Detroit Red Wings’ Core players shine bright in Buffalo
By Bob Heyrman
The name Bertuzzi although brief quickly became popular in Detroit and it appears it will remain a fan favorite for years to come.
Tyler Bertuzzi had one of his best games of the season last night also scoring a pair for the Wings including the overtime game-winning goal along with adding an assist. Bertuzzi took a nasty high stick in the chops in the first period. Jack Eichel was clearing the puck while working on a penalty kill near the half boards.
The follow-through hit Bertuzzi, he immediately dropped his stick and fired both gloves off as he skated to the Wings bench. Blood poured from his face onto his jersey, and there was no penalty called on the play because the incident happened during a shot (clearing) attempt. Bertuzzi would later have the last laugh.
As Micky Redman likes to say “the big Frenchman” had a beautiful night serving up helpers all night long. If Anthony Mantha wants to become a waiter after his hockey career comes to a close he proved last night he’s capable of providing fantastic service. Mantha, often the shooter finished the evening with 3 assists. Mantha looked very good all evening long and rewarded his teammates with a few wonderful plays.
He fired a hard pass to Bertuzzi in front while on the power-play, Bertuzzi redirected the slap pass in for the Wings first goal. Later Mantha found Filip Hronek late joining the rush for a one-timed goal giving the Wings a 2-0 lead at the time. Then he would receive the secondary assist, his third of the night on a Dylan Larkin goal.
Filip Hronek has the makings of being a top defenseman in his future; he’s shown he can play 25-plus minutes a night while not being fazed by the flow of the game. The back-end needs work, but the Wings ostensibly have found a valuable, critical piece to the future.