Connect with us

Detroit, MI

Red Wings get a statement win over Lightning: Five thoughts

Published

on

Red Wings get a statement win over Lightning: Five thoughts


DETROIT — The afternoon was about the Lions. The nightcap? Well, that belonged to Detroit’s Lyon.

Because on a day that saw the city’s NFL team advance to the NFC Championship Game, the Red Wings held up their end of the downtown doubleheader with a gritty 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, thanks in large part to a monster third period from netminder Alex Lyon.

That first sentence is new around here, at least in most of our lifetimes. The latter, however, is becoming more and more routine. Sunday’s Lyon showcase was just the latest in a run that has skyrocketed the journeyman 31-year-old to the fourth-best save percentage in the NHL. This time, it took an 18-save third period, including three opportunities for the league’s best power play, but Lyon once again gave the Red Wings what they needed — and in a game with substantial stakes in the playoff race.

“Anytime you kind of match a performance from (Andrei) Vasilevskiy, and he was playing like he was tonight, huge on him,” Derek Lalonde said. “We needed him (Lyon) in the third. Obviously, with that offense, they’re going to produce a little bit. He stood tall for us.”

Advertisement

Five thoughts on the overall performance:

1. Lalonde wasn’t kidding about Vasilevskiy. As good as Lyon was in the third, he didn’t have to be all that exceptional through the first two frames because of the degree to which the Red Wings dominated possession. The Lightning took an early lead on a world-class play from Nikita Kucherov to Victor Hedman, who beat Lyon, but from there, Detroit took over and peppered the Tampa Bay goaltender.

The Red Wings tied the score on a fluky goal, after Vasilevskiy batted a trickling Lucas Raymond rebound into the net trying to clear the crease, and got a breakaway tally from Daniel Sprong, but they could have easily led 4-1 after two periods with some of the looks they had generated. They were outshooting the Lightning 31-10.

Vasilevskiy, though, is the best goalie in the world, and looked it. It recalled to memory the dazzling 45-save shutout he put together in February, on the same ice sheet. When he stopped Alex DeBrincat on a point-blank chance in the slot midway through the third, off a feed from J.T. Compher, you got the feeling Detroit just would not get another goal. And they didn’t.

But that’s when it was Lyon’s turn, taking his turn locking it down despite a lopsided 18-4 shot margin in the third.

Advertisement

2. Sprong’s goal was a pretty one, a breakaway finish that beat Vasilevskiy cleanly. It turns out, he got a pregame assist from injured teammate Patrick Kane.

“He was telling me all morning, ‘low glove, low glove,’” Sprong said. “So, I told him after I scored I was going to give him a point, but he didn’t see it. Vasilevskiy’s probably the best goalie in the league, and it’s not easy to score on him. So, it helped.”

He also, it turns out, took a bit of (perhaps less friendly) advice from a more unconventional source.

“I thought about passing it, but Twitter’s been ripping me apart for not shooting as much lately,” Sprong said. “So I probably took the right decision and shot it.”

So, if you ever wonder whether those in-game tweets are getting seen by anyone, or just going into the void … you’ve got your answer.

Advertisement

3. Once again, perhaps the Red Wings’ best line Sunday (especially early) was the combination of Michael Rasmussen, Andrew Copp and Christian Fischer. The Red Wings had a five-on-five expected goals share north of 91 percent with those three on the ice Sunday, according to Natural Stat Trick. They created some premium chances early, and did it largely the same way they’ve done it since they were first put together a couple of weeks ago: a heavy forecheck presence and willingness to make simple plays.

“They win lines: puck comes out, puck goes in, and they operate off a forecheck and they’re really good at it,” Lalonde said. “It’s been really good for our group.”

Detroit has experimented with different varieties of a checking line throughout the season, and the lineup, in general, has changed so much that it’s hard to know how long any combination will last, but this particular element feels especially important for the Red Wings right now — mainly because of how those three are doing it. Certainly, they’re all among the Red Wings’ most trusted players within the defensive zone, but they’re getting results because of how much of their shifts they’re spending in the offensive zone, being disruptive on the forecheck and working the cycle down low.

They don’t have the most finishing talent on the roster, but if they’re able to possess the puck in the offensive zone close to the degree they have been, that’s enough to win their shifts — and some offense is bound to accompany it, too.


Moritz Seider handles the puck during the first period against the Lightning. (Brian Bradshaw Sevald / USA Today)

4. Moritz Seider played 25:08 on Sunday, and a staggering 20 of those minutes came with Kucherov on the ice. That includes power-play time for the Lightning, of course, but it’s a window into just how tough a workload the Red Wings are entrusting to their third-year defender.

Advertisement

And if you want to know just how highly Lalonde thinks of Kucherov (and thus, what he thinks of the task he gave to Seider), Lalonde left no confusion.

“Honestly, I didn’t think he could get any better, (but) he might be taking his game to another level,” Lalonde said.

