Who would have thought there would be an 8 goal game between the Blackhawks and Predators? Well if you enjoy sloppy, careless hockey, and an all around ugly game, then tonight was the night for you.
The Predators opened the scoring in the first period by way of an uncontested, 45 foot wrister from Roman Josi. If you're looking for the definition of a soft goal, there would be a video of this goal shown. This is one that a $6 million dollar goalie should stop, no excuses. Craig Smith added another goal late in the period, and after one the Predators were up 2-0 on the Blackhawks heading into the intermission.
The second period was probably one of the ugliest periods of hockey I've seen a long time. A total of seven penalties were called, and five goals were scored. Rough. James Neal got the Preds out to a 3 goal lead just prior to the midway point. To the Blackhawks credit, they controlled the next 10 minutes of play. With goals by Richards, Shaw, and an absolute cannon by Hossa, the Hawks tied the game at 3. However, just 6 seconds into a Blackhawks penalty, with just under a minute left in the period, James Neal added his second goal of the game, to give the Preds a 4-3 lead after two.
Down one in the third period, the Blackhawks battled their way back to tie the game at four with just over a minute remaining. Expensive, under producing, underachieving, Bryan Bickell tied the game, by magically parking himself near the front of the net, and put home a rebound past Rinne. Stunning, I know.
After a scoreless overtime frame, the game headed to the totally awesome skills competition to settle the outcome. Luckily for the sake of hockey, Jonathan Toews scored the lone goal, and Crawford stopped all three Nashville attempts, to give the Hawks a 5-4 shootout win.
Next for the Hawks is, well apparently they're playing in this game called the Winter Classic on Thursday afternoon. I guess its some sort of outdoor game, where everyone wears cool throwback uniforms, unless you're the Blackhawks this year.
See ya next year folks!
The Good
- The Patrick Sharp experiment lasted all of one period I believe. If you don't have a problem with a guy carrying a $5.9 million cap hit playing on the "4th line," please go read up on the salary cap. This is ridiculously stupid that Q even tried it.
- Secondary scoring by the Hawks tonight was key. Its not every night you see guys like Richards, Shaw, and Bickell all tally a goal. I'll take it.
- Despite the game looking bleak down three, credit to the Blackhawks for bouncing back, and tying the game. I certainly didn't see it coming.
- Seeing Niklas Hjalmarsson get up and eventually return after being destroyed by Eric Nystrom was a good sign. I'll say it again though, with all the wear and tear Hammer takes, he'll be lucky to still be playing at age 35.
- After just 5:03 of TOI, we might finally be closer to the Gorilla Salad time being up. Excuse me while I pop a bottle of champagne a few nights early close to midnight.
- Duncan Keith, was the machine known as Duncan Keith, +3, 3 assists, and 32 minutes of ice time.
- Seriously, the Hawks were down 3-0 to Nashville, at home.
- This line juggling has gotten out of hand. (See the Patrick Sharp comment in the good)
- The overreaction to Bickell's tying goal was vomit inducing. Folks he makes $4 million dollars. He should be parking himself in front the net, scoring ugly goals. I'm not going to joy for joy because he finally did it. And don't even get me started on Q's comment about the goal after the game.
- It'd be nice if the Blackhawks could stop known dickbag James Neal.
- $6 million dollars in net, stop a fucking 45 foot wrist shot. Period.
- The hit on Hjalmarsson wasn't dirty, nor was it a head shot. It was a violent hit, in a violent game. Stop calling every hit on the Blackhawks dirty. I'm not going to fault a guy who's committed to finishing a check, when the opposing player leans down, putting himself in a vulnerable position.
- Olli Jokinen.
- Johnny Oduya certainly didn't live up to his goal of "being the best Johnny on the team." He was a -2 and overall just terrible.
- I am very disappointed I didn't get to see speedster Viktor Stalberg in the lineup for Nashville. Guess I'll have to road trip it up to Thrillwaukee.