DETROIT — There the Red Wings were Sunday, clinging to a one-goal lead against Edmonton, and on the ice was rookie forward Emmitt Finnie, a seventh-round draft pick only two years ago.
It’s safe to say nobody would have predicted Finnie would be on the ice in that type of situation just several months ago. Playing in Grand Rapids and earning some professional seasoning seemed like a certainty.
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Finnie’s best game, arguably, may have been Sunday, in the 4-2 victory over Edmonton. Finnie scored his first two NHL goals, including scoring an empty net goal to clinch the Wings’ fifth consecutive victory.
It was a crucial time of the game, but Wings’ coaches had all their trust in Finnie.
“Lack of fear,” said coach Todd McLellan, of the reason Finnie was on the ice. “He’s re