Sunday, April 10, 2016

Blackhawks at Columbus
Regular Season Finale
5-4 OT Loss

"Cannon Fodder"

The Chicago Blackhawks travel to Ohio to finish the season off against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This game has been marked on the calendar for some time now as this game is the official Puckin Hostile Road Trip. 75% of the group will be in attendance but they make up 95% of the groups combined weight. The Hawks send a crew onto the ice lacking a few mainstay starters in Toews, Hossa, Anisimov, Shaw, Keith, and Hjalmarsson but welcome back the anchor of this teams season, Cory Crawford. 

The Hawks take little time getting on the board, 9 seconds in Panarin sets up a Kane one timer that's sent blazing over Bobrovsky's outstretched left pad. The next two goals would be a result of the previously mentioned Hawks. The effort put forth by the two would put the Hawks up 3 - 0 through one period of play.  At one point the Hawks had three goals on five shots; I can imagine this was a exciting period for the Puckin Hostile Road Trip crew. 

Shots: Blackhawks- 8 Blue Jackets- 10

The second period was nothing like the first, other than the fact that one team would score three goals and the other: zero. Hartnell, Calvert, and ex-Hawk Saad all score in the second tying up the game. The only explanation for this is the advanced analytical stat of score effect. With the Hawks only putting 5 shots on net they were on pace to barely hit 20. This frame was not so hot for the Road Trip Crew.

Shots: Blackhawks- 5 Blue Jackets- 8

The final frame, or what was supposed to be, looked hopeful for the home team early as Wennberg puts the Jackets up 4-3 a couple minutes in. But the Hawks weren't having it, in a push they managed to get 12 shots on net in the third, one of them finding its mark. Kruger would make a nice pass through traffic and set up Kane in front of the Jackets net, Kane cashes in and send this game to @patrick_stankus favourite, 3v3 overtime!

Shots: Blackhawks- 12 Blue Jackets- 6

A minute and half into bonus hockey Teravainen takes a very soft hooking penalty while trying to stop a break away. This would send the Jackets to their second power play of the night. Unlike the first they would cash in, Scott Hartnell standing in front of the net has a shot by Atkinson bounce off his pants and go past Crawford ending the game 5-4.

Shots: Blackhawks- 1 Blue Jackets- 1 
Total Shots Blackhawks- 26 Blue Jackets- 25

The Good:
  • Kane and Panarin each net two goals continuing their hot streak, hopefully this continues into the playoffs;
  • Crawford was back, he didn't look outstanding but it's nice to get him some ice time before playoffs; and
  • As much as having Saad score against us stings, it's good seeing him be successful with the Jackets, his goal against the Hawks gave him 31 on the year, a career best.
The Bad
  • Only having two players doing all the scoring and everyone else just looking lost will not cut it in the playoffs;
  • 5 goals on 25 shots is not a great night for any NHL goalie; and
  • The entire second period.
The Ugly

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