As a recent comment post by ‘CB’ pointed out, the Vancouver Canucks have a difficult time defeating the Detroit Red Wings, especially at the Joe Louis arena. Thursday night was no exception.
Tomas Holmstrom and Henrik Zetterberg continue to have success versus Vancouver (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Though Vancouver doesn’t play as often in Detroit as other Western conference teams, they are still without a regulation win there in three years. Roberto Luongo started his first game since Oct. 27 when he aggravated a broken rib against Detroit. He stopped 26 shots, and though Vancouver outplayed the Red Wings for most of the game, they left ‘The Joe’ without anything to show for it but a third straight loss. Jimmy Howard was in the goal 200 feet away, and had a lot of tests thrown at him, but only conceded 1 goal on 32 attempts.
Jimmy Howard stops Matt Pettinger during second period action
Luongo spoke about the goal from Henrik Zetterberg, who took a long pass from Brad Stuart and deked around the Canuck defense. “Tried to follow it. He went from forehand to backhand, and then put it in right under the crossbar. Not a lot of guys can do that, only a few around the league.”
Jimmy Howard was in goal the night before for a 9-1 rout of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Starter Chris Osgood was ill this evening, so he got the nod and earned his first consecutive wins since being drafted in the 2nd round in 2003. “I think everybody in this dressing room believes I can do it. I just have to keep doing it consistently,” said Howard.
Though it was thought he might be back in time for this game, LW Daniel Sedin has yet to return to the Canuck lineup. It was reported that he was returned to Vancouver during the current road trip, which means the earliest he’ll be back is for the Nov.20th tilt against the Avalanche. The last three seasons he has led the Canucks in goals, which are sorely missed right now.
Mason Raymond ties the game at 1 on a tip-in during a 2nd period powerplay (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Multiple Norris trophy winner (best defenseman), Nicklas Lidstrom, attested to Howard’s importance in the game. “In a tight game you got to come up with the big saves at the right moment, and he did. He made some keys saves in the third period.”
Niklas Kronwall scored an empty net goal in the final minute of the game. Vancouver (10-10) will now finish up their 5 game road trip with a game in the Mile High City, Denver Colorado, on Saturday. The Avalanche (12-4-3) are 6-1 at the Pepsi Center this season, where they won Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001.
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