for real against Fischer. Lohrei in the Loser Locker. Red Wings powerplay with 8:30 to go! The penalty is killed but that’s ok, because moments later we have a Red Wings goal. The very healthy Robby Fabbri scooooooooores! 3-1 Wings.
Maatta maybe gets away with a crosscheck and the fans boo until the refs instead call a penalty on Holl. Holl in the Hall for Horrible Holls and Wings on their third penalty kill with 2 minutes to go. Penalty killed (technically one second to go) and that’ll do it.
Third Period
Unlucky bounce off the backboards to Heinen who was waiting with nobody around him to score from close range. Not much Husso could do other than have some puck luck, which he didn’t. 3-2 Wings.
The Wings go on the attack immediately after and Veleno draws a penalty as he’s scrambling at the net with Swayman way out of position. Larkin makes the powerplay continue to roll and gets back the 2 goal lead. 4-2 Wings!
Ras ends up in a scrap and draws a penalty. The fans aren’t wishing the refs a Merry Christmas for that one. Carlo felt he was robbed on his last penalty only getting a few seconds and wants another trip to the Timeout Terrarium. Wings back on the powerplay! But wait, there’s more! Marchand throws a cross-check, goes to the Rude Rat Receptacle, and the Wings get a minute of 5v3. 5v3 is killed leaving a minute of regular powerplay time which is also killed. Bruins have composed themselves somewhat and remembered they are supposed to be good at killing penalties.
10 minutes to go! The successful penalty kill gave the Bruins a big shot of energy, the crowd woke up too. Wings are scrambling not able to get anything set up. Dump and chase hockey is back baby!
5 minutes to go.
4 minutes and Bruins net is empty.
Wings hanging on, Larkin not giving Marchand an inch. Not even thinking about the empty net just working on smothering anything the Bruins can put together.
2 minutes. Perron goes for it from the Wings blueline and it’s in the net! Bruins fans start filing out. 5-2 Wings.
