Game Notes: Dallas Stars @ Chicago Blackhawks (11/16/14)

Final Score

Blackhawks 6, Stars 2

Game Summary

Patrick Kane doing Patrick Kane things.

In the final game at the Madhouse before going on their annual Circus Trip, the Blackhawks (10-7-1) started fairly well with some good pressure and some pretty passing got them on the board first. Dallas (6-8-4) answered back a couple minutes later to tie it with some consistent presence in the Hawks' end, and added another shortly after. The Hawks woke up from there, helped by Andrew Shaw beating the crap out of Antoine Roussel. A couple minutes later, the power play got going and the Hawks tied it up. The second period was pretty uneventful, and the Hawks struggled a bit, but Crawford made a great glove save and a Star just missed an open net to keep the game tied at two after two. In the third, the Hawks came out firing again, taking the lead about five minutes in and just pouring it on from there.

Three Stars

3. Brad Richards (CHI): 2 A, 5 SOG, +3. Richards was honored before the game tonight, the 1000th of his career. He made it one to remember with his wife, baby, and parents in attendance. He fed Kane for the go-ahead goal early in the third, and added another helper on Versteeg's goal that made it 5-2 Hawks. 

2. Duncan Keith (CHI): 1 G, 1 A, 4 SOG, +1. Keith played pretty well on both ends of the ice, making some good defensive plays to help Crawford out. He also made a great cut to the net and put home a beautiful pass from Patrick Kane.

1. Patrick Kane (CHI): 1 G, 2 A, 3 SOG, +3. Kaner had himself a good night. He had that gorgeous pass to Keith on a break to the net to open the scoring, then set up the blast from the point that Seabrook hammered home to tie it. Kane went on to score the game-winner, shooting from a tough angle up over Kari Lehtonen.

Final Thoughts

I'd say Kristen and I picked a good game to go to. We went with her cousin Laura and her boyfriend Steve, not realizing it was Richards' 1000th game until we got there, and it's probably the best game Kristen and I have been to. Patrick Kane is Kristen's favorite player, so to see him have a great game was a plus. Toews scored too, which was nice, and I don't remember if we've been to a game where both have scored. 

The anthem was great, as always. To me though too, there's something magical about 21,000-plus people singing the chorus to Chelsea Dagger in unison, especially that many times. All in all, a good way to send the team off leading up to that long road trip.