This Is What I Know About Being Gigantic - Hawks 5, Bruins 4 (SO - Hawks win shirtless slap fight)
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 10:09 AM CST
70 comments
The Hawks' lineup looked quite a bit different on Friday, with Antti Niemi starting in net, Niklas Hjalmarsson sitting out because of feeling under the weather (rumor has it he hurt his knee in the Peterborough game), and Ben Eager sitting out presumably because he's a steakhead. Personally, I would have sat Tomas Kopecky again in favor of Eager, but I'm not the guy with the mustache...YET. Both teams traded chances in the opening minutes of the first, with the Hawks once again moving the puck very well, but only seemed to be able to manufacture shots from the perimeter against Tim Thomas, who appeared to be on in the early going with his Hasek-esque style. In their own zone, however, the Hawks were an adventure. Joel Quenneville very quickly into the game rearranged his defensemen, pairing Jordan Hendry with Brian Campbell in order to keep two pairs consistent in Hammer's absence- a result which paid dividends. It did not prevent David Krejci from opening the scoring, however, as Niemi failed to smother a dump in with his catch glove (which was suspect all evening), and the puck came to Krejci out front to poke home.
Early in the second, Kris Versteeg potted the Hawks' equalizer off of a careless pass from Andrew Ference which VERSTEEG! alertly snapped past Thomas. The ice then began to tilt in the Hawks favor, as Patrick Sharp gave the Hawks the lead banging home a rebound crashing the left post. After having some issues with the referee in the corner at the other end of the ice Brent Sopel (at his Sopel-est tonight), coughed up a turnover that led to Daniel Paille tying the game at two. However, in the waning moments of the second, Troy Brouwer threw a goal line pass from the corner to Jonathan Toews, who harpooned the puck between Thomas' legs to give the Hawks the lead after 40. All three Hawks' goal scorers in the period potted their tenth goals of the year.
The Hawks' assault on Thomas continued into the third, but Boston once again drew even, as Johnny Boychuk slapped a cross ice feed undereath Niemi's right arm. Less than two minutes later, Andrew Ladd received credit for redirecting a Brian Campbell point blast into the net after some fine perimeter puck movement by Campbell, Hendry, and Sharp. It would not be a lead the Hawks would hold onto. With less than three minutes remaining, the Bruins found themselves on a 3-on-2, with both Sharp and Marian Hossa late to return on their backchecks, which let Krejci pot his second of the night to tie the game up. After relatively uneventful OT, the contest needed to be decided with a couple rounds of rochambeau, with Q deciding to let the B's shoot first. Patrice Bergeron ran out of room on Niemi, and Toews made him pay with the now trademark snapper at the other end. Blake Wheeler got Niemi down and out but drew iron, which made Patrick Kane's backhader at the other end hold up as the winner. Hawks win.
Observations
- Outside of Sharp and Hossa's lackadaisical backcheck, Niemi's glove, and Sopel being Sopel, I found very little to complain about from anyone else. No passengers for this game whatsoever. Even Tomas Kopecky's general invisibility was not for lack of effort.
- I was very impressed with Jordan Hendry's ability to step in and play with Brian Campbell, one of the more difficult defenseman in the league to partner with, arguably the most. Credit to Quenneville as well for realizing very quickly that Cam Barker simply does not have the foot speed to recover in time to be paired with Soup at even strength, and making the change. As Sam said, why screw up two pairs with Hammer out?
- The Hawks dominated in shots in the second and third, and give credit to the Bruins for capitalizing on the opportunities they got. This game could have been a case of water finding its own level with Antti Niemi, who did make some very good saves when they counted, but a couple of the B's goals - Krejci's first and Boychuck's - could and should have been stopped.
- Apologies for the obtuse headline. I know it's a reach, but please bear with me. See what I did there?
- I know the Hawks have two games in hand, but how the fuck are they only two points ahead of goddamn Nashville? That Barry Trotz really is something.
- Credit the Hawks for not shying away from the monster that is Zdeno Chara. I witnessed Kane, Toews and VERSTEEG! initiate contact with that pituitary case, with Toews retaliating a bit on Versteeg's behalf at one point near the benches, and at one point Troy Brouwer and Chara came to within a hair on my sack from scrapping. It would have been a fight that Our Boy Troy would have been destroyed in, but the courage is admirable.
