Zeroed: Hawks 0, Canucks 3
Damn. The Hawks had a chance to get back to .500 at home again tonight against their favorite team to beat, the Vancouver Canucks. I have to say, I came into this one expecting some fireworks, especially since the Blackhawks pasted Vancouver 7-1 in their last meeting and made Alain Vineauglt weep and rend his ascot in shame.
Instead we got a relatively drab affair. Defense seemed to be the order of the day, whether it was the Hawks clamping down in their own zone early on, or Vancouver dropping back into the neutral zone trap after they had the lead. The crowd never seemed to get pulled into the game (I know I wasn't) and Vancouver exploited enough Hawks mistakes to win 3-0.
THE GOOD
Roberto Luongo - I hate to do it, but Bobby Lu showed up big time tonight. The Hawks outshout the Canucks nearly 2-1, but Roberto made all the saves. Probably his best came on a Patrick Sharp breakaway in which he did not give a rebound as Jack Skille stood waiting for one.
Team Defense - The Hawks were good in their own zone tonight. Seemed like every time a Canuck got the puck within striking distance of the goal, he was checked by one or two Blackhawks.
THE BAD
Tomas Kopecky - tough game for Kopecky tonight. He flubbed a couple of prime chances and took a bad penalty that resulted in Vancouver's second goal.
Lack of Traffic - Luongo was extremely comfortable in his crease because the Hawks simply did not get enough bodies to the net. A goalie like Roberto is going to make saves when he can see the puck, and his view of the ice was excellent tonight.
Power Play - Chicago had a huge chance to tie the game when Vancouver took 2 penalties in the first 1:30 of the 3rd period. Other than a point blank chance that Kopecky couldn't life, the Hawks did not generate a lot of good chances on the man advantage.
THE UGLY
Please enjoy John Scott killing Kevin Westgarth:
Instead we got a relatively drab affair. Defense seemed to be the order of the day, whether it was the Hawks clamping down in their own zone early on, or Vancouver dropping back into the neutral zone trap after they had the lead. The crowd never seemed to get pulled into the game (I know I wasn't) and Vancouver exploited enough Hawks mistakes to win 3-0.
THE GOOD
Roberto Luongo - I hate to do it, but Bobby Lu showed up big time tonight. The Hawks outshout the Canucks nearly 2-1, but Roberto made all the saves. Probably his best came on a Patrick Sharp breakaway in which he did not give a rebound as Jack Skille stood waiting for one.
Team Defense - The Hawks were good in their own zone tonight. Seemed like every time a Canuck got the puck within striking distance of the goal, he was checked by one or two Blackhawks.
THE BAD
Tomas Kopecky - tough game for Kopecky tonight. He flubbed a couple of prime chances and took a bad penalty that resulted in Vancouver's second goal.
Lack of Traffic - Luongo was extremely comfortable in his crease because the Hawks simply did not get enough bodies to the net. A goalie like Roberto is going to make saves when he can see the puck, and his view of the ice was excellent tonight.
Power Play - Chicago had a huge chance to tie the game when Vancouver took 2 penalties in the first 1:30 of the 3rd period. Other than a point blank chance that Kopecky couldn't life, the Hawks did not generate a lot of good chances on the man advantage.
THE UGLY
Please enjoy John Scott killing Kevin Westgarth:
Posted by CT at 12/4/2010 8:12 AM 
Categories: Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks, Friday Night Fights
Tags: Blackhawks Canucks Friday Night Fights
Categories: Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Blackhawks, Friday Night Fights
Tags: Blackhawks Canucks Friday Night Fights
Not a lot to dislike about the Hawks' play during this game, but as you said, a very small margin for error....from either side.
IMO the chances the Hawks had in the first and didn't convert were the difference. Had they done so, Luongo would not have gained the confidence he had tc be so effective in the 2nd and 3rd.
This game was not unlike the two the Hawks lost at the UC against the Nucks back in May during the playoffs (1-4 and 1-5 losses).
Ryan Kesler did an outstanding job against Toews, and Manny Malhotra, an underrated guy, won 73% of his draws.
The Hawks were good defensively, but this is where they miss Hossa (and Pisani). And all the guys who are now playing for other teams...especially Andrew Ladd.
Kopecky is, at least, giving 100% (though his bad penalties are still infuriating); on the other hand, Brouwer has to keep elevating his game, which he did not on this night.
Brian Bickell, Jack Skille and John Scott are not yet adequate replacements for the departed forwards.
Jeremy Morin had another strong showing.
Marty Turco played very well, and he couldn't be blamed for any of the goals, the first one being a broken play and the second a bazooka blast. The third one was just what happened because the Hawks were pressing late.
If anything positive comes out of this one, it's that there were plenty of things to learn from losing it.
And it starts with, as CT says, getting consistent traffic in front of the other guy's goalie, even if it means a broken nose and some busted teeth.
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...and the Nucks evidently don't miss Darcy Hordichuk and Shane O'Brien.
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It did seem like the Hawks controlled play especially early. Looked like their plan was to get shots on goal and get rebounds, which seemed to really help Lou settle in because a lot of the far out shots were easy saves and when he did kick or drop one only Vanny guys around. Oh well can't win em all. I wonder upon a star what would have happened if Q,despite his nature, would have said "The lines are winning the battles, I don't have to outcoach Dickhead over there, we're going to win this mother straight on". Unfortunately he'll never let a low scoring game go without having to show his line genius so I just have to keep wondering.
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