Sun and Steel - Hawks 5, Preds 4
by McClure on Dec 27, 2009 9:00 PM CST
71 comments
Time and time again, we prove that here at the SCH Offices we have an uncanny ability to affect the outcomes of games in the exact opposite way we predict. Everyone assumed yet another taffy pull was in store tonight, so much so that even had there not been conflicts earlier today, the preview would have read pretty similar to the one that got posted. So what happens? The game turns into a goddamn track meet.
Admittedly, I was in the car on my way home from a family function for the entirety of the first period, so I only got to hear the game on the radio. But even then, it seemed as though Nashville was going to throw out the "How To Execute The Trap" text book, and try to go end to end with the Hawks. Things started well enough for them, with Marcel Goc opening the scoring, but Patrick Kane had the answer shortly thereafter with a strike right after a Blackhawk power play had expired, and the teams went to the dressing room tied 1-1 after 20.
Early in the second, a Hawks defensive zone scramble (which there would be many of tonight) led to a 2-on-no one in front of Antti Niemi, who made the initial stop on Steve Sullivan, but Hawk hemorrhoid Martin Erat banged home the rebound, giving Nashville the lead. In the shifts afterward, though, the Hawks started to begin to build momentum, particularly on a nice sequence where Marian Hossa pick-pocketed a Preds defenseman behind the net to find Andrew Ladd in front, who sent a no-look touch pass to a streaking birthday boy Patrick Sharp, who drew iron on a gaping cage. Nashville escaped the second being up 2 to 1, and then all hell broke loose.
During an early Blackhawk power play, Dustin Byfuglien was caught pinching deep from his point, which led to a two-on-one the other way, and Niemi made a spectacular blocker save on the unfortunate looking David Legwand. Pat Foley correctly predicted at the time that it would be a turning point in the contest, as two shifts later, Andrew Ladd found John Madden alone at the Preds' blue line, and buried a backhander between Dan Ellis' legs on a nifty leg-pump and shot fake. Shortly there after, Bryan Bickell found Iron Madden streaking down the left wing, and his slap shot made its way past Ellis after being deflected off of Ryan Suter's stick, giving the Hawks the lead. With the Preds on the ropes and Steve Sullivan in the box for high sticking Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell blasted a shot from the blue line through a beautiful Troy Brouwer screen, and it seemed the rout was on. But that wouldn't be the case. Joel Ward is becoming nearly the irritant that Martin Erat is, and a twice deflected puck made its way into the net on a delayed penalty call on the Hawks. Cody Franzen then ripped a slap shot from the blue line wide side on a shot Niemi never saw, and the game was once again tied. Both goals were as a result of the Hawks again having clown car caliber defensive zone coverage, and not clearing pucks that they should that resulted in shot attempts from the point. With less than a minute left, Duncan Keith brilliantly found Kaner alone at the right circle, who likely took too long to fire his first shot on Ellis. But Kane would receive his own rebound, and roofed a shot short side on Ellis, giving the Hawks the lead. Shea Weber rang a shot off the far post as time expired, and a scrum ensued. Hot damn, Hawks win 5-4.
Observations
- Though Niemi only made 16 stops, many of them were in spectacular fashion. Specifically, the blocker save on Legwand, and two pad saves on stuff attemps from Patrick Hornqvist.
- Iron Madden was all kinds of clutch in the third, both in burying the chances he got, and in drawing the penalty that led to the Campbell goal.
- Troy Brouwer is starting to climb the ladder in elite goalie screeners in the league. His insistence in going hard to the net is the reason we've thrown compliment after compliment his way and believed the numbers would come.
- Once again, get Buff the fuck off the point on the power play.
- While it paid off on his second goal, Kane's tendency to only shoot high is getting a little frustrating. Yes, Kaner, we know it looks awesome when you roof one and hit the water bottle, but low shots generate rebounds and more scoring chances. Get it down, viagra boy.
- The Hawks are now 8 points up in the Predators, and 12 points up on Scum. Operation "Run Away and Hide" is falling into place nicely. And on closer examination of the standings, the Blackhawks are now the top team in the league at 55 points in 38 games. Keep it up boys.
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Nice to get the win in regulation
Keeping those damn Preds from picking up a point. I think it’s about time they head back down to Earth. Glad the Hawks could help with the deflating.
You may have a reputation as a cocktailing shitshow
but your recaps are really well done.
And even though Hendry was a -2 I’m completely comfortable with him and/or Bickell in the lineup.
