Emmitt Finnie continued his impressive play from training camp with a goal and assist for the Wings. Finnie’s goal at 12 minutes, 38 seconds of the third period snapped a 2-2 tie.<\/p>\n
The line of Finnie, Nate Danielson (goal) and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (two assists) was effective all game.<\/p>\n
“We talk about the gas pedal and brake, all three of them were race cars,” McLellan said.<\/p>\n
The Wings outshot Chicago 43-17 with Blackhawks goalie Arvid Soderblom \u2014 yes, Elmer’s brother \u2014 making 40 saves. Sebastian Cossa stopped 15 shots for the Wings in a winning performance.<\/p>\n
Chicago’s Wyatt Kaiser scored at 6:26 of the third period, tying the game at 2.<\/p>\n
But Finnie broke the tie, stripping Chicago star Connor Bedard of the puck to begin the sequence.<\/p>\n
“I didn’t realize that at the time. I saw\u00a0the puck bobble and I tried to go get it,” Finnie said.<\/p>\n
Finnie has been the surprising story in camp, a former seventh-round draft pick who continues to make positive plays with whomever he’s with on a line.<\/p>\n
“Every day they’ve been encouraging me and very positive to me,” Finnie said. “My confidence has definitely been growing.”<\/p>\n
Finnie’s speed has been exhibited on a daily basis so far.<\/p>\n
“My speed and pace have been working for me,” Finnie said. “I’ve been trying to be tenacious on pucks.”<\/p>\n
McLellan’s knowledge of Finnie was limited heading into training camp, but he’s been impressed since training camp began.<\/p>\n
“He always sounded like the type of player a coach would appreciate, a worker,” McLellan said. “I see that in him but there’s more. There’s the playmaker, the skating part. Coaches can fall in love with workers but they have to produce, too.<\/p>\n
“Emmitt is a worker, he’s a tenacious player, a good skater and he gets things done. Something happens when he’s out there and so far, so good.”<\/p>\n
Bedard (power play) \u2014 one of the few recognizable Blackhawks names playing for most fans \u2014 had Chicago’s other goal.<\/p>\n
Carter Mazur gave the Wings a 1-0 lead at 14:26 of the first period, converting a nice pass from Finnie. It was Mazur’s first game action since suffering an elbow injury March 6 in his NHL debut, on the second shift.<\/p>\n
“I’ve been out for six months now, so getting back in the game feel, and how I was playing, is kind of my goal now,” Mazur said. “I feel it’s a good start.”<\/p>\n
Mazur spoke for all the Wings that it was nice to actually see an opposing team, rather than their own teammates in an intra-squad scrimmage for the last several days.<\/p>\n
“It’s a lot better playing against these guys instead of playing against each other, for sure,” Mazur said.<\/p>\n
After Bedard tied it on a one-timer at 2:41 of the second period, Danielson regained the lead for the Wings, 2-1, deflecting William Wallinder’s point shot at the 4:21 mark.<\/p>\n
tkulfan@detroitnews.com<\/p>\n
@tkulfan<\/p>\n
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