Wings lose 3-2 in OT. Bertuzzi Takes Ryan Johnson's Head Off

Last night the Wings lost to the Hawks in OT in what turned out to be a real exciting game. The Wings' sloppy play in their own zone continued to cost them and they had to battle from behind twice in this one just to force OT. But a real sketchy call on Zetterberg with 3.7 remaining in regulation put the Wings down a man going into the extra session and Hossa who was buzzing the Wings all night ended it early. The win moved Chicago into the 7th spot in the West and if the playoffs started today would pit them against the 2nd ranked Red Wings. I say bring it. Kinda.

Anyway, there were two other interesting happenings in yesterday's game. The first was the play of Red Wing goalie, Joey MacDonald. He played a stellar game and made a lot of saves he had no business making as Chicago outplayed Detroit for most of the game. The Joe even broke out in a "Joey! Joey!" chant in the third. Remind you of another certain backup goalie we've had in Detroit?

But even before Joey had time to stand on his head, Todd Bertuzzi was booted for almost decapitating Ryan Johnson with a vicious elbow. Bertuzzi came at him like a freight train and in real time I thought it had to be Kronwall who blew him up. But as the camera drew in, there was Bert looking like a fat kid with cake all over his face. He was given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct but the league decided to not suspend him any further games which is interesting considering the general managers met a few weeks ago and stressed the need for longer suspensions for illegal head hits, particularly for repeat offenders. Ahem! Bertuzzi. Personally, I don't think this was a vindictive hit and Bertuzzi even went as far as to approach Johnson in the Hawks' locker room and deliver an apology that was accepted. Johnson also came to Bertuzzi's defense and said he didn't think the hit was dirty at all. I beg to differ and actually think the hit was as dirty as they come but Bert got bailed out because it didn't fall under the NHL's new rule against defenseless hits to the head. I'm definitely shocked though that they didn't make an example out of him because of his past. We'll keep you updated as this whole situation moves forward.