This was the game the Blackhawks were looking at for weeks. If they are going to gain ground, why not take a poke at the big dog, right? After beating a team they should have beat, they were served up for a team that "should" beat them. Detroit came in an amazing 27-3-2, at home.This time, the Hawks had a little luck on their side, in the disguise of the injury bug. Datsyuk, and Lidstrom both missed the game, which could only help the Hawks. But, anyone who knows the Hawks/Wings rivaly knows that records and injuries don't mean a hill of beans when these two teams get together.
The first period was a pretty even affair, when the horn sounded. Both teams scored goals, and the Wings eventually out shot the Hawks 8-5. The Wings DID hit 2 posts, but we'll forget about that. The second period was slanted more towards the Hawks end of the ice, but they were still able to jump on a shorthanded defensive corp and finish the period up 2-1. They were out shot pretty heavily early, but fought their way back to even. The third period was a slow and pretty uneventful. The Wings had 7 shots and the Hawks had 5. Can't complain about ANY win at The Joe.
- The Hawks used another powerplay to take the lead about three minutes into the firt period. The Hawks really didn't have much pressure, but kept the puck in the Wings zone. Eventually, Sharp got the puck on his stick with a lane. He locked and loaded, sending a worm burner towards the net, but puck was tipped up by Wings defender, and over Howard. 1-0 Hawks
- Lucky for the Hawks, Detroit goalie Jimmie Howard had to be replaced after the first period, and Defenseman Jakub Kindl was also ruled out of the game early.
- The Hawks capitalized on a bad Wings turnover late in the second to go up 2-1. Brad Stuart turned the puck over to Sharpie behind the net, who turned and dished it to Kane right in front of the net. MacDonald over pursued and ended up down and out of position leaving Kaner with an open net.
- This Jamal Mayers on the powerplay thing looks eerily similar to the Montador experiment, in the opening games of the season. If it works, I don't care if they throw Quenneville out there.
- A goal, an assist, and 7 shots on net for Sharpie. That works for me.
- Niklas Kronwall tied the game up three minutes after the Hawks goal. Darren Helm put on a puck control clinic on the Hawks, waiting for the rest of the Wings to catch up. Once Kronwall crossed the blue line, Helm hit him on the tape. Oduya's ass was in Emery's face and screening terribly, which didn't give him much time to react, and the puck ended up in the net. So much for that good start.
- Andrew Shaw really needs to keep his gloves on when he is agitating. The Wings Brendan Smith beat the absolute piss out of him pretty mercilessly, late in the second. He took exception to Smith giving him a glove in the throat after a late MacDonald save, and they quickly dropped the gloves.
- Another game with only five minutes of ice time for Hayes and Bollig. Again, I don't know what this is accomplishing, but what do I know?
- Also, I don't know what one shift, for all of 7 seconds, in the third period for Lepisto and Olsen accomplishes, either. I guess I'll give Quenneville the benefit of the doubt with Hammer and Montador out, but O'Donnell is available too. What is going on with the handling of the personnel on this team? If you don't trust them, why are they playing?
- The Hawks were clowned at the dot once again. Bolland was the only Hawks center to be over 50%, at 65%.
- Duncan Keith played with an unfamiliar physical edge, but it was too much. He took a bad penalty in the middle of the second, but luckily it didn't cost the Hawks. Honestly, it looked like he drank too many Red Bulls before the game.
