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The Hawks did not fear..

But they certainly did not play smart hockey and so much for streaks ending now - maybe 10 days from now is the right time to switch things up.

If there's one thing we can say about this game, it's that the Hawks can certainly skate with the best teams in the league.  From a certain stand-point, this game could have gone either way with the right bounces.  There were several times that the Sharks could have knocked a few more home, and a few chances that the Hawks could have come away with two points. 

The problem came into the third period where the Hawks once again experienced the pain of not playing a full 60 minutes of hockey.  This game they came out sloppy, then started to dominate, then once again played like they were a few steps behind the pace of the Sharks.

When it comes right down to it... you can't give up as many penalties as the Hawks did and expect to win.  The PK teams were a highlight of the past few weeks, but tonight they gave up 4 goals, just like Calgary did in the Sharks last game.  Had it not been for those multiple penalties the Hawks could have won the game.

Star-divide

 

I wrote this a few hours ago:

The Hawks have been great on the kill this year though and are still near the top of the league killing penalties 89.6% of the time.  I'd still like to see them stay out of the box against this team though.

And fuckin' a if I didn't have the right feeling about the game.  The Sharks scored four times with the extra man. 

The game ultimately came down to special teams - with flashes of brilliance on each side.  Versteeg, or as he's been come to know on some blogs and as I will refer to him from now as VERSTEEG! , practically kept the team in the game but it ultimately just wasn't enough.  His two goals may be considered "flukes" by some sources - but they should rightly be thought of as hard work and lucky breaks. 

His shorthanded goal to tie it up at 1 all was all about not giving up on the play.  Boucher thought he had an easy play - but coughed it up when put under some pressure.  His third goal was more of the fluke - but still came from hard work and the right moves.  I doubt his idea was to score a goal by getting the puck back in front of the net - but things just happen that way if you try.

The third period unfortunately was all Sharks - the dominated the play and drew three hooking penalties - two of which the Sharks took advantage of.

Sopel once again looked like shit out on the ice - slow as balls and the control of a 15 year old on his first date.  His whiff on the puck halfway through the second directly gave up a goal to Roenick (who still does not need to be feared).  I don't know if the Hawks can afford it - but once Wiz comes back he's the guy who simply has to go.  Was he this bad last year?  I really don't remember him being so terrible - but that could be just bad memory.  Luckily once that turn over happened he was rarely seen on the ice again. 

Huet looked terrible again early on - giving up huge rebounds on fairly straight-forward shots - like the one Super Joe was able to score on to kill an momentum the Hawks had after VERSTEEG!'s shortie.  He was able to keep things under control a bit better from the second on - but the early goals still didn't help the Hawks any.

To wrap it all up - the Sharks were obviously able to catch weaknesses in the Hawks Power Play and take full advantage of the.  At least two of the goals came from guys flying in the back side to put it behind Huet - obviously knowing they'd be free in those situations.

So ends the Hawks road trip at 2-1-2... this may be the first time in a while fans can look forward to the circus trip with a chance to continue a good streak against a few weak teams and a few they could possibly upset at home.

Ultimately - a bad effort and an end to the point streak at home - but not the end of the world.  Perhaps getting away from home can do a team good.. we'll see.

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Welcome

to SBNation chicagokill. I love the activity and enthusiasm you bring but lay off the sauce! :P

by antbogey on Nov 17, 2008 8:41 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Lay off the sauce? I’d rather move to Detroit..

www.SecondCityHockey.com

by Matthew Dirt on Nov 17, 2008 9:23 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Huet

With Khabby in net, the Hawks would have won hands down. How about the shot that was deflected off Huet and he didn’t even move when the rebound came his way. I watched in astonishment and Edzo made a comment on it as well. Unacceptable

I realize you can’t start Khabby every night but this was a big win situation against an extremely good team. We needed more than “Five Hole” Huet.

by delorean80 on Nov 17, 2008 10:00 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

He didn't move

because Thornton fired a laser over his shoulder. Seriously, he could’ve gotten the puck after it came out of the net and shot again. That’s how hard he shot that. I think it’s easy to say the Hawks would’ve won with Khabby but I have a hard time believing he would’ve fared any better with their PK unit in front of him. Fraser and Burish were running around and into each other and left cross ice lanes wide open.

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 17, 2008 11:51 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I was more concerned because he gave up the giant rebound in the first place. I don’t remember the original shot being very hard.. just a pretty simple wrister. The rebound Huet gave up went out to dead center about 10 feet – but Thornton had a perfect set up.

www.SecondCityHockey.com

by Matthew Dirt on Nov 17, 2008 12:33 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Certainly his rebound control

is something to be concerned about. Last night was probably the poorest I’ve seen from him regarding that. Another thing would be him going down before anyone even thinks about shooting. San Jose was picking him apart upstairs because that’s what the elite teams will do. I just don’t think anyone should take what Edzo says about goaltending too seriously.

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 17, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Sopel's turnover that led to the Roenick goal was pathetic

Other than that, Huet was awful once again, why in the world did tallon sign this clown, if he lets in less than 4 goals its considered a good game.

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Nov 17, 2008 12:14 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Huet has started seven games so far

he’s given up more than 3 goals twice. I’d say he’s had 5 good games then and two bad ones.

by El Duque's Raft on Nov 17, 2008 12:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Starting to wonder

if Sopel is the odd man out when Wisnewski is ready.

I’m still withholding judgment on Huet – when he’s good, he’s pretty good, but when he’s bad, he’s awful.

It was a good season.

by vince_ on Nov 17, 2008 4:02 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Nothing to wonder

Sopel blows syphilitic donkey dong.

HOCKEENIGHT.COM...home of FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS and LEAVE IT TO BETTMAN...now with PODCASTING!!!

by Forklift14 on Nov 25, 2008 3:31 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

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