Brunnstrom recalled; Bertuzzi out ill
Saturday, 11.05.2011 / 2:24 PM
/ News
By Bill Roose
- Managing Editor | DetroitRedWings.com
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DETROIT – The Red Wings have recalled Fabian Brunnstrom from Grand Rapids. The Swedish forward will replace Todd Bertuzzi in the Wings’ lineup tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. Bertuzzi is out ill.
Brunnstrom, who was signed to a one-year, two-way contract in October, will make his second appearance for the Wings, and his first game in a Wings’ uniform at Joe Louis Arena. He played in the Wings’ 7-1 loss at Washington last month.
Defenseman Mike Commodore will also play in his second game with the Wings, while Jakub Kindl sits out as a healthy stratch.
Asked if Brunnstrom can provide offensive energy to the slumping Wings, who have scored just six goals in their current six-game winless streak, coach Mike Babcock agreed.
“Absolutely, I feel like we need a jolt,” Babcock said. “I think we've tried a number of jolts here. Sometimes the best jolt is to keep on keeping on.”
Something the Wings desperate need is traffic in front of the opposing net, which will create second chance opportunities. Still, Babcock doesn’t believe it’s a case of the players not work hard.
“One thing I believe about our group is we're a good group of people. I don't get the feeling that we're not working,” he said. “I don't get the feeling we're not trying or that we're pointing the finger anywhere else. Anytime you're pointing the finger or making excuses for yourself, nothing good ever happens out of that. You look after your own part.
“The key of team sport is you just do your simple part and they you can be great together. If you try to be great by yourself that don't work. Just doing your part allows us all to be successful. Trust the work ethic. I still think we can go harder. There's always a degree more you can find. We got to find that.”
Follow Bill Roose on Twitter | @RooseBill
Brunnstrom, who was signed to a one-year, two-way contract in October, will make his second appearance for the Wings, and his first game in a Wings’ uniform at Joe Louis Arena. He played in the Wings’ 7-1 loss at Washington last month.
Defenseman Mike Commodore will also play in his second game with the Wings, while Jakub Kindl sits out as a healthy stratch.
Asked if Brunnstrom can provide offensive energy to the slumping Wings, who have scored just six goals in their current six-game winless streak, coach Mike Babcock agreed.
“Absolutely, I feel like we need a jolt,” Babcock said. “I think we've tried a number of jolts here. Sometimes the best jolt is to keep on keeping on.”
Something the Wings desperate need is traffic in front of the opposing net, which will create second chance opportunities. Still, Babcock doesn’t believe it’s a case of the players not work hard.
“One thing I believe about our group is we're a good group of people. I don't get the feeling that we're not working,” he said. “I don't get the feeling we're not trying or that we're pointing the finger anywhere else. Anytime you're pointing the finger or making excuses for yourself, nothing good ever happens out of that. You look after your own part.
“The key of team sport is you just do your simple part and they you can be great together. If you try to be great by yourself that don't work. Just doing your part allows us all to be successful. Trust the work ethic. I still think we can go harder. There's always a degree more you can find. We got to find that.”
Follow Bill Roose on Twitter | @RooseBill
