Big Night For Big Hoss
For the second time in five nights, the Blackhawks found themselves playing their season series with the Ottawa Senators. This time however, the Blackhawks were the ones traveling as they start a quick two game road trip to Ontario.
The first period was a track meet. It featured end to end action, and countless scoring opportunities for both teams. But at the same time the game also took on a sloppy, careless tone, with five penalties tallied. The Senators found the net within the opening three minutes. The Blackhawks to their credit, bounced back and managed to take a 2-1 lead at the end of the 1st period.
The sloppiness carried over into the middle frame as both teams took two penalties each. The Senators were able to tie the game just under three minutes into the 2nd period while on the power play. Despite both teams tallying double digit shots, the pace of the game slowed dramatically.
Once again, the Senators were able to net the first goal of the period, as Bobby Ryan scored just 30 seconds in. Later on El Captain tied the game at three, for his second goal of the net. In what looked to be the cliché storybook ending, Marian Hossa scored to give the Blackhawks the 4-3 lead late in the 3rd. For Hossa it was a significant goal, as he reached the 1,000 career point milestone. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, much like we saw last year, the Hawks blew a late lead, as the Senators tied the game.
Overtime wasn't much fun, because the Blackhawks found themselves on the power play, and lets be honest, pulling wisdom teeth is more enjoyable than watching the Blackhawks power play. So then it was onto the glorified skills competition that is, THE SHOOTOUT. SNORE.
Darling stopped all three shooters he faced, while Toews was stopped, Kane hit the post, and finally Sharp ended the All Star Game festivities.
Bottom line, the Hawks escaped with two points tonight. It was ugly, but I'll take it.
The Good
- Marian Hossa had a goal and an assist, and reached the 1,000th career point milestone. Well gone Big Hoss.
- Our #1 superstar on the Hawks, Kris Versteeg had a nifty goal, that made Erik Karlsson look silly.
- The Blackhawks once again were strong at the faceoff dot, winning draws 34 to 25
- Once again the Hawks peppered the opposing net, this time with 39 shots, but unlike before found the back of the net more than twice. Baby steps people, baby steps.
The Bad
- This probably shouldn't be in the "bad" category, but Scott Darling was alright tonight. He made some nice saves, but at the same time allowed a goal or two that he might want to have back.
- Trevor van Riemsdyk was caught out of position, and allowed Mark Stone to get inside the dots, thus leading to a redirect and an early Senators goal. Its a work in progress with van Riemsdyk, but he'll learn.
- To me, Patrick Kane looked lazy. I noticed him gliding towards the puck instead of skating more than a couple of times.
The Ugly
- Start the clown music, the power play was a big 0 for 5. Need I say more?
- Three 3rd period penalties. If you told me the Hawks would win after taking than many penalties late in the game, I would have told you, no way. But hey, I was wrong. Either, clean up the sloppiness.
- The "Three Headed Monster" goalie tandem that was in Ottawa. Crawford was the backup, while Raanta was in the press box. Just pick a backup already. Stop making it more complicated than it has to be.
- Jeremy Morin and Bryan Bickell. Just as you give these two guys praise a game or two ago, they go and do something stupid, and they wind up stapled to the bench. Hard to break a sweat when you only play just over 6 minutes isn't it?