Friday, December 30, 2011

Hawks Edge Wings 3-2 Behind Monster Games By Toews and Hossa



The Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Friday night in front of a rabid United Center crowd.  Things got off to a rocking start in the first period with Dan Carcillo absolutely destroying Todd Bertuzzi with the hit of the year for the Hawks so far.  Bertuzzi would take offense and Carcillo would answer the bell getting the better of the fisticuffs.  Both would go for 5 minutes and the game was on. 




Detroit would draw first blood on a play that Patrick Kane was late on the back check and it was Justin Abdelkader beating Corey Crawford to give the Red Wings a 1-0 lead.  The Hawk would strike back when Jonathan Toews was hooked on a clean breakaway by Nicklas Lidstrom and was awarded a penalty shot.  Toews beat Jimmy Howard with his signature penalty shot 5 hole move and the game was tied at 1 goal apiece.  But at 5:25 of the second period Detroit would retake the lead when a Jonathan Ericsson shot deflected off of Todd Bertuzzi and in for a 2-1 Wings advantage.  Just 2 minutes later it was Marian Hossa with a rocket of a slap shot beating Jimmy Howard to tie the game.  Just 1:52 into the third period, the Hawks took their first lead of the game in what proved to be the game winning goal with Brent Seabrook launching a rocket from the point that beat Howard and gave the Hawks a 3-2 lead.  The Hawks would fail to convert on three third period power plays but hung on to win the first meeting of the year with the Red Wings.  Chicago improved to 24-10-4 on the year and 14-3-3 on home ice.  More importantly the Hawks opened up a 5 point lead in the Central Division standings on Detroit.  The Hawks will skate next Monday night against the upstart Edmonton Oilers.  Chicago is 1-1-0 on the year against Edmonton.     

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Hawks Blanked By Kings Host Wings Friday Night 12/30/11



The Chicago Blackhawks were blanked by the Los Angeles Kings 2-0 on Wednesday night at United Center.  Jonathan Quick stopped all 38 Hawks shots to earn his league leading 5th shutout of the season.  Jarret Stoll and Trent Hunter scored for the Kings who won their second in a row.  Corey Crawford stopped 36 of 38 Kings shots in the loss.  It was the first regulation loss for the Hawks against the Kings in 12 meetings.  The Hawks were 10-0-1 against the Kings in their last 11 meetings.  The Hawks still have two remaining contests with Los Angeles this season and won’t meet again until February 25th. 

Chicago sent Brandon Pirri back to Rockford on Thursday and recalled right wing Jimmy Hayes in preparation for Friday night’s first meeting of the season with the Central Division rival Red Wings.  According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune Jimmy Hayes was quoted as saying “It’s a dream come true.  It’s what I worked for my whole life.”  Hayes is expected to make his NHL debut on Friday night.  Marcus Kruger is listed as out and is still not skating.  Dan Carcillo will make his return to the lineup on Friday night.  Patrick Kane was centering the second line in practice on Thursday morning.  Coach Joel Quenneville will reportedly not be fined for his criticism of the officiating in Wednesday night’s loss. 




The Hawks will head into Friday night’s game with Detroit with 50 points, just 3 more than the Red Wings who have played one less game.  Chicago will see the Red Wings 6 times between Friday and the end of the regular season and these games will go a long way to determining the Central Division Champion.  The Hawks were 4-2-0 against the Wings last season but the two losses came on home ice as the Hawks were just 1-2-0 on United Center ice against Detroit last season.  The Hawks will bring a 13-3-3 home record into Friday night’s big game.  The Wings are just 9-10-0 on the road this season.  Marian Hossa leads the Indian Head Sweaters with 40 points.  He will look to improve upon that total against his former team.  Jonathan Toews has a team high 20 goals.  Corey Crawford will start again Friday night for the fourth straight game.  For the Wings, Pavel Datsyuk leads the way with 38 points.  Johan Franzen has a team high 14 goals.  Expect Jimmy Howard to be between the pipes for the Wings.  


   

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Kings @ Blackhawks 12/28/11 Preview



The National Hockey League leading Chicago Blackhawks (23-9-4) will take on the Los Angeles Kings (17-14-5) at United Center on Wednesday night.  This will be the  2nd of four meetings with the Kings this season and the first on home ice.  Chicago beat the Kings 2-1 in November during the Circus Trip at Staples Center.  Jonathan Toews and Andrew Brunette scored for Chicago while Jarret Stoll had the only Kings goal.  Corey Crawford stopped 26 of 27 shots to earn the victory.  Crawford will get the nod for the third straight game on Wednesday night.  Marian Hossa leads the Hawks in scoring with 40 points and Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp lead Chicago in goals with 20 and 19 each.  For the Kings, Anze Kopitar leads the team in scoring with 34 points.  Off season acquisition Mike Richards has a team high 13 goals.  Chicago won both meetings with the Kings at United Center last season and were 4-0-0 overall in the season series.  The Hawks come in winners of two in a row and 8 of 10.  The Kings are 4-5-1 in their last 10.  Patrick Kane (flu), Marcus Kruger (upper body), and Steve Montador  all missed practice on Tuesday.  Coach Quenneville was non-committal as to if Kane and Kruger will be available Wednesday night.  Montador was called a maintenance day and should play Wednesday night.  One would have to think Kane will go but Kruger is a big question mark absorbing multiple big hits on Monday night coming back from a concussion last week.    

