January 13, 2006

BY GEORGE SIPPLE

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

On the Wings' final goal in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, the fans roared and remained on their feet.

They were happy to see the Wings scored five third-period goals. But they kept standing because they witnessed history.

Steve Yzerman's assist on Robert Lang's goal at 14:10 did more than ice the game for the Wings.

The assist, Yzerman's 1,050th, moved him ahead of Gordie Howe for seventh place on the NHL all-time assist list. Howe had 1,049 assists in 1,767 games.

Yzerman leads all active players in assists and is the Wings' all-time leader.

Howe had 1,023 assists during his career in Detroit.

"To be passing Gordie Howe -- holy mackerel!" said coach Mike Babcock. "That's unbelievable. That's how good you've been and that's how long you've played. And that's how good of players you played with."

When public address announcer Budd Lynch told the crowd the Yzerman passed Howe, they clapped and began chanting, "Stevie! Stevie!"