Wings Rout Bruins for First Exhibition Win

After dropping their first two games of the exhibition season, the Red Wings bounced back Wednesday night to defeat the Boston Bruins, 9-0.

Detroit’s special teams led the way as the Wings went 5-for-10 on the power play. The Bruins were unable to convert on any of their five attempts with the man-advantage.

“Guys were conscious about their position and that’s important,” coach Dave Lewis said. “They did the things we practiced and asked them to do, and then things happen.”

By the start of the third period, Detroit had built up enough of a lead that minor leaguers Mark Mowers and Darryl Bootland were used on a power play.

In all, eight different Red Wings scored. Tomas Holmstrom notched two goals. Henrik Zetterberg had three assists. Steve Yzerman notched his first preseason goal and rookie Jiri Hudler scored his third in as many exhibitions.

When asked about his recent success, Hudler said, “I don’t know. I think I play with great players. I think more games, I feel better.”

Of the Red Wings, only Dominik Hasek could be disappointed with the game. The goaltender, who prefers to stay active during a game, saw only twenty shots on goal from the Bruins.

“You try to stay focused the whole game,” Hasek said, “But 7-0 after second period, you know…”

Boston’s Felix Potvin, signed as a free agent this summer after a trade with Detroit fell through when Curtis Joseph elected to have surgery on his ankle, faced thirty Red Wings shots and allowed seven goals in the first half of the game. Andrew Raycroft, who replaced Potvin near the midway point of the second period, allowed two goals on seventeen shots.

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The Red Wings are in action again tonight, heading to Washington to face the Capitals. The 7:00 PM game will not be televised or broadcast on radio in the Detroit area. Most Detroit stars will be kept out of the game, but Manny Legace and Chris Chelios are expected to play.