Bickell, yes...
Hendry, meh. He looked skittish tonight, with Campbell bailing him out more than once.
by HungryHungryPanda on Dec 27, 2009 10:06 PM CST up reply actions
yes, nice recap and...
…of course I had to see how quickly NHL.com would update things, and I saw Hawks are #1 in the league, have most points (55); and are tied for most W (26) & fewest GA (79). (Tied with the Devils for those—New Year’s Eve should be very interesting…)
But more importantly, Preds didn’t get a point and Hawks are DONE with them for the year!
a little chippy: hockey, mostly
"if you don't watch the violence, you'll never get desensitized to it!"
Silly twitter.
I got a text message saying the hawks won in the car, then got one 15 minutes later saying they were tied with three minutes left.
At least the recap was prompt enough that I could find out what happened.
A good friend of mine used to say, "This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains." Think about that for a while.
Maybe the most fun game of the year...
…decisive stretch against Scum and Preds. Very satisfying.
I applaud Trotz for trying something different after last night. These guys almost bagged a shortie while leading 2-1 in the 3rd. How many teams would have the cojones to play the Hawks this way?
Thanks Barry. It was a blast.
I agree...
And I was at the Calgary come from 5 goals behind game. Everyone says that the Preds play boring hockey but I don’t think that’s true. They just don’t seem very flashy or good in shootouts. No stars or marketable players. But what a team of hard workers! Trotz is amazing. How else do you explain Marcel Goc never fulfilling his potential in San Jose and just being a monster in Nashville? Exciting game right up to the buzzer (and a little extra excitement after the buzzer, remember when that used to happen all the time?).
Victim was found murdered by a Chelsea Dagger.
Kaner is King!
This guy is the “next one” not that turd burgler in Pittsburgh.
Hot Dogs are like a T-Bone Steak where I come from.
by Uncle Buttershoe on Dec 27, 2009 10:42 PM CST reply actions
W
Campbell played a damn good game with our Hammer, I am glad to finally see fans shutting the hell up about him.
Though I think Niemi is a solid BACKUP, his glove is weak as shit. He made some damn acrobatic saves tonight.
Troy Brouwer, as Pat Foley mentioned, is playing amazing in front of the net. He hasn’t had any points in the last few but his screens are helping shots from the point find the back of the net.
Keep rolling boys.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 27, 2009 10:43 PM CST reply actions
without* Hammer
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 27, 2009 10:43 PM CST up reply actions
Foley keeps making a mistake
on the goal that Kane got in the last game against Detroit to begin the second period with Brouwer screening, Brouwer got an assist. It’s not a huge deal, but that’s the goal that got Pat Foley on that run of singing Brouwer’s praises “even though it won’t show up in the stat sheet”, but the irony is he did show up in the stat sheet.
" his glove is weak as shit. ".................not
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
For reference
watch this again and the Boston game the 18th.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Dec 29, 2009 5:38 PM CST up reply actions
Back to Back but totally different
After last night’s almost boring affair with the Hawks seeming to control the game, tonight was some messy business. Is it me or did the Hawks’ defensive play look sloppy? I also thought the Predators were outskating us for a good portion of the game. They just seemed faster to me. Niemi seemed to be coughing up a few rebounds again, but he was clutch when he needed to be. I don’t think any of the goals were his fault—they were tipped, he was screened or hung out to dry by his teammates. There were some beautiful offensive zone possessions—even the Predators’ announcers were marveling over it at one point.
I’m guessing the Hawks will come out with quite a bit of urgency against the Devils. And how many times will we hear the phrase, “Stanley Cup preview”?
All in all, a good Christmas weekend.
The D was sloppy
but the Preds brought a spark they didn’t have the night before. I kind of thought the Hawks looked like they were tired of dealing with this team and maybe like they felt they had already established their dominance the night before. I thought the Preds first goal was a bad goal that Niemi just didn’t get. As for the second, I thought that was equal parts bad D and bad rebound control. Sloppy or not, good to be done with this team and leave them in a hole to dig out of.
Good game
For my sons first hawks game. Good to meet Sam and his bro…. what was #82 doing on the power play!!
McClure, speaking of listening on the radio
i too was coming back from a family function and had to listen to the 3rd. I don’t think i’ve ever listened to the full post game but anyone who gets a chance, check out judd sirrot’s postgame. He did full 1.5 hours and it was really a great production. It was the kind of detail and feature-packed post-game you expect more from the ass clowns who cover the bears.
