Alfredsson Takes Over, Wings Win in OT

Daniel Alfredsson reached a career marker Thursday night against the Calgary Flames.The 18-year NHL veteran reached his 700th career assist at 11:38 into the second period, as he ripped a shot from the top of the circle and deflected off of the stick of Red Wings youngster, Joakim Andersson.

While also notching both the first goal and game-winning goal, Alfredsson made a statement of leadership in a time where his team needed it most. He led them to a 3-2 overtime win.

The Detroit Red Wings are currently missing the inner depth of their team, and the injured reserve list has been rapidly growing. But as the Red Wings have kept a stable mind about their injury prone squad, their time has, once again, come to be rejoined by their teammates.

The Red Wings looked at Thursday’s game as an opportunity to snap a six-game losing streak against an equally weak Calgary Flames team. The Wings filled their bottom two lines with AHL elites that were trying to make their way to the NHL to play for a team that has lead lead the NHL in consecutive playoff appearances for 22 years straight.

In wake of Jimmy Howard’s absence due to an MCL sprain, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson is was still playing to the best of his ability in the starting goaltender slot. The Swedish monster has posted nine wins on the season and is attempting to get his tenth against his old Leafs team.

“It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be fun…I enjoyed living in Toronto, had a lot of good teammates. But I think both sides felt it was time to move on. For me, it was time to find another challenge,” Gus told the media.

Danny DeKeyser is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday evening against the teams 2014 Winter Classic opponent, the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the young defensemen has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, one can only imagine how eager he is to get back out there and help his team.

“I’m excited. It’s been a while since I’ve played, a little over a month, but it seems longer than that so I’m just ready to get back at it,” DeKeyser said.

DeKeyser is not the only member of the IR list that is making a return to the lineup. Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader are expected to play in Monday’s contest against the New York Islanders.

While players are coming back to the lineup and healthy leaders are stepping up in time of need, the Wings keep their heads held high and attempt to play the way that they are used to.

The sixth place Wings team will attempt to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 21.

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Information from the Detroit Red Wings was used in this report.

For more information on the Detroit Red Wings and NHL hockey from analysts and journalists at Michigan State University – tune into Octopi Hockeytown podcasts and embrace the Spartan debate at www.impact89fm.org/sports

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Austin Goodman is the host of Octopi Hockeytown for Impact Sports

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Scoring Summary:

1st Period:

DET – 0:26 – D. Alfredsson (Snap) P. Datsyuk, N. Kronwall

CGY – 5:11 – M. Backlund (Wrist) M. Cammalleri, T.J. Brodie

2nd Period:

DET – 11:38 – J. Andersson (Deflected) D. Alfredsson, P. Datsyuk

CGY – 15:53 – M. Giordano (Wrist) C. Glencross, M. Cammalleri

3rd Period:

No scoring recorded.

Overtime:

DET – 1:03 PPG – D. Alfredsson (Slap) P. Datsyuk, N. Kronwall

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Three Stars:

First: Daniel Alfredsson

(2G, 1A, +1, 5 shots, 1 hit, 21:26 TOI)

Second: Michael Cammalleri

(2A, +1, 3 shots, 18:46 TOI)

Third: Niklas Kronwall

(2A, +1, 3 shots, 25:18 TOI)

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