Red Wings End Slump With Victory Over Canucks

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Some games are pretty, some are boring, and some are just tight. This was definitely the latter.

The past few weeks have been tough for Detroit. Since defeating the Colorado Avalanche way back on the 17th, the team has lost at the hands (gloves?) of the Coyotes, Sharks, Senators and Rangers. Taking two overtime points from a possible eight.

The Vancouver Canucks on the other hand have won four of their last five games, and despite a close loss to Washington are performing well under new coach John Tortorella. 

Detroit's Luke Glendening is fast becoming a regular in the Wings' squad, what with the team's inability to remain injury free. Meanwhile Johan Franzen and Mikael Samuelsson were scratched for the game.

The tight first period brought more penalties than goals, Vancouver's Dan Hamhuis was given a minor for holding Niklas Kronwall. Kronwall returned the favour five minutes later and was boxed for slashing Hamhuis.

Vancouver was the first team to break the deadlock when one of the Sedin, Daniel probably (I'm sure they swap jerseys when nobody is looking) wristed a shot past Jimmy Howard with five minutes left in the first period.

The Brothers Sedin made the referee's match report again at the end of the first when Daniel was the victim of some Brendan Smith interference. Henrik then took a penalty for holding Smith. 

The second period brought more goals and penalties. Smith was involved yet again when he went all Obi Wan on Chris Higgins and took a penalty for High Sticking. 

Fortunately for all Detroit fans, just after the half way point of the game, goals happened. The game of Daniels continued when Daniel Alfredsson bested Luongo to restore parity. 

Tomas Tatar was then on hand to ruin Tortorella's night after he snapped Kronwall's pass past Roberto Luongo. 

The third period saw some great goaltending, but not much else. Roberto Luongo was by far Vancouver's best player last night and this was reflected when he was awarded the second star of the game. 


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