The Red Wings dropped a 4-3 OT decision to the Ottawa Senators last night, but the physical, mental and emotional rivalry with the Senators team carried over from last season in a big way, and that was fine with the Red Wings, who were happy that pro try-out Austin Watson got into it with Senators forward Jan Jenik–even though Watson ended up being ejected, and gave the Senators a 5-minute power play.
The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan discusses the situation today:
“I actually liked it a lot,” Lalonde said. “It energized our guys.”
Watson was scheduled to be in the lineup Saturday in Toronto, the Wings’ final preseason game, and get one final opportunity to show what he can provide. Rosters must be set by Monday at 5 p.m. and Watson appears to be on the cusp of making the roster. The physicality Watson brings, the ability to make opponents think twice about taking advantage of the Wings, could be an important ingredient they might choose to keep.
“It’s amazing, just one guy with that mentality helps the group out a ton,” Lalonde said. “Up to that point, Austin was good in his game. He kills penalties, he had a beautiful Grade A chance on the back door, five-on-five. He’s done some good things with his play also.”
Watson is probably going to have at least a couple of tussles with Ryan Reaves, who the Leafs are dressing as Calle Jarnkrok’s nursing a minor injury…
Long after Watson was ejected, Ottawa’s Cole Reinhardt took exception to Simon Edvinsson delivering a clean, hard hit on a Senators teammate. Reinhardt skated toward Edvinsson and began to engage, but Edvinsson easily hauled Reinhardt to the ice before the scuffle was broken up, much to the delight of the Little Caesars Arena crowd.
The Wings did a good job of sticking up for each other last season. Friday’s responses were a sign they are determined to come to each other’s aid.
“It gets us to stick together,” defenseman Olli Maatta said. “We did that. That’s the toughness you need. It’s not necessarily fighting anymore but it’s a team spirit. Don’t back down and you support your teammates, your partner, your linemates. That’s the mindset we’ve had all three years I’ve been here and we’re going to keep doing that.”
Continued; I’m not as big a fan of the rough stuff in the preseason, but everybody needs to find a spark somehow.
Update: Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff also discussed Austin Watson’s play:
Lalonde tipped his cap to Watson for buoying the toughness quotient of the entire team.
“It’s amazing,” Lalonde said. “Just one guy with that mentality just helps the group out a ton.”
Watson’s teammates were also acknowledging how his presence makes everyone stand a little bit taller and play with that much more confidence. They know he has their back.
“He protects his teammates and he does a really good job at that,” Detroit forward Christian Fischer said. “That’s great what he did, and that’s what he’s done for hundreds and hundreds of games.”
Watson is getting one more chance to sway the team’s braintrust to be offering him a contract. He’s playing in the preseason finale tonight at Toronto. Lalonde is liking what he’s seeing from the veteran forward beyond his physical presence.
“Austin was good in his game,” Lalonde said. “He kills for us. He had a beautiful grade A chance on the back door there, five on five. He’s done some good things with his play also.”
