Last time I blogged, the Blackhawks were coming off a tough loss to Vancouver, but they showed flashes of what made them great last year. So as most Hawk fans became excited in thinking they might have figured out their game again and we could of possibly been primed for a run. They went to Calgary after Vancouver and just laid an egg. Granted, Calgary has been on fire, but they are not on the same talent level as the Hawks and we have had great success in the "Dome" and against Kippursoff. Calgary played a real solid game and won 3-1. It was a tough loss in that we could only muster one goal against Kippursoff who the Hawks have had so much success against and along with that, they did not play with the fury and energy they had against the Canucks.
Two days after that, the Blackhawks traveled to Edmonton to face the young and lowly Oilers. As expected, the Blackhawks beat them soundly 4-1. Not much to comment on this other than that they split the season series with Edmonton 2-2 losing both games at home earlier in the season. They should of taken at least 7 from them, but would of, could of, should of is for losers. At least they won this game at this point in the season.
They then made the long flight to Dallas for the Friday night tilt against the Pacific Division leading Stars. The Blackhawks opened up the first period with arguably their best period of the year. They scored 3 goals in 9 shots and allowed 5 shots. Patrick Kane had 3 points (1 G & 2 A) Sharp and Seabrook had the other 2 goals with Toews adding 2 helpers. You couldn't of asked for a better first period on the road against a strong team...but hockey is 3 periods, not one. Even though the score was still 3-0 most of the second, the Stars began gaining confidence in their play and when Robidas scored with 4 minutes left in the 2nd, the Stars got a breath of life and the Hawks were treading water hard. A late goaltender interference on Brouwer gave the Stars to pull the game within one and they scored that goal with 4 seconds left in the period. The Hawks have developed a bad habit of allowing late goals in periods and this was perhaps the worst of the season. Now the Stars had 20 minutes to at least tie the game and they had the Hawks on their heels. Just when things couldn't have been going anymore wrong for the Hawks, Brendan Morrow scored 47 seconds into the 3rd period. Now that wonderful first period went completely to waste and we had ourselves a game. Both teams battled the rest of the third to a scoreless tie and 5 minutes in OT couldn't solve the game so a shootout was the only thing left. Jesse Rogers on ESPN Chicago said (probably as a half joke) that Coach Q should of put Crawford in for the shootout (Turco played in his first game back to Dallas). Crawford probably would of given the Hawks a better chance. Toews scored on the first attempt for the Hawks, but Dallas scored on all three and ended the game. It was a very disappointing 1 point earned and what made it worse was Turco's homecoming being ruined. The guys played hard for him, but the same mistakes keep being repeated by the Hawks. On a different tune, the Dallas Stars gave Turco a very positive and warm reception. Turco gave them many solid years and most importantly, Turco is a good person.
