Wings Win to Close Season Series with ‘Hawks

The Detroit Red Wings got three goals from defensemen as they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-2, in the final game of the season between the two teams. Detroit went 4-1-0-1 against Chicago this season.

Defenseman Jason Woolley opened the scoring with 6:27 remaining in the first period. Woolley took a cross-ice pass from Brett Hull at the top of the right circle and one-timed a shot past Chicago netminder Steve Passmore’s glove, putting the Wings up by a goal.

Ray Whitney got the only Red Wings goal by a forward 5:02 later. With the Red Wings on a power play, Whitney skated through the left circle and took a Henrik Zetterberg pass from behind the net. Whitney then fired a shot through a small gap under Passmore’s glove and gave Detroit a two-goal lead.

Chicago cut the Red Wings’ lead in half with just three seconds remaining in the first period. Kyle Calder deflected a Deron Quint shot in front of Detroit goalie Manny Legace to give the ‘Hawks their first goal of the game.

Niklas Kronwall’s first career goal put the Red Wings back up by two with 5:35 left in the second period. As Mathieu Dandenault held the puck along the left-side boards, Kronwall pinched into the slot and called for a pass. Dandenault got the puck to Kronwall, who fired a one-timer by Passmore.

Nicklas Lidstrom scored the Wings’ final goal of the game 7:30 into the final period. As Kris Draper held up Alexei Zhamnov on a faceoff, Steve Yzerman came in to knock the puck back to Lidstrom. Lidstrom drifted back to the blue line and fired a shot that deflected off Passmore’s glove and into the net.

Tyler Arnason closed the game’s scoring, beating Legace on a rebound from right in front of the net as Legace scrambled back into position after coming out of the net.

Legace stopped 22 of the 24 shots he faced in Detroit’s net. Passmore made 30 saves on 34 shots between the pipes for Chicago.

The Red Wings are back in action on Friday night when the Phoenix Coyotes make their first visit of the season to Joe Louis Arena. The Wings will then embark on a five-game, ten-night road trip.