Ignore The Ice Sprays Says Babcock
DETROIT (AP) - Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said he told his players to focus on being disciplined and determined and not sweat the ice sprays.
``We have a general manager and he looks after that stuff,'' Babcock said.
The Sharks aren't apologizing for their actions, pointing out Howard has failed to secure pucks at times and that has created scoring opportunities in the crease that they've tried to take advantage of.
At the other end of the rink, the Red Wings might try to annoy Antti Niemi with similar tactics.
``Maybe we should start snow showering,'' Detroit forward Danny Cleary said. ``The referees got to make a decision. We don't want them doing that. If you let them get away with it, they're going to do it again. So, you have to take liberties.''
Niemi just hopes it doesn't happen when the puck is loose.
``If you can do it during the play, you can make the goalie blind for a second,'' he said.
Niemi, who helped Chicago win the Stanley Cup last year as a rookie, has seen and stopped a lot of pucks after opening the postseason with a shaky series.
He gave up only one goal in each of the first two games after giving up 19 in six starts against Los Angeles in the first round. Detroit had 59 shots in Games 1 and 2 - both of which it lost 2- 1 - but wants to put more pucks and bodies in and around Niemi.
``He's a great goalie, but I don't think he's been tested enough,'' Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said.
(Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Right Reserved.)
