MLive’s Ansar Khan posted a morning-after-the-game recap of the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night’s Stadium Series game, and we’re not going to ignore the obvious here:
The Red Wings felt they deserved a better fate with a 46-21 edge in shots and a dominant third period that included goals by Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat (his second of the game with 3:24 to play) to erase a 3-1 deficit.
“I thought we played a hell of a game,” [Red Wings coach Todd] McLellan said. “When you think of the type of game we played two nights ago in Detroit (5-2 loss) and the response that we got … we were aggressive. But at the end of the day, we have to learn how to win those games and not lose them.”
[Blue Jackets forward Justin] Danforth’s goal was a bit controversial as he high-sticked Simon Edvinsson while entering the zone, taking the defenseman out of the play. Officials discussed the play but opted not to call a penalty which would have negated the goal.
“I got a stick up in my face. I won’t comment anything more on that,” Edvinsson told reporters. “To lose on that, it sucks. It’s very frustrating.”
Dylan Larkin said of the explanation from officials: “They said Simon was falling down and going into the stick. It’s a stick in the face and we still have two guys who’d like to make the play, but we didn’t, and they scored, so we didn’t even get a point. That’s a tough one, especially clawing our way back in that game.”
McLellan did not harp on it.
“We should never be in that situation, not with the two D-men back there,” McLellan said.
Continued; I’ve been watching hockey for 34 years now, and last night’s goal by Danforth was the first goal I’ve ever seen that included a combination high-stick-and-take-down-trip ahead of the player scoring the actual goal.
I’m starting to wonder whether the NHL is so hellbent upon making sure that the call of “goal” on the ice stands that almost nothing can overturn said call, even if it’s common sense to take the cautious route.
The Free Press’s Helene St. James’ customary 6 AM recap discusses the goal against as well…
Continue reading Morning recaps: Danforth’s controversial goal against the Red Wings still stings