April 20th 2014


Wings Win Game 3, Datsyuk, Nyquist Out for Season
Detroit, MI-- As the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway every season the pace and intensity of the games kicks up a notch (or three). That’s been more evident for the Red Wings and Penguins than ever as through three games the two teams have gone at each other hammer and tongs laying big hits all over the ice.
This type of play has finally yielded expected results as four players left last night’s game three with injury, none of which are expected back for the rest of the playoffs.
In the first period Pavel Datsyuk was steamrolled by Penguins defender Matt Niskanen in the offensive zone and had to be helped off the ice by teammates and trainers. Perhaps in response Niklas Kronwall demolished Pens winger Pascal Dupuis at the Detroit blue line resulting in Dupuis leaving the game not to return.
After the first intermission, just two minutes into the second period, Todd Bertuzzi squared off with Rob Scuderi for an epic fight wich left the Pittsburgh defender on his back.
“We’re not going to stand for cheap shots. If they want to play that way they’ll have to answer for it.” Bertuzzi told assembled media after the game.
The second period progressed from there with more hitting until Gustav Nyquist was blindsided in the offensive zone by Kris Letang. Letang was sent to the box for two minutes for charging while Nyquist lay unconscious on the ice before eventually skating off with help from his teammates.
Soon after Letang returned from the penalty Johan Franzen enacted his own brand of justice by hammering the Penguins top defensemen into the corner boards.
After the dust settled on the showdown at the Joe the Wings won the game 4-2 but have lost two top scoring line forwards. Pavel Datsyuk has been diagnosed with a separated shoulder and Gustav Nyquist with a concussion, neither are expected to return this season.
Criticism has been lobbed at the officials working this series for their leniency to the physical play, however, the league office has stated there will be no suspensions resulting from game three.