Rangers lose close one in Hockey Town

The Detroit Red Wings jumped out on top quickly in the first period Sunday night, scoring their first two goals in the first four minutes of the game. Forwards Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg both scored the two goals while Brian Rafalski assisted on both goals. Jiri Hudler assisted on Cleary’s wrist shot while Tomas Holmstrom assisted Henrik.

Sean Avery came back five minutes later to put the Rangers on the board with his first goal of the pre season putting one past Jimmy Howard. Howard got net time for the whole game, further marking his territory as the Red Wings starting goalie. Todd White, acquired by trade from the Thrashers, assisted Avery out on his goal.

The second period was full of penalties for the Rangers, receiving five out of the six two minute minors. Although they did not give up any power play goals, the Rangers in fact scored a short-handed goal by Artem Anisimov on a 2 on 1 breakaway with Alexander Frolov, a fellow Russian. Earlier in the period Red Wings’ Brian Rafalski added to his point total for the night by putting a wrist shot past Martin Biron, who got his second start of the pre season. Cleary got the assist on the goal making his point total two while Rafalski had three. 

Erik Christensen scored the Rangers second goal of the night midway through the second period. He picked up the loose puck and buried it in the left corner of the net unassisted.

The shot totals were even for both teams in the first, shooting seven shots a piece, but the Red Wings dominated the shot total for the rest of the evening. They outshot the Rangers 15-6 in the second and 12-8 in the third making it 34-21 for the game.

The Red Wings also dominated the third period when Tomas Holmstrom and Patrick Eaves netted one goal a piece. Rafalski ended his points total that night with four after assisting on Eaves shot along with center Darren Helm. Zetterberg and old-timer Nicklas Lidstrom assisted on Holmstrom’s snap shot. Chad Johnson relieved Biron of his net-minding duties in the third coming into play for his second game of the pres season.

The Rangers and Red Wings will meet again Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden as the Rangers look to improve their pre season record and improve their team getting closer to the first game of the regular season.