No rest for the weary in Blackhawksville. They were back on the road, Friday night, in Canadian capital of Ottawa against the recently resurgent Senators. The Hawks were still playing with a skeleton crew that was missing Toews, Hjalmarsson, and Montador. They were able to rebound for an awful first period at home against the Leafs, but that might not be an easy task in Ottawa. Razor Emery was anointed the sacrificial lamb by Quenneville, which really does give them their best chance to win. With under 20 games remaining, they have to pick a goalie and stick with him. I'm sure Emery was excited, and possibly a little nervous to face the team he led to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2007. The Sens came in 4-1-0 in their last 5, and 7-2-1 in their last 10. That's certainly something to be concerned about, for a team that is only 10-14-3 this entire YEAR. Seventeen games to go, and roughly 15 points to gather, for their playoff lives. For those math wizards, .500 hockey the rest of the way SHOULD get them in. JUST get them in. Tick Tock, Tick Tock!
The Hawks came out of the gates absolutely FLYING around the rink. They out shot the Sens 17-9, yet they were down 1-0 after the opening period. Only the Hawks. I swear! The Hawks continued their fierce pace in the second period, out shooting the Sens 17-7. This time they were able to score, as well, with 2 goals of their own. Finally, some things going the Hawks way. The dominance couldn't last forever and the Sens finally got some action going in the third with a 10-5 advantage, but couldn't beat the Hawks goalie. With a solid final few minutes, the Hawks headed to Detoilet on Sunday 2-1 winners.
- The Hawks went into the first TV break out shooting the Sens 9-1. That's pretty damn good, and they had almost a shot a minute for the entire first. Of course, they didn't score, but at least they had pressure. They had 17 shots in the second period, as well.
- The Hawks and Bryan Bickell took advantage of a delayed penalty scoring a dirty goal in front of the net. Bickell drew the original penalty on a nice little toe drag and the Hawks held on to the puck long enough to finally use the extra attacker to crash the front of the net. Kane reversed the puck behind the net to Sharp, who tried to snipe Lehner from a tight angle, but the puck found Bickell's stick and he roofed it.
- The Hawks actually made use of the powerplay with Hoss taking a rebound from a fallen Lehner, and wrapping it around the back side. Lehner almost made the save but it slid under him and off the butt end of his stick. It squirted just over the goal line, and the ref was in great position and made the call. Fans can bitch about the refs quite a bit, but they deserve credit when they get a tough one right. 2-1 Hawks.
- The Kane/Hossa/Brunette line clowned the Sens all night long. Of course, Bruno missed on prime feeds in all 3 periods, and Kane missed few of his own. They could have had 3 or 4 goals.
- In the closing minutes of the game, the Hawks put the clamps down on the Sens. They didn't panic, break down, and most importantly, didn't aimlessly throw the puck away. They had, dare I say, confidence?
- I don't care what Pat Foley was babbling about. Ray Emery was the Blackhawks player of the game, by far. He only faced 26 shots, but there were SEVERAL point blank saves that he was forced to make. The net is Emery's until he loses it, period.
- Jut a few moments into the second period Shooter earned himself a penalty shot, but Lehner made a slick glove save on him. This is how they are going to go down? To a 20 year old goalie?
- Quenneville obviously isn't all that comfortable with the rookies Hayes and Bollig. Each of them only played one 45 second shift in the third period. I'm sorry, but I don't see the point of Bollig for this team. He might be a great guy, but he'll never get a long enough leash to wreak havoc. Just send him back to Rockford and stop jerking him around.
- Spezza just schooled the Hawks centers all night long, going 12-16 at the dot. Mayers was the only Hawks center to even win 50%.
- As has happened all year long, even when the Hawks dominate, the Sens took a 1-0 on a fluke play with 5 minutes left in the opening frame. The Hawks were out shooting the Sens 16-7 and in control. Spezza was just trying to dump the puck in the zone and it went off Seabrook's skate and right to the stick of the Sens sniper, Michalek. He used Seabrook as a screen and snapped it past Emery from far enough out that he should have stopped it.
