The Red Wings sniper and Farmington Hills native recounts a chance run-in with Detroit Lions star tackle Penei Sewell

The Detroit Red Wings are heading into a busy weekend—with the Los Angeles Kings in town Saturday before the second leg of a back-to-back the following evening in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.

However, the Red Wings do understand that for Detroit area sports fans, that Sunday evening tilt will be relegated to second screen status, as the Detroit Lions host the Los Angeles Rams in their first home playoff game in 30 years on Sunday night football.

For Farmington Hills native Alex DeBrincat, who grew up a Lions fan, a recent dinner led to a chance encounter with Lions stud offensive tackle Penei Sewell.  DeBrincat (listed at five-foot-eight, 180 pounds) was out for hibachi and happened to share a table with Sewell (listed at six-foot-five, 335 pounds).  

Not wanting to disturb Sewell, DeBrincat didn't say anything to his fellow professional Detroit athlete, and in recounting the story, he said with a laugh, "Pretty big dude for sure—he probably thought I was still in high school.” 

Coach Derek Lalonde also spoke about his admiration for the Lions and coach Dan Campbell.  "They transformed their team from growing to expecting," Lalonde said after Friday's practice.  "I thought that was pretty neat.  Even Coach Campbell last year, they had that 7-1 stretch, and he said expectations have changed.  And that's a different pressure.  A lot different pressure.  We're not there yet, but we're flirting with that."

Lalonde assured the press that his team would be getting updates on the score from Ford Field as they take on the Maple Leafs Sunday.

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