New York. The “Big Elmer” saga continues in Detroit.
He scored his second goal of the junior season when the Red Wings knocked out Anaheim 5-1 last night.
– That was a really good reaction after the defeats earlier in the week, said coach Derek Lalonde.
The Red Wings really needed to recover after two consecutive losses in overtime, to Los Angeles and Chicago respectively – and they did.
The Anaheim Ducks – who started the season against strong headwinds – dominated most of the game at Little Caesar’s Arena and had to go home to Southern California with a 5-1 loss in their baggage.
– I am particularly satisfied with our performance in the power game and at a numerically disadvantage. It was a dynamite, says Wings coach Derek Lalonde.
However, Elmer Soderblom scored the second goal of his career in the National Hockey League in a game of five on five. The massive Swedish rookie blasted off at the end of the third inning in a one-on-one with fellow series Michael Rasmussen and finally managed to strike on a rebound.
Oskar Sundqvist answered earlier in the same period for an assist and thus was scored for the 100th point in the NHL.
The New York Rangers started the season strong, but suddenly found themselves in a slump.
They were defeated by San Jose last Thursday and followed that up by skiing 1-5 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at home at Madison Square Garden last night.
– We were very far from being good enough. I don’t like the way we play at all. We’re slow and not aggressive at all, coach Gerard Gallant sighs.
In South Florida, the Panthers managed to beat the New York Islanders 3-2.
