by Patrick Stankus
Tweet to #Fatrick
The Blackhawks traveled to Nationwide Arena on Friday night, site of the first ever Puckin' Hostile Road Trip, and Derek's first taste of beer last season, to take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Friday marked the beginning of 3 games in 4 nights for the Hawks, which will see them return home for an Original Six tilt with the Toronto Maple Leafs. First things first though, they have a game with the Blue Jackets to look forward to.
The Blackhawks came out of the gate with the infamous sleepwalking look to themselves. The Jackets dominated play, but luckily for the Hawks, their goalie was there to bail them out. Crawford made a handful of spectacular saves on Brandon Saad *sigh*, to keep the Jackets off the board. Halfway through the period, Columbus would get the game's first goal on the power play following a Michal Kempny penalty. As the horn sounded ending the period, the Hawks would only trail Columbus 1-0 despite yielding 17 shots.
In the second period, the Hawks came out with a bit more jump to their step, although that's not saying much when comparing it to the first period. Tyler Motte scored his first career goal just over two minutes in to tie the game. That lead was short-lived as the Hawks went back on the PK, and shockingly, Columbus was able to score another power play goal to put them up 2-1. The Jackets weren't done scoring in the period, as they added another with just over 5 minutes remaining to take a 3-1 lead into the dressing room after 40 minutes.
As the third period got underway, the Blackhawks looked like a completely different team. They put that sense of urgency to use and cut the Jackets lead to one. #DickFuckingPanik, who continues to look like Denis Savard, added his 5th goal of the young season. The Hawks mounted a ferocious attack at the Jackets net, but that was as close as they'd get as they fell to Columbus by the final score of 3-2. Its a quick turnaround for the Hawks as they face the Maple Leafs at home on Saturday night on Hockey Night In Canada. It should be fun to watch Auston Matthews skate circles around this defense and PK.
- Tyler Motte scored his first career goal. Congrats kid, but lets work on those PK skills now.
- How about #DickFuckingPanik? Panik increased his goal total to 5 on the year, and added an assist. But yes, he's completely useless. Excuse me while I smash my head against the wall.
- You let the Columbus Blue Jackets outwork you. Do you really think you're getting anymore in the good category Slackhawks?
- I won't sugarcoat it. Marcus Kruger has to be better. He's been a step slow when it comes to getting into the shooting lanes on the PK, and its been costing the Hawks. This should be somewhat expected now that he's carrying that big bag of money on his back. I mean its not quite #ToewsMoney, but still.
- Marian Hossa missed tonight's game with a lower body injury. His ass better be back on Saturday. I won't be able to take this 7 defensemen shit anymore.
- The Hawks only had 9 blocks tonight. You guys might want to put yourselves in the shooting lanes a little more.
- Patrick Kane played nearly 29 minutes. That is not a joke. And its also a problem.
- Did you guys know Jordin Tootoo plays for the Blackhawks?
- Q was being Q with the lineup during the pregame. The question we all had was, "will Brian Campbell be in the lineup or not?" Well that question was answered when he was penciled in at left wing. My God, I cannot begin to tell you how much I fucking hate dressing 7 defensemen. Stop being cute with your lineups asshole. Be normal. Dress 12 forwards and 6 defensemen. Stop trying to be Patrick Roy. There's only room for one of those ballbags in the NHL. And give it time, Roy will be back. In the mean time Q, don't stoop to that level. You're better than that.
- For Christ's sake, the penalty kill is beyond awful. Its probably as bad as the pilot training in Russian aviation. Tonight the PK gave up goals on both of Columbus' power play chances. Keep it up boys.
- The power play was 0 for 4 tonight. Enough said. Special teams aren't so special right now.
- See Michal Kempny. The impressive meter is falling fast. Actually was it ever really impressive?
- Everyone's favorite scapegoat TvR left the game with an apparent arm injury. Its likely he'll be out for awhile. I'm guessing the time frame of the World Series, so he returns when the spotlight is back on hockey in the winter, and more people can bitch about him.
- I love when a team that hasn't played since Tuesday comes out flat, don't you? Nothing like giving up 17 shots in the first period.
- And just for all of you that hate him, enjoy this:
