by Patrick Stankus
Tweet to #Fatrick
The Blackhawks busy stretch of three games in four nights came to an end Monday night as the Hawks played host to the Calgary Flames at The UC. So far in the stretch, the Hawks have split the previous two games, with the last being an overtime win against the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Tonight's matchup would mark the return of some familiar faces as, Michael Frolik, Kris Versteeg, and Troy Brouwer are members of the Flames now. Frankly, I could careless, but you know we'll get that overplayed by Pat and Eddie on the broadcast.
After the opening faceoff it was quite obvious that one team was ready to play, and one wasn't. The Flames absolutely dominated play early on, and the only reason the Hawks weren't in a huge hole was due to the play of their goaltender. As the game approached the five minute mark, Tyler Motte put the Hawks shorthanded, and the Flames made them pay with a power play goal. Despite being out shot 14-8 in the first period, and flat out dominated, the Hawks somehow only trailed by one after 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Hawks came out with a lot more energy than the first period, but that's really not saying much, considering how awful they were. Patrick Kane was able to tie the game at one just past the 90 second mark of the period, after one-timing a pass from Anisimov and into the Calgary net. The middle section of the period was a parade to the penalty box for the Hawks. The Flames would add another power play goal on one of those opportunities to give themselves a 2-1 lead. Even though the Hawks would have some good looks down the stretch, they couldn't solve Elliott, and would head into the second intermission down 2-1.
The third period turned out to be the complete opposite of the first period. In the final period of regulation, the Hawks dominated play, and peppered Brian Elliott with twelve shots, while holding the Flames to five. The Hawks got an early goal in the period when Brian Campbell tried to pass the puck to Artem Anisimov, but it was deflected into the net off a Calgary defenseman to tie the game at two. As time wound down, the Hawks had numerous chances, but Brian Elliott was able to stop all of them, and the game headed to overtime.
In overtime, had a great chance early on after getting a power play, thanks to a Michael Frolik penalty. While generating a couple of looks, the Hawks didn't do much with the opportunity, and for the second straight time the game headed to a shootout. Following thirteen straight saves by the goalies, Kris Versteeg put an end to the glorified skills competition, and Calgary skated away with the 3-2 shootout win.
- The Hockey Fights Cancer ceremony before the game was a nice touch. Stick taps to the NHL for starting this program.
- The #AK72Line was the Hawks best line. They were on the ice for both of the Hawks goals. In recent games, this line has caught fire again, but much like last year, one line can't carry this team.
- Corey Crawford was outstanding tonight. He was the only reason the Hawks had any chance of earning a point in the game. He flat out stood on his head in the first period.
- Once again, the Hawks managed to find their game as the game went on, and stole a point when they really didn't deserve one. Unfortunately, this will get real tiresome, real quick.
- While he was on the ice for the opening goal, I really didn't think Rozsival was that bad tonight as some will say. He's just a guy people. I'd also say get used to seeing him since Forsling went down tonight.
- The Hawks best defenseman tonight was Duncan Keith. That's old news though. Maybe older than Rozsival.
- Just when you want to give praise to a guy, they go out and do something stupid. Case in point, Tyler Motte's first period penalty that led to the Flames opening goal.
- Gustav Forsling left the game in the second period after taking a big hit. I'm glad hits mean nothing.
- I'm pretty sure the sun will rise tomorrow even though Kris Versteeg scored the shootout winner. Calm down people.
- Speaking of the shootout, can we fucking stop with the baseball terms of "extra innings," "top/bottom of the blank," and "lead off man?"
- Another game, and another power play goal given up by the penalty kill. Going into the game, the only thing that might have been worse than the Hawks penalty kill, was the Calgary power play. This time, both of the Hawks defenders got caught below the goal line. I don't think I've seen a penalty kill that is so out of position and not on the same page. In all, both goals the Hawks gave up came while the Flames were on the power play. Terrific.
- Once again, the Hawks came out flatter than a pancake. Thanks to their goalie, they were only down one after the first period.
- Late in the first period, a horrendous change by Brian Campbell led to a Kris Versteeg breakaway that Crawford was able to stop. I think I speak for everyone when I say the second go around with Campbell isn't going so well.
- The Hawks tried their best to piss away the game midway through the second period as #DickPanik and Panarin took inexcusable penalties.
- Start the broken record of the "power was 0 for.... tonight." Tonight they were 0 for 2 and pissed away a great chance in overtime.
- Hey Calgary, lets ditch this current jersey, and go back to the look of the 1980s. You know, the Mike Vernon look.
- Want to see something really ugly? Look at Derek's timeline during tonight's game. BARF.