by Patrick Stankus
Unlike the Puckin Hostile crew who finished closed out 2015 with last night's New Year's Eve Eve episode, the Blackhawks closed out 2015 by taking on the Avalanche in Denver. In addition to tonight being New Year's Eve, it was also Corey Crawford's 31st birthday. Joel Quenneville rewarded Crawford by giving him the night off. Also getting the night off for the Blackhawks was the $4 million dollar man Bryan Bickell. Terrific, what a way to close out 2015.
As the puck dropped in Denver, it looked like the Hawks were suffering from Steve Konroyd's favorite excuse of the thin air being an issue. I like to put it as a sluggish start, just like they've had in Chicago before. Early on with TVR in the box, the Avs would get on the board first after a Carl Soderberg redirect to give them a 1-0 lead. After a failed power play by the Hawks, they would be able to tie the game before the opening frame would end. With 90 seconds remaining, Artem Anisimov would score to tie the game at one after the opening 20 minutes.
The second period was like night and day for the Hawks. The Hawks dominated play throughout, and it showed on the scoreboard. The opening five minutes saw the Hawks get goals from Andrew Desjardins, and on the power play from Patrick Kane, to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead. Midway through the second, Cody McLeod would cut the lead to 3-2 after a brutal goal from 50 ft out allowed by Darling. In the middle frame the Hawks would end up out shooting the Avs 17-5, but couldn't add anymore to their lead. After 40 minutes, the Hawks would lead the Avs 3-2.
Much like how the Hawks bounced back with a better effort in the second period, the Avs returned the favor in the third period. Early on, the Hawks were forced to kill off a Brent Seabrook penalty, which they did, but the Avs generated some momentum. After two failed power plays, the Avs cashed in immediately, off another soft goal allowed by Scott Darling. Erik Johnson beat Darling with a weak wrist shot from a bad angle to tie the game at three. In the remaining five minutes, the Avs would have a couple chances to win the game, but none would go in, and we'd head to overtime.
The overtime frame would feature some great chances for both teams, but the Hawks would benefit from an Avs penalty. With Iginla in the box, Jonathan Toews would bail out Scott Darling, and beat Varlamov from the goal mouth to close out 2015 with a win for the Blackhawks.
And before I go, a big thank you to all our readers and listeners. It means a lot to hear your feedback, and we really appreciate it folks! You guys are the best. Thanks for making 2015 a great year. Let's make 2016 even better. Happy New Year to all of you.
- The #AK72Line was on display tonight at both even strength and on the power play. Their first goal of the night came from Artem Anisimov in the first period. Their second goal of the night came by way of the power play in the second period by Patrick Kane. I'm glad the honeymoon with the #AK72Line isn't over.
- Phillip Danault continues to impress during this stint with the Hawks. Although he was robbed of his first career goal by Varlamov, Danault was very noticeable. This gives hope to all of us who have a bad hip at a relatively young age.
- Andrew Desjardins hot streak continued tonight. He added his third goal in two games.
- Speaking of Desjardins, it was nice to see balanced scoring tonight, aside from just the #AK72Line. In addition to Desjardins, Toews scored in OT to win it.
- The Hawks power play had two goals tonight. That unit is so feast or famine, its not even funny.
- Teuvo's pass on Desjardins goal was a thing of beauty. Just imagine how good Teravainen can be if the Hawks A. Give him real players to play with, and B. Develop him correctly.
- Artemi Panarin had a bad turnover at the point on the second Blackhawks power play in the second period. To his credit, he showed nice hustle on the backcheck to breakup a Carl Soderberg breakaway.
- Remember how I said the Hawks power play was feast or famine? Yes, they had two goals tonight, but they also had six power play opportunities.
- I'm crediting Gate with this one. Rob SuckDeri is exactly that. A sucky hockey player. Tonight he barely managed to break a sweat in 6:52 of ice time, and getting destroyed twice.
- Yes, the Hawks won, but I can't be 100% satisfied with the win, since it came in overtime, and gave a point to a divisional opponent.
- The "well Scott Darling hasn't played in awhile" talk is a lame excuse for his performance tonight. You need to be ready to play when called upon. Even Sheldon Brookbank did that correctly in the 2013 Western Conference Final.
- Steve Fucking Konroyd. The guy makes vanilla ice cream look exciting. Not to mention he's a complete clown. I counted 5 times before the 2nd period started that he called Artem Anisimov "Artemi." And bloggers are what's wrong with the hockey world.
- Scott Darling tried his best to make sure I didn't make it to the year 2016. I just about damn near had a heart attack when he came out to the circles to play a loose puck in the first period. How many times do I have to say it? STAY IN THE FUCKING NET.
- Speaking of Darling, midway through the second period, he allowed a 50 ft wrist shot from Cody McLeod to beat him glove side. McLeod's degenerate father Kelly Chase must have been proud. Talk about WOOOOOF.
- See Erik Johnson's goal.
- See Bryan Bickell, but look in the press box for him.
- And finally, it appears Scott Darling's birthday present to Corey Crawford was giving Crawford the net back.