Update:  In Wednesday's morning skate Patrick Kane and Dan Carcillo were on the ice but Marcus Kruger and Steve Montador were not. 

Update 2:  Per Coach Q Marcus Kruger and Dan Carcillo are out Wednesday night.  Steve Montador will play despite not skating Wednesday morning.  The Hawks are targeting Friday night for Carcillo to make his return to the lineup. 

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas, Hawks Beat Jackets 4-1



The National Hockey League leading Chicago Blackhawks took on the league worst Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at United Center.  Corey Crawford got his second start in a row in net for the Hawks after missing two weeks while trying to find his game.  Marcus Kruger returned to the lineup after being injured last Tuesday against the Penguins.  Dan Carcillo remained out of the line up with an “upper body” injury. Rockford call up Brandon Pirri was in the lineup, and John Scott and Sami Lepisto were the healthy scratches for the Blackhawks. 

The start was sloppy after 4 days off for Christmas but the Hawks got the first power play of the game early.  Antoine Vermette went off for hooking at 2:44.  Columbus killed the penalty but Rick Nash took a dumb penalty in front of the Hawks bench after a Marcus Kruger hit he turned around and punched him in the back of the head and the Hawks went right back to the power play on the roughing call.  The Hawks failed to cash in on the power play.  Corey Crawford made a key save on a great scoring chance by R.J. Umberger to keep the game scoreless.  Brent Seabrook went off for cross checking at 17:12.  Patrick Sharp had a great chance shorthanded but ripped one off cross bar.  The Hawks killed the penalty.  The Christmas hangover was well apparent in the first as the game was rather sloppy.  Columbus outshot the Hawks 13-5 in the first period of play in the scoreless first period.

A minute into the second period a pass just missed Jonathan Toews or he would have been gone a clean breakaway.  Patrick Sharp got the Hawks on the board with his 19th goal of the season at 4:48 of the second period off a feed from Marian Hossa.  Big Hoss now has points in 8 straight games.  Viktor Stalberg made it 2-0 getting his own rebound and burying it by Steve Mason.  Stalberg continued the scoring at 15:48 with his second goal of the period beating Mason for a 3-0 Hawks lead.  Crawford made a huge save with under a minute to go in the period to keep the Hawks ahead 3-0 after two.  Chicago outshot the Blue Jackets 12-11 in the second period.



Former Hawk James Wisniewski put home a rebound at 3:09 of the third.  Crawford robbed Rick Nash shortly after and pounced on the rebound with a closing Umberger in pursuit.  The Hawks took a penalty at 4:56 and the Blue Jackets went to the power play.  Duncan Keith went off for tripping.  Chicago got a much needed penalty kill after an awful start to the third period that saw the Jackets all over them.  Patrick Kane stole one and nearly made it 4-1 Hawks with just over 9 minutes gone by but Mason shut the door to keep Columbus down two.  The shot was just the first of the period for Chicago.  The Hawks got a late third period power play when Vinny Prospal shot the puck into the crowd for a delay of game penalty.  After a horrible third period the Hawks found themselves with a golden opportunity to ice the game.  Tic Tac Toe Andrew Brunette to Dave Bolland to Marian Hossa and Big Hoss smoked Mason with a one timer for a 4-1 Chicago lead on the power play at 15:45.  Chicago was outshot 14-5 in the third period of play and 38-22 for the game but won the stat that counted 4-1.      

The Blackhawks improved to 23-9-4 on the year and 13-2-3 on home ice.  The Hawks 50 points leads the National Hockey League.  The Hawks will host the Kings on Wednesday night.  


  

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks Preview 12/26/11



The Chicago Blackhawks (22-9-4) will host the bottom feeding Columbus Blue Jackets (9-21-4) at United Center on Monday night.  The Hawks have won 8 of their last 10 and are coming off a 5-1 whipping of the Montreal Canadiens prior to the Christmas break.  This will be the 3rd of 6 meeting with the Central Division Blue Jackets this season.  The Hawks beat the Jackets 5-2 at home in October and 6-3 in Columbus in November.  Chicago was 1-2-0 against Columbus at home last season and 4-2-0 overall.  The Hawks come in as the NHL’s best team and will look to continue on a very hot December.  Marian Hossa leads the Hawks in scoring with 38 points.  Captain Serious Jonathan Toews leads the team with 20 goals on the season and is an early season favorite for the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.  For the Jackets Vinny Prospal leads the way with 27 points.  Rick Nash and off season acquisition Jeff Carter lead the way with 10 goals apiece.  The last place in the Western Conference Blue Jackets are just 3-11-2 on the road this season.  The Hawks will look to put away the Jackets early in what should be a mismatch.  The Hawks will have 4 days off heading into this game so hopefully rust will not be a factor.    Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Blackhawks Rock Canadiens 5-1 Before Christmas Break



The Habs of Montréal invaded United Center on Wednesday night in a battle of Original Six franchises.  Injured Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari were in the house for the game if anyone cares.  The game marked the only meeting between the Canadiens and Blackhawks this season.  Corey Crawford was back in goal for the first time in two weeks for the Hawks after Ray Emery played the last 7 games going 5-1-1.  For the Habs, Peter Budaj got the nod in goal.  Scratches for the Blackhawks were Marcus Kruger who was injured by a dirty elbow on Tuesday night, Sami Lepisto, and John Scott.  Pittsburgh’s Deryk Engelland has a Thursday hearing with the NHL regarding the elbow on Kruger.  Dan Carcillo was put on injured reserve today with a head injury.  Rockford call up Brandon Pirri was in the lineup for the Hawks.  Pirri is Rockford’s leading scorer on the year and he is in the top ten in American Hockey League scoring. 

The Hawks came out with a lot of energy and had some good chances early in a fast moving first period of play.  Recent Rockford call up Jeremy Morin had the best early chance for the Hawks.  Corey Crawford made a good save early on Michael Cammalleri from point blank range in his first action in two weeks.  Duncan Keith ripped one off the post just before the Cammalleri chance and the game remained scoreless.  Montréal got a late power play when Viktor Stalberg went off for hooking at 16:56.  The Hawks penalty killers were up to the task and the game remained 0-0 after one period of play.  Shots were an even 7 apiece in the first.

Chicago got an early power play when the Canadiens shot the puck into the crowd for delay of game.  The Hawks couldn’t get much going and the Habs killed the penalty.  The Hawks got a penalty shortly after when Michael Frolik ran into Budaj and was whistled for goaltender interference at 4:42.  The Canadiens cashed in on the power play with Andrei Kostitsyn tipped a shot off the post and in for a 1-0 Habs lead.  Viktor Stalberg drew a penalty when Michael Blunden hooked him coming through the neutral zone at 8:15.  The Hawks couldn’t establish any puck possession zone time and the Canadiens killed the penalty.  The Hawks finally got some good puck movement in the offensive zone and Andrew Brunette made the Habs pay throwing a backhand off a Canadiens defenseman to tie the game at 1-1.  The goal was credited to Jonathan Toews who was in the area at the time.  Just 21 seconds later, Patrick Sharp and Brandon Pirri on a 2 on 1 and Patrick Sharp ripped one by Budaj for a 2-1 Hawks lead.  Corey Crawford made a spectacular save with just over 6 minutes to go in the second to keep the Hawks in the lead.  The Canadiens got a late power play when Patrick Kane went off for high sticking at 18:39 of the second.  The Hawks killed off the remaining time in period number two.  Shots were 12-11 Chicago in the second period. 




Montréal had 39 seconds of power play time remaining to start the third period.  The Hawks killed the remaining power play time and continued to lead 2-1.  Marian Hossa had a great chance from the slot early but it deflected up and over the net and out of play.  Crawford made a huge save on Erik Cole on a partial breakaway to keep the Hawks ahead a little over 4 minutes into the third.  At 10:29 of the third it was Viktor Stalberg putting a rocket by Budaj off a sweet feed from Bryan Bickell for a 3-1 Hawks lead.  3 minutes later Toews and Kane off a steal had a 2 on 1 break but Toews couldn’t quite get a shot off and it remained 3-1 Hawks.  The Habs pulled Budaj with 90 seconds to play.  Jonathan Toews dented the empty net to give the Hawks a 4-1 lead.  Bryan Bickell got a late goal with 11.8 seconds to play on a 2 on 1 break with Viktor Stalberg on a play the Canadiens quit on.  The Hawks outshot the Habs 9-3 in the third period.  

The Hawks improved to a National Hockey League leading 22-9-4 record after a solid 60 minute effort.  Chicago is now a superb 12-2-3 on home ice.  The Hawks will have the next 4 days off for the Christmas holiday and will host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night at United Center.  Corey Crawford had a solid return to the net allowing just 1 goal on 20 shots to earn the win against his hometown team.   


         

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Hawks Can't Overcome Refs, Lose 3-2 After Furious 3rd Period



The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Steel City on Tuesday night in a nationally televised game on Versus.  Brent Seabrook returned to the lineup after leaving Sunday night’s game against Calgary after taking a hit from behind from Rene Borque and going head first into the glass.  Borque was suspended two games for the hit.  Ray Emery got the start in net for the Blackhawks and Marc-Andre Fleury got the nod for the Penguins.  Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto were scratches for the Hawks along with Dan Carcillo who didn’t make the trip.

Chicago came out flying and had 3 good early scoring chances including a Michael Frolik backhand off the crossbar.  Pittsburgh got the game’s first power play when Nick Leddy went off for interference at 6:11.  The Blackhawks nearly scored shorthanded as they came on a 3 on 2 breakaway with a big shot from Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews nearly put in the rebound.  The Hawks killed the penalty and did not allow a shot on the Pittsburgh man advantage.  Shortly after, Marcus Kruger took a vicious elbow that John Scott took offense to and pounded in Deryk Engelland’s face.  The zebras missed the elbow but called Scott for instigating and Pittsburgh went back to the power play.  Scott also got a 10 minute misconduct. 






Chris Kunitz cashed in on the power play and it was 1-0 Penguins.  Pittsburgh got another power play when Patrick Kane went off for hooking.  The Hawks killed the third Pittsburgh power play of the period.  The Hawks got a late power play when Jason Williams went off for tripping.  The Penguins outshot the Hawks 13-10 in the period.

The Hawks had just over 30 seconds of carryover time to start the second period which the Penguins killed.  Marcus Kruger did not return for the second period after the dirty hit in the first.  James Neal made it 2-0 Pittsburgh at 2:45 on a 2 on 1 break beating Emery.  Shortly after, Patrick Kane went off again for hooking.  Chicago killed the fourth Pittsburgh power play of the night.  The Penguins would get a fifth power play because every time Malkin touched the puck the zebras felt obliged to call something.  This time it was Dave Bolland going off for hooking.  The power play was nullified on another dirty Penguins hit when James Neal left his feet to make a hit on Duncan Keith.  Pittsburgh killed the shortened Hawks power play and it remained 2-0 Penguins.  After the power play time expired Bryan Bickell got Malkin with a high stick and Pittsburgh went on their 6th power play of the game.  Bickell was given an extra 2 minutes because Malkin was cut on the play.  Pittsburgh took a penalty for cross checking Seabrook.  James Neal was the dirty Penguin again.  Penalty came at 16:15 of the third.  Tyler Kennedy scored in 4 on 4 hockey to make it 3-0 Penguins.  The Hawks killed off the remaining power play time.  The Penguins outshot Chicago 11-9 in the second period.

Viktor Stalberg got the Hawks on the board less than a minute into the third period to cut the lead to 3-1.  Jonathan Toews was later credited with the goal.  The referees missed a high stick on Andrew Brunette and you think in a game that power plays are 7-1 the Hawks could get a bone!  The Hawks like a team possessed by the bad officiating made it 3-2 early in the third.  The goal was scored by Viktor Stalberg at 6:12.  Stalberg ripped one off the right post minutes later and the game remained 3-2.  Stalberg hit the post again with under 4 minutes to play.  The Hawks FINALLY got a power play with under 2 minutes to play when Patrick Kane was blatantly hauled down by James Neal at 18:31.  Coach Quenneville pulled Emery for the power play to give the Hawks a 6 on 4.  The Hawks had their chances but couldn’t dent Fleury.  Chicago outshot Pittsburgh 19-4 in the third period.

Not much to say after this one other than 7-2 power play disadvantage didn’t help at all.  The Hawks will return home and play Montreal tomorrow night.                

Monday, December 19, 2011

Hawks @ Penguins 12/20/11 Preview



The Chicago Blackhawks (21-8-4) will take on the high flying Pittsburgh Penguins (18-11-4) on Tuesday night in the Steel City in a nationally televised game on Versus.  It will be the only meeting of the season with the Penguins.  The Hawks have won a season high 5 straight games and have not lost in regulation since November 29.  Marian Hossa leads the streaking Blackhawks with 36 points and Jonathan Toews has a team high 18 goals.  Patrick Sharp who has been on fire of late has 17 goals and 18 assists on the year.  Dan Carcillo and Brent Seabrook are questionable with “upper body” injuries.  Carcillo was injured in the third period of the Minnesota game last week by a cheap shot and has missed the last two games.  Seabrook was injured on a dirty hit from behind against Calgary last night by Rene Bourque.  Bourque has a disciplinary hearing set with the league for Monday afternoon.  The Hawks will likely be cautious with Seabrook who has a history of concussions.  Chicago won the only meeting with Pittsburgh last season in a 3-2 shootout victory at United Center.  Patrick Sharp and Bryan Bickell tallied for the Hawks and Patrick Kane added the shootout winner. 




Update:  Brent Seabrook flew to Pittsburgh with the Hawks on Monday afternoon but Dan Carcillo did not make the trip. 

Update 2:  Calgary Flames forward Rene Borque was given a two game supsension for Sunday night's illegal hit on Brent Seabrook.  See the link below for NHL Director of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan's explanation:  


Update 3:  According to Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune, Brent Seabrook was on the ice for the morning skate at Consol Energy Center Tuesday morning.

Update 4:  Tracey Myers of Comcast Sports Network is reporting on Twitter that Brent Seabrook will be in the lineup Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh comes in battling concussion issues of their own.  Face of the league Sidney Crosby is out indefinitely with concussion like symptoms following a short comeback from missing an entire year with post-concussion syndrome.  Star defenseman Kris Letang has been sidelined since late November with a concussion of his own.  Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins with 36 points, and James Neal has a team high 18 goals.  Pittsburgh is 5-5-0 in their last ten games.  The Penguins won their last game 8-3 after getting beat down 6-4 and 4-1 in their previous two contests.          


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Hawks Beat Flames 4-2, Coach Q Gets Win Number 600



The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Calgary Flames on Sunday night at United Center in front of 21,192 fans in the third of four meetings this season.  Rockford call up Jeremy Morin was in the lineup for Chicago for the first time since November 6, 2010.  Morin suffered a concussion in a game for Rockford last January and didn’t return until October of this year.  Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto were healthy scratches for the Hawks.  Dan Carcillo was also out of the lineup for the second straight game with an “upper body” injury.  The Hawks got a big early hit from Jeremy Morin that got the Hawks going.  Chicago got the first power play of game just over three minutes in.  The Hawks got a couple of chances but Calgary killed the penalty.  Chicago made it 1-0 when Calgary failed to get it out, Steve Montador snuck in from the point to the top of the circles, and blasted one by Mikka Kiprusoff at 9:23.  Calgary got a power play of their own when Marian Hossa went off for high sticking.  The Hawks killed the penalty for their 20th straight kill.  Brent Seabrook took a dangerous hit from former Hawk Rene Bourque when Seabrook ran into the referee and was blindsided by Bourque while facing the boards at an awkward angle.  Hello Brendan Shanahan.  Bourque was assessed a 5 minute major on the play and a game misconduct.  Marcus Kruger drew an interference penalty on the power play that nullified 2 minutes of the Hawks man advantage.  The Hawks failed to convert on the remaining 5 minute penalty time in the first period.  25 seconds remained when the second period started.  The Hawks outshot Calgary 9-3 in the first period.

Calgary killed the remaining 25 seconds of the 5 minute Bourque penalty but the Hawks went right back to the power play when Lee Stempniak went off for slashing.  The Flames killed the penalty.  Brent Seabrook did not return for the second period and was listed as out for the game with an “upper body” injury by the Hawks.  This is not good news with Seabrook’s concussion history.  The Hawks made the Flames pay for some sloppy play in their defensive zone when Niklas Hjalmarsson ripped one on net from the point that dribbled through Kiprusoff for a 2-0 Hawks lead at 5:15 of the second.  The Hawks got another power play late in the second when Jonathan Toews was hauled down in the corner.  Chris Butler went to the box for tripping and the Hawks went back to the man advantage.  On a fast developing play off a faceoff win from Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane made it 3-0 when he beat Kiprusoff like a rented mule from the top of the circle.  Cue Chelsea Dagger.  The Flames got a late power play of their own shortly later when Dave Bolland went off for tripping.  The Hawks killed the penalty to remain perfect in the last 7 games on the penalty kill.  Shots were 8 apiece for the second period.

Ray Emery made a huge save to start the third period to keep the shutout bid intact.  Right after Bryan Bickell took a huge hit from Cory Sarich.  Bickell tracked down Sarich with the intent to fight and the mittens came off.  Sarich got the better of the scrap and Bickell got an extra two minutes for instigating and a ten minute misconduct.  Not exactly a smart decision up 3-0.  Olli Jokinen had a good chance on the power play but Emery said no.  Jokinen got the better of Emery later in the man advantage and made it a 3-1 game with a screen from Jarome Iginla.  It was the first goal allowed by the Blackhawks on an opponent’s power play in 22 chances.  On a cheap hit on Patrick Kane in front of the net the Flames got another penalty.  They called T.J. Brodie for high sticking on the play.  Mikka Kiprusoff robbed Patrick Sharp on the power play with a nice glove save.  The Hawks got a two man advantage when Jarome Iginla got a bench minor for whining on the bench.  Marian Hossa made the Flames pay for their whining with a two man advantage goal for a 4-1 Hawks lead.  The Hawks continued on the power play 5 on 4.  The Flames killed that penalty that was assessed to Brent Sutter for yapping at the official.   The Flames would get a late power play with about 3 minutes left.  Curtis Glencross quickly made it 4-2 as he popped the water bottle left open in front.  The goal was at 16:25 of the third period.  The Hawks would be short again when Michael Frolik went off for tripping.  Chicago killed the power play and Calgary pulled Mikka Kiprusoff.  The Hawks finished off the Flames for a 4-2 win and Coach Joel Quenneville’s 600th career win.

