CHRIS KUC’S GAME 3 SPOTLIGHT
Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell vs. Wings’ Dan Cleary
Blackhawks’ Brian Campbell
Position: Defense
Shoots: Left
Age, height, weight: 29, 6-0, 188
2008-09: 7 goals, 45 assists, plus-5 in 82 games
Playoff experience: 61 games (6 goals, 24 assists)
Wings’ Dan Cleary
Position: Right wing
Shoots: Left
Age, height, weight: 30, 6-0, 210
2008-09: 14 goals, 26 assists, even in 74 games
Playoff experience: 69 games (13 goals, 18 assists)
What to watch
For different reasons, the veterans have each had a big impact in the series. Cleary has burned his former team with three goals, all at key times, to help the Wings take a 2-0 series lead. Campbell’s turnover in Game 2 led to Mikael Samuelsson’s winning goal in overtime. Other than the defensive gaffe, Campbell has been very good for the Hawks during their postseason run and Cleary has helped offset the lack of offensive production from Detroit stars Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk. “Cleary can put the puck in the net if you give him some room,” Campbell said. “He’s capitalized on some of the mistakes we’ve made.”
