CSSI: 10/8/09 vs. Chicago

It’s been an incredibly busy week over here at MW, which may have or may not have included shedding a few tears and drinking a few beers over the loss of Johan Franzen. That said, somewhere along the way the CSSI for the win over the Blackhawks got neglected and left in the “drafts” folder. My sincerest apologies to any of you who have been patiently waiting for it.

The all-up CSSI chart has also been updated.

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CSSI: 10/8/09 vs. Chicago

**Links contain videos of each goal

Goal 1 (CHI 1 DET 0): Patrick Sharp (3) from Kris Versteeg (3) and Brent Seabrook (4) at 1:23, Second Period

• Wings on ice: Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Zetterberg, Kronwall, Stuart

This goal is a result of strong, continuous pressure from the Blackhawks, which winds up forcing the Wings to get caught in between changes, given that both Zetterberg and Datsyuk are on the ice together when the goal is scored. As Chicago moves the puck around the zone, they wind up behind the net, where Patrick Sharp tries to flip a pass in front of the net to Kris Versteeg, who is just to the left of Osgood. As Sharp prepares to center the puck, Pavel Datsyuk does a nice job crashing down (+0.5) on Sharp to force a quick pass that hops past Versteeg and onto the tape of Tomas Holmstrom. Homer weakly shovels a backhand pass (-1) towards Henrik Zetterberg instead of strongly clearing the zone, which winds up being picked off by Brent Seabrook. Seabrook quickly sends a shot towards the net which winds up on the stick of Versteeg, who is just inside the left circle. Versteeg quickly passes over to Sharp, who has snuck behind the transitioning Brad Stuart (-0.5) and Niklas Kronwall (-0.5) to the left of Osgood, and Sharp slams it home for the 1-0 lead.

Goal 2 (PPG) (DET 1 CHI 1): Nicklas Lidstrom (1) from Jason Williams (2) and Henrik Zetterberg (3) at 10:36, Second Period

• Wings on ice: Zetterberg, Franzen, Cleary, Williams, Lidstrom

I’d love to hand out all kinds of points for this one, but there isn’t a whole lot here to work with. Jason Williams sends a pass to Lidstrom on the far side, and Lidstrom floats around the far circle, patiently waiting (+0.5) for Zetterberg to get open across ice. The Hawks do a nice job clamping down, and Lidstrom tries to force a pass through to Zetterberg. The pass hits John Madden in the skate, and beats Huet through the five hole. We’ll hand Dan Cleary a half-point (+0.5) for setting up a nice screen in front of Huet, which may or may not have helped here.

Goal 3 (DET 2 CHI 1): Kris Draper (1) from Kirk Maltby (2) and Jonathan Ericsson (1) at 16:15, Second Period

• Wings on ice: Draper, Maltby, May, Ericsson, Meech

Despite there being two assists on this one, this was pretty much a bad defensive play from Chicago and a perfecty placed shot by Kris Draper. Off of a faceoff win, Ericsson sends a cross ice pass to the near boards that Maltby pretty much just mishandles, but chips ahead into the zone. Because of the weird poke from Maltby, the puck hops the stick of Cam Barker, and a charging Kris Draper scoops up the puck and carries it in, beating Huet (+1) on a wicked wrist shot over the shoulder. A perfectly placed shot like that will net an extra half-point (+0.5) for Draper.

Goal 4 (PPG) (DET 3 CHI 1): Johan Franzen (1) from Tomas Holmstrom (1) and Pavel Datsyuk (1) at 17:49, Second Period

• Wings on ice: Datsyuk, Franzen, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, Rafalski

This one is bittersweet for sure, as it’s the last goal Franzen will be scoring for awhile. As the Wings work the powerplay, Brian Rafalski holds the puck at the blue line and draws in the Chicago defense. He then spots an open Datsyuk to his right (+0.5) and delivers a perfect pass that Datsyuk one-times (+0.5) right on goal. The puck somehow gets through the screen (+0.5) of Holmstrom and winds up behind Huet. Meanwhile, Franzen crashes the net hard (+0.5) and taps home (+0.5) the puck that is sitting just behind Huet.

Goal 5 (PPG) (DET 3 CHI 2): Kris Versteeg (1) from Patrick Sharp (2) and Cam Barker (1) at 10:24, Third Period

• Wings on ice: Datsyuk, Draper, Ericsson, Stuart

This one starts taking shape after Cam Barker lets a blast go from just inside the blue line, which winds up getting deflected into the far corner. Kris Versteeg makes a play for the puck, and winds up getting sandwiched by the quickly advancing Kris Draper (+0.5) and Brad Stuart (+0.5). However, Stuart ends up losing his stick (-0.5) and the puck winds up back at the blue line with Barker. He quickly sends a slap pass to the waiting Patrick Sharp, who rips a shot on Osgood from the slot. The rebound kick out to Osgood’s right and straight past the stickless Brad Stuart (-0.5). Stuart the tries to hit the brakes, but falls down (-0.5) and Versteeg is able to streak in untouched, as Draper has gotten sucked out way too far to the top (-0.5). Draper is let getting back (-0.5) to the streaking Versteeg, who beats Osgood to make it a one goal game.

Miscellaneous points: There was alot of really good action away from the goal-scoring in this one, so I am going to invoke my right to hand out some extra points based on effort, great play and overall general awesomeness.

• Brad May (+1) for dropping the gloves the first night in town and for talking smack to the Chicago bench after the first period. I think I am going to like Mr. May.
• Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall and Staurt are all each getting another point (+1) apiece for their excellent work on the 5-on-3 PK in the second period. That’s how penalties are killed.
• In the same vein, Cleary, Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Stuart, Datsyuk, Filppula and Rafalski all get another point (+1) for killing off the 6-on-4 at the end of the game and preserving a Red Wings win.

Chart time:

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Final Thoughts

Despite struggling early, the Wings did an excellent job coming form behind in this one and then hanging on to a lead. As you can see, the chart has alot more green in it, and guess what, we won. I’m guessing that might be a reoccurring theme this year.

Tags: Chicago Blackhawks