Two goals from Dan Cleary helped the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday in the opening game of the National Hockey League’s Western Conference finals.
Cleary, who scored the winning goal in the Red Wings series victory over the Anaheim Ducks, scored in the first and third periods.
Mikael Samuelsson broke a 2-2 tie 7:31 into the third period and Cleary added his second goal of the game less than 90 seconds later for Detroit.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Henrik Zetterberg added an empty net goal in the final minute to bring the score to 5-2.
After a taxing seven-game series against Anaheim, the Red Wings came out sluggish, but Cleary’s first goal, a wrist shot that beat Chicago goalie Nikolai Khabibulin’s outstretched glove, helped put the team back on track, Detroit coach Mike Babcock told reporters.
“His skill has just gotten better and better for us ... He is a big heavy body, he can score playoff goals, and kill penalties and play on the power play and do whatever you need him to do,” said Babcock.
Cleary’s second goal, which gave the Red Wings a two-goal lead late in the game, came from a deflected pass, but fortune played little part in the Red Wings’ win.
Their defenders all but shut down the Blackhawks’ top scorers, with Chicago’s Patrick Kane unable to register a shot on goal.
The Blackhawks’ goals came from Adam Burish, who scored the opener in the first period, and Kris Versteeg, who scored on a power play in the third.
Johan Franzen scored his team-leading ninth of the play-offs with a wrap-around goal to take Detroit to a 2-1 lead after two periods.
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said the Blackhawks’ young squad would have to play better hockey to tackle the more experienced Red Wings.
“We know that we got a lesson today that we’ve got to be better,” Quenneville said.
Detroit won their first four encounters with Chicago this season, but conceded back-to-back losses last month when they had little to play for.
Game two is scheduled for today in Detroit.
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