- All eight goals came at even strength. For the top two PK units in the league, I know that's a shock.
- Thanks to you, the reader, who now seems to understand that if there's a game on a weekend evening, it's pretty well implied that the wrap isn't coming until the following morning due to this blog's propensity for getting itself banged up before, during, and after games. The fact that the weekday games are now a coin-flip as well could be cause for concern, however. Knowing us, though, we'd make the inevitable intervention an open invite event at the Whirlaway.
Player of the Game
While this award could have gone a number of ways, I'll give it to everyone's, including seemingly Q's, favorite $7 million dollar whipping boy. Even with his Swedish security blanket out of the lineup, Brian Campbell managed to be a +1 with an assist during nearly 28:00 minutes of ice time in a back and forth game. Campbell created opportunities in the offensive zone, had an assist on a redirected slap shot, and was solid in his own end.
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Q said postgame Eager had an upper body injury
The Return of the Concussion Symptoms?
by chiblackhawks on Dec 19, 2009 10:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
21:42
Was how long Hendry was out on the ice and personally I thought he played a damn good game. He is damn capable of playing on the 3rd line if need be.
In addition if a guy like Barker is making 3 million basically for his shot at the point (as I don’t see his defence much, no speed, and rarely uses his size to hit) and he had no shots on goal last night? 13+ minutes of ice time and not one shot on goal? This inculding almost 2 full minutes on the Powerplay. Le Sigh
Oh and Q must’ve said something to Seabs because he is hitting opposing players more than Chris Brown wails on his chick. He led the team again last night with 5 credited hits, I like it.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 19, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Great Defense indeed, Mortimer
I thought Dunc was close to mortal last night- quick, skilled teams don’t fall for his dekes so easily. Still 28 minutes of basically great hockey. Seebs, Soup, and Hendry were all great, and Sopel/Barker is not a terrible 3rd line. Plus, Barker has been trying to bogue the occasional hit of late. Hendry’s play opens up some possibilities.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 19, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And
what the hell happened to Tim Thomas? Dear lord he gave up a shitload of rebounds in the 2nd and 3rd period.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 19, 2009 10:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
You guys make music references all the time that I never get, but then the one time it’s an “obtuse” one, it’s one I understand. Fantastic use of Minus the Bear, good sir.
by hawksfan21 on Dec 19, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Circle gets the sqaure
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 10:57 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I had also missed the caption you put on that photo. You have jumped to the top of my SCH Power Rankings, McClure. Down week for Killion, who drops from first to third.
by hawksfan21 on Dec 19, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hammer
should have never went outside to start his car in that rain storm last week.
twitter.com/BlackhawksDL
by Original Six on Dec 19, 2009 11:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hope it didn't settle down in his kidneys.
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Take a jacket next time
I hate Illinois Nazis.
by Scott13 on Dec 19, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I will take Niemi's leather glove over
Huet’s lead glove any day. On the replay the closest Wheeler’s puck could have gotten to the net was hitting iron-any closer and it is in Neimi’s glove. Neimi will only get better as his play time increases. He has the attack mindset to a stud in net.
Sopel out Hendry in
Kopecky out—Call up somebody…anybody.
Bufferoo is becoming more steady in his effort
Mr. Kane is NOT lazy-luv his effort
"Let 'em say all those nice things," he says, "but I know my mistakes, and I make plenty of them.-Bobby Orr
by taBruiser on Dec 19, 2009 11:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed that hendry needs to be in, but send Barker somewhere before sopel. He seems to at least get what hes supposed to do, but he does have epic brain farts every now and again. Barker just hasnt seemed with it for the last while.
Also agreed that Kopecky needs to go.
Buff seems to step up his game with a solid checking center, so if we keep him with Madden, then we should see this effort continue. That would be scary good.
by Delta0ne1 on Dec 19, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
I’d take Sopel over Barker easily at this point.
Everyone is calling for Kopecky’s head right now but although last night was one game, if he can play like that I would love for him to stick around line 4 for awhile. Better than Eager getting meathead penalties.
