Error processing SSI fileRed Wings: Notebook
McCarty receives warm reception from crowd
Crowd shows former Wings fan favorite he is not forgotten, but he has to hit old linemate.
Ex-Red Wing Darren McCarty is greeted kindly by fans before his new team, the Calgary Flames, played at Joe Louis Arena.Online extras
Red Wings schedule
Former teammates Darren McCarty and Kris Draper get tangled up in McCarty's first game back since signing with Calgary.
DETROIT -- The cheers were plentiful and heartfelt, as everyone expected them to be. Red Wings fans, apparently, will always have a soft spot for Darren McCarty.
The rugged wing returned to Detroit for the first time Sunday as a member of the Calgary Flames.
McCarty received applause the moment he hit the ice for warmups, then earned more cheers when he threw pucks into the crowd after the Flames completed the session, as he used to do with the Wings.
"It was weird coming out and having to go right instead of left," McCarty said. "It was great out there. I saw a lot of signs and shirts (greeting McCarty)."
Flames coach Darryl Sutter also started McCarty, which generated some more goodwill from fans. McCarty played 13:40 with two shots on goal and two hits.
The only negative from McCarty's perspective was the scoreboard, a 6-3 Wings victory.
"They (the Wings) have a good team over there," McCarty said. "We were in the box a lot. They played a good game. They were definitely on."
McCarty did get one good-size hit on former linemate Kirk Maltby in the first period.
"I had to do it to him before he did it to me," McCarty said.
Wings players said it was strange seeing McCarty on the other side. The Wings had to buy McCarty's contract out over the summer to get under the salary cap.
"Other than the four times we play them this season, we'll be pulling for him this season to do well over there," forward Kris Draper said.
Canucks believer
A lot of analysts are picking the Flames as the favorites in the Western Conference, but Sutter sees it differently.
In Sutter's estimation, it's the team that visits Joe Louis Arena tonight, the Vancouver Canucks, that are the best team in the West.
"It's Vancouver at a level and then there's a bunch of us at another level," Sutter said. "I think (the Canucks) are all set up. They have the best line in the league (Brendan Morrison centering Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi), they have arguably the best power play in the league, they have two horses on defense who play a ton of minutes in (Ed) Jovanovski and (Mattias) Ohlund. And they'll be wired up because they have Bertuzzi back (from his suspension). They didn't have him the last time they played. To me, they're clearly, clearly the cream of the crop."
Ice chips
Steve Yzerman (groin) missed his third consecutive game to start the regular season. Yzerman is skating regularly, but feels enough discomfort to keep him out of the lineup. Defenseman Jamie Rivers was in the lineup Sunday, while newly signed Jason Woolley sat out.
Coach Mike Babcock said he expects Yzerman to play Thursday in Los Angeles.
... Chris Chelios, who has had the flu, played.
... Linesman Thor Nelson took a puck to the chin, took eight stitches, and was forced to miss much of the first period. He returned for the start of the second.
... Grand Rapids opened its season Saturday with a 6-3 victory over Milwaukee before 10,834 at Van Andel Arena.
Jiri Hudler had two goals and two assists, and Kent McDonnell had four assists for the Griffins.
You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606, or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.
Copyright © 2005
The Detroit News.
Use of this site indicates your agreement to the Terms of Service (updated 12/19/2002).