ericcson has the look of his opponent

[j.hoop 64]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=421057

DETROIT -- Jonathan Ericsson -- at 6-foot-4, 206 pounds -- became a name whispered around the Anaheim Ducks dressing room at the morning skate prior to Game 1 of the Ducks-Red Wings Western Conference Semifinals matchup Friday night.

The 25-year-old defenseman is one of those classic late-round, late-blooming Swedish draft choices -- he was the last pick in the 2002 Entry Draft -- the Red Wings have become known for. Ericsson became important in the pregame chatter when Wings coach Mike Babcock announced that defenseman Brian Rafalski would not be in the lineup. That means Ericsson will play alongside six-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, and their main assignment in Game 1 will be stopping the potent line of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan.

"I've never seen him play," Perry said.

"Me either," added Getzlaf. "Only on TV. He's a big kid. Long reach. Ask Bobby. He may have seen him in the American Hockey League."

Hey, Bobby, Bobby Ryan. What can you tell us about Jonathan Ericsson?

"Who?" he said. "I don't think I played against Grand Rapids. All I can say is he must be pretty good to get to play alongside Lidstrom. And they really must think a lot about him to use him in such an important game."

Whispers. Not a lot of insight. But you can be sure the Ducks' No. 1 line will know a lot more about Ericsson before they drop the puck.

According to Babcock, aside from being the 291st and last pick in 2002, Ericsson will look to the Ducks like a mirror-image of Chris Pronger, their own All-Star defenseman.

"Big body," Babcock said. "Actually, he looks like Chris Pronger. Except for the cross checking."

Big smile on the Detroit coach's face.

Ericsson is just another one of those multi-talented, mobile Detroit defensemen they seem to produce better than cars and trucks in the Motor City. Late bloomer? Maybe. But Babcock thought he was ready to play in Detroit last season. There just wasn't any room for Ericsson, until he was brought up when an injury spat hit the Red Wings’ defense. Babcock remembers having Ericsson and Niklas Kronwall playing head-up on Jarome Iginla one night against Calgary in a 1-0 win.

"He's a big body, can really skate, can really pass the puck," Babcock added. "We like his ability just because he thinks the game well, but his size gives him a distinct advantage over a lot of other guys."

Ericsson was recalled from Grand Rapids in early May after defenseman Andreas Lilja was crushed in a fight with Nashville's Shea Weber, sustaining a concussion. Lilja still hasn't returned to the lineup, but Ericsson has certainly made his mark, getting 1 goal and 3 assists in 19 regular-season games.

His first playoff appearance was surreal -- he scored the game-winning goal in a three-goal second period explosion to lead the Red Wings to a 4-1 victory against Columbus on April 16.

"I wasn't nervous until a few minutes before the game and I saw how focused the guys were," Ericsson said. "That's when I knew how really important the game was to all of us.

"It's funny, but I didn't expect to be here more than two or three games when Andreas Lilja got hurt. But here I am, playing in the playoffs. All I know is I really want to be here. I was to feel like I belong. I don't doubt myself one bit."

As it turns out Ericsson and Kronwall, two unlikely goal scorers in that Game 1 win, lived in Kronwall's house in Detroit until just four days before the playoffs began.

"Did Nik throw you out?" I asked.

"No, my girlfriend (Evelina) finally arrived from Grand Rapids," Ericsson laughed. "We're still pals. We don't drive to practices or games together anymore, but we still have lunch regularly. What it came down to is: I never expected to be here this long, so she stayed there until I went back. And we thought it would be too big of an imposition on Nik to have my girlfriend and myself staying at his place."

Thoughtful kid.

And there are clearly no demotion issues anymore, not the way Ericsson has played.

When I asked Babcock for one more comment on his rookie defenseman, he replied, "I'd say he should be a Red Wing for, oh, about the next 15 years."

Now you know what the Ducks likely will find out when their Western Conference Semifinals series begins in Detroit Friday night and they see this big Chris Pronger-type defender out their against Anaheim's top line.

most important part in bold

[EuroTwin 240]

Omg, Babs you win the award of awesome for the day.

Great article. Is it gametime yet?

[Guest mindfly]

It's 6'5 220lbs nowdays! important.

[RusDRW 155]

looks like Anaheim guys do know who are they going to play against... that's certainly a good sign for us.