And Buff is playing like when he had Sammy P on his line, funny. Backchecking veteran centers must be his thang.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 19, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Auntie Em was crap
I’m gonna hang the last goal on him too. 3 minutes left, you can’t cough up that fuckin’ rebound, period. Still, only his second poor outing of the year, and the Hawks still got two points (since it’s non-conference, who cares if Boston got one?)
After the first period, the Hawks were pretty dominant. It’s a pretty good trick to be able to elevate from Tampa Bay/St. Louis to an elite team, and the Hawks pulled it off.
I thought, for the first time all year, Kopecky woke up and realized this could be a fun ride, and he ain’t got a full season pass.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 19, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed on Niemi
Both Krejci goals hang on him not covering up a completely cover-uppable puck.
by gmh on Dec 19, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
agreed...lesson learned for young goalie
"Let 'em say all those nice things," he says, "but I know my mistakes, and I make plenty of them.-Bobby Orr
by taBruiser on Dec 19, 2009 12:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It shut up the Antti over Huet lovers for awhile, which seems to still be running rampant where I sit.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 19, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Since no one else has mentioned it...
Love the Minus the Bear reference…now if you could fit “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse” into your recap, I will truly be impressed.
I thought Hendry was totally solid; he seemed very heady and in good position all night. Aside from the first period in their own zone, I thought the Hawks dominated the game.
by Dunkdropsa2 on Dec 19, 2009 11:46 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Or I suck...
because Hawksfan21 made reference to your uncanny musical references.
by Dunkdropsa2 on Dec 19, 2009 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Another Minus the Bear fan. Fantastic! I’m fully expecting “Hey, Wanna Throw Up?” as a headline for a Predators game at some point.
by hawksfan21 on Dec 19, 2009 4:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Love Minus the Bear
Blackhawks = “Ice Monster”
We'll never forget you, Brent Farve.
by LowlyPackerFan on Dec 19, 2009 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
It might just be me, but I was extraordinarily disappointed by Planet of Ice. It was no Highly Refined Pirates, but the new one sounds like it’s going to be fantastic.
by hawksfan21 on Dec 19, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was solid.
More commercial for sure but still enjoy most of it.
by Dunkdropsa2 on Dec 20, 2009 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
“Extraordinarily disappointed” by Minus the Bear standards means it’s still pretty good. Probably could have made that clearer.
by hawksfan21 on Dec 20, 2009 11:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice recap
You hit on everything (see what I did there) and I pretty much agree with everything you wrote.
On another note, I think the better part of the team has the flu. Maybe I’m wrong but it would explain the random benchings and the TOI stats. The Madden line seemed to never be out, and the boxscore can’t tell me if this is true, but Q normally benches the 4th line during the 3rd period of a close game, and he seemed to last night, but I would have sworn that the 4th line had more TOI than the Madden line through the first 2 periods. We’ll find out on Sunday when we see what happens for the Wings game but I think there’s a little more at work here than what they were admitting.
I hate Illinois Nazis.
by Scott13 on Dec 19, 2009 11:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Madden's not 100%...
…only 14 minutes last night. I love the guy, but he’s had 3 or 4 chances the past week that Weapon would probably have converted. Of course, offense is not his thng, and his constant 100% effort is still there, but he hasn’t seemed quite as effective lately- hopefully, it is the flu or something.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 19, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Entertaining game but kind of weird
It was interesting to see the Hawks in a true end-to-end kind of game after so many teams try to clog things up against us or we spend most of the game in their end with our great puck possession. It seemed like a tennis match for a while, with the back-and-forth skating. Also interesting to see a team play defense against us by actually attacking the person with the puck instead of dropping back to the net. Our guys didn’t seem to have much time to make decisions.
I thought Niemi gave up way too many rebounds—at least 2 of the goals came from him not controlling the puck. He didn’t look as confident tonight.
After dominating the last couple games so thoroughly against crappy teams, it was weird to see the Hawks sort of “struggle” a bit against a good one. Mind you, they kept coming up with the goals and owned the second half of the game, but I’ve gotten used to seeing them make it look easy. Apparently, it’s not.
by Preacher000 on Dec 19, 2009 12:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
"I'm not the guy with the mustache...YET."
