First of all, Merry Christmas to all of you, and thank you all for coming back to read my blogs. Now on to the final games of 2011. The Hawks welcomed the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets into the United Center, Monday night. They were more improved than last time they played, but not much better. They just can't seem to keep from digging the puck out of the back of their net, and the Hawks are excelling in putting it IN the opponents cage. The Hawks were still without Car Bomb and they recalled Brandon Pirri to fill the spot, but Marcus Kruger was back in the lineup for the first time since getting his eggs scrambled in Pittsburgh. Crawford was in net for his second game in a row.
The Hawks opened up as the pregame show predicted, sloppy. They were out shot 13-5 but thankfully didn't give up any goals. This certainly needed to change though. The Hawks opened up this game, in the second, scoring three goals and taking the momentum. The third period was a 1-1 tie as far as goals go, but the second period was all the Hawks needed. Even though the Hawks were grossly out shot, they ended up 4-1 winners.
- Just when the Hawks looked tired and out of sorts, in the second period, Hoss and Shooter took over, connecting for a 1-0 Hawks lead. Sharpie took the puck deep into the Jackets zone so the defense could change, and worked a little give and go with Boss 81, redirecting the return pass into the net. Good way to celebrate your dirty 30, Shooter.
- Pick-to-Click Vik put the Hawks up 2-0 with a play of sheer determination. He had the puck high on the near boards and was allowed an open path to the net. The BJ's defender was more worried about the point than he was Vik, so Vik drove straight to the net and was able to put his own rebound past Mason.
- Vik scored his second of the game with 4 minutes to go in the second, on a nice feed from Bolland. Vik sat his ass in a nice soft spot in the slot, and one timed Bolly feed through Mason. Looks like he is finally hitting his comfort zone, and that's very good news for the Hawks, even if it means they unload him for a name at the trade deadline.
- Hoss scored his 16th on a powerplay, with four minutes to go in regulation. The Hawks simply worked the puck around the net and the odd man was Hoss in the slot. MONEY! That's a matchup we'll gladly take over and over.
- Crawford was more of last year's Crow than this years, last night. He kept the Hawks in it, despite a couple of fat rebounds. That's what your defense is there for.
- The Hawks were as sloppy as expected in the first period. Passes were off, shots were sloppy, and the defense was a half a second slow. Luckily, none of this hurt the Hawks, but it was slightly concerning.
- Dream Warrior was wearing a target in his first game back. The Blue Jackets took every chance possible to rattle him.
- Former Hawk Jim Wisniewski put the Jackets on the board, a few minutes into the third period. Crawford kicked a fat assed juicy rebound right out into the slot, but the Columbus forward whiffed on the chance. Unfortunately, Crawford was playing that shot and over slid the initial miss. Wizzer just picked up the puck and backhanded into a wide open net. 3-1 Hawks.
- Pirri and Bolland were both under 35% at the dots. No Bueno.
- The Powerplay was a complete clusterfuck for most of the night, and some would say it didn't look all that great on the Hossa goal, either. Columbus had pretty much given up at that point anyhow. Since they were able to score even strength, it can slide, THIS TIME
- In all the hoopla, it was overlooked that the Hawks were outshot 38-22. FIX THAT. This is one of the more poor teams in the league and 38 shots is FAR too much.