BROUWER POWER: Hawks 4, Sharks 3 (OT)
That was a good game. The Hawks and Sharks clashed as the top two teams in the NHL, and in the opening period, it looked like the Blackhawks might repeat their blowout from their last visit to the Shark Tank. They quickly had the Sharks back on their heels, taking a 3-0 lead and forcing San Jose to burn it's time out. I'm sure some will accuse the Hawks of letting their collective foot off the gas, but San Jose is too good a team to keep playing so badly. The Sharks seemed to recover their poise after the TO and got on the scoreboard before the end of the period.
The Hawks then took their turn getting blitzed in the second period and were lucky to go into the third still up one. San Jose tied it up in the 3rd after some sustained pressure 5 minutes in, and it was Joel Quenneville's turn to use his time out. It seemed to work, as the play was a lot more balanced after that. The Hawks had some good chances on a last minute power play, then Troy Brouwer finished the game in overtime, cutting to the middle of the ice on the rush and blowing the puck past Nabokov as Versteeg created traffic in front.
THE GOOD
Andrew Ladd: Ladd was the best Hawk on the ice tonight, bringing his usual physical game and getting rewarded with a rebound goal for his efforts. He also laid out Dany Heatley to break up a scoring chance late in the 3rd period.
Troy Brouwer: Brouwer looks like he's got a lot of confidence on this trip, and he struck again, this time beating Nabokov in the first period with a nice wrist shot short side off the rush. Back in October, I he probably looks to dish to Kane or Toews on that play. To top it all off, Brouwer finished the game with nice shot through traffic in overtime.
Cristobal Huet: I'm not just putting him here to piss off the meatheads (but make no mistake, I do hope it pisses them off) but the goals came on shots that were night impossible to stop, and Huet made some terrific saves in the 2nd and 3rd period to keep the game close.
THE BAD
Marian Hossa: Rare off night for Hossa. He didn't show up much during the early going and missed on the chances he had late in the game. No big deal, everybody has a clunker every once in awhile.
Brent Sopel: Tough game for Sopel as well. Sope looks like a guy who could really use the Olympic break, he seems even slower than usual, and everytime he blocks a shot or takes a hit, I expect a body part to fall off.
THE UGLY
Shot blocking: The Hawks shot blocking was good tonight, but maybe too good. Maybe it's the fact that they've dodged injuries lately, but everytime I see Keith or Hjalmersson doubled over in pain after a shot block, I kind of wish they'd just save some of those for the playoffs.
Up Next: The NHL's brilliant ScheduleTRON 5000 sends the Hawks all the way across the country to finish their road trip with a game in Carolina.
And I'm going to bed. This recap is likely riddled with misspellings and inaccuracies, but I'm too tired to care. Stupid west coast starts.
Posted by CT at 1/29/2010 12:46 AM 
Categories: San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: Blackhawks Sharks
Categories: San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: Blackhawks Sharks
It would be fun to see the Hawks play the Sharks in a series, but they wouldn't meet until the Western Conference Finals - and the Sharks and their teeny-tiny hearts won't be around that long.
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Monsieur Forque, I disagree with your dismissal of Les Sharques. Their purpose in life is to eliminate the pesky Red Wings who may yet somehow find a way to sneak into the postseason.
This was, as you and your colleague underscore in the game summary, a HUGE EFFIN WIN for Les Blaque Hawques.
And I believe Monsieur Huet helped steal this one, hein?
If this is what a playoff series between the Hawks and Sharks would look like, I'm all for it.
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All and all a great road win.
The problem with the Olympic break is that the Hawks have a lot of Olympians, so for every guy that needs a break, you have one that is going to be playing competitively for those 2 1/2 weeks. I hope it doesn't catch up to them
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At least Kane should get some rest during the medal round.
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Be sure to keep him away from the figure skaters.
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Also, keep him away from the "Grace/DeRosa Guide To Chicago".
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You haven't seen Kane go into many slumps this year, have you?
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Hey, if Kane wants to score, let him score. If he wants to play make, I say let the young man play make. Just hope the chicks are hotter this time...we want cleavage in the limo shots, not Patrick's flat and shiny chest.
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Just rember the old Casey Stengel saying:
"Being with a woman all night never hurt no professional baseball (hockey) player. It's staying up all night looking for a woman that does him in"
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On the plus side, our goalies aren't going to Vancouver. Something that is not a luxury to many Western Conference playoff hopefuls.
On that note, Ross McKeon's giant head is banging the Chicago needs a true goalie drum. Latest solution is Stanbow trading for Marty Turco....Marty Fucking Turco.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AsIxet6rYxoKN7fJ0wZ3YOJ7vLYF?slug=rm-sharkshawks012810&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
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Ross McKeon is the Marty Turco of hockey writers. Nuff said.
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Next week we'll launch our viral "Huet-for-Vokoun" rumor.
Put that Turco shit to bed in a hurry.
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No goalies out there are as good as what you've got. So quite worrying about it.
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So you're saying we shouldn't fire up the rumor?
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If you start a rumor, say something good like Kane for Sidney Crosby.
Maybe if they threw in Kyle Beach....
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ESPN INsider noted today that "'The Blogger Known As Fork' reports that Chicago has offered Patrick Kane and Kyle Beach for Sidney Crosby. Draft picks might be involved."
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Marty Turco? I'd rather take my chances with an empty net.
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Did Andrew Ladd leave Dany Heatley a nice voicemail saying they will be playing hockey against each other, thus making it likely they will cross each other's paths on the ice, possible causing a collision? If not, then I have no room for that type of cowardice on my team.
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He actually sent a gold leaf invitation.
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Is the photo with this article Charlie Tuna after Lasik surgery?
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It's Trent Yawney.
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