Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings began their participation in the 2025 NHL Prospect Games with a 6-2 win over the Dallas Stars at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The team established an early lead, scoring just 23 seconds into the first period. Emmitt Finnie, selected by Detroit in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, scored after receiving a pass from Shai Buium.

“He wants to get better,” Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson said about Finnie. “And every time I’ve seen him, he wants to get better. He took another step tonight. He set the tone early on with his speed and the pace that he plays.”

Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, Detroit’s first-round pick from last year’s draft, recorded a secondary assist on Finnie’s goal.

“I’m just going out there to play my game,” Brandsegg-Nygård said. “This isn’t the first time I’ve played hockey, so I’m comfortable playing the type of hockey that I know.”

Amadeus Lombardi increased Detroit’s advantage less than a minute into the second period after intercepting a pass and scoring from close range.

“I’m happy to be here helping the younger guys and get some momentum going into [Training] Camp,” Lombardi said. “I’m excited for it.”

Alexandre Doucet added another goal at 10:02 of the second period following up on a rebound, assisted by Lombardi and Carson Bantle. Shortly afterward, Buium scored off a face-off win with assists from Liam Kilfoil and Ondrej Becher.

“I think everyone knows he does have an offensive mind too,” Watson said about Buium. “He made some really good plays. Obviously, the goal starts with a good face-off win, but just the execution of it overall with him and Axel being pairs tonight, you could see that they played a year of pro hockey and were ready for it tonight.”

In the third period, Brandsegg-Nygård converted Doucet’s pass for a power-play goal before Axel Sandin-Pellikka extended Detroit’s lead to 6-0 with another power-play tally assisted by Nate Danielson and Brandsegg-Nygård.

“He’s a hell of a player,” Brandsegg-Nygård said about Sandin-Pellikka. “He’s so comfortable with the puck. So calm with it. He can see the ice pretty well and has good passes. He has an incredible shot, so if he just keeps going as he does, he’s going to have a good career.”

Dallas responded midway through the third period by scoring two consecutive goals against Red Wings goaltender Landon Miller; Rudy Guimond had kept Dallas scoreless during his time in net for Detroit.

“He played great,” Watson said about Guimond. “He didn’t have a ton of action, but the saves we needed he made. And he made a couple extra big saves too.”

Detroit will face Dallas again Sunday night to conclude their participation in this year’s NHL Prospect Games at Comerica Center; streaming is available via DetroitRedWings.com and through their mobile app.

“We can see that he’s a competitor. He’s winning a lot of 50-50 battles with the stick and his body. He’s got that quick release shot, so anything in tight you know he’s going to get that off. He got rewarded for that tonight. He’s a physical player who gets right in there.” (Watson on Brandsegg-Nygård)

“Strength is a big one. I gained some weight….The biggest one for me, obviously, is face-offs. You can never get too good at those. And defensively, just being responsible and playing a 200-foot game.” (Lombardi on offseason focus)

“It helps a lot. I got a feeling on how the hockey is over here, how tough it is and the physical part. I feel like I know what to expect and I’m comfortable for next season.” (Brandsegg-Nygård on AHL experience)