October: A Month in Review
I want to start a new feature here on BTJ called a Month in Review where at the conclusion of each month, I will take a look at how things have progressed over that timespan regarding the Red Wings. This review will include key dates, game results, injuries, events, etc.
Once again, the Wings are off to a strong start going 10-2-1 in their first month of action this season. What makes these results even more impressive is the fact that the Wings took two western road trips (one to the three California teams and Phoenix and then visiting the three western Canadian teams) in a span of three weeks and managed to come back with a winning record. As many Wings fans already know, these western road trips usually aren’t very kind to the Wings so that was pretty impressive.
Opening Night - October 4th
The Wings defeated defending Stanley Cup champs, the Anaheim Ducks, on opening night on a shootout goal by Jiri Hudler, 3-2. Unfortunately, the focus of attention was not on the final result of the game, rather the fact that the Wings’ 396 game sellout streak had snapped. Even a month later, the mass media across the country have commented on Detroit’s attendance woes and the “Hockeytown, USA” label.
Other Game Results
October 6th / Chicago Blackhawks / Wings lost 4-3 (SO)
October 8th / Edmonton Oilers / Wings won 4-2
October 10th / Calgary Flames / Wings won 4-2
October 12th / Chicago Blackhawks / Wings lost 3-2
October 14th / LA Kings / Wings won 4-1
October 15th / Anaheim Ducks / Wings lost 6-3
October 18th / San Jose Sharks / Wings won 4-2
October 20th / Phoenix Coyotes / Wings win 5-2
October 24th / Vancouver Canucks / Wings win 3-2
October 26th / San Jose Sharks / Wings win 5-1
October 28th / Vancouver Canucks / Wings win 3-2
October 30th / Edmonton Oilers / Wings win 2-1
The Wings only played a Central Division opponent twice this month, both against Chicago and resulting in two losses. In November, they play nine games against their division opponents so this will be a key month in terms of staying on top of the Central.
After going 10-2-1 in October, the Wings are the number one team in the NHL in the standings. They also have the October Player of the Month on their roster in Henrik Zetterberg, who dominated with 24 offensive points. As Eric Duhatschek of Globe and Mail points out, you can’t give all the credit to the players and GM Ken Holland for putting this group together.
When the Red Wings originally hired Mike Babcock away from the Anaheim Ducks to replace Dave Lewis, they did so knowing the inherent risk. Babcock was the antithesis of the low-key Lewis — he didn’t mind rattling a few cages and asserted his authority when necessary. That isn’t always a popular approach on a veteran team. The tendency for the players is to ask, who does this (newcomer) guy think he is anyway? Sometimes, that manifests itself in a player revolt — and a revolving door in the coaching office. Instead, the Red Wings’ players bought into what Babcock was selling. They are grittier than they were two seasons ago; are more dogged and persistent in their fore-checking; and yet they retain a high skill level, a Red Wings’ characteristic for going on 15 years now.
Wings’ Fight of the Month
Kyle McLaren of the San Jose Sharks hit Dallas Drake resulting in a fractured cheekbone on October 18th. Later in the game, Aaron Downey decided to seek revenge and make McLaren pay for injuring Downey’s teammate. The Wings went on to win that game, 4-2.
The Detroit Free Press wrote this snippet about Downey and his role on the team following that game:
“I think all of us got a little extra energy there when he went out and did that,” Zetterberg said. “It was a great fight, and it changed the momentum back to our side again. It doesn’t happen that often, but now we’ve got four fights this year in eight games, and it’s good — I think it belongs to the game and the fans like it, and we like it, too.”
The difference between Downey and last year’s experiment with enforcer Brad Norton is that Downey is a smart contributor.
“In all the games he’s played, he’s been effective,” Babcock said. “He knows how to play. He’s never going to be accused of being overly skilled or overly fast, but he is overly determined and he’s a great team guy. He says good things and does good things, and he makes our team better.”
Downey said his role is to make sure his teammates can play safely.
“I want to contribute some way, and I didn’t like what McLaren was doing with Dallie Drake and then with Henrik,” Downey said. “You’ve got to send a message, and I’m sending a message right now — that no one is going to mess with this team this year.”
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November 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
[…] I’ll take a look at the second power play unit next. Christy over at Behind the Jersey has a recap on the first month of the Red Wings season so be sure to stop by and check that out. Red Wings […]