POP GOES THE PLAYOFF CHERRY: Blackhawks 3, Flames 2 (OT)
Welcome to the playoffs.
The Chicago Blackhawks, faulted for their inexperience coming into tonight's game, overcame early jitters to defeat the Calgary Flames, 3-2. The game winner came off the blade of Marty Havlat's stick 12 seconds into the first overtime.
THE GOOD:
Havlat. The Hawks were down in the third, and it was getting late, with 5:34 left. Havlat banged in his own rebound to tie it, then potted the winner in the only shift needed in overtime. Every player's getting paid the same amount now, but he's earning all he's made over the past 3 years. It should also be noted the winner was scored by the DaLaSoul line (did I do that right?), Bolland, Ladd and Havlat. Nice to see them back together.
Nikolai Khabibulin. Huge saves all night. He was left naked on Calgary's 2 goals, but he made some real clutch stops.
Cam Barker. Keith looked a little jittery tonight, but Barker scored the icebreaker, and had an assist as well. Took the body well also.
THE BAD:
Duncan Keith looked a little shaky tonight. Maybe he was pressing a little too hard.
Matt Walker. He's shit. Keep him off the fucking ice.
THE UGLY:
The Power Play. Uglier than Susan Boyle. I can't say that enough.
Game 2 is Saturday in the United Center. The Hawks now have experience. They showed they could nut up when things get tight.
Goddamn, I fucking love playoff hockey, and I fucking love that this team is playing it.
Posted by Forklift at 4/16/2009 10:20 PM 
Categories: 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks Marty Havlat Havlat Calgary Flames
Categories: 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs Chicago Blackhawks Blackhawks Marty Havlat Havlat Calgary Flames
I think they'll be better on Saturday, it was clear that they weren't quite sure what they were getting into.
During the first two periods, anytime a Hawk got knocked down, he would immediately look to the ref for a call. Once they realized the calls weren't going to come, they nutted up and started giving it back to the Flames.
Reply to this
Not a bad showing for the young uns. I'm pulling for the Hawks, no doubt.
Reply to this
Great win last night.
The Hawks came out and played the first half of the game like a team with little to no experience. After that though they found their intensity and picked it up.
They should be better on Saturday.
Reply to this
I'm still on a high from being there last night. It was just awesome.
Observations:
The Hawks looked like they were pressing in the first 25 minutes or so. The first goal seemed to loosen them up. Getting the second goal and the winner added about a years worth of experience to these guys. Khabbi has a Cup and it showed last night. Sharp looked a bit off. I'm not worried. It looked like he was playing on the line with Eager and whoever. I don't know if that fits him well. The defence was good. I'm really not worried about Keith.
Holy shit, what a game. FUCK YEAH!
Reply to this
Great game last night! Go Hawks!
Reply to this
Withstanding those first 40 minutes was a huge test for the Hawks. Reciprocally, it had to be frustrating for the Flames to take it to the Hawks, only to find themselves tied after 2 periods. Thank gord for Khabibulin. Remember when Rozner was screaming for the Hawks to deal him and Havlat? Yeah, that would have been a great move. Dumbass.
Reply to this
Of all the encouraging things from last night (and there were a lot of those), the biggest may be that the Hawks didn't really play their game until the last 7-8 minutes of the third, and the Flames played their game throughout.
Hawks in 5? You bet your sweet ass Hawks in 5.
Reply to this
Hey, Susan Boyle got a makeover! YOU WATCH YOUR MOUTH!
Reply to this