ANAHEIM, California -- The Detroit Red Wings had a chance to take a 3-1 series lead over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night - and do so with Anaheim defenseman Chris Pronger serving a one-game suspension for a high hit on Tomas Holmstrom in game three of their Western Conference Final matchup - but they failed on that opportunity, losing to the Ducks, 5-3.
En route to the loss, the Red Wings were unable to score on two long five-on-three chances, one in the second period and one in the third.
The Ducks got on the board just 1:37 into the game and would never trail.
After a failed outlet pass by Todd Bertuzzi, Corey Perry picked up the puck at the Detroit blue line. He stepped up to the top of the right circle and ripped a shot past Detroit netminder Dominik Hasek.
The Red Wings pulled even 1:52 later when Dan Cleary deflected a Chris Chelios pass in behind goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
Richard Jackman, in the lineup for the suspended Pronger, put the Ducks back out in front with 8:14 remaining in the opening period, slapping the puck into the back of the net from the high slot on an Anaheim power play.
Teemu Selanne extended the Ducks' lead with 1:29 remaining, whacking a bouncing puck past Hasek from in close.
The Red Wings would rally in the second.
Bertuzzi atoned for his earlier miscue with a power play goal at 7:48. Robert Lang carried the puck behind the net before throwing it out front to Bertuzzi, who banged it home from the top of the crease.
Cleary would add a second goal with 4:24 remaining in the middle period, another Detroit power play goal. Bertuzzi tried a bank shot from behind the net off of Giguere but the puck came free in front of the net. With the Anaheim netminder scrambling and sprawled on the ice, Cleary lifted a shot over him and into the net.
The Ducks would retake - and hold - the lead in the third period.
Ryan Getzlaf scored on a wrister from the top of the right circle to pull the Ducks ahead on a power play at 5:24 and Rob Niedermayer added an empty net goal with 1:08 remaining.
Both teams finished the night with two power play goals. Detroit had six chances with the extra attacker while Anaheim had five.
Hasek made 18 saves on 22 shots against. Giguere stopped 36 of Detroit's 39 shots.
The Ducks' win means the series will now go at least six games. Game five will be on Sunday afternoon in Detroit and game six will be Tuesday night in Anaheim.
Huge game tonight and the Ducks will be without Chris Pronger, out for one game after his Game Three hit on Tomas Holmstrom. The Wings can take a 3-1 lead if they take advantage of his absence.
Wings have gotten better and better by each game these playoffs.
I think the wings will win or lose the series tonight. If they lose, the series will be tied, and Pronger will be well rested for the next game, and I don't think that the wings will win the cup with a long series with the Ducks. But if they win tonight, the ducks will be desperate next game, and they will surely lose, facing elimination.
But, with the way the wings are playing at the moment, and with the way Hasek is playing, I don't see any teams beating the wings.
Go wings
Aww damn, that's not good.
And just like that, it's even again!
Damnit, knew with how much Emerick was talking about Detroit's PK streak it was going to end.
Come on, Dom, you were square to him!
After twenty minutes... Wings are doing two things really poorly right now. They're not getting into the Anaheim zone and they're not keeping the Ducks out. Anaheim's been able to gain the zone way too easily, getting them some chances, but Detroit hasn't gotten any kind of rush.
After twenty minutes... Wings are doing two things really poorly right now. They're not getting into the Anaheim zone and they're not keeping the Ducks out. Anaheim's been able to gain the zone way too easily, getting them some chances, but Detroit hasn't gotten any kind of rush.
Agreed. ANAHEIM has made adjustments, as expected, and is carrying the play. Their fore-check is better than the WINGS'. The WINGS must now find away to put traffic in front of GIGUERE, and get some shots with rebounds. Sustained pressure in the zone is critical. Also, the WING D has to find a way to keep ANAHEIM from getting some one open between the hash marks. ANAHEIM's D and their Fore-check has been dominant in the first period.
NO MORE WING PENALTIES PLEASE!
Huge 5-on-3 here, Ducks d-men in the box, need a goal here.
What was Lang even out there for? Awful passes, blocked shots. Wings are not moving right now.
Alright Bert! Back in it!
Not the best of penalty calls on Niedermayer but I'll take the PPG to even things up. Bert is making up for the giveaway on Anaheim's first goal and Cleary's on a roll again.
And Giguere comes up huge on Fil! Wow.
After 40 minutes... Wings got a bit of luck, getting the power plays. Scary to see them relying on it but I'll take them. See if they can do some more damage with fresh ice.
Ducks aren't exactly on their heels, even with the Wings pushing. They did get a lot more undisciplined, though.
One WING, in particular, I'd really like to see rewarded with a goal is MARKOV. He's been outstanding on the D throught the play-offs.
Way to fight back that period....hopefully can steal one more period and game and head home with a commanding lead......GO WINGS!!!!!!!!
Wow, I can't believe they called that. Long 5-on-3 again...
Wings now with two awful two-man advantages. I can't help but think that's gonna come back and bite them in the ass.
Told ya.
Wings now with two awful two-man advantages. I can't help but think that's gonna come back and bite them in the ass.
GETZLAF just made em pay
We're at 6:10 left and I don't really have a good feeling right now.
Right now I am drinking coffee out of my wings mug and making faces at the Sabres fan across from me. Come on Boys don't let me down!
A night of blown opportunities. Wings could have gotten the win to take a stranglehold, couldn't do it. Couldn't score on any five-on-threes. They had chances and just didn't do anything with it.
A night of blown opportunities. Wings could have gotten the win to take a stranglehold, couldn't do it. Couldn't score on any five-on-threes. They had chances and just didn't do anything with it.
DANNY MARKOV is well past due for a goal.
Good effort by the WINGS. One positive is that the WINGS never gave up. GUIGERE got his FROGGY French ARSE up for this one though & gave his team a chance to win and they did.
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.