Detroit Red Wings make comeback but fall to Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in Overtime-NHL Preseason Update
Detroit Red Wings made a strong comeback during the second half of Friday’s, 2011 National Hockey League (NHL) preseason matchup against Toronto Maple Leafs, but failed to keep the momentum going in overtime as the Canadian franchise overtook them to win,
4-3, on September 30, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States.
So far, Toronto Maple Leafs have been able to maintain a good record in the preseason, keeping in mind their performance last season. They now have only one game remaining, after having won four out of seven thus far.
Detroit Red Wings on the other hand, have only won two matchups in the six contests and have two further remaining, including another against Toronto.
Red Wings head coach, Mike Babcock, was disappointed in his teams’ performance and was not unwilling to express his thoughts after the matchup had ended.
"I thought early they were better than us", Babcock said about Toronto Maple Leafs. "I thought they played with more energy. I thought our kids were good. I didn't like our veterans early. Then I thought we took over the game in the second period and created
lots of chances. But we can't give up four goals on 20 shots, that's just not good enough".
Jake Gardiner scored the opening goal and put Toronto ahead of the competition. Both teams managed to kill two penalties throughout the first period.
Mike Brown extended the lead for Maple Leafs, but Todd Bertuzzi reacted back nearly midway through the second on Toronto’s first penalty of the period. Gustav Nyquist potted another for Detroit and scored his first of the preseason at the 16:01 mark on the
clock to level the match.
The third period was intense as both teams stood levelled. Johan Franzen scored in the opening two minutes followed by another by Toronto’s Mike Brown, nearly a minute later, again tying the score.
Both teams remained unable to penetrate the defence of the other, thus resulting in a forced overtime extension.
It was Toronto’s Mike Komisarek who scored for Maple Leafs in overtime, nearly halfway through, giving his team their back-to-back win.
Jake Gardiner, Toronto’s prospectus defenseman, showed a terrific performance by acting as an obstacle for Detroit, which certainly had him noticed by the team.
“I’m trying to make it tough on them”, Gardiner said. “It was fun out there. The Wings are a fast team and they don’t give you a lot of room”.
Toronto and Detroit face-off again next day, this time on Maple Leafs turf at 7 p.m. ET.
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