The Lightning’s star power can still compete with any team in the league, hence their power play converting at an absurd 29.7 percent clip, but Kucherov is arguably the biggest driver. His 34 power-play points lead the league by five — and his next-closest teammate by nine. So for Seider to see so much of Kucherov on the night, and still come out with an even goals share, and an expected goals share right around 50 percent is a credit to his strong performance.

5. Lyon talked about the challenges coming off the long road trip Detroit just wrapped up, through the Southeast, and the importance of not letting the loss Friday in Carolina snowball. They accomplished that, but the Red Wings still have a gantlet awaiting them between now and the All-Star break. They’ll host the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, the recently hot Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, and the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday before going into the break against the Ottawa Senators, their division rivals.

That made the win over Tampa Bay that much more important, as a team they’re directly competing with, and something of a statement.

Advertisement

These weren’t quite the same Lightning of the early 2020s, who were as deep in both stars and role players as anyone in the league. But all along Lalonde has said that Detroit won’t be able to simply wait for its divisional foes to fall back to the pack, it needs to chase them down. They’re now 4-2 against the Lightning since he took over — and this time they beat them with Vasilevskiy at his best.

Like all the rest, it’s just one game. But it was a meaningful one, both for this season’s playoff race and their big-picture progress as a franchise.

(Top photo of Detroit goalie Alex Lyon being congratulated by teammate Olli Maatta after Sunday’s victory: Brian Bradshaw Sevald / USA Today)





Source link

Advertisement

Detroit, MI

Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes

Published

on

Preview: February 28 vs. Detroit | Carolina Hurricanes


RALEIGH, N.C. – The Carolina Hurricanes will try to extend their point streak to a dozen games on Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.

When: Saturday, February 28

Puck Drop: 7:00 p.m. ET

Advertisement

Watch: FanDuel Sports Network South, FanDuel Sports Network App | Learn More

Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes App

Canes Record: 37-15-6 (80 Points, 1st – Metropolitan Division)

Canes Last Game: 5-4 Win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Feb. 26

Advertisement

Red Wings Record: 34-19-6 (74 Points, T-2nd – Atlantic Division)

Red Wings Last Game: 2-1 Win (OT) over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, Feb. 26



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case

Published

on

Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case


I represent Mr. Terrion Arnold in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, which resulted in the arrest of five individuals on serious felony charges.

To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.

In fact, after direct communication with the lead prosecutor, it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.

Recent media coverage has referenced an Order issued by Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy, which improperly suggests Mr. Arnold’s involvement in the incident. That same Order also incorrectly identifies Ms. Devalle as Mr. Arnold’s girlfriend. Both assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unsupported by the record.

Advertisement

Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

​We strongly urge members of the media to refrain from perpetuating inaccurate or speculative narratives. The facts are clear, and they do not support any claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Arnold.



Source link

Continue Reading

Detroit, MI

Robert ‘Fish’ Jenkins helped Detroit students soar in sports and life

Published

on

Robert ‘Fish’ Jenkins helped Detroit students soar in sports and life



There was a time when many Historical Black Colleges had swimming teams. The late Robert ‘Fish’ Jenkins benefited from that era and then he spent much of his adult life lifting up youths in Detroit.

play

  • Robert ‘Fish’ Jenkins Sr. was a longtime Detroit educator and coach who created opportunities for young people.
  • Jenkins led teams to 24 championships in less common sports like swimming, golf, and soccer.
  • He mentored countless students who went on to become community leaders, doctors, and educators.

The celebration of Black History Month throughout February provides an opportunity to share stories about Detroiters that have positively impacted the lives of others in a variety of ways.

And included among those stories that have been shared this month is a “Fish” story that is unique, without exaggeration. 

That is because this story is about the late Robert “Fish” Jenkins Sr., a longtime Detroit educator and a groundbreaking coach, whose superpower was his ability to create life-changing opportunities for young people in unconventional spaces.

Advertisement

In 1969, Jenkins arrived at Detroit’s Northern High School as a physical education teacher and coach. During Northern’s heyday, the high school, formerly located on Woodward Avenue at Owen in the city’s North End, produced a host of high-profile sports stars, including basketball greats Bill Buntin — a two-time All-American center at the University of Michigan during the 1960s — and Derrick Coleman — the first overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft. And record-breaking sprinter Marshall Dill, Track & Field News’ High School Athlete of the Year in 1971, who set world records in the 300-yard dash while running for Michigan State University.

However, Jenkins specialized in coaching sports that were a little less popular among young people in Detroit, particularly Black students. Jenkins coached teams at Northern — and for one year at East English Village Preparatory Academy after he retired from teaching in 2001 — to 24 Detroit Public School League championships in swimming, golf and soccer. 

“No matter what the sport was, he had the formula to make a team a champion,” Robert Jenkins Jr. said about his father, who died on Jan. 14 at the age 86.

Advertisement

“But more than that, my father had a profound impact on the minds of every student he touched. He brought golf, and all the lessons golf teaches, to the North End. And, in the summer, he had members of the swim team teach the younger kids in the neighborhood how to swim, which taught his swim team members how to give back to the community.”   

