Wings Back On Ice For Red And White Game
PLYMOUTH (97.1 THE TICKET) - The Red Wings were back in action Tuesday night playing to a packed crowd in the Compuware Arena in Plymouth.
The Wings and the Grand Rapids Griffins mixed the teams for a rare Red and White game with Red winning 4-2 over White - and a bonus shoot out was taken by White 3-0.
Forward Trevor Parkes of the Grand Rapids Griffins got his White team on the board first scoring with under a minute to go in the first period.
Drew Miller of the Red Wings tied it up in the second period for the Red team and forward Jeff Hoggan of the Grand Rapids Griffins put the White team ahead 2-1 in the second period.
Louis-Marc Aubry (GRG) then tied it up for Red, 2-2.
Zetterberg puts the Red team ahead 3-2. and after two periods, Red held a one goal lead over White, 3-2.
Nathan Paetsch (GRG) blazed one past Jimmy Howard to put Red up, 4-2.
The game was open to the public and free of charge. "An hour before the game," tweeted the Red Wings, "and we're already sold out here at Compuware. The parking lot has been shut down. Thanks fans for coming out!"
After losing eight months and almost half of the season of play to a player lockout by the NHL - fans at the arena were enthusiastically supporting the home team.
Alanna Mason, 21, of Plymouth was delighted to get an autograph from newly named Captain Henrik Zetterberg during the early morning practice at Compuware Arena.
The players were in good form and engaging with the fans - Zetterberg tried several times to return the 'Sharpie' marker from Mason tossing it up to her in the stands - each time she failed to catch it - he laughed.
Mason finally gave up saying "you can keep it" thrilled by the exchange.
Mason returned for the Red and White game and told WWJ: "it's so much fun, nothing like this will happen at Compuware again," she said.
Zetterberg tweeted on captaincy: "It means a lot being a captain & being the captain of this organization. Looking at the guys who have worn the C, it's a pretty special group."
The Red Wings season opener will be January 19 in St. Louis but all training camp practices leading up to the season opener will be free to the public. Wednesday will be a day off for the Wings.
The Red Wings will skate at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday and Friday, which will be open to the public and free of charge.
