HOLY SHIT: Hawks 6, Flames 5 (OT)
Well, that was unexpected.
Never in their illustrious history had the Blackhawks overcome a 5 goal deficit to win a game. Until tonight.
After playing the first 12 minutes of tonight's game with their heads firmly inserted their rectums, the Hawks extricated themselves from said position, and proceeded to wreck the Calgary Flames night. Not even an abundance of Sutter brothers could save the Flames from defeat.
Blackhawks fans certainly saw a lot to be scared of tonight. The team looked disinterested in defense to open the game, and the goaltending was vomit-inducing to say the least. But we also learned something else about this team. If you get them down, you better keep them down, because no lead is safe from this crew.
THE GOOD
Patrick Kane: Patrick Kane was the MAN tonight. Make no mistake, Kane led this comeback. He had a goal and 2 assists during the Hawks 3 goal outburst in the second period that cut the Flames lead down to 1 goal. There were a couple of shifts where Kane took the puck and skated around in the offensive zone doing whatever he wanted, giving me flashbacks to Martin Havlat last year. Oh, and Kaner has decided he's coming out shooting this year. If that doesn't have NHL goalies soiling themselves in fear, it soon will.
Offensive depth: While Kane was the best offensive player on the ice for Chicago tonight, the wealth was spread around. The Hawks six goals were scored by six different players.
The 2nd and 3rd periods: Calgary had 10 shots in the first period (shooting an efficient 50%). The Flames had 10 more shots for the rest of the game. The Hawks stepped it up on defense, and more so on offense, prooving the old adage that it's nigh impossible for a team to score when they're 200 feet from your net.
THE BAD
The Goalies: Just bad tonight. No, I don't think it's panic time, but I'm sure that Huet's performance isn't going to allay any fears that the meatheads have about him. Niemi actually gave Huet a little help, as I don't think many people will be calling for him to take over as starter after seeing him give up a goal on Oli Jokinen's flutterer from the blue line. Still, this situation bears watching, and most Hawks fans are going to be holding their collective breath every time a puck goes on net.
Joel Quenneville/Power Play: The Hawks power play was 0 for 4 tonight, and there's an aspect of this whole thing that I Quenneville needs to address. While I understand that Duncan Keith doesn't have the best shot in the world, if the alternative is to put Patrick Sharp on the point during the man advantage, well that's stupid. The coaching staff needs to come up with something else, because Sharp is not good on the point, but he is good down low and it's certainly a downgrade to replace Sharp's game there with Tomas Kopecky.
THE UGLY
If what Mike Kiley tells us is true, Duane Sutter is sitting in the visitors' locker room at the UC in full pads, pretending that this loss hurts him more than anyone else.
Never in their illustrious history had the Blackhawks overcome a 5 goal deficit to win a game. Until tonight.
After playing the first 12 minutes of tonight's game with their heads firmly inserted their rectums, the Hawks extricated themselves from said position, and proceeded to wreck the Calgary Flames night. Not even an abundance of Sutter brothers could save the Flames from defeat.
Blackhawks fans certainly saw a lot to be scared of tonight. The team looked disinterested in defense to open the game, and the goaltending was vomit-inducing to say the least. But we also learned something else about this team. If you get them down, you better keep them down, because no lead is safe from this crew.
THE GOOD
Patrick Kane: Patrick Kane was the MAN tonight. Make no mistake, Kane led this comeback. He had a goal and 2 assists during the Hawks 3 goal outburst in the second period that cut the Flames lead down to 1 goal. There were a couple of shifts where Kane took the puck and skated around in the offensive zone doing whatever he wanted, giving me flashbacks to Martin Havlat last year. Oh, and Kaner has decided he's coming out shooting this year. If that doesn't have NHL goalies soiling themselves in fear, it soon will.
Offensive depth: While Kane was the best offensive player on the ice for Chicago tonight, the wealth was spread around. The Hawks six goals were scored by six different players.
The 2nd and 3rd periods: Calgary had 10 shots in the first period (shooting an efficient 50%). The Flames had 10 more shots for the rest of the game. The Hawks stepped it up on defense, and more so on offense, prooving the old adage that it's nigh impossible for a team to score when they're 200 feet from your net.
THE BAD
The Goalies: Just bad tonight. No, I don't think it's panic time, but I'm sure that Huet's performance isn't going to allay any fears that the meatheads have about him. Niemi actually gave Huet a little help, as I don't think many people will be calling for him to take over as starter after seeing him give up a goal on Oli Jokinen's flutterer from the blue line. Still, this situation bears watching, and most Hawks fans are going to be holding their collective breath every time a puck goes on net.
Joel Quenneville/Power Play: The Hawks power play was 0 for 4 tonight, and there's an aspect of this whole thing that I Quenneville needs to address. While I understand that Duncan Keith doesn't have the best shot in the world, if the alternative is to put Patrick Sharp on the point during the man advantage, well that's stupid. The coaching staff needs to come up with something else, because Sharp is not good on the point, but he is good down low and it's certainly a downgrade to replace Sharp's game there with Tomas Kopecky.
THE UGLY
If what Mike Kiley tells us is true, Duane Sutter is sitting in the visitors' locker room at the UC in full pads, pretending that this loss hurts him more than anyone else.
Brothers Of The Thong, may I respectfully remind you that it was The MaddMan himself..."Popeye" Madden who started this miraculous and historic comeback.
It was also his idea to serve spinach in the dressing room between the 1st and 2nd frames.
Patrick Kane had two helpings.
May I also add that this devious strategy of lulling the Flames into a false sense of security was cooked up by Mike Kiley over martinis with Denis Savard.
Savvy and Mike are brilliant.
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Sharp on the power play point is vomit-inducing. He's not a strong puck-handler nor does he really have any clue how to move the puck when it comes to him. The only thing he does well is shoot. Therefore, move his butt down to the top of the circle and let him rip one-timers all day there and let Kopecky sip on some gatorade.
I can't recall when this obsession to have a forward man the point on the power play, but I'd really wish for it to end.
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That was an amazing game last night. It was a pleasure to be there.
Any thoughts on our goaltending situation? No reason to panic yet, but, we'll see.
This offense is getting 40 shots per game in their sleep.
How funny is it that the Hawks played their worst period of the year and still got 16 shots on goal?
Unreal.
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That was a great comeback. As much as I grow tired of Keith try to aim a slap-shot from the point on net, I don't like seeing Sharpie on the point during the PP. This experiment, or whatever it is, needs to stop.
Great job by Kaner to pick this team up last night.
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I can't believe Kane, Versteeg, and Buff ALL look better.
They all look stronger, more confident on the ice. Buff is a maniac.
How great is Davey Bolland by the way?
Are the Wings finally gonna struggle?
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