Chicago improved to a National Hockey League leading 21-8-4 and 11-2-3 on home ice.  The Hawks will play the high flying Penguins in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.  Coach Q, fresh off his 600th career victory, said after the game that Seabrook seems ok and he hopes he makes the trip to Pittsburgh.  



        

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Flames @ Blackhawks 12/18/11 Preview



The National Hockey League leading Chicago Blackhawks (20-8-4) will take on the Calgary Flames (14-14-4) on Sunday night at United Center.  It will be the third of four meeting this season and the Hawks are 1-1-0 against Calgary.  The Hawks beat the Flames 4-1 in Chicago on Veteran’s Day but fell to the Flames 5-2 on the Circus Trip in Alberta.  The Hawks come in winners of 4 straight and are 8-1-1 in their last ten contests.  The Flames are 5-2-3 in their last ten and come in with a 6-9-2 road record.  The Hawks are 10-2-3 on home ice.  Olli Jokinen leads the Flames with 25 points and Jarome Iginla has a team high 12 goals.  Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, and Jonathan Toews are all tied with 34 points apiece.  Toews has a team high 18 goals for Chicago.  The Hawks won both meetings in Chicago last year and look to do the same this year.  The Hawks penalty killing unit has been hot as of late not allowing a goal in 6 straight games after being awful in November.  Ray Emery has started the last four games and is 4-0 during that stretch.  Coach Quenneville will start Emery again Sunday night.  Coach Q won his 599th NHL game behind the bench on Friday night and will be looking for win number 600 on Sunday night.  Dan Carcillo did not skate Saturday morning and is questionable for Sunday.  Ben Smith was sent back to Rockford but might be recalled if Carcillo can't go. 




Friday, December 16, 2011

Hawks Shoot Down Ducks, Win 4-1



The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night at United Center.  Dan Carcillo was out of the lineup with a concussion.  Ray Emery got the start in net for the Blackhawks.  Jonas Hiller got the nod for the Ducks.  Duncan Keith went off just 1:14 in for tripping Corey Perry behind the Hawks net.  The penalty killing unit, which has been strong of late going perfect on the penalty kill in 5 straight games, got tested early.  The PK was up to task and the Hawks killed the penalty.  Jamal Mayers got the scoring going with a backhand shot off the blocker of Jonas Hiller to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead at 6:37 of the first period.  For Mayers it was his first goal in 24 games.  The Hawks got a very late first period power play that had 46 seconds time carry over to the second period.  The Hawks outshot the Ducks 8-6 in the first period of play. 

The Ducks killed the power play to start the second but a terrible turnover by the Ducks to Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp led to a Big Hoss goal and a 2-0 lead at 1:07 of the second period.  It was Hossa’s 14th goal of the season.  Hossa just missed on a breakaway 6 minutes later that Hiller just turned away.  Hoss got the rebound and nearly put that in too.  Moments later it was John Scott pummeling Sheldon Brookbank.  Scott got 5 for fighting and Brookbank 5 for receiving.  At 8:01 a puck went off Dave Bolland and in but was immediately ruled no goal.  Toronto reviewed it but it was ruled that Bolland made contact with Hiller before the puck crossed the line much to the chagrin of Joel Quenneville and the United Center faithful.  The Ducks then went on the power play with Nick Leddy off for hooking at 8:49.  The Hawks killed the penalty but shortly after took offense to a Bobby Ryan hit.  Jamal Mayers went off for roughing at 11:12 and the Hawks were short again.  The Hawks killed that power play as well.  The Hawks got a late power playoff their own at 17:00 as Ryan Getlaf took a lazy penalty and grabbed the stick of Bryan Bickell.  The Hawks wasted little time as Nick Leddy made a play at the blue line, found Dave Bolland, and Bollie wripped a wicked shot by Hiller for a 3-0 Hawks lead on the power play at 17:19.  The Ducks outshot the Hawks 8-7 but the Hawks won the period 2-0 on the scoreboard.

The Hawks controlled most of the first half of the third period.  At 10:17 Patrick Sharp came in with speed from the blue line, beat a Ducks defender, and buried one top shelf with Hiller going down to give Chicago a commanding 4-0 lead.  Late in the period Jamal Mayers absolutely hammered Cam Fowler and Matt Beleskey took acception.  Beleskey dropped the gloves and Mayers obliged and proceeded to hammer Beleskey in the second one sided fight of the night.  Advantage Hawks 2-0 in Friday night fights.  Chicago got a power play after the fight as Beleskey drew and extra 2 minutes for roughing.  Anaheim killed the penalty and big John Scott just missed putting in a Patrick Kane rebound for the Gordie Howe hat trick.  The Hawks lost the shutout when Jonathan Toews lost the puck trying to exit the zone and Teemu Selanne made the Hawks pay to make it 4-1 late in the third.  The Hawks closed out the remaining time for their 4th straight victory.  



