Detroit — The Detroit Red Wings’ prospects knew Dallas was going to come out much stronger Sunday and the Stars did just that.
The Stars’ team of top prospects defeated the Wings 6-5 in Frisco, Texas, earning a split of the two-game weekend series. The Wings dominated Dallas on Saturday in a 6-2 victory.
Shai Buium, Carson Bantle, Liam Kilfoil, Nate Danielson and Ondrej Becher had Wings goals Sunday, as the Wings failed to protect a 4-2 lead midway in the game.
“I knew they (Stars) were going to come out on fire, which they did,” said Dan Watson, the Grand Rapids Griffins coach, who coached the Wings’ prospects in these two games. “But I was proud of the way our guys settled in. Once we got some offensive zone time, we were able to wear them down and they took some penalties and then our power play took over, and that was a big momentum boost.
“(The Wings) probably got a little tired, especially our top six forwards there, we shuffled the lines around later in the game to try and generate some offense. But overall, we’re pleased with what we saw.”
Watson felt the Wings may have been looking for offense too much late in the game.
“When you do that, we didn’t have the numbers back and they capitalized on some wide rush chances and came away with the win,” Watson said.
Danielson felt the Wings were more structured the night before in a convincing victory.
“We definitely played a lot better as a team (Saturday),” Danielson said. “The games were maybe kind of run around a little bit, and a little sloppy. I know there were a couple of play I’d like back, but that’s kind of the way these games go.”
The Wings open training camp Thursday with the first, full squad on ice practice.
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