Red Wings Enter All-Star Break with Loss to Avalanche

In their last game before the All-Star break and their second in as many nights, the Detroit Red Wings couldn’t hold off the Colorado Avalanche, allowing a late go-ahead goal and falling 3-1.

The teams were tied at a goal apiece when Andrew Brunette gave the Avalanche their second lead of the night at 9:52 of the third period, just seconds after the expiration of a penalty to Andreas Lilja. With Detroit attempting to clear the puck from their crease, Brunette crashed in and knocked it into the net.

The Red Wings were never able to even things back up, and Joe Sakic added an empty net goal with 42 seconds remaining.

Ian Laperriere had given the Avalanche their first lead of the night at 9:45 of the first period, putting a backhander past goaltender Joey MacDonald off the rebound from a tremendous save.

Detroit evened things up 5:40 later when Valtteri Filppula slipped a shot from the left circle past Colorado goalie Peter Budaj.

Neither team scored a power play goal, with Detroit having three chances with the extra attacker and Colorado having five, including the final three of the game.

Budaj stopped 27 of 28 shots against in the win, while MacDonald – starting in place of the sick Chris Osgood – made 28 saves on 30 shots.

After the All-Star Game, the Red Wings will be back in action next Friday when they visit the St. Louis Blues.