Fischer and Draper Lead Red Team to Alumni Victory
September 20, 2014
The Detroit Red Wings’ annual Alumni and Celebrity Game was a high-scoring, enjoyable time for fans alike.
The score of the game was a 12-10 final, giving the “Red Team”, the victory.
The 2014 Alumni and Celebrity Game hosted a slew of veterans, including players like Jiří Fischer, Kris Draper, Chris Chelios, Dallas Drake and Kirk Maltby.
Coaches played as well, including Detroit Red Wings head coach, Mike Babcock and all three assistants: Andrew Brewer, Jim Hiller and Tony Granato.
Jeff Blashill, head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins, played for the “White Team”.
Two 25 minute periods brought 36 shots for 12 goals for the victorious “Red Team” and the “White Team” had 37 shots for 10 goals.
Jiri Fischer was the starting defender for the “Red Team” and accumulated 2 goals and 4 assists to lead the Team.
Alongside Jiri, was former teammate and one of six Red Wings to play in over 1,000 NHL games, Kris Draper. The other five record holders include Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio, Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Yzerman, Tomas Holmstrom.
Babcock left the game early in the first period due to undisclosed reasons.
Starting in goal was Red Wings’ General Manager Ken Holland, for the “White Team” and Blashill for the “Red Team”. Holland went 10-10 through the first period, allowing zero goals. Blashill let up two goals on nine shots through the first.
The game started off with the announcement of each players name and affiliation with the team. Through the first period, the teams had 23 shots for the “Red Team” and 17 shots for the “White Team” with a score of 5-4.
There were only two penalties throughout both periods of play. Draper took the first in the first period for slashing while Marty Stein took the second.
Fans also had an opportunity to get game-worn jerseys, signed and given to them by the respective player. There, the players were greeted by their No. 1 fan, which won the spot via an auction before the game and in between periods.
Sunday at noon, the regular 66-man roster will compete in the Red and White Game as the final full team scrimmage before the team is split up for exhibition games.
* * *
RED TEAM (Coach: Mats Nilsson) Goalies Jim Bedard Jeff Blashill Skaters Mike Babcock Jiri Fischer Pat Ferschweiler Ken Kal Len Quesnelle Hakan Andersson Kevin Clark Kris Draper Kelly Harper Jim Hiller Joe Kocur Sam Lites Kirk Maltby Marty Stein Piet Van Zant Ari Vuori WHITE TEAM (Coach: Bruce Haralson) Goalies Ken Holland Derek Lalonde Skaters Jeff Finley Mark Howe Chris Chelios Andrew Brewer Vladi Havluj Tony Granato Dallas Drake Tyler Wright Andrew Dickson Ryan MartinGlenn Merkosky Todd Beam Ken Daniels Brad “Dogg” Thompson Dave Noel-Bernier Denny Phillips
Austin Goodman is host of Octopi Hockeytown for Impact Sports.
Photos: Jonathan Yales/Impact Sports