Does this mean you’re growing one, or you’re in the running for Hawks’ head coach?
(And if you become coach, can we get some tickets?)
by Preacher000 on Dec 19, 2009 12:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Well, I am currently in the midst of growing one of my two beards (by cracky – thank you Terry Boers), this one for an annual ski trip I take with my friends, and the other one should be obvious. So at some point, yes, I will be the guy with the mustache when I decide to go all My Name is Earl during the last day of said trip.
And I’m not gunning for Q’s job, but the fact that I haven’t at least been consulted yet regarding the power play should come as a shock to everyone. Fuck knows it’s a shock to me.
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 12:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I actually prefer the ambiguity of the message...
…it’s like a throw down to the most interesting man in the world and Hi, I’m Bob LeDonne.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 19, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hawks deserved the W
Big time,could have had it in regulation,buuuuuuut I’m not one to complain…..U r right,Niemi botched 2 goals,i’m not complaining,i’m just saying….and its kinda not realistic to expect the Hawks to only give up 1 or 2 goals everygame,I’m just glad that the firepower of the offense has sorta returned
I thought both teams played very disciplined hockey,and it was a fun game to watch with both teams flying up and down the ice
Whats the Hawks record against the East now?
Faceoffs were 31-28 i believe in favor of Boston
by csm on Dec 19, 2009 12:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
On the first Niemi botched cover up
Boston crashed the net and kicked it out……where %$#$ were the defense to protect the goalie…..
"Let 'em say all those nice things," he says, "but I know my mistakes, and I make plenty of them.-Bobby Orr
by taBruiser on Dec 19, 2009 12:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That is true
He did botch the cover up,it seemed like he had it for a second then lost it,and then it seemed like the D froze,so i guess u could call a double botch,one on Niemi,the other goes to the defense
by csm on Dec 19, 2009 12:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I honestly thought I heard a whistle
And it seemed to me like the Hawks stopped playing. But I guess I was wrong.
If it was one of those douchebags doing the bird call thing, I hope they learned a lesson, too.
If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning
by Trixietrx on Dec 19, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought I saw a bit of a knee to Niemi’s head on that first one as the Boston guy skated past when the puck came out too. Still a sloppy goal though all around.
by runningquicklynowhere on Dec 20, 2009 1:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
someone a few weeks back
mentioned something about Niemi’s unconventional goaltending method. I was hoping that person could maybe expand on his original comment based on what we saw last night? To me, it seems like Niemi holds his glove differently than a lot of goaltenders do, leading up to a shot being taken. I felt like a lot of his glove saves looked more frantic last night than they maybe should, or maybe that was a symptom of him giving up a lot of rebounds and generally not covering up the puck well. What are the other aspects of Niemi’s “unconventional” goaltending methodology? I’m not well versed enough to pick out all of the differences between him and Huet/others.
I’m glad Coach Q realized the folly of Campbell-Barker and Hendry-Sopel. Last season we saw what an unmitigated disaster Campbell-Barker could be in their own zone, and aren’t we lucky that we got to revisit that for a whole 10 minutes last night! Good times!! And with Hendry and Sopel, I kept on expecting some invisible third defenseman to swoop in and move the puck up the ice. I thought Hendry conducted himself very well on both ends of the ice, and seemed to complement Soupster offensively at times, too.
by gmh on Dec 19, 2009 12:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Meh...the kid's allright.
Goalies have those games where they give up rebounds like they’re a pitch-back. Huey is the #1; everyone knows this. The ice time that Niemi gets now will give us a good inidication as to whether or not he is our goalie of the future. How old is is Cristobal? 36? 37?
by HawkInExile on Dec 19, 2009 12:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
And how old is Niemi and where did we get him?
"Let 'em say all those nice things," he says, "but I know my mistakes, and I make plenty of them.-Bobby Orr
by taBruiser on Dec 19, 2009 12:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Twenty-six and from the Finnish elite league
He apparently played for the Pelicans in that league, and I’ve been toying with the idea of bestowing upon him a moniker relating to the Chicago based shoegaze metal band also named Pelican. I’ll see what I can come up with.
