Detroit 4^th Best in League but 4^th Best in Conference

Detroit, Michigan (AP) – Playing in the annoyingly top heavy Campbell Conference, where the top 4 teams in the league reside, the Red Wings are doing their part through a 11-4 record. That would be tops in the Wales Conference but puts them in 4th in the Campbell. Just par for the course for a franchise that’s doing their best to improve their team each season.

Speaking of improving, the team went out and got one of the best defensemen in the league in Ray Bourque. Long in the tooth, sur,e but he sure is starting to get comfortable in Detroit red, with points in all 3 games since he was acquired. He was injured early in the season but has put up 4 points and a +6 rating in the 7 games he has played. Look for that point total to start rising as he gets more familiar with his teammates.

Last night, the Red Wings skated away with a solid 6-2 victory over Edmonton. Shots were 37-23 in favour of Detroit, which saw their penalty killing unit play very well – killing off all 6 opportunities that the Oilers had. C Barry Pederson put up 4 points and a +3 rating and was the game’s first star while defenseman Virta put up 3 points of his own. Vanbiesbrouck put together a strong effort, making 21 saves on 23 shots for this 7th win of the season. The team will get the next night off as they fly to Montreal to face the 6-8-1 Canadiens before returning home to host the 5-7-1 Panthers. Look for rookie goaltender Felix Potvin to get into one of those two games.

FARM COOKING: Pat Riggin had the shutout as the Red Wings farm team defeated Edmonton’s by a 1-0 score. That marked Windsor’s 9th win of the season and puts them 3rd in the Campbell Conference with that 9-6 record. To date, Blair Atcheynum leads the team in points (18), Rob Murray leads the team in goals (10 in 15 games). Goaltending has been the team’s weakness early on as Riggin’s 5.33GAA is the best on the team since Greg Stefan is rocking a cool 6.00GAA so far.