During the evening of Feb. 22, Robert Jenkins Jr. took pride in sharing stories about young people who were coached and mentored by his father across multiple decades that went on to become “doctors, educators, business leaders, and parents” that have made positive contributions to the city of Detroit.

Robert Jenkins Jr. also described some of the friendly interactions that his dad had with notable people like U.S. Olympic sprint champion Wilma Rudolph and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dick Barnett at Tennessee State University, where the elder Jenkins received the education and training that he needed to teach and coach student-athletes in Detroit.

But earlier that day, an equally compelling “Fish” story was told by another community member.  

Advertisement

“Mr. Jenkins was a very important person in my life and he is one of the reasons why I have always tried to do my part when it comes to providing opportunities for young people in our city,” said Gary Peterson, who has coached young swimmers in Detroit for 47 years, including at Detroit’s King High School, where he coaches boys and girls swimmers today. 

Long before Peterson coached high school swimmers — and youth swimmers of virtually all ages when he was a full-time swimming instructor for the city of Detroit’s Recreation Department — Peterson was on the swim team at King High School (Class of 1974), when Robert Jenkins Sr. came into his life. 

“There were coaches at other schools that helped young swimmers that wanted to improve and go to another level, and Mr. Jenkins was one of those coaches,” said Peterson, who was coached at King High School by Clyde James, a lifelong friend and teammate of Jenkins on the Tennessee State University swimming team during the late 1950s and early 1960s, when they brought national attention to the school’s swimming program.

“Mr. Jenkins would make his pool at Northern available to students from other schools that wanted to get in extra practice. Then, as I got closer to going to college, Mr. Jenkins was the person who introduced me to the colleges that were recruiting Black high school swimmers.

Advertisement

“At that time, there were more than 20 HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) that had competitive swimming programs. Today, there is only one (Howard University in Washington, DC). But back then, Mr. Jenkins wanted to make sure we had the opportunities and exposure, which included sending a small group of us to South Carolina State for a recruiting trip.

“Afterwards, Mr. Jenkins even came over to King from Northern to present me with my scholarship to South Carolina State, while I was sitting in a King classroom. I couldn’t believe it and I was ecstatic, but everything that he did for me and other young swimmers in the city he did so willingly. And that’s what I always thought I was supposed to do as a coach.” 

Peterson said he would do even more with Jenkins when Peterson returned to Detroit from Orangeburg, South Carolina, after graduating from college. 

“In the late 1980s, a team I was coaching at Johnson Recreation Center and Mr. Jenkins’ team at Northern, traveled to Washington DC as one team in February to compete in the Black History Invitational Swim Meet. And that tradition of Detroit competing as one team at that meet continued every year until COVID,” said Peterson, who also recalled that Jenkins coached softball and even junior varsity football for a time, in addition to swimming, golf and soccer.

“Just as Mr. Jenkins thought it was critical for us to come together and take our kids to DC for that swim meet because it was the biggest showcase for Black swimmers, he wanted all the young people he coached to have good training and exposure. And in my case, as the son of sharecroppers, I can say that Mr. Jenkins inspired me as well, as a swimmer and a coach.” 

Advertisement

Every time Peterson walks into King High to coach the current group of swimmers at the school, he said he is reminded of Jenkins and other important people that paved the way for Black swimmers in Detroit.

For example, in 2023, the natatorium at King was rededicated as the Clyde James Natatorium by the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Peterson says the renaming was not only a salute to James, who was a finalist in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Championships in the 100-yard butterfly during the 1960-61 season while swimming for Tennessee State, but also a tribute to the fabled swimming program that was once housed at the Brewster Recreation Center, which helped to develop James, Jenkins and many other Detroit swimmers that competed nationally. Brewster’s early swimming program was led by the legendary Clarence Gatliff, an all-city swimmer at Cass Tech during the 1920s.

Another pleasant reminder of the history and evolution of Black swimmers in Detroit that Peterson sees when inside King High is 54-year-old Robert Jenkins Jr., an educator like his father, who is teaching personal finance this school year at King and hopes to honor his father’s legacy this summer by offering a swimming and golf program to students.  

“I want to make sure that Detroiters understand my father’s legacy,” said Jenkins, a 1989 graduate of Northern High School, who explained that his father and mother (Norma Jean Jenkins) taught him and his sister (Dr. Marlo Rencher) that “we don’t half do anything.”

Advertisement

And that includes community service.

“My father was a servant leader and he would offer encouragement to any young person he was around, not just the students he coached. And paying it (that support) forward was a lesson he always taught in the process.” 

Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. In his second tour with the Free Press, which he grew up reading as a child, he is excited and humbled to cover the city’s neighborhoods and the many interesting people who define its various communities. Contact him at stalley@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @STalleyfreep. Read more of Scott’s stories at www.freep.com/mosaic/detroit-is/. Please help us grow great community-focused journalism by becoming a subscriber. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending