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GM, and now coach, Drew Niece today expressed his disappointment and embarrassment over how the team played against the Blues. “The 4-3 score certainly looked better than the on ice performance. To have come out so flat and be outshot 27-8 in the first two periods of what could arguably have been the most important game of the season is unacceptable.” He said.
A day earlier, at the post game conference, GM Niece was visibly angry but controlled in his responses choosing not to respond to some questions. One such question asked by a reporter was about what he thought of St. Louis’ OTL points ultimately being the difference in finishing 1st versus starting the playoffs as the 4th seed. All the reporter got was a glare as he moved onto the next question.
Following the loss to the Blues the Wings scratched eight regular players in favour of players like Vladimir Malakhov, Patrick Traverse, Allain Nasreddin, Jim Dowd, Jay McClement, Shawn Thornton, Junior Lessard, and Josh Tjordman in their final game against the Sharks. The Wings won that game 3-1.
Asked if the roster lineup changes were to send a message to certain players over their performance against the Blues or if they were just resting guys for the playoff’s GM Niece responded “A little of both.”
Given the surprisingly strong performance of some ‘irregular’ players like Malakhov in what was essentially a meaningless game for the Wings against the Sharks GM Niece may have had his eyes opened a little. GM Niece has not yet announced his roster for game one against the Ducks so we will have to wait to see if there are any surprise additions.
Red Wings vs. Ducks series preview coming tomorrow.
A day earlier, at the post game conference, GM Niece was visibly angry but controlled in his responses choosing not to respond to some questions. One such question asked by a reporter was about what he thought of St. Louis’ OTL points ultimately being the difference in finishing 1st versus starting the playoffs as the 4th seed. All the reporter got was a glare as he moved onto the next question.
Following the loss to the Blues the Wings scratched eight regular players in favour of players like Vladimir Malakhov, Patrick Traverse, Allain Nasreddin, Jim Dowd, Jay McClement, Shawn Thornton, Junior Lessard, and Josh Tjordman in their final game against the Sharks. The Wings won that game 3-1.
Asked if the roster lineup changes were to send a message to certain players over their performance against the Blues or if they were just resting guys for the playoff’s GM Niece responded “A little of both.”
Given the surprisingly strong performance of some ‘irregular’ players like Malakhov in what was essentially a meaningless game for the Wings against the Sharks GM Niece may have had his eyes opened a little. GM Niece has not yet announced his roster for game one against the Ducks so we will have to wait to see if there are any surprise additions.
Red Wings vs. Ducks series preview coming tomorrow.
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