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Monday, April 16, 2012

Hawks need last second heroics to tie series.

That is 3 times in a row (counting Jonathan Toews last second heroics from last year in Vancouver), that the Hawks needed last second heroics to move the game into OT.

Brent Seabrook took a slapshot from the point and it deflected off of Patrick Sharp's stick for a 3-3 tie.

This game had all the intensity that you want in a playoff series. It was a thrilling game to watch if you were neither a Phoenix or Chicago fan. For if you were a fan of either, you had your heart in your throat. Want to know who the star of this game was? BRYAN BICKELL... Really? Yes, Bickell.
He scored his first powerplay goal with a tip out of mid air for the first goal. He scored an overtime goal from a feed from V.Stalberg that gave him two goals and a teammate barrage afterwards.

Brandon Bollig got his first ever NHL points with a wrist shot goal as he was streaking down the left side. NICE to see him get on the board.

The biggest call of the night is when Andrew Shaw (the smallest guy on the Hawks) made head to head contact with Phoenix's 6'4"  goaltender Mike Smith . Smith should have won an academy award for his embellishment, for he "miraculously" recovered to play a fine game. That academy award performance will give Shaw a visit to Brandan Shanahan's office on Monday.......BULLSHIT!!!.

The biggest player of the game had to be Corey Crawford. He made incredible stops, time after time and was the big reason the Hawks won.

The Hawks who were disappointing? Duncan Keith. He couldn't clear a puck, he couldn't forecheck, he allowed players to sit in front of Corey Crawford BOTH goals during the powerplay. I could have driven a truck between him and Seabrook during their PK. It was absolutely atrocious. He needs to pick up his effort. Hossa and Kane were shadows the last game until Kane gets credit for a feeder late. But, they were nowhere to be found during the game. Their superstars have to show up. Their grinders are doing fabulously, and are the reason they still are in this series.







SCORING SUMMARY

1st Period
03:05CHIPPG Bryan Bickell (1) Backhand - Assists: D. Bolland (1) & J. Oduya (2)
08:52PHXRaffi Torres (1) Wrist Shot - Assists: S. Doan (1)
13:44PHXPPG - Antoine Vermette (2) Tip-In - Assists: K. Yandle (2) & O. Ekman-Larsson (1)
2nd Period
06:57CHIBrandon Bollig (1) Wrist Shot - AssistsN. Leddy (1) & D. Keith (1)
08:41PHXPPG - Antoine Vermette (3) Wrist Shot - Assists: K. Yandle (3) & D. Morris (1)
3rd Period
19:54CHIPatrick Sharp (1) Tip-In - Assists: B. Seabrook (1) & P. Kane (3)
OT Period
10:36CHIBryan Bickell (2) Wrist Shot - Assists: V. Stalberg (1)



   
  


Saturday, March 31, 2012

Hawks Play Nashville to clinch playoff spot

The Chicago Blackhawks play Nashville tomorrow in Nashville to try and earn a playoff spot. They are one win away from clinching a playoff position without help from anyone else.

4 games to go. Nashville (away), Minnesota (home/away) and Detroit (away).  Hawks are 1 point behind Nashville with Nashville having the game at hand. Hawks are 2 points behind Detroit with Detroit having a game at hand. Because the Hawks didn't do well against Nashville, or Phoenix. they have to have more points against them. Hawks did alright this year against Detroit, but Detroit still has the upper hand.
As once stated, it's a dangerous game to try to lose to the 6th spot just to play either Dallas or Phoenix.
So, the best thing the Hawks can do is try to win without any help....and let the chips fall where they may.
If the Hawks did win out, (and I don't think they will...will be lucky to hit 99pts this year splitting the last four games),....they'd end up at 103 points. 6 behind my prediction of 109. They probably would have been there if they didn't have that massive 9 game slide. However, the fact is they just need to get ready for the playoffs, get Duncan Keith back from suspension and Jonathan Toews back from concussion. They play with their full team, and the recent play of players like : Shaw, Stalberg, Crawford, Oduya, Keith, Sharp, Kane and Hossa...they have as good a shot as any to win and go deep in the playoffs.
This was an interesting year, for they were a team with so much talent, but it took a while to find themselves. That they did after they 9 game slide. I felt they needed 8-9 wins this month to regain their strength. They are 10-2-2 this month with one game left. That is an outstanding month. But, they really need to go 10-2-3 or 11-2-2 to make that extra step. That step into the playoffs without anyone's help.

I haven't said this in a while.......Let's go Hawks!!!





Western Conference
WESTERN CONFERENCEGPWLOTPTSROWGFGAHOMEAWAYL10
X - ST LOUIS784820101064420215130-4-418-16-65-2-3
Y - VANCOUVER77472191034023118723-10-424-11-56-3-1
DALLAS7742305893520520422-14-320-16-26-4-0
X - DETROIT7746265973923919130-5-216-21-33-5-2
X - NASHVILLE7744258964021920224-9-520-16-35-4-1
CHICAGO7843269953723522527-8-516-18-47-1-2
PHOENIX78382713893220220220-13-618-14-75-2-3
LOS ANGELES77382712883217816521-14-417-13-87-3-0
SAN JOSE78392910883121120124-12-315-17-75-4-1
COLORADO7940336863120120822-15-218-18-45-3-2
CALGARY78352815853219121521-11-614-17-94-3-3
ANAHEIM77333311773019421321-17-212-16-94-5-1
MINNESOTA77323510742416421218-16-414-19-64-6-0
EDMONTON7731379712620722618-16-513-21-45-2-3
COLUMBUS7725457572118125215-21-310-24-43-7-0