Homer powers Wings with two goals in win over Canucks
DETROIT 3, VANCOUVER 2
Homer powers Wings with two goals in win over Canucks
October 25, 2007
BY HELENE ST. JAMES
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
Considering how much time Tomas Holmstrom has spent of late being penalized for doing what he always has done, teammates were especially delighted to see him rewarded Wednesday for doing what he has always done.
Holmstrom scored twice to lead the Red Wings past Vancouver, 3-2, before 17,015, second-smallest crowd of the season so far at Joe Louis Arena.
During the first period Holmstrom was called yet again for goaltender interference, giving him 22 penalty minutes in 10 games. He responded with his first two-goal game since April 1.
"It was nice for him," linemate Henrik Zetterberg said. "He's had some tough times. The refs are kind of on him, and he's been in the box a little bit, so it's good that he gets two goals and gets something back."
Prospect Igor Grigorenko, called up this week after an undistinguished stint in Grand Rapids, was not in the lineup. Grigorenko has about a week left to make the team, but he is at the bottom of the depth chart. Matt Ellis took another step in his bid to be a regular with his second goal in three games and fourth point in four games.
The Wings pounded 39 shots at Roberto Luongo.
"I thought our guys were determined and got to the net and shot the puck and got second chances and had good screens," coach Mike Babcock said. "That's what you have to do against him -- if he sees it, he stops it."
Dominik Hasek faced just 15 shots, but Matt Cooke's goal deflected in off Kris Draper's stick, and Hasek didn't see Daniel Sedin's tally.
"The first one, I had no chance," Hasek said. "The second one, I didn't see the puck. Not too much work. You feel like there's not too much going on in front of you; however, they score two goals and the game was very close."
Holmstrom took one of three Detroit penalties in the opening period, but the Wings still had the better scoring chances, and Ellis gave them the lead when he scored into an open net after Tomas Kopecky had cleared Luongo from his position.
Holmstrom made it 2-0 when he stood in front of Luongo and deflected Brian Rafalski's shot on a power play at 2:23 of the second.
"We've got to have traffic around the goalie," Holmstrom said. "It was nice to score some goals, too."
Cooke cut the lead at 5:33, but Holmstrom and his linemates provided the eventual game-winner before the second period ended.
Standing by the right goal post, Holmstrom was in perfect position to tap in Zetterberg's pass. Pavel Datsyuk created the scoring chance when he forced the puck away from Willie Mitchell behind the left side of the net. With seven goals, Holmstrom is tied with Zetterberg for the team lead.
"He not only scores the goals, but many goals his linemates score because he's there in the goalie's face and he cannot see the puck," Hasek said.
"He's such a valuable player. He makes any goalie's job difficult."