  
With the victory the Hawks improved to 20-8-4 overall and 10-2-3 on home ice.  The 44 points tied the Wild for best record in the National Hockey League.  The Hawks will skate again Sunday night when the Calgary Flames come to town for the second and final time this season.

The three stars of the game were 1 Ray Emery, 2 John Scott, and 3 Jamal Mayers.    






Thursday, December 15, 2011

Hawks Win Battle of West, Beat Wild 4-3 in a Shootout



The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night in St. Paul in a nationally televised battle of the two best teams in the Western Conference.  Ray Emery got the nod in net for the Hawks and Niklas Backstrom manned the pipes for the Wild.  The game got off to a good start for the visitors who outshot the Wild 11-2 in the scoreless and penalty free first period.  Niklas Backstrom was sharp early to keep the Hawks off the board. 

Things got going in the second period early when Dan Carcillo and Brad Staubitz dropped the mittens in what could be the start of the new Minnesota/Chicago rivalry with both teams in the same Conference when the NHL realigns next season.  The two combatants went right to center ice and exchanged knuckle sandwiches.  Staubitz appeared to get the best of Carcillo in that battle but nothing beats a good ole hockey scrap. 



 The Hawks got the first power play of the game when Mikko Koivu went off for tripping at 7:06 of the second.  Patrick Sharp had a golden opportunity with Backstrom down but couldn’t elevate the puck.  The Hawks would then get a two man advantage when Matt Cullen went off for unsportsmanlike conduct at 8:20.  Cullen on a shorthanded break thought he was hooked but it was just a good play by Duncan Keith.  Matt Cullen stated his displeasure from the bench to the referee and was shown the box.  The Hawks called timeout and looked for the lead with 46 seconds of two man advantage time.  The Hawks failed to convert on the two man advantage, but after the first penalty expired, Marian Hossa gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead on the power play at 9:19.  Big Hoss drove hard to the net and slammed home a puck that Patrick Sharp had thrown off Jonathan Toews.  Just 89 seconds later, it was Michael Frolik giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead as he put home a Marcus Kruger pass into a wide open net as the Hawks were coming in numbers.  But the Wild would battle back.  Kyle Brodziak cut the lead to 2-1 at 13:10 when he was left wide open in front of the Hawks net and beat Ray Emery.  The Hawks bench was furious after the goal as the linesman had his hand up for icing and then dropped it late.  Just two and half minutes later it was Matt Cullen avenging his unsportsmanlike penalty and tying the game at 2-2 at 15:41 of the second.  Minnesota caught the Hawks in a change and Cullen and Hawk killer Cal Clutterbuck made Chicago pay with Cullen finishing.  Steve Montador would get a late penalty for high sticking which Chicago would kill.  Shots were 10-10 in the action packed second period. 

Jonathan Toews would give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead early in the third period in a great individual effort Toews stepped out of the corner, side stepped a hit, and beat Backstrom with a wicked wrister at 6:54 of the period.  Dan Carcillo would go off for elbowing at 8:01 but the Hawks penalty killers who have been good in recent games were up to the task again to keep Chicago in the lead 3-2.  But at 14:56 the Wild would strike with Mikko Koivu scoring from the slot on a delayed penalty to tie the game 3-3.  The Wild outshot the Hawks 16-7 in the third period.

In overtime, it was back and forth with both teams exchanging chances.  The Hawks outshot the Wild 3-2 in the scoreless 5 minutes of action.  In the shootout it was Ray Emery stopping Matt Cullen and Danny Heatley.  Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane both scored for Chicago for the shootout victory.  Patrick Kane made about 100 moves on his attempt and completely undressed Nik Backstrom in a highlight reel, Sports Center moment, goal of the year type fashion to seal the victory for the Hawks.  See the goal with the link below:

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=142355

The Blackhawks improved to 19-8-4 overall and 10-6-1 on the road two move within 2 points of the Wild for the best record in the National Hockey League.  Chicago is now 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.  Chicago returns home to play Anaheim on Friday night at United Center.  It will be the third of four meetings against the Ducks this season for the Hawks.  The Hawks have won the first two games against Anaheim who has won just 2 games on the road this season.    






Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Blackhawks @ Wild 12/14/11 Preview



The Chicago Blackhawks (18-8-4) will take on the Minnesota Wild (20-7-3) on Wednesday night in St. Paul, MN in a battle of the two best teams in the Western Conference.  The Hawks come in 9-6-1 on the road and the Wild are 10-4-1 on home ice.  This will be the first of four meetings this season between the Hawks and Wild who will be in the same conference when the National Hockey League realigns next season.  The Hawks were 3-1-0 against the Wild last season and were 2-0-0 in St. Paul.  Ray Emery, 6-1-2 on the season, will start again in goal in place of Corey Crawford.  Jonathan Toews leads the Hawks in points with 32, and goals with 17.  Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Patrick Sharp all have 31 points apiece.  Mikko Koivu leads the Wild with 26 points.  Kyle Brodziak leads Minnesota with 10 goals.  Goalies Niklas Backstrom, Josh Harding, and Matt Hackett have a combined Goals Against Average of 2.10 for the National Hockey League leading Wild.  The Hawks come in winners of two straight and the Wild are on a seven game winning streak and are currently playing in Winnipeg before Hosting the Hawks tomorrow night.     



Sunday, December 11, 2011

Hawks Tie Game Late, Sharpie in OT Beats Sharks 3-2





The Chicago Blackhawks took on the San Jose Sharks Sunday night in a battle of Western Conference heavyweights.  The Hawks got an early power play with Andrew Desjardins going off for boarding at 2:12 of the first period.  Chicago failed to convert on the man advantage and the game remained scoreless.  Viktor Stalberg went off for tripping moments later to give the Sharks their first crack at the power play.  The Hawks killed the power play aided by a good glove save by Ray Emery.  Marian Hossa went off for tripping halfway through the period that the Hawks promptly killed.  Jamie McGinn got the Sharks on the board with under 4 minutes to play poking a rebound by Emery for a 1-0 Sharks lead.  San Jose outshot Chicago 17-8 in the first period of play.    

The Hawks got a very early power play in the second period when Dan Boyle went off for hooking.  The Hawks failed to tie the game on the man advantage.  Niklas Hjalmarsson blasted one from the point that was tipped home by Marcus Kruger to tie the game at 1-1 at 7:53.  That broke a scoreless streak against the Sharks this season of 87:53.  But at 9:38 it was Justin Braun ripping one home for the Sharks to go back up 2-1.  Emery made a huge save with just under 8 minutes to play in the second to keep the deficit just 1 goal.  The Sharks outshot the Hawks 16-5 in the second period and 33-13 through the first two periods. 

The Hawks nearly tied the game less than a minute into the third with Toews, Kane, and Sharp swarming the net but Anti Niemi shut the door.  The Hawks looked more alive to start the period and after a whistle Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews had a little disagreement.  Thornton went off for high sticking and the Hawks went to the man advantage.  The Hawks had a number of chances but highway robbery by Niemi on Marian Hossa kept the Hawks off the board and the Sharks killed the penalty.  The Hawks continued to swarm the Sharks net for most of the period but couldn’t solve Niemi.  The Hawks won every board battle late and created chance after chance but Niemi continued to say no.  The Blackhawks pulled Emery with 70 seconds to play and a faceoff in the Sharks zone.  Toews won the draw and Marian Hossa who had been denied by Niemi over and over in the third period slammed it off of Andrew Brunette and home to tie the game 2-2 at 18:54 of the third.  At the end of regulation Ryane Clowe punched multiple Hawks and a brawl ensued involving Hossa, Keith, and Clowe.  Somehow no penalties were called and overtime would start 4-4.

In the overtime the Hawks were all over the Sharks as they seemed to take exception to the gutless referee who didn’t call a penalty on Ryane Clowe who punched 3 different Hawks.  With under a minute to play in the overtime it was Patrick Sharp having the final say cleaning up a Marian Hossa rebound and ending the game. 

The Hawks move to 18-8-4 on the year and 9-2-3 on home ice.  Their 40 points put them 3 points ahead of Detroit for the Central Division lead and 3 points behind the Wild for the Western Conference lead.  The Hawks will battle the Wild on Wednesday night in Minnesota in the first meeting of the year between the two best teams in the Western Conference.         


      


Saturday, December 10, 2011

Sharks @ Hawks Preview 12/11/11



The Chicago Blackhawks (17-8-4) will take on the San Jose Sharks (15-9-1) at United Center on Sunday night.  The Hawks are coming off a 3-2 OT win on Long Island on Thursday night.  They will be taking on a Sharks team that is an impressive 7-3-0 on the road.  The Sharks beat the Hawks 1-0 in San Jose in November in a game the Hawks played very well in but couldn’t get any pucks past former goalie Anti Niemi.  This will be the second of four meetings this season with the Sharks.  The Hawks and Sharks split two meetings at United Center last season.  The always dangerous Joe Thornton leads the Sharks with 23 points and Joe Pavelski leads the way for San Jose with 12 goals.  The Sharks will play at St. Louis on Saturday night before heading to Chicago.  Jonathan Toews leads the Hawks with 17 goals and 32 points and Patrick Sharp, who had 2 goals and 1 assist Thursday night and is a proud new Dad, is up to 15 goals on the year.  Ray Emery will start again in goal for the Hawks in place of the struggling Corey Crawford.