KANER!!!!
Amazing game, have been lurking here for awhile and just wanted to say hello. Kane was amazing tonight. Kudos to Brouwer for getting that puck back to him.
Welcome to the show.
SHOOOOOOOT!!!! Anon
by burpchelischili on Dec 28, 2009 5:20 AM CST up reply actions
It could be because I'm shit faced drunk
but I say Madden was player of the game.
PS. I love what you guys do.
PSS. Bob LeDonne is the mutherfucking shit!!!!! In Bob we trust, bitches@Q
I hate sloppy seconds
But a win is a win. Nice distance between them and SCUM now but with this fucked schedule it’s not safe. Buff should be banished to the janitorial closet instead of the powerplay let alone anywhere on the ice. I miss THE HAMMER!
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 7:08 AM CST reply actions
Observations
- The Hawks are good. Really, really, good.
- Pat Foley is having the time of his life. Hard to imagine 5 years ago Foley would be calling Hawk games at all, let alone getting so excited calling a Preds/ Hawk game on the back end of a home at home in late December that his voice would crack- twice- but it did. That’s good stuff.
- Excellent recap!!!
Nice Muskie!
Check this one out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnfxMNaNuU
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
Nope, but certanly in my dreams
I could also skip the frozen idea. When I land mine, I want to be spilling my beer and sun tan oil.
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
Brouwer made a brilliant pass to Kane for the game winner
Most guys in that tight will try to just jam something and hope it finds a way through.
Brouwer had the vision and composure to slide it back away from the net to Kane for a good shot. With Brouwer and Bickell, I’m sort of wondering why Buf is needed at all.
Did anyone else see Bickell using some good speed to create his breakaway? The puck was on end and wobbling for him, so no god shot came of it – but he was moving pretty fast to create what he did get there.
It looked to me
like Brouwer was fighting for the puck but it was the defender who smacked it to Kane. It was a close play and tough to tell on the replay, but the official scorer didn’t give Brouwer an assist.
No More Sopel
I can’t take Sopel anymore. He is constantly beat to pucks because he is too slow. He flat out gave away a breakaway chance from the wing because he couldn’t get to a puck quickly enough. When the Hammer gets back I would much rather have Hendry out there than Sopel. He just does not have the skill set to be a competent NHL defenseman.
Loved all the scoring last night on our end, but as mentioned in the post, you gotta get the puck out when you can.
by Pat Foley's Jokes on Dec 28, 2009 10:57 AM CST reply actions
You’ll get your wish eventually.
www.secondcityhockey.com
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.
I think you are correct. Never been so angry watching a hockey player. That day can’t come soon enough.
by Pat Foley's Jokes on Dec 28, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
In sopel's defense
he played pretty darn good for a 3rd line defenseman through the first 30-35 games of the year. Only recently has he looked more like the sopel we expected to see going into the season.
Mental health day
I remember him getting one early in the season…maybe when Super Nintendo is healthy, Sopel can get a game or two to rest and try and get some of the early season mojo back.
by GenPabloSecobar on Dec 28, 2009 3:53 PM CST up reply actions
Finding a way to circumvent
Well, that was about as an exciting 3rd period as you’ll ever see in a regular season game that had the intensity of a playoff game as the ’Hawks certainly defied the odds and ended the Predators streak of perfection (13-0-0) when leading after 2.
Let’s give credit where credit is due, the Predators gave the ‘Hawks fits in every single game this season (hard to imagine that it’s over already) and showed a ton of moxy in mounting a comeback when down 4-2 with 6 minutes to play in regulation as nobody could’ve seen that coming. They’re definitely a force to contend with as they should make the playoffs this season.
Congratulations to Kaner on playing in his 200th career game and becoming the first ’Hawk since Murray Craven to net 3 consecutive GWG. With his 2G and 1A performance he has found himself in 9th in the overall scoring race and only 8PTS behind 2nd place Henrik (thing 2) Sedin.
Great to see Madden finally score on a breakaway as that has been his “bugaboo” so far this season as it had been awhile since he had scored (Nov. 25th). According to TSN.ca, the young ‘Hawks have refered to Madden as “Master Yoda”.
This from the Mad Dog himself "The youth in the room has made me feel young again, at first it was a little intimidating because I wasn’t getting the jokes. I get them now. It’s been fun."
