logo
WingsNation has no direct affiliation to the Detroit Red Wings, Ilitch Holdings, NHL, or NHLPA
WINGS POSTGAME: Red Wings lose 4-1, game ends on embarrassing note for both teams
alt
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Cameron Kuom
Dec 21, 2019, 20:58 ESTUpdated: Dec 21, 2019, 22:11 EST
Comments
Well.
What was a pretty typically Red Wings hockey game, things took a major turn in the final two minutes. Both the Maple Leafs and Red Wings finished off the game on an ugly note — Jake Muzzin hauling Anthony Mantha down and possibly concussing him, followed by Andreas Athanasiou taking a run at Alex Kerfoot in retribution.
This Detroit team is clearly tired of losing. But to box themselves into unnecessarily altercations is not a good sign. Hopefully Mantha and Kerfoot will be OK, but both sides should have taken a be-the-bigger-man-stance and close this game off.

Thoughts and Highlights

  • Less than seven minutes into the game, an unexpected goalie change occurred. Jonathan Bernier exited the game with an undisclosed injury. Calvin Pickard subbed in for relief and performed quite well, considering the circumstances.
  • The Leafs’ defense got caught several times over the first half of the game. That resulted in a Dylan Lakin breakaway, a Dylan Larkin partial-breakaway, and an Andreas Athanasiou partial-breakaway. Shockingly, Detroit did convert on any of the odd-man chances.
  •  Of the four Toronto goals, it was the first goal by Zach Hyman that drew controversy. Crashing into Pickard, Hyman managed to slip the puck over the goal-line before the net came off the pegs. Due to Hyman being tripped by a Red Wing defender, that might have negated the goaltender interference that occurred.
  • Following the Muzzin-Mantha incident (more on that coming), the Red Wings converted on the ensuing powerplay. Tyler Bertuzzi scored from the blue paint to break Michael Hutchinson’s shutout.
  • Now for the exchange that started all the chaos. Mantha and Muzzin got into a scrap and it appears Muzzin slew-footed Mantha, sending the Detroit forward head first into the ice. Mantha stayed down for quite some time and was eventually helped off the ice.
  • Following the Muzzin-Mantha incident and Bertuzzi goal, Athanasiou went for a knee on Kerfoot. An incredibly dangerous play, Athanasiou is lucky he didn’t fully connect.
  • Both Muzzin and Athanasiou could see further discipline from the league. Just an ugly, ugly way to end a hockey game.

Gif of the Game

Department of Player Safety calling Muzzin and Athanasiou like:
Busted Michelle Tanner GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Motor City MVP

Robby Fabbri

Through all the madness, Fabbri had a solid game on the second-line. He picked up an assist and two shots 14:24 of ice time. His impact is starting to grow outside of the powerplay which is a great thing to see.
Uncategorized
MORE NEWS. IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Breaking News