BlackhawksBuzz

Another Original 6 matchup that really means little, due to years of neglecting the significance of these matchups. Boston is having another solid season after sharing the NHL’s basement with Chicago for many years. The Hawks hit an away stretch in the schedule, playing the next 10 of 12 on the road. Niemi gets the start against the defending Vezina Trophy winner, Tim Thomas.

The game had a good pace with a physical side. After a horrible slashing call on Toews, the Hawks go on the kill . . . and struggled. Boston was impressive, showing good puck control during the man-advantage. The Hawks failed to clear the zone, chasing the entire kill. Deep into the power play, Morris sent a shot from the blue line that was deflected in by Wheeler. With the way the Bruins were moving the puck, you could see it coming. They also did a good job of creating traffic in front. Just 2:30 later, Boston built up their lead with a wrist shot in close that beat Niemi high. This scoring chance was due to a defensive zone turnover. This was starting to get ugly.

But the Hawks fought back with 5 unanswered goals, shutting down Boston for the remainder of the game. To close out the first period, the Hawks responded, tying the game up at 2. Keith connected with a one-timer from Byfuglien. In the final minutes of the period, the Hawk score a quick goal, originating from strong forechecking that forced a turnover. Eager dished to Fraser who slide the puck in front to Kopecky who had an open net. Though a 2-2 period sounds even, the Hawks didn’t give up much and outshot the Bruins 17-8 (half of those shots were on their dominant power play).

The second period, the Hawks began taking control of the game. Their forecheck was applying good pressure and causing turnovers. Their back checking was effective, limiting Boston’s transition game. On the power play, Ladd swiped in a rebound off a Seabrook blast from the point. Midway through the second, Keith scored his second of the game with a simple little 68 foot wrister that found the back of the net. The monstrosity better known as Chara, did Thomas no favors, screening him on the shot.

Going into the third, Boston was still in it, as the Hawks held onto a 2 goal lead. But, Boston had to find a way to get something going. Niemi made some strong saves through 2 and the Hawks only allowed 5 shots in the second. The third period was more of the second. The Hawks stifling D only allowed 8 shots, with very little quality scoring chances. With time running out in the game, Kaner scored a wrister off a Brouwer turnover behind the net. The goal meant nothing in the game, but this extends Kane’s goal scoring streak to 10-games.

A solid win against another top team. The difference in this game was the Hawks’ speed and ability to forecheck effectively. Two of the 5 goals were direct results of a defensive turnover, forced by Chicago’s pressure up front. Next up, Minnesota on Saturday, for the second time this week.

Game Notes:
- Well balanced win as all 4 lines contributed
- Do Hawk’s fans still think Niemi is not a suitable backup?
- This team is making it look way too easy.
- They played “Frankenstien” over the PA in The Boston Garden during a stoppage of play, I could only think of that as Chara’s theme music? Everybody should have theme music.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):
Duncan Keith – he is playing his best hockey of the season. Solid on D, 2G 1A +4 and lead the team in ice time.

Watching this game brought me back to a time when Conferences and Divisions weren’t named after directions. When hockey had more of a gritty physical feel. When rivalries often resulted in bloodshed. St. Louis and Chicago played a throwback game that went back 20 years to a fierce Norris Division rivalry. St. Louis is currently in disarray after just firing Head Coach Andy Murray and calling up Davis Payne from Peoria earlier in the day. On the flip side of the coin, the Hawks are on a hot streak, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 games.

Game Recap:

As expected with a coaching change, the Blues came out with good pressure in the offensive zone. But this level of play was not sustained more than a few minutes past the opening faceoff. The Hawks got on the board first when Kopecky scored his first of 2 goals on the night. A shot from Seabs was deflected off Kopecky and the Hawks take a 1-0 lead. Just 2 minutes later, Brewer scored on a wrist shot from the near boards to tie it up at 1. Under 2 minutes later, Kopecky scored his second on a snap shot from the near circle, beating Conklin high to the stick side. But the Blue answer back to tie it up at 2 late in the second. McDonald fired a wrist shot from the high slot. Huet made the save but left a rebound for McDonald.

At this pace, it looked like the game was going to be a high scoring affair. Conklin looked shaky and Huet let in a few questionable ones.

Instead the Hawks took control and scored 4 unanswered goals. Scoring from Campbell, Versteeg and Sharp (2) put the game out of reach for St. Louis, but the Hawks had a rough run of it. The game was physical and the Blues were aggressive. An elbow to Kane’s head, a vicious open ice hit on Sharp, and attempted elbow to Sopel’s head highlighted St. Louis’ desperation to keep this game within reach. In the final minutes of the game, with the Hawks up 6-2, St. Louis scored on a deflection. This deflection hit Tkackuk in the face and in, sending Tkachuk down like a sack of potatoes. Final score, Hawks 6, St. Louis 3.

The Hawks did a good job after the first period in limiting the Blues shots and quality scoring chances. Shots in the 2nd were 13-5 Hawks. The special teams did a fantastic job on the PK, only allowing 7 shots in 10 minutes of PK (5 minutes of it was a 5-3 situation). They did allow 1 PPG off Tkachuk’s face. Particularly strong on the PK was Brent Sopel. With the game misconduct to Barker, the D saw more ice time. Both Hendry and Sopel put in strong games.

During the game, Foley had touched on the physical play that the Blues were throwing at the Hawks, and had a good point. The absence of a “goon” on the Hawks is something some fans think needs to be addressed. But the toughness this team has shown and their willingness mix it up in the defense of a teammate is solid. I would rather the Hawks not make a move than to pick up a hired thug to sit on the bench, lucky to see 6 minutes of ice time. What they could use is a big, physical presence that can skate a regular shift. Unfortunately, every team is looking for that, so the price tag could be too much. Besides, they have that in Buff, who hasn’t been throwing the body much lately. At the same time, I don’t think Eager should be throwing himself in front of any punches with the concussion issues he has been through.

Nice division win, taking advantage of a struggling team.

Game Notes:
- After Sharp got rocked with the open ice hit from Weaver, he didn’t miss a shift.
- During Eager’s second fight of the game, he received a game misconduct for having his hand taped/bandaged up.
- Tkachuk needed major oral surgery, but there was no broken bones involved.
- Kopecky has been playing better, turning in a 2 goal game.
- The Hawks didn’t do themselves any favors regarding penalties, but a strong PK bailed them out.
- Midway through the first, the Hawks shortened their bench to 5 D with the loss of Barker, but the D didn’t miss a beat.
- Hjarlmarsson was a scratch. He took a puck off the side of the head while on the bench. Cut him open near the ear.

MVB (Most Valuable Blackhawk):
Brent Sopel – he had his best game this season and came up big on the PK. He had 1 assist, +2 with 5 blocked shot. He also skated just under 22 minutes of ice time.