Wednesday night saw the once fierce division Detroit Red Wings pay a visit to Chicago, on NBCSN's "Rivalry Night." Unlike previous rivalry night match ups, this one lived up to all the hype. While the two teams no longer face each other 6 times a year, the build up to a game with the Wings is still there, and tonight added another chapter to the long, storied history. If you didn't enjoy tonight's game, then I'm sorry, you are not a hockey fan.
The first period saw the Blackhawks come out with a lot of energy and intensity sustained for all 20 minutes. It was by far the best opening frame we've seen from the Hawks in awhile. Despite dominating the play, and out shooting the Wings 17-6, the game would remain scoreless after one.
During the second period, the flow and pace to the game remained high, with both teams tallying 8 shots each. Getting the puck past either goaltender would prove to be difficult. That changed though just after the 15 minute mark, as Tomas Tatar opened the scoring on a back door play. The Wings lead wouldn't last long, as just 39 seconds later, Brandon Saad would tie the game at two. That's how things would stand after the second period.
Much like the early portions of the game, the third period would continue with the exciting play that dictated tonight. The game would take a crazy turn in the final minutes of the third. Darren Helm scored the go ahead goal with just over two minutes to play, and the Hawks looked dead in the water. But to the Hawks credit, they battled back, and Kris Versteeg tied the game 43 seconds later, thus sending the game to overtime.
If you thought the chances and pace to the game couldn't get more intense for the overtime, you were wrong. Both teams saw numerous chances in the extra frame, but both Crawford and Howard couldn't be cracked, and we'd head to a shootout. For the Blackhawks, only Toews would score, while for the Wings both Nyquist and Tatar would tally, and give the Wings the 3-2 shootout win.
The Good
- The Hossa-Toews-Saad line continues to impress. Saad had one of the Hawks goals, while Hossa showed why he is one of the best two way players in the NHL.
- Wasn't it nice to see Kris Versteeg finally shoot the damn puck on net? Not to mention, look what happened as a result. We need to see more of that, instead of the extra passing and stick handling.
- I can't believe I'm saying this, but Michal Rozsival wasn't that bad tonight.
- Stick taps to both Corey Crawford and Jimmy Howard, they were both superb tonight.
- Brad Richards "defense" on Tatar's goal was simply stellar. Nothing like staring at the puck, and allowing a guy to go back door in the slot untouched.
- Where are all my "we need replay, to get the calls correct people" tonight? (Crickets chirping) Seeing as which the Hawks benefited from a blown call tonight, now I guess all is right with the world, until the next call goes against the Hawks. This is exactly why I don't want expanded replay. Where does it end? Keep it for goals, and that's it.
- What a fantastic slashing penalty Bickell took in the first period. Then he has the nerve to bitch about it to the referee. Seriously who is going to miss this guy after the draft?
- Its a shame this game had to be decided in a shootout. I would much rather see a game like this end in a tie. And you'd think in today's world where every one's a winner, the casual sports fan (who's ruining hockey) would agree, that ties are better than deciding a game in a glorified skills competition.
- Again, the Hawks left points on the table. While the Vancouver game is one where I'd take the point for an overtime loss, tonight is not. They outplayed the Wings, and failed to seal the deal. They lost this game in the first period, and gave the Wings confidence after being scoreless after one.
- I'm still chuckling over Q's assessment of the Q-Cummer. "So far, so good" he said. Really? How can you make that assessment about someone when they play 6:24.