Pistons Get Their First Of The Year-Cleary,Wings Make It Two In A Row On The Road

Daniel Cleary recorded three big points, 2 assists and an empty netter to help the Wings make it two in a row on their road trip in western Canada. The Red Wings special teams were on display again tonight  with Valtteri Filppula scoring on a 2nd period power play and the Wings killing off all 6 Oiler power plays. Abdelkader got the game going scoring early in the 1st putting in a rebound off of a Modano shot and the Wings would keep the pressure on the Oilers all night putting a puck past goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin in every period. Jim Howard is quietly becoming one of the most consistent goalies in the NHL winning his 22st consecutive game in regulation and stopping 29 of 30 shots by the Oilers and making key game saving saves on the penalty kill and in the 3rd period. One player that i have been really impressed with through the first 11 games this year (besides the "Magic Man") is Darren Helm, this kid can play some hockey he has blazing speed, soft hands and makes up in effort and heart what he might be lacking in size, there are at least 3-4 plays a game that he makes where i just find myself saying wow. The Red Wings will go back-to-back tomorrow night when they head to Rogers Center in Vancouver to play last years Hart Trophy winner, Henrik Sedin and the Canucks before returning home to play Phoneix on Monday at the Joe.

Strike up the band and get the parade ready the Pistons have won their first game of the season. Seriously though it was nice to see the Pistons close out a game that they held the lead in into the 4th quarter, beating the Bobcats 97-90. Ben Gordon led the way scoring 20 pts followed by Hamilton with 16 and Prince scoring 14. The Pistons first round pick Greg Monroe played some good minutes tonight in the win contributing 9 pts with 6 rebounds and looking pretty good under the basket on both ends of the floor. Although it took them a few tries to get it im sure this win will springboard the 'Stones season and get them back on track. Their next game is on Sunday at the Palace when they jump it up against Monte Ellis and the Golden State Warriors.

Goodnight from the greatest sports city in the world and once again congrats on breaking the seal Pistons now lets try for two in a row eh.

Drew in the D