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

looks like Anaheim guys do know who are they going to play against... that's certainly a good sign for us.

Hey i'm 6'4 225 put me in coach

[VM1138 1,921]

Is it just me or did it seem like Anaheim wasn't taking him seriousyl? I know they said "he must be good if he's playing with Lidstrom" but to me it sounded almost snide, like we're "forced" to use Ericcson.

Man, how awesome would it be to have Ericcson lay Pronger out with a hit?

[uk_redwing 495]

Man, how awesome would it be to have Ericcson lay Pronger out with a hit?

Ericsson never seems to look for hits

[titanium2 867]

Is it just me or did it seem like Anaheim wasn't taking him seriousyl? I know they said "he must be good if he's playing with Lidstrom" but to me it sounded almost snide, like we're "forced" to use Ericcson.

Man, how awesome would it be to have Ericcson lay Pronger out with a hit?

It would be really awesome. Unfortunately Ericsson doesn't seem to lay people out all that much but I'm actually glad of that because I'd rather have his big body in good defensive position. But who knows, maybe Pronger will try to pounce on a loose puck in front of Ozzie and then Big E will freight train him.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Is it just me or did it seem like Anaheim wasn't taking him seriousyl? I know they said "he must be good if he's playing with Lidstrom" but to me it sounded almost snide, like we're "forced" to use Ericcson.

Man, how awesome would it be to have Ericcson lay Pronger out with a hit?

That would be sweet! But it's rare for a defensemen to see his mirror on the ice... I would like to see Ericsson crush Perry. I hate that little fool.

Edited May 1, 2009 by RedWingedKitten

[XxGoWingsxX 0]

That would be sweet! But it's rare for a defensemen to see his mirror on the ice... I would like to see Ericsson crush Perry. I hate that little fool.

Fairy Perry Fairy Perry : )

[VM1138 1,921]

That would be sweet! But it's rare for a defensemen to see his mirror on the ice... I would like to see Ericsson crush Perry. I hate that little fool.

It only takes once.

[Green Wing 26]

It's Ericsson, not Ericcson. That spelling error is widespread and it's annoying.

[SoDakWing 8]

It only takes once.

didn't exactly "crush him" but made him piss his pants a lil i'll bet once Perry realized that Ericsson was going to fight him.

damn this guys is awesome

[ltgator333 3]

Yeah and Perry looked like a rag-doll in the 'fight'. He never had much of a chance to fight back.

Ericsson is pretty awesome out there so far. I really hope he's around a while.

[Jersey Wing 1,521]

Acceptable to post the fight? If not I'll take it down. Yeah, I think Perry never expected to be called on his bluff. Perry was the most shocked person in Joe Louis Arena when fists started hitting him.

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[FireCaptain 563]

I love the part where Perry drops to his knees and Big E yanks him back up for more punches..

I wish someone could make that part an avatar for me.

[ben_usmc 253]

that was sick by Big Rig. I think most overrate his fighting ability but he sure as f*** shows he's not scared and is more then capable of fighting a ***** like Perry

[Guest MrSandMan]

I am so proud of our team!

....And Babs comment makes me happy:

"I'd say he should be a Red Wing for, oh, about the next 15 years."

[Eizzo03 0]

I just love the look on the Red Wings bench with them banging their sticks. I felt proud because I'm a huge Ericsson supporter and I was happy to see him holding his ground

The thought of him being around for 15 years is awesome!

[HomeNugget 2]

I've hated Perry since that cheap sucker punch on Drake last year. Perry's got to be one of the biggest cowards in the game, and I wish the refs wouldn't have broken that fight up before Ericsson had a chance to really lay him out. Hopefully, Perry attempts to seek revenge on Sunday.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Yeah i liked when the Wings were banging their sticks too, and Kronwall was nodding his head!

[Andy Pred 48 337]

the bit that made me laugh is the look on Perrys face when the Lino said, Ok u wanna go,

and let go of his grip on him and he had no where to hide. Priceless!!

[55fan 5,133]

Yeah i liked when the Wings were banging their sticks too, and Kronwall was nodding his head!

That killed me. He almost looked bored. I bet he's glad he let Rig stay at his place. Good guy to have for a friend if a nasty Duckie comes calling.