The Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks added yet another page in the books of a great rivalry between them in last nights’ pre-season game. The Red Wings would ultimately take the game, but they would lose where it really counts in pre-season play. Prospect Jan Mursak, trying to make the team, was injured with a fractured ankle.The game itself was a real thriller. Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula opened the scoring 7:35 into the first period, and played a part in all three of Detroit’s goals having scored 1 goal and 2 assists. Henrik Zetterberg followed suit scoring just 47 seconds before the end of the first period.
Chicago’s youngsters were in true form as their 2009 2nd round pick, 20 year old Brandon Pirri, scored next - the first of his two regulation goals in the game. His first came shorthanded as he was left all alone in front of the net on a defensive hiccup by the Wings - giving the youngster plenty of time to undress Red Wings goaltender Ty Conklin with a couple of left to right moves.
Nicklas Lidstrom would quickly respond 1:23 later in the second period on the powerplay with a bomb from the point. Chicago’s 21 year old 2008 2nd round pick, Jimmy Hayes , would bring the team within one with 3:59 left in the second.
Pirri netted his second of the game as the only player to score in the third period at 9:33 for the tie, and would even beat Conklin once more in the shootout. The game sent Pirri home satisfied, having done everything he could to allow his Blackhawks club to steal the game at ‘the Joe.'
But it was Todd Bertuzzi’s show in the shootout, with a razzle dazzle pass to himself between the legs before flicking it on the back-hand top shelf over Blackhawks netminder Alexander Salak, followed by Henrik Zetterberg’s fake slapper - to tidy goal which would seal the deal in the shootout.
The Red Wings left on top, but with mixed emotions. Mursak’s injury leaves them without going forward.
23 year old Detroit prospect Jan Mursak fell awkwardly behind the goal in the second period as he was shoved by Blackhawks’ prospect Dylan Olsen, leaving Mursak writhing in pain. He was helped off the ice by Henrik Zetterberg and team athletic trainer Piet Van Zant. It was announced before the game’s end that the Slovenian had suffered a fractured ankle, an injury that puts him out at least a month.
As Mursak struggled off the ice, it was apparent there was a problem as he could put no pressure on his left ankle. The team thought initially he made need surgery but fortunately that doesn’t appear to be the case. Head coach Mike Babcock believes his young forward will be out at least eight weeks.
“Obviously, it’s a real blow to him,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “It’s real unfortunate for him. He’s a guy who had a real good chance to make our club, now he has to start behind the eight ball.”
Mursak had great expectations of himself heading into the pre-season as he stood a legitimate chance of making the team’s roster for the 2011-2012 season. With the retirements of veteran players within the Wings’ organization, the doors have been open for their youth to finally flourish. The team has looked a bit different through pre-season thus far.
“Every year it’s the same thing: way more guys make the team than you ever think because you end up with so many injuries,” Babcock said. “With the parody in the National League and how tight everything is, I really believe that leads to injuries because the games are so hard each and every night."
“It’s tough when you’re a kid. When you’re a veteran, it’s a different thing. But it’s tough missing the start; it’s tough to catch up.” Babcock said regarding Mursak’s injury.
The 6th round (182nd overall) 2006 draft pick of the Red Wings has spent the first three years of his entry-level deal in Grand Rapids, where he has refined his game and started to look much more like an NHL player. Through 184 games with Grand Rapids in the AHL he notched 39 goals and 47 assists for 86 points and a +29 rating. He was called up for 19 regular season games with the Wings last year where he scored one goal and was a -3.
Through the pre-season thus far Mursak has looked exceptionally well, especially on his feet – the best asset to Mursak’s skills sets.
"I know I am ready," Mursak told NHL.com on Sunday. "I played pretty well last year when I got called up. I know at the beginning it was a little bit different just to get used to it. Once I got used to it, I think I played well. I think they know that, too. There's a lot of good players here, some good free agents that are trying for the team, so hopefully I can make the team."
With Mursak out, three names primarily stick out in terms of eligible players to step in and make an attempt at making the team.
Try-out signings Fabian Brunnstrom and veteran Ryan Johnson will likely get a good look. 26 year old Brunnstrom is 99 NHL games experienced, posting 19 goals and 40 points. He came on the scene in style with a hat-trick in his NHL debut, but has slid down teams’ priority lists. He could well wind up a great deal for the Red Wings this year as he’s itching to get to game 100. The 701 games experienced Ryan Johnson is working hard for the spot as well, with the ability to add veteran presence and poise to any room he’s in.
Brunnstrom has played this pre-season with 22-year old playmaking prospect Gustav Nyquist and 23-year old Cory Emmerton, as the trio have impressed Babcock. These players are also pushing hard for a spot as Nyquist is easily one of Detroit’s top three prospects, likely headed to Grand Rapids for further development per Detroit’s reputation. Cory Emmerton has played three full seasons with Grand Rapids and looks like a great checking-line centerman.
"I thought they really had a good end to the game," he said. "They really got skating and got jumping. Those guys are all battling for jobs, so that's a good thing." Babcock said.
Battling, everyone certainly is. Unfortunately fruition comes early, and at a high price.
- Kendall Grubbs
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