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 12:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
"A Delicate Sense of Balance"?
since I think Sopel has “the Creeper” covered.
by gmh on Dec 19, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You had better believe “The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw” will be the title of a post at some point.
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
by McClure on Dec 19, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ok...played 3 years in the Finnish League
Played 38 games at Rockford last year-posted a 2.43 GAA—since then has been up with the "Hawks. Great set-up having a class act veteran like Huet to show Niemi the way.
"Let 'em say all those nice things," he says, "but I know my mistakes, and I make plenty of them.-Bobby Orr
by taBruiser on Dec 19, 2009 12:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Nice reference
Love the music references on the site. Anyone of you guys ever listen to Pelican? Local band. Heavy, too. Check them out.
by Slaky on Dec 19, 2009 2:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Reply and link fail!
This my last chance to get it right. Pelican – check it out here: http://www.last.fm/music/Pelican
by Slaky on Dec 19, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Foley
I love the man but he called a horrible game last night in my opinion. How many times can you confuse Campbell with Hossa? This has been happening more and more lately.
by HjammerTime on Dec 19, 2009 3:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
#51 can look an awful lot like #81
when its wearer is executing a spin-o-rama. Just sayin’.
by gmh on Dec 19, 2009 3:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough! I would point out he has done this with Madden too! Maybe they just want him to say Hossa as many times as possible.
by HjammerTime on Dec 19, 2009 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
i usually confuse 82 with 32
and believe me, this shames me to no end.
by chiblackhawks on Dec 19, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It shames all of us
Every time you do it, even if we don’t know.
by meeshak on Dec 19, 2009 5:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As least hes not 100% douche like Eddie O.
by HjammerTime on Dec 19, 2009 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
would you rather
have Tallon in there?
"I fornicate and play hockey, cause ther're the 2 most fun things in cold weather"
by Johnny Lava on Dec 19, 2009 4:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I have been and always will be a Billy Gardner loyalist. Kidding. I actually like Tallon up there. Listening to him get worked up was entertaining.
by HjammerTime on Dec 19, 2009 4:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I loved Dale in the booth
hence my signature…
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
by HawkVision on Dec 19, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And where does that Tallon quote come from?
What game? Is there a recording? I loved Tallon in the booth because he was honest. Got in trouble for it too, I’ve heard.
by Preacher000 on Dec 19, 2009 9:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
1997 - Game 4 WCQF vs. the Avalanche
Hawks were up 6-3 at home with not much time left. Keep in mind this was the era that still had the giant blue bubble around the net, so anytime there was a goal, if anyone from the scoring team was near the net with their skate, a review was inevitable. The ’lanche scored their 4th, pretty meaningless goal, and that conversation with Tallon and Foley commences…and the goal was waived off. I remember listening to it on the radio, and I laughed my ass off.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
by HawkVision on Dec 20, 2009 8:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That quote sounds dead on. Thats the kind of thing I miss. Foley and Tallon are probably my favorite combo to ever listen to.
by HjammerTime on Dec 20, 2009 12:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He bought a Ford. And somehow managed to buy a 2010 back in ’08. Anyone else catch that?
by oneminuteremainingintheperiodoneminute on Dec 19, 2009 7:54 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Fucking Preds win again.
WTF? When are they going to wake up and remember that they are the Preds?
by HawkInExile on Dec 19, 2009 8:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The last game will be a shut-out
Right after they lose in four games in the WCF to the Hawks, outscored 21-3.
by meeshak on Dec 19, 2009 10:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
While i’ll be the first to know much about Kopecky pre-Hawks, and I know i’m preaching to most of the choir, but What did the Blackhawks see in Kopecky…it’s astounding this is a player they saw enough talent in, to sign him for two years.
He’s not just Slow, he has absolutely No anticipation of the play, no hockey sense, doesn’t check nearly enough, he’s slow, loses the puck every time, and he’s slow,
The talent evaluation on him make the Adam Bennet 1st Round Pick look acceptable.
by WirtzGMnomore on Dec 20, 2009 12:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
oops
…meant: “…NOT know much about (Kopecky.)..”
damn anger issue and Edit -less option!
by WirtzGMnomore on Dec 20, 2009 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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