from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,
When it came time for the Detroit Red Wings to stage their latest comeback, the kids weren’t just alright. They were leading the charge.
Down 2-0 to the Ottawa Senators, Lucas Raymond, 20, set up the first goal, then tallied the tying goal. It was rookie Elmer Soderblom, 21, who would net the eventual game-winner. He did so after taking a sweet feed from Joe Veleno, 22.
Michael Rasmussen, at 23 the elder statesman among the third-period goal scorers in Detroit’s 4-2 victory, couldn’t help but be impressed by the performance of the club’s kiddie corps.
“I think those guys have been playing real hard for us and have really made some big plays in the last little bit here,” Rasmussen said....
“Those guys made big plays,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “Even on Razor’s goal, Berggren made a really sneaky play on the half-wall to get the puck to the point, and obviously Elmer’s finishing. When those guys are going it felt like we had four lines going. It felt deep tonight.”...
“Everyone wants to contribute (offensively) but it’s good to see those guys contributing, even away from the puck,” Rasmussen said. “In the D zone they’re blocking shots.
“Joe had a big block in the third. Berggy’s winning battles all over the place. And Sodes gets a big goal. It was great to see.”
Below watch post game videos of Rasmussen, Raymond, Lalonde and the game highlights.
Extended highlights
Happy New Years, all!
One theme this season is Lalonde (and SY) seem to prefer a little bit more size in the lineup, from goal out to forward.
It wouldnt matter if guys like Rasmussen and Soderblom lacked sense or didnt play hard, but this lineup has so much more reach both offensively and defensively. Not to take anything away from Veleno and Berggren who play hard and are winning more and more battles and creating more offense from it.
Its a bit hilarious seeing how small Seider looks next to Solderblom.
from Ansar Khan of Mlive,
Those guys made big plays, coach Derek Lalonde said. Razors goal, Berggren made a really sneaky play on the half-wall to get the puck to the point and obviously Elmer finishing (his goal). When those guys are going it felt like we had four lines going, felt deep tonight. Just a complete team effort. Very satisfying and very impressive.
It remains to be seen where some of those players (Soderblom, Berggren, Veleno) will be skating in a couple of weeks, when the team expects to have Jakub Vrana, Robby Fabbri, Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Zadina back.
But for now, they are playing key roles for a team (16-12-7) that is trying to stay within striking distance of a playoff spot.
I think those guys have been playing really hard for us and have really made some big plays in the last little bit here, Rasmussen said. Its good to see those guys contributing, even away from the puck. In the D zone theyre blocking shots. Joe had a big block in the third. Berggys winning battles all over the place. And Sodes gets a big goal.
more
Create an Account
In order to leave a comment, please create an account.