Career Game for Zetterberg, 1050^th Assist for Yzerman

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 12, 2006

Henrik Zetterberg had his second career four point game on a historical night for Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Redwings. Zetterberg recorded two goals, including the game winner, two assists, and was a +3 in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Joe Louis Arena. Yzerman notched his 1050^th career assist, moving past Hall of Fame Detroit Redwings legend Gordie Howe for seventh on the NHL all-time assists list. Gordie Howe was in attendance and met Yzerman in the dressing room after the game to congratulate him.

Zetterberg started his night assisting on the first goal of the game at 13:20 of the second period. Pavel Datsyuk put Detroit up 1-0 on a power play goal when Zetterberg found him alone on the far side of the net with a nice cross-crease pass over the stick of Philadelphia defenseman Derian Hatcher.

Henrik then got a second assist on another beautiful Datsyuk goal just 46 seconds into the third period, giving the Redwings a 3-1 lead. The assists were his 25^th and 26^th of the season. But, he wasn’t done yet!

Zetterberg scored his 21^st goal of the year at 8:37 of the third, giving Detroit a 4-2 edge with just half a period to go. Standing alone on the left side of the Flyer’s crease, he took a quick pass from Datsyuk on the far side. Zetterberg’s one-time attempt was kicked away by Philly goaltender Antero Niittymaki but Henrik followed the rebound into the corner. He threw the puck back on goal from along the boards behind the net. The puck hit off of the back-side of Niittymaki and banked into the net. This goal ended up being the game winner as the Flyers pulled within one goal once again, making it 4-3 just two minutes later on a Simon Gagne goal. But Hank helped seal the victory for the Wings with his second goal of the game at 11:09, taking another Pavel Datsyuk pass in front of the Flyer’s crease and this time burying it in the back of the net behind Niittymaki, giving his team another two goal lead. His second goal gives him 22 in 44 games so far this season. He is second on the team with 48 points. Zetterberg has been on a hot streak lately, scoring four goals and three assists in the last three games. He has nine points in the last five games.

Yzerman’s milestone assist came on a 2-on-1 when he passed to wide-open Robert Lang who scored 14:10 into the third, putting the game away for Detroit with a 6-3 score late in the period.