UH OH! Red Wings goaltender pulled from game by concussion spotters

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Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek was pulled from Saturday night’s 4-3 overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils at Little Caesars Arena by concussion spotters.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson cross-checked Devils forward Adam Henrique into Mrazek while scoring on him. The referees immediately called the goal off due to goaltender interference.

Afterwards, Mrazek said that he felt find and would have preferred to stay in the game, but that according to the rules, he had no choice. Initially, Mrazek remained in the Red Wings crease, but was soon ordered off the ice by officials who spoke with Red Wings trainer Piet Van Zant.

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“I felt good after that hit, though,” Mrazek said of his desire to stay in the game. “I just couldn’t breathe.”

Unfortunately, he surrendered New Jersey’s third goal of the game before being removed from action. Jimmy Howard replaced him in net.

“Yeah, the guys told me it took them a little bit to figure out I needed to be pulled, and then there was no whistle,” Mrazek continued. “It’s the rule.”

“When they scored, I saw some guys and I saw (Blashill) saying I had to go out, because of the head. I thought my game was starting to get better, but there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Head coach Jeff Blashill described the process that involved removing Mrazek from the game, and didn’t sound exactly thrilled with the entire deal.

“It’s an interesting process,” Blashill said. “I’ve seen it a couple of different ways. I’ve seen it where they call to the (penalty) box and blow the horn.

“This one came to our trainer, and that is a real odd spot to put our trainer in, to be honest with you.

“And Piet comes to me, and it’s way after the collision, and he says: ‘You know, he’s got to come out.’ And we were trying to get the refs’ attention. We couldn’t get the refs’ attention.”

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Detroit Red Wings forward (and Detroit native) David Booth came to training camp on a tryout deal and earned a one-year contract from his hometown Red Wings. He scored twice against the Devils, his first two goals with the team.

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He deflected a shot from Xavier Ouellet past goaltender Keith Kinkaid for his first goal, and then fired home a pass from Henrik Zetterberg for his second goal to tie the game at 3-3 in the third period.

“It was really cool just to come out here and help contribute tonight, you know, being in and out of the lineup,” Booth said afterwards“I just really enjoy just being here and going to the rink every day, and being really grateful for this opportunity to play for the Detroit Red Wings.”