Game Summary
Playing without a few of their major contributors, the Blackhawks (41-15-15) put forth a great effort early and got quite a few good looks, but Anton Khudobin held his own for the Hurricanes (30-31-9). Carolina didn't manage a shot on goal until more than 11 minutes had gone by. Ultimately the teams went into intermission scoreless. The Hawks didn't waste a lot of time in the second period, scoring a breakaway goal to take the lead. They'd add another one towards the end of the period thanks to some lackadaisical defense by the Hurricanes. Unfortunately, Carolina notched a goal with 38 seconds left in the period to halve the lead going back to the locker room. They came out and got a 5-on-3 power play, and after a timeout, scored directly off a draw to tie it up. They remained on a one-man advantage, but a bad bounce off a shot attempt gave the Hawks another breakaway chance, and they took advantage again. Carolina had a few decent looks to come back again, but struggled to get Khubodin off the ice thanks to great offensive zone pressure by the Hawks, who held on for the win.
Playing without a few of their major contributors, the Blackhawks (41-15-15) put forth a great effort early and got quite a few good looks, but Anton Khudobin held his own for the Hurricanes (30-31-9). Carolina didn't manage a shot on goal until more than 11 minutes had gone by. Ultimately the teams went into intermission scoreless. The Hawks didn't waste a lot of time in the second period, scoring a breakaway goal to take the lead. They'd add another one towards the end of the period thanks to some lackadaisical defense by the Hurricanes. Unfortunately, Carolina notched a goal with 38 seconds left in the period to halve the lead going back to the locker room. They came out and got a 5-on-3 power play, and after a timeout, scored directly off a draw to tie it up. They remained on a one-man advantage, but a bad bounce off a shot attempt gave the Hawks another breakaway chance, and they took advantage again. Carolina had a few decent looks to come back again, but struggled to get Khubodin off the ice thanks to great offensive zone pressure by the Hawks, who held on for the win.
Three Stars
3. Patrick Sharp (CHI): 1 G, 6 SOG, +1. Sharp netted his 30th goal of the year on that first breakaway off a great feed from Andrew Shaw. I didn't get to see him finish it off since I was standing behind our seats from an earlier food run, but I know the unmistakable sound of a goal when I hear it.
2. Alexander Semin (CAR): 2 G, 4 SOG, -1. I didn't really know anyone on the Hurricane roster offhand, but remembered Semin a little but when I saw his name. He scored both Carolina goals, the first on a rocket late in the second, and then a second one in the third while on a two-man advantage.
1. Jonathan Toews (CHI): 1 G (SH), 2 SOG, +1. Toews took a couple penalties tonight he maybe shouldn't have, but made the play of the game shortly after the Canes tied it up. An errant shot took a funky bounce towards the Carolina zone, and Toews caught up with it, and made a gorgeous forehand-backhand move to put it home. It was all the Hawks needed from there.
3. Patrick Sharp (CHI): 1 G, 6 SOG, +1. Sharp netted his 30th goal of the year on that first breakaway off a great feed from Andrew Shaw. I didn't get to see him finish it off since I was standing behind our seats from an earlier food run, but I know the unmistakable sound of a goal when I hear it.2. Alexander Semin (CAR): 2 G, 4 SOG, -1. I didn't really know anyone on the Hurricane roster offhand, but remembered Semin a little but when I saw his name. He scored both Carolina goals, the first on a rocket late in the second, and then a second one in the third while on a two-man advantage.
1. Jonathan Toews (CHI): 1 G (SH), 2 SOG, +1. Toews took a couple penalties tonight he maybe shouldn't have, but made the play of the game shortly after the Canes tied it up. An errant shot took a funky bounce towards the Carolina zone, and Toews caught up with it, and made a gorgeous forehand-backhand move to put it home. It was all the Hawks needed from there.
Final Thoughts
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| Photo of Arnie the Alpaca by Kristen Klecka |
One guy not mentioned on here so far, but should be? Corey Crawford. He made 26 saves tonight, including a few really good ones and also played well despite taking a stick to the groin. He may not be an "elite" goaltender, per se, but he's a very good netminder who can definitely help this team win another Cup.
Kristen and I went to this game as our dating anniversary gift to each other, and it happened to time out to be three months before our wedding. Clearly the outcome was becoming of the evening. We're now 1-1 on the season after seeing a loss to Minnesota earlier in the year. One thing we did confirm though is that our alpaca friend pictured to the left is a good luck charm: the Blackhawks are 2-0 when we bring him. We forgot to take him when we went earlier in the season. Now we know. Nobody bring up the Law of Averages; I don't want to hear it.
I do think this year's Hawks team is capable of repeating, but it won't be easy. Having to face Colorado in the first round as they're on track to do (though they now would have home ice) scares me a little bit based on season results. But then again, playoff hockey is totally different. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks. And hopefully come playoff time, the Hawks will be at full strength. Get well soon, Kaner.
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