So after a very tough loss on Friday, they had to fly to Phoenix to play the Coyotes Saturday night. It looked like the Hawks were gassed and Pisani, Stalberg and Johnson got banged up against the Stars, so Coach Q only had to work with 9 forwards in the 3rd period of the Stars game so they guys were most likely a little bit tired, but in a bit of a surprise, the Hawks started out the game against the Coyotes playing very solid. They were creating scoring chances and pressuring the Coyotes into sloppy passing and they never allowed the Coyotes to develop any rhythm. For the first 13 minutes of the first period, the Hawks were the aggressors and were creating scoring chances. Unfortunately, they couldn't capitalize and with a combination of a great transition/Hawks not being in perfect position, Vrbata, scored a beautiful breakaway goal on Crawford. The Hawks were able to hold on to be down a goal after one, but for the second game in a row, they allowed an early in the second when Pyatt scored. Now down two, the Hawks had their backs against the wall and for the first time in a long time, they clawed their way back. Browuer scored a PP goal with just under 7 minutes left in the second and the Hawks had life. They clamped down defensively from there on out lead by Duncan Keith who is really starting play the way we have become accustomed to seeing. His positioning has been much better which I also think has to do with the fact he isn't on the ice for about half the game. He and Leddy have been sharing the ice together and Leddy has been very solid for only being 19 years old. In the third, the Hawks were solid and Crawford was making some great saves, but they were still down one until we got a PP with just over 5 minutes left. Within a few seconds of getting that PP, Duncan Keith hit a screaming bullet between Bryzgalov's legs and just like that the Hawks made a comeback to tie a game late! Now for once, late in a game, we were the aggressors and the Coyotes were on their heels. We generated a few chances, but Bryzgalov was rock solid and the game went into OT. There were a few shots for both teams, but none better when Kane missed a golden opportunity on an all alone breakaway. I do not question anything that Patrick Kane can do with the puck, but I thought at least we would of had Bryzgalov moving side to side and what many people didn't realize was that Sharp was trailing right behind Kane. Kane could of forced Bryzgalov to commit to one him which then would of setup an easy goal for Sharp, but like I said, I will not question Patrick Kane on the decision he made. It was a coin flip between great player and great goalie and the goalie won in that battle. Unfortunately for the second night in a row, we lost in a shootout, but this time we couldn't score a goal. Crawford only allowed one goal to Vrbata and we had a chance to tie it in the third frame, but Hossa couldn't make it happen. Some have questioned why Sharp wasn't out there, but Hossa is completely capable of scoring goals. He just didn't score there.
So 2's were wild on the 6 game road trip. 2-2-2 was the record. 6 points was the bear minimum required to hold ground, but it really wasn't pretty. This week, the Blackhawks have three games at home against the Wild, Blue Jackets, and Penguins. I'd like to see 5 points out of this week. The Wild and Blue Jackets aren't better than the Hawks and the Penguins are losing players for every reason possible. Now would be a good time to make a move in the standings.
Western Conference Standings as of 2-14-11
1. Vancouver 81 (4 pt week)
2. Detroit 74 (6 pt week)
3. Dallas 68 (3 pt week)
4. Anaheim 68 (6 pt week)
5. Nashville 67 (4 pt week)
6. Phoenix 67 (6 pt week)
7. San Jose 66 (4 pt week)
8. Minnesota 65 (6 pt week)
9. Los Angeles 65 (5 pt week)
10. Calgary 64 (5 pt week)
11. BLACKHAWKS 62 (4 pt week)
12. Columbus 61 (6 pt week)
13. St. Louis 57 (3 pt week)
14. Colorado 56 (0 pt week)
15. Edmonton 40 (2 pt week)
HOT: Phoenix, Columbus, Minnesota, Anaheim, Detroit all with 6 points
NOT: Edmonton (2 points), Colorado (0 points), St. Louis (3 points), Dallas (3 points)
Another big story for the Blackhawks this past week was Jack Skille being traded for Michael Frolik. The Hawks also traded prospects Hugh Jessiman and David Pacan and received Alexander Salak. Skille hasn't seen much time at all lately being a wing on a team of many wings he was also drafted by Dale Tallon. Even though Frolik prefers to play wing, he does have some experience at center and the Hawks have been fighting depth issues on the dot. Both Skille and Frolik have been considered underachievers, but Frolik scored 21 goals in his first 2 seasons and 50 overall (8 this season) so hopefully he can find the back of the net more often now that he is wearing the Indian Head Sweater. He has been seen on the same line with Hossa and Kopecky with Kopecky playing center.
In other business news, Stan Bowman has said he plans on extending Seabrook and he is looking for another defenseman. Should be interesting to see what unfolds over the next few weeks.
In other trade news, former Blackhawks hero Kris Versteeg was dealt to the Flyers today for a 1st and 3rd round pick. Not bad considering Toronto is going nowhere and Philly has established themselves as a strong candidate for the Cup.
Every game matters and every point counts. We are due for some points. We need to get this train moving!
COMMIT TO THE INDIAN!!!
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