DETROIT - Luke Witkowski called it old-time hockey. Jeff Blashill said his players will stick up for each other and themselves. Henrik Zetterberg said he's proud of his teammates.
The Calgary Flames, however, weren't happy with the actions of Witkowski and Anthony Mantha during a melee that erupted Wednesday with 5:56 remaining in the Detroit Red Wings' 8-2 victory at Little Caesars Arena.
Outstanding performances from Red Wings' young forwards - Mantha and Andreas Athanasiou each collected two goals and an assist while Dylan Larkin provided one goal and two assists - almost became a footnote on this night.