Going Home Early

I remember reading something back in the 2009-10 NHL season saying that the Hawks had potential to be a dynasty, but due to the salary cap it would be a challenge and thus their best shot at the Cup was that magical 2010 playoff run.

The years since have been tough, with this year seeing a painful exit. During this series with Phoenix, I felt just about every emotion a sports fan can feel. Excitement. Disappointment. Joy. Fear. Anger. Depression. And resignation last night when the third puck got by Corey Crawford. I had come to terms with the fact that this incarnation wouldn't be playing again.

As far as playoff series go, this was not a good one... And not because of the outcome. As has been harped on early and often this April, the officiating throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs has been atrocious. You can point to Philly-Pittsburgh as the top example, but this series was equally bad. Early on it seemed like the Hawks couldn't buy a call. We had Flopgate. And even last night there were bad penalties. The one that ticked me off the most was the misconduct on Jimmy Hayes. Not the smartest hit, definitely a 5 minute major for boarding, but it was not a malicious hit. It just looked like it with an injured Coyote. It was reactive officiating again, not proactive.

As much as I harp on the officials sometimes, I'm a firm believer in the concept that referees don't decide games, the players do. And that was absolutely the case here, as most Hawks fans understand. Hawks defenders made some bad turnovers or were caught out of position to lead to big goals. Crawford let in 2 soft goals in overtime in the Madhouse. The offense often tried to do too much. So many times guys like Kane tried to maneuver through traffic rather than pass the puck.

At the same time, Phoenix deserved to win this series. They played phenomenal defense all series, and took advantage of Chicago miscues. But the biggest reason they won was because Mike Smith played out of his mind, especially yesterday. The philosophy is that you need a good goaltender to win a Cup. Mike Smith is a good, even great goaltender. That being said, I don't respect him. As good a net minder he is, trying to win an Oscar is unnecessary. He's a great player, but also a scumbag.

So what about a 2013 run? The Hawks need help on the back end. They're pretty good at forward (aside from needing a 2nd line center), but more physicality at the blue line is a must, and unfortunately Crawford is not the long term answer in goal. Good backup, but that's about it.

This group will be back in the playoffs again next spring. And hopefully then they will have the grit as well as the skill needed to bring Lord Stanley back where he belongs.