Lights go out on Wings-Canucks

DETROIT -- The Red Wings' game with the Vancouver Canucks was delayed by a partial power outage.

Just 29 seconds into the game, at 2:11 p.m., half of the arena lights at Joe Louis Arena went out.

"For a bit there I thought we didn't pay our bill, but they told me they did so they turned the power back," Wings coach Mike Babcock joked.

The players skated around for a minute before heading back to the dressing rooms.

Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall was asked what they did during the delay.

"Everything and nothing," Kronwall said. "A lot of guys just kind of walking around, some guys were watching some TV, just trying to do something to stay active."

The public address announcer thanked fans for their patience and said there was a shortage of power coming into the arena, which caused the partial outage.

The Wings said there was a momentary failure in an outside electrical transmission line that feeds power to Joe Louis Arena.

Although power was restored immediately, the metal halide lighting system requires 15 minutes to return to full illumination.

"It affects both teams," Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. "So it's an equal playing field."

Babcock didn't think it had much of an effect.

"I'm a big believer that none of that stuff matters," Babcock said. "You come in, get ready, get focused and you play."

Fans responded to the outage by using their cell phone flashlights around the arena.

The game resumed at 2:45, a 34-minute delay.

"It was weird for everyone, not just us players but for the fans and I'm sure for the refs as well," Kronwall said. 

"That's the beauty of The Joe. It's been around for a long time, kind of the charm with it. You never know what's going to happen."