Detroit Red Wings superstar Pavel Datsyuk returned Saturday to the Stanley Cup finals just in time, after missing 7 games and 18 days with an injured foot. In game 5, he was only the number two star, winning face-offs, setting up two goals, dumping a much bigger Evgeni Malkin on his britches, and helping his team to a 5-nothing rout of the Pittiful-burgh Playpens.
The media made these observations, that tell all you need to know about his performance.
Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press:
"Pavel Datsyuk took the ice to a thunderous ovation — after 2 1/2 weeks out with a mysteriously guarded injury. He skated to a ringing chorus of “DAT-SOOK! DAT-SOOK!” And 13:32 into Game 5, he flipped the puck to Dan Cleary, who fired it past Fleury for the first goal of the night — and the first 1-0 lead for Detroit all series."
Don Cherry, Hockey Night in Canada:
"Now I ask you the question, did a fairy godmother touch his foot two days ago?"
NBC's Ed Olczyk:
"That man can stickhandle in a phone booth and never be interrupted!"
His teammates had something to say, too.
Kirk Maltby:
"Even a 75% Pavel is better than most guys."
Kris Draper:
"Anytime you can add a player like Pav, it's exciting for everybody."
Dan Cleary:
"If you watched him all season, you know how much he means to our club. Tonight was no different -- he came back and he was great. He played unbelievable."
The Wings lead the series 3 games to 2, in a best of 7, and play game six on Tuesday.
2 comments:
GO Detroit! Being that I don't watch soccer much since moving to Houston, I appreciate the update on this team marvel!
you know in our Burton (Mi) home we are all Wing Nuts.....even love the skirmishes...loved when the puck was on the goalees back side and Zetterburg fell beside him and net and rolled him so it wouldn't go into net. Bro Larry said he fell on the puck which is a no no . but I laffed anyway... Go Redwings and go Tigers. who cares about Pistons?
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