Detroit Red Wings sneak past Calgary Flames 5-4 after shootout
Calgary Flames defenseman Brian Rafalski scored his first two goals of the season, while Todd Bertuzzi clinched the only goal in the shootout, to lead their side to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Both teams started the first period at a high tempo, and it was just a matter of time as to when the first goal would be scored. The teams put together some slick attacking moves, and managed to create a number of scoring chances.
Calgary Flames broke the deadlock in the ninth minute, when they scored through Curtis Glencross to take the lead. The hosts then continued to press on in search of another goal. In the process they committed too many men forward, which left a lot of gaps
in their defence. Detroit exploited the space brilliantly to level the scores.
The goal was scored by Darren Helm from a brilliant strike in the 16th minute. However, the home crowd’s backing seemed to work, as the Flames scored with 10 seconds remaining to take the lead once again through Jarome Iginla. The period ended
with Calgary Flames leading 2-1. Both teams made 10 goal attempts each in the period.
The second period saw both teams come out with a lot of energy and determination to score goals. Detroit scored in the very first minute through Brian Rafalski to level the scores. The hosts once again managed a swift response, and retook the lead a few
seconds later. Curtis Glencross scored the goal from a decent flick shot.
The game continued smoothly until Calgary Flames scored once again to double their lead through Anton Babchuk’s powerful long-range shot. The Red Wings however, managed to reduce the lead to 4-3, with a Patrick Eaves goal in the dying minutes of the second
period.
There was nothing much to talk about in the final period, except the fact that the Detroit Red Wings scored in the ninth minute through Brian Rafalski to level the scores at 4-4. That was how things stood at the end of regulation time, and the game went
into overtime. Todd Berutzzi scored the only goal in the shootout to seal the game for the Red Wings 5-4. Detroit Goaltender Jimmy Howard also made six of his 35 saves in overtime to deny the Flames a victory.
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