DENVER -- Jonas Gustavsson stopped just about everything, including the Colorado Avalanches six-game winning streak. The backup goalie turned in a 38-save performance and Johan Franzen broke a third-period tie with his second goal of the game as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Avalanche 4-2 on Thursday night to hand Patrick Roy his first loss as a coach. "He had a heck of a game for them," Matt Duchene said of Gustavsson. Had a little motivation, too. This rivalry -- pretty much dormant of late -- just got a little more heated. The Red Wings played inspired hockey after a hard hit knocked defenceman Niklas Kronwall out of the game early in the first period. Seeing him carried off on a stretcher shook up his teammates. "Looked bad," Franzen said. Once they learned he was all right -- a cut on the ear and a concussion -- they went back to dispatching the Avalanche. The Red Wings later announced on their Twitter account that Kronwall "has a concussion; cuts to the ear but hes moving all extremities, being treating in locker room." Cody McLeod received a 5-minute penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. Pavel Datsyuk also had two goals and Daniel Alfredsson added three assists for the Red Wings. But the chatter after the game centred around the hit delivered by McLeod. "I dont know how much time he had to actually slow down there, but hes got to be able to at least lower his point of impact," Franzen said. "Hes got to find a way to not hit (Kronwall) in the head." Kronwall was momentarily knocked out. "It was really scary. He was out. He didnt really know what happened there," fellow defenceman Jonathan Ericsson said. "We found out pretty early he was fine and he was going to recover fine." Roy is withholding his judgment of the play, preferring to see what NHL vice-president of player safety Brendan Shanahan has to say. "To be honest with you, I didnt look at it because I didnt want to look at it," Roy said. "I didnt want to make a comment on it. From the bench, I thought Kronwall turned his back at the last minute. "Does that make it dirty? I guess Shanahan has to make a decision. From the bench I saw a defenceman turn his back at the last second. For anyone who knows the game its hard for a player to stop." Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog scored for the Avalanche as they finished a win short of matching the franchise record for best start (7-0) set by the 1985-86 Quebec Nordiques. Still, its been quite a beginning to the Roy era on the bench. "Were 6-1. We still have the best or second-best record in the league," Duchene said. "Its unfortunate we couldnt have kept it going against these guys, but we played hard and played really well." The Avalanche simply ran into a hot goaltender as Gustavsson bottled up Colorados potent offence most of the game. Even when the Avalanche pulled Semyon Varlamov for an extra skater with more than 1 minute remaining, they couldnt sneak anything past Gustavsson. "That was a tough one," Paul Stastny said. Franzens game-winner came on a power play when he took a pass from Justin Abdelkader and lined a shot over Varlamovs shoulder. Franzen also scored in the first period -- his first two goals of the season. Datsyuk sealed the game when he scored off his own rebound 13:35 into the final period. Varlamov had a rough night against the rival Red Wings, allowing four goals. He had allowed just six in five starts entering the game. Landeskog and Johnson scored in the second period to tie the game at 2. Johnson took the puck from behind his net, skated up the ice with little interference and lined a shot over Gustavssons right shoulder. It was Johnsons first goal since Feb. 17, 2012. The opening period was dominated by a fired-up Detroit team following that hit on Kronwall along the boards. The hit sent his helmet flying as he crashed to the ice. This rivalry may just be heating back up. It used to be a bitter and bloody one during Roys playing days, but its tapered off a bit, in large part due to the slide of the Avalanche, who have missed the playoffs the past three seasons. Can this rivalry get heated again? After all, the two teams meet just twice this season as the Red Wings switched over to the Eastern Conference. "Were a long way before were getting to where the Red Wings are," Roy said. "Its amazing what theyve been doing over the years. Theyve been there (playoffs) every year." NOTES: Gustavsson made his third straight start with Jimmy Howard bothered by a sore hand. ... Varlamov had an assist on Johnsons goal. ... The announced attendance was 18,101, which topped the season opener (18,007). A good portion rooted for the Red Wings. FRANKFURT, Germany -- Germany coach Joachim Loew made a surprising last-minute change in his preliminary World Cup squad on Wednesday, calling up midfielder Christoph Kramer and dropping forward Andre Hahn. Loew also cut three players from the group that will go to a training camp next week. Kramer, who plays for Borussia Moenchengladbach, made his international debut in the 0-0 draw against Poland on Tuesday. Experienced defender Marcell Jansen of Hamburger SV and Schalke midfielders Leon Goretzka and Max Meyer were placed on call, but will not travel to the camp in northern Italy and the World Cup in Brazil unless a member of the squad suffers an injury. Kramer was the unexpected beneficiary of the bland match against Poland. Loew said he needed back-up for the central midfield because several players are recovering from injury. "This decision has nothing to do with the performance of Andre Hahn, we were very pleased with him," Loew said. "The reasons are purely linked to the position. We have several central midfield players who have been injured recently and some who are coming off long layoffs. So we want to have another option and to be prepared for all eventualities. Christoph Kramer left a very good impression," Loew said. Hahn is nominally an attacking mmidfielder, whose speed makes him a perfect counter-attacking player.ddddddddddddHe led Augsburg with 12 goals this season. Kramer is a hard-working central midfielder who is known for covering a lot of ground. He could step in if Sami Khedira or Bastian Schweinsteiger fail to regain full fitness. Khedira has played one full match since a knee injury in November and Schweinsteiger is nursing a knee problem. The domestic season ends on Saturday with the German Cup final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. A dozen Germany players are on both sides and will join the national team after the final. Loew decided to drop Jansen although the position of left back is seen as a problem spot on the team. "Marcell was injured in March in the friendly against Chile and although he is healthy again, his fitness is still not optimal, he hasnt played much," Loew said. As for Goretzka and Meyer, Loew said they were young players the future ahead of them. Germany plays Cameroon on June 1, after which Loew will announce his final 23-man squad. Germany will host Armenia on June 6, one day before flying to Brazil. Germany opens its World Cup campaign on June 16 against Portugal, then plays Ghana on June 21 and ends the group stage against the United States on June 26. ' ' '