The Blackhawks couldn't have a break, and a trip to Columbus at a better time. The NHL and media bukkake session regarding the Blackhawks and "The Streak" has now come to a screeching halt and, in fact, the NHL has almost done a 180. Even though the Blackhawks have had their struggles against the Jackets, they needed a break from the high flying teams. They did their best to make it interesting. Live from tropical Columbus Ohio, it's the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.
The opening period could have lulled you to sleep. The Jackets out shot the Hawks by one, 11-10, but there were no goals on the board, going into the first intermission.
The second had all of the scoring, in regulation. The Hawks opened up a lead and promptly gave it up on a powerplay. The shots were again close, at 10-10, and the Hawks would once again take a tie game into the final period.
Neither team could decide the game in the final 20 minutes, even though the Hawks out shot the Jackets 13-3, which gave Columbus a little hope for overtime. The teams threw all defense out the window in the overtime period combining for 13 shots in the final 5 minutes. Again, both goalies stood tall and this game had to go to a shootout, which the Hawks finally won.
- Oduya grabbed a lead for the Hawks that would last les than a minute. The Hawks had a real nice rotation working and Crazy 8s finally found Oduya sneaking in on the back door. He snapped a shot past Bobrovsky, and it looked like the Hawks were ready to roll. The Jackets had other ideas.
- Both goalies were over .950 save percentage. You can't ask for more than that from your netminders. big comeback game for Crawford, after a rough weekend.
- El Capitan had 7 shots on net, which is exactly what you're looking for from your leader
- Dullig actually took time away from his pointless thuggery to get a sweet chance on Bobrovsky, and Bobo stoned him.
- Shaw decided to get into the fight ridiculousness, hooking with with Matt Calvert. Snore.
- Kings castaway Jack Johnson took that Hawks lead off the board with a powerplay goal. El Capitan lost a rare faceoff, Hoss was late getting to his point, and Johnson just blazed a shot past Crawford. 1-1
- Bolland had a prime change in overtime and completely shit the bed. The net was wide open and Bobrovsky dove over, which left everything above 10 inches off the ice wide open. What does Bolland do? shoot it right into Bobrovsky's stick.
- The Hawks centers were barely serviceable at the dots. El Capitan was the only one over 50% at the dots.
- The final goalie interference penalty was brutal. He was clearly pushed into Bobrovsky, and gets roped into a penalty, in the final minutes of the game. Weak call, and unacceptable.
- Artem Anisimov roofed a backhander over Crawford
- El Capitan went with old trusty to beat Bobo 5-hole
- Crawford beat Ryan Johansen
- Kane clowned Bobrovsky for the eventual winner.
- Crawford poke checked Brassard
