Blackhawks vs. Jets 3-1 Win Recap

"Stone Temple Pilots"

by Patrick Stankus

On Sunday afternoon the Blackhawks hosted the Winnipeg Jets at The UC in a rare 4pm start. Prior to the game, the Hawks made some news off the ice. After being placed on waivers by the Hawks on Saturday, Viktor Tikhonov was claimed by the Coyotes, thus clearing the way for the Hawks to recall Bryan Bickell from Rockford. What remains to be seen is the effect losing Tikhonov has on Artemi Panarin, but only time will tell.

The first period got underway with both teams looking a little sluggish at the start. That however changed as the period went on. Both teams saw several quality scoring chances in the period, but it was the Hawks that looked like they struck first. However after a video review, Marcus Kruger was determined to have done a distinct kicking motion at the puck, and the call was overturned. The Hawks however would not be denied. Later in the period, after a great shift by the fourth line, Marian Hossa found a bouncing puck off a rebound, and put it in the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The period would end with the Jets getting a little testy. Bryan Bickell leveled Stay Puff Buff, who had his head down, and a scrum would follow. When the horn sounded though, it would be the Hawks who would take the lead into the dressing room at 1-0.

When the puck dropped in the second period, it was clear the Jets had fed off of the first period energy more than the Hawks. The Hawks looked like they sat back, and let the Jets run wild for a bit. Just over five minutes in, the Jets tied the game on a goal by Chris Thorburn that no one saw. For the most part the rest of the period was ho hum, with a couple of chances here and there. That changed late in the period when a scary incident involving Trevor Daley occurred. Daley fell head first into Chris Thorburn and was down on the ice for an extended period of time. A stretcher was brought out for Daley, but ultimately he left the ice with assistance from teammates. As time wound down, neither team would net another goal, and after 40 minutes the game was tied at one.

The third period got underway with a determined effort by the Toews line. That effort paid off 21 seconds into the period as Teravainen scored to put the Hawks ahead 2-1. During the third period, both teams would have opportunities on the power play, but neither could convert their opportunity. With Kane not registering a point, it looked as if his points streak would come to an end as time wound down. Then Winnipeg pulled Michael Hutchinson for the extra attacker and Kane found himself on the ice. Kane battled a loose puck to a wide open Artemi Panarin who netted the empty netter and extended Kane's streak to a franchise record 22 games. That empty netter would be the final goal scored and the Hawks would go on to defeat the Jets 3-1. Next up for the Hawks is a visit from the Nashville Predators to The UC on Tuesday night.

The Good

• Instead of whining about having his goal overturned, Kruger and the fourth line came back on their next shift, and set the tone for Hossa to score on the ensuing shift.
• As funny as it was to see Byfuglien treat Bickell like his bitch early in the game, it was very enjoyable to see Bickell get Byfuglien back. Towards the end of the first period, Bickell leveled Byfuglien after Byfuglien was caught with his head down. That's what happens when you skate with your head down.
• After being shit on by the broadcasters in the first two periods, Teuvo had a nice response of F-U by scoring 20 seconds into the third period. Hopefully this gets the gorilla off of his back.
• Patrick Kane extended his points streak to a franchise record 22 games with an assist on an Artemi Panarin empty net goal. Cheap way to extend a streak? Yes, but the Sedin twins do a lot of their work via the empty net too.
• Marcus Kruger was excellent tonight, in fact the entire fourth line was excellent tonight.
• Not often to I give credit to both goalies, but this afternoon Crawford, and Hutchinson were outstanding for their respective teams.
• The PK had a bounce back night, after a few rough outings of late. They had a solid night killing off both of the Jets power play chances.

The Bad

• Marcus Kruger thought he had scored in the first period. Unfortunately after video review, the WAR room in Toronto reversed the call of good goal on the ice because of a distinct kicking motion. Naturally the Twitter experts came out in full force to show their displeasure. Remember, the WAR room has a lot more looks at it than us. Even though he was being dragged down, Kruger leg did move forward. 9 times out of 10 that's going to be determined a distinct kicking motion. Get over it. This is coming from Kruger's biggest fan.
• The Blackhawks first power play of the game was fun as pulling out all of your teeth.
• Lots of people were confused after the Jets were awarded a goal after a stoppage for a tv timeout. Just as WGN went to break, the horn sounded in the background, which meant the WAR room was buzzing down for some reason. That reason was 45 seconds earlier, Chris Thorburn had redirected a Tobias Enstrom shot past Crawford, and was awarded a goal that no one saw. Funny how that works with an extra set of eyeballs.
• Aside from his hit on Byfuglien (which I enjoyed), Bryan Bickell was well, here ya go; -1, 7 hits, and a team low 7:03. But that element he brings to the bench is much needed.

The Ugly

• TVR took a puck to the knee or balls in the first period, and struggled to get off the ice following a stoppage. Thankfully towards the end of the first period TVR did return.
• Five minutes into the game, Andrew Desjardins took a lazy penalty. Clearly he's been hanging out with Andrew Shaw too much.
• I wish we had a "The Hilarious" section, because I'd put the sequence of an attempted hit by Bickell on Byfuglien in there. Not only did Bickell go flying after he made contact, but less than five seconds later Shaw tried his hand on Byfuglien, and Byfuglien sent him flying like a little bitch. Talk about comical.
• As much as we shit on Trevor Daley, he was involved in a scary scene in 2nd period that no one wants to see. Daley toe picked and fell head first into Chris Thorburn. Daley looked like he was in quite a bit of distress, and a stretcher was brought out for him. Ultimately he left the ice with assistance from Duncan Keith and trainer Mike Gapski. Daley did not return.
• The Hawks power play ended the night 0 for 3. None of the three opportunities produced any memorable moments.