The Detroit Red Wings got off to an unimpressive start after losing 0 – 6 against the St. Louis Blues in their first game. With the loss of Nicklas Lidstrom to retirement and seeing the defense make mistake after mistake, most Wings’ fans began to think this is the year we won’t make the playoffs. That is, until their second game of the season last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The game got off to a spirited start as newly acquired Red Wing Jordan Tootoo fought with Jarod Boll of the Blue Jackets. As the first puck drop of the game was descending, the 5′ 9″, 199-pound Tootoo dropped his gloves as he skated to the opposite wing of 6′ 2″, 214-pound Boll. The two tussled, both landing a few good shots, and eventually parted ways into their respective penalty boxes. The intensity was set, and the two teams fought hard as they ended in regulation with a 3 – 3 tie.
The shootout did not lack talent nor excitement, as the Blue Jackets shots first, eventually not scoring on either of their first three shots. The first two of the Wings, both Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg missed as well, leaving the game in the hands of rookie Damien Brunner. Brunner, who is at times compared to Datsyuk, did not disappoint. The game winner is below, and a beauty it is.
