NHL Recap: Detroit Red Wings defeat the Florida Panthers 4-3
The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 in an exciting game played at the Bank Atlantic Centre on Friday. The Panthers needed to win if they are to have any chance for a National Hockey League play-off spot. The Red Wings were looking to
gain on the Vancouver Canucks in the league standings. The Panthers came out and scored in each of the three periods, but it was not enough, as the Red Wings managed to win. Winger Todd Bertuzzi of the Red Wings was named the Player of the Game for scoring
the opening and game winning goals.
Both teams played brilliantly right from the start, as they fired shots on goal and displayed some excellent passing and shooting abilities. The play-making of both teams was also among the best that they have shown so far in the 2010-11 NHL season.
It did not take long for the Red Wings to score, as they took the lead with a goal in the 2nd minute, scored by Todd Bertuzzi from quick fired shot that caught the goalie by surprise.
Taking the lead did not restrict the Red Wings from attacking, as they went out there to score goals and their game showed their intentions. The away-side silenced the home crowd scoring once again in the 7th minute through Danny Cleary’s simple
tip-in.
The Panthers started to come up with attacks, as they managed some good scoring chances as well. Good chances kept coming for both teams, as it was merely just a matter of time, as to who would capitalise on it first. The Panthers gave the home crowd something
to cheer, as they scored through Radek Dvorak to cut the lead to a goal in the final stages of the period.
The period did not see any further goals, with the Red Wings leading 2-1. During the period, the Red Wings made 11 goal attempts, as the Panthers managed 15.
The Red Wings continued from where they left off in the first period. Though the Panthers were seen paying more attention on the defence, they were unable to stop the Red Wings from attacking. The strength in the Red Wings attacks proved to be too much,
as they doubled their lead with Pavel Datsyul scoring in the 4th minute.
The period was dominated by the Red Wings, with the Panthers becoming the stronger of the two sides as the end of the period approached. They scored during the power-play through Dennis Wideman from a powerful strike to trail by a single goal. There were
a few more goal attempts as the period neared its end, but no more goals were scored.
The Red Wings led 3-2 at the end of the second period as they managed 12 goal attempts, as the Panthers made 7.
The final period saw both teams starting off slow. The Panthers set the fans alight, as they scored in the 10th minute through Stephen Weiss, to level the scores. The joy was short-lived, as the Red Wings scored once again in the 13th
minute which proved to be the game winning goal. The goal was scored by Todd Bertuzzi who bagged his second for the night.
The Red Wings managed to edge ahead and win the game 4-3 in the end. As the NHL play-offs are right around the corner, it will be interesting to see how the teams fight it out for the final few places.
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