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Detroit Red Wings: Jonathan Bernier exits game with possible neck injury

By Bob Heyrman

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Oskar Lindblom #23 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores a first period goal past goaltender Jonathan Bernier #45 and Anthony Mantha #39 of the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Oskar Lindblom #23 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores a first period goal past goaltender Jonathan Bernier #45 and Anthony Mantha #39 of the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Little Caesars Arena on February 17, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings dropped back to back games over the weekend to the Philadelphia Flyers.  As the two teams played a rare home and home weekend series, it left us with some fireworks and anguish.

On Saturday the teams skated to an overtime decision where the Flyers scored in an odd fashion.  Not very often you see a player convert with a wrap-around goal during three on three play in overtime, but that is exactly how the Flyers beat the Detroit Red Wings.

Odd yes, although that didn’t tell the whole story.  The Wings were down 5-1 early in the third period as the Flyers chased goaltender Jimmy Howard from the cage.  The Red Wings were able to start chipping away at the Flyers lead but fell just short before the masterpiece was fully sculpted.

Jonathan Bernier entered the game, and as a calculated goaltending change can sometimes do, it sparked the Wings skaters.  They were able to roar back and tie the game with the net empty.  Anthony Mantha tipped home the tying goal with exactly 0:07 left on the clock in the third period.

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Although the Detroit Red Wings fell short, they proved that in today’s NHL you’re really never “out” of it.  They showed they had a sense of resiliency and the will to never give up and claw back.  They also probably felt they had left Howard out to dry and felt the need to make it up to him by getting him off the hook and preventing him from enduring the loss.

Sunday was much different, the Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill decided to make Jonathan Ericsson a healthy scratch.  That was a breath of fresh air; I honestly didn’t think Blashill or the Wings organization for that matter had the “guts” to put him into the press box.  He struggled mightily on Saturday, enough so to convince his coaching staff that this was the correct move.  For the record, this is a coaching staff and organization that is all to loyal to below average veteran players.

Filip Hronek drew into the lineup the day after being recalled from the Grand Rapid Griffins, and although played sparingly he was capable, mobile and somewhat physical.  He was a minus -1 on the evening in 14:18 TOI.

A scary moment came in the first period for Detroit Red Wings netminder Jonathan Bernier.  Dylan Larkin was shoved into Bernier during a scramble in front of the Wings goal.  Bernier was slow to rise from the ice after the incident and didn’t exactly look amused by the event.  It’s hard to tell though if a goaltender is buying time to regain his composure or if he’s trying to draw a penalty on his opponent or if they are indeed injured.

We got our answer at the start of the second period when Jimmy Howard emerged from the tunnel and took the ice heading to the Red Wings net to relieve Bernier.  My first incline was he potentially suffered a concussion.

Jeff Blashill described after the game it was more for precautionary reasons, he mentioned the move was following protocol. Blashill expects it to be minor and more of a neck injury rather than a concussion as mentioned earlier.  My only concern is with what we know surrounding head injuries why isn’t the “protocol” to remove said player immediately if there is any cause or concern around them?

The Detroit Red Wings and Flyers played to a much lower final score Sunday in Detroit, but it was an exciting game.  The Wings lost 3-1, that included a Flyers empty-net tally.  Anthony Mantha had a dirty hit on Claude Giroux Saturday and had to answer to Wayne Simmonds early on Sunday.

Although Simmonds won the fight, Mantha held his own.  I give Mantha credit for understanding he needed to get the scrap out of the way early so he could return to just playing hockey as the game went along. He’s a little reluctant to fight, and he should be after breaking a hand during a scrap on multiple occasions throughout his young career.  Yesterday’s tilt was justifiable.

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Carter Hart was sensational in goal for the Flyers making 36 saves and had a little help from his friends (the goal posts). The Detroit Red Wings are back at it Wednesday night when they host an old foe, the Chicago Blackhawks.  It will be the first time local product Mike Tirico who is more known as an NFL and Olympic sportscaster will call an NHL game.

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