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The Detroit Red Wings closed out the 2026 NHL Prospects Tournament on a winning note, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in comeback fashion by a 3-2 final score in overtime.
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Forward Justice Christensen, who signed with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins after playing the last four years with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, scored twice, including the overtime game-winning tally.
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The scoring was opened Columbus in the second period after a disputed tally from Josh Eernisse; while the Red Wings argued that goaltender Trey Augustine was interfered with, the tally stood.
Christensen scored his first of two goals on the afternoon not long afterwards, firing a slap shot past Blue Jackets goaltender Nolan Lalonde from the top of the faceoff circle while on the power-play.
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Columbus restored their one goal lead thanks to Jordan Dumais. However, with Augustine on the bench, Noah Dower Nilsson cleaned up a rebound in front of the net and deposited a backhander past Lalonde, knotting the score at 2-2.
In overtime, it was Christensen converting on a give-and-go rush with Sutter Muzzatti for the game-winning tally.
Lalonde finished with 29 saves on 32 shots, while Augustine won his second straight game by turning aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced.
The Red Wings, who recently named Shawn Horcoff their interim general manager, are scheduled to open Training Camp for the upcoming 2026-27 NHL campaign on Thursday.
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