Detroit Red Wings forward Adam Erne scored his first goal in 21 games to get his team on the board late in the second period of Saturday’s contest against the Nashville Predators.
After serving a two-minute hooking infraction, Erne stepped out of the penalty box and almost immediately received a stretch pass from Tyler Bertuzzi.
The 26-year-old winger broke in all alone on goaltender Juuse Saros and snapped a hard shot past his blocker to cut the Predators’ lead to 2–1.
Erne’s fourth goal of the season — his first since Nov. 24, 2021 — came at the 18:51 mark of the second period and was assisted by Bertuzzi and Marc Staal.
Adam Erne rips his first goal in 21 games, with 69 seconds left in the second. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/WwQpTRvsPq
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 23, 2022
The Predators shot out to a 2–0 lead midway through the second period off back-to-back quick goals from Nick Cousins and Matt Duchene. Nashville leads by a 2–1 score after two periods of play and currently controls the shots by a 17–16 count.
Shortly after he assisted on Erne’s goal, Bertuzzi dropped the gloves with Predators defenseman Matt Benning. Bertuzzi now only needs a goal to complete a Gordie Howe hat-trick.
Tyler Bertuzzi having himself a spirited scrap, after Adam Erne scored to give Detroit momentum. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/APQdMmZszH
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) January 23, 2022
Erne now has four goals and 10 points in 41 games with the Red Wings this season. He has one year remaining after this one on his $2.1 million-AAV contract.