NO GOAL! Blackhawks 5, Blue Jackets 2
The Blackhawks saw the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets come to the United Center on Saturday night with both teams starting their backup goaltenders in Ray Emery and Allen York, who does not like to be called Peppermint Patty. I never actually heard him confirm that but it's safe to assume it's true. The Blackhawks were coming off of their worst performance of the season against Carolina losing 3-0 while the Blue Jackets are easily one of, if not the worst team in the NHL. OK fine, they're the worst. Really bad. At some point in his career Rick Nash needs to just say, "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!"
This game had all the makings of Halloween weekend as both tricks and treats were regular occurrences. I've never seen a game that had four goals disallowed but this was the case this evening. Despite three of those being taken away from the Blackhawks, the referees were correct on every single instance. Kudos to them. Let's get to the Good, the Bad and the John Scott, I mean Ugly.
THE GOOD:
Duncan Keith played the part of Arthur Digby Sellers soaking up the bulk of the minutes tonight for the Blackhawks. I'm starting to wonder if Joel Quenneville is rotating who his first pair is night in and night out to keep everyone a little fresher for the stretch run. If anything, that's one of the positives of having Keith and Brent Seabrook on different pairs.
Viktor Stalberg, who I have cursed and ridiculed at length, especially this week decided to do his best to make me look like a regular Mike Milbury. He scored two goals, which gave the Hawks a lead they would not relinquish, in quick succession which led to much eating of crow. That said, he quickly returned to the Stalberg of old blowing two good chances shortly thereafter. He played with Toews and Brunette tonight and it's hard not to think he benefitted a little bit from that. Good on him for taking advantage of his situation but as it was mentioned, even Jack Skille had a couple two goal games last season. So keep your pants on.
I thought Nick Leddy had a solid game as Keith's partner and had two points to show for his efforts. Marcus Kruger was also looking much more confident on the puck, drawing a penalty and scoring his first goal in the NHL off of a Barbados Slim slapshot that was left as a juicy rebound. Dave Bolland scored a nifty shorthanded goal on a breakaway that saw him get hauled down and still put the patty past York.
THE BAD:
A lot of silly penalties tonight for Chicago meant they'd get a chance to show off their great penalty killing unit and that is exactly what they did. It still doesn't excuse the lazy trips and hooks. Cut that shit out. Niklas Hjalmarsson's blow out led to the Blue Jackets' tying goal in the second period which I'm sure is a moment he'd like to forget. I'd also like to point out that Viktor Stalberg is still a pretty bad hockey player and you should remember that forever.
THE UGLY:
I noticed our friends in the UC house band Taint Nugget made an appearance on the WGN telecast tonight. It's nice to see they're still getting their few minutes of belting out horribly executed covers of Smells Like Teen Spirit every night at the United Center but please stop. I'm sure someone can book each of these guys at a Potbelly's instead and we can all get on with our lives.
Rick Nash is just wasting his career. Michael Frolik outworked Nash at the death to poke an empty netter in which sealed the game for the Blackhawks. It seemed to be a moment that summed up Nash's career so far. He's super talented but he's been the one guy for years and it's got to weigh on him. I know people got excited when Columbus acquired Jeff Carter and I'm sure they'll be a little bit better when he gets healthy but this team has sucked horse penis almost exclusively since their inception. This year is no different. They had James "Jordin Tootoo ended my season" Wisniewski on the ice for over half an hour. It was almost as if Scott Arniel was taunting general manager Scott Howson saying, "This is what you paid for now you will WATCH IT."
Also, John Scott dressed tonight in lieu of the suspended Daniel Carcillo and played for a minute and forty-four seconds. This continues to baffle everyone from fans to beat writers. I realize someone has to be the last guy on the bench but the Hawks have better options. Rotislav Olesz is a better option. The chunk of fat at the bottom of a can of Dinty Moore beef stew molded into the shape of a hockey player is a better option.
Up next, the Hawks take on the Nashville Predators at the United Center on Halloween proper. I'll be there and you should watch it. Go Hawks.
Posted by Slaky at 10/29/2011 10:58 PM 
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks Duncan Keith Viktor Stalberg Columbus Blue Jackets Rick Nash
Categories: Game Recap
Tags: Chicago Blackhawks Duncan Keith Viktor Stalberg Columbus Blue Jackets Rick Nash
Vic Stal made the good and the bad, but was too pretty for the ugly?
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