Red Wings 2, Flames 1: Post Game Snipes...

• I'm still baffled by the high-sticking penalty that Dan Cleary drew in the first period. There wasn't a call. Then there was a call. Then the wrong guy was in the box. Then everything worked out the way it was supposed to and benefited the Wings. It doesn't quite compute. I blame Brad Watson.
• Modano finally picked up goal #2 as a Wing. The whole third line had a really good night tonight. It'll be interesting to see how things turn out when Hudler's back in the lineup on Friday.
• The penalty kill looked phenomenal tonight. The powerplay...not so much. The Wings need Rafalski back.
• Modano and Abdelkader scored on almost the exact same shot.
• Salei's high-sticking penalty near the end of the third was definitely a penalty. What I didn't understand was the fact that there was no call when his leg was taken out from underneath him from behind. Seems to me that if that hadn't happened, there wouldn't have been a high stick.

Hat Trick:
1. The Wings kick off a roadtrip out west tonight in Calgary. Here's hoping they get off on the right foot.
It was a solid effort tonight. I feel like the score was closer than the game was.  The Wings looked good and the Flames never really seemed to get anything going.

2. Jimmy Howard's back from his brief back spasm-y hiatus. How will he look in his return?
He looked great. He didn't seem to miss a beat at all. So far this season, Jimmy's been easing everyone's minds.

3. Also making his return is everyone's favorite defenseman, Jonathan Ericsson. Will he make a case to stay in the lineup when Rafalski returns, or is Kindl going to step up and steal a spot?
I didn't really notice either of them tonight. For mistake-prone, young defensemen, that's definitely a plus.

Hero: Dan Cleary
Cleary was everywhere tonight. Everywhere. I was sure he was going to score with the way he was playing, but he settled for an assist on Modano's goal.

Villain: Mark Giordano
he scored Calgary's lone goal to put them ahead in the first period.

Final Thought:
Murph gurgle. Tell me that didn't just give you the heebie jeebies.