To those complaining about Niemi’s after his performance tonight, please take a look at his numbers: 9-1-1 with a 1.81GAA and a .927SV% which is more than solid for a backup.
It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!
bad players will have good #s on a good team
Buf’s big issue is that he is way overpriced for what he does on a team with cap issues and cheaper players that can fill his role without his downsides
by krome on Dec 28, 2009 12:50 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
"Master Yoda Monster Mayor Macho Maddog Iron Madden Guy"
— the best performance of the year so far to come in as runner-up to player of the game…and he has alot of really awesome nicknames!
Victim was found murdered by a Chelsea Dagger.
The Dustin Byfuglien Complaint Box
Team Ranks:
Goals – T-3rd (11)
Assists – T-17 (3)
Points – T-9 (14)
+/- – T-20 (-2)
PIM – 1 (52)
PPG – T-2 (4)
SHG – T-6 (0)
GWG – T-3 (2)
SOG – 5 (84)
TOI – 11 (16:10)
Blocked Shots – T-11 (13)
Blocked Shots (forwards only) – T-5 (13)
Hits – 1 (113)
Hits (bogarted) -1 (113)
Why should we trade him or cut him when we can just take him out back and shoot him.
I don't find this compelling...
11th in TOI, but tied for 3rd in goals and GWG, and tied for 2nd in PPG. Plus, the whole hit bogartage angle.
What do we expect from a 3rd-liner?
I’m guessing Ladd and Brouwer don’t measure up much different, but we shouldn’t unload them either.
And someone remind me why we need to make any fancy roster moves (other than accommodating Bolland and Burish) this season.
We like our people.
by cliffkoroll on Dec 28, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Other than the +/-
his stats are really good. I guess he could have more assists, but that’s not really his game. I was actually surprised most by his blocked shots, especially since he doesn’t get PK time.
Agreed but...
need to make room in cap and in the lineup. We still have Bolland & Burish out there. I think the bad rap Buff gets is that he is just plain lazy and has a piss poor additude. Not a hell of a lot wrong. Who else would you want to dump at this time?
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
Really, "not a hell of a lot wrong"
Who said this:
“Buff should be banished to the janitorial closet instead of the powerplay let alone anywhere on the ice”
e-mails often send
the message you don’t intend to send. I was hoping some team out there would not see his real issues. I’m all with ya, Your are so right, It’s a SHITHOUSE full of wrong.
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
For the same reason that I wish I sold some of my stock in September of 2008...
…that’s why I’m not against the idea of trading him.
Yes, if you feel like that he has figured things out and this is the player that you expect him to be and that he even has more upside ahead of him, then the reasons for trading him are not very compelling at all.
But, he has shown that he’s a streak player, and right now he’s riding a hot streak, but having seen this movie before, I can’t help but think there’s a month long run of lazy play and a lack of production still ahead. And that’s why, if the right offer came along for either the short term (a better veteran on loan for the rest of the year with an expiring contract that gives us cap relief for next season), I think it would be foolish not to listen.
Obviously I’d rather the cap relief comes from dealing a guy like Sopel, who we all agree is paid an amount that does not come close to matching his production, but most NHL GM’s see what we see, which is why they won’t take him.
by GenPabloSecobar on Dec 28, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions
steeger..
I kinda like not seeing Steeger ( all about me ) not in the line up. We seem to score more.
That is VERSTEEG!
I agree but, with a bit of maturing I feel he will do well or is heTRADE BAIT?
Enjoy the silence!
by thepuckstopshere on Dec 28, 2009 12:03 PM CST reply actions
i dont really wanna see him go
but redtribe brings up a good point, he does try to make the fancy play to much and does turn it over
kane named 2nd star of the week
on bh.com well deserved that lazy guy
Too damn lazy to get first star? Trade his ass!
SHOOOOOOOT!!!! Anon
by burpchelischili on Dec 28, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
You’re right, he’s lazy and stingy, he could let someone else take a shot at talking to Sarah fro a change. sheesh
SHOOOOOOOT!!!! Anon
by burpchelischili on Dec 28, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
He had to talk to Dan Roan last night, so that entitles him to another night with Sarah before I’ll call him too greedy.
Dan Roan = free pass for a night
SHOOOOOOOT!!!! Anon
by burpchelischili on Dec 28, 2009 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
i'm all for talking about what players are or are not playing well...
but all the complaining about sopel, buf and steeg is pretty ridiculous.
There really is nothing i hate more than the love shown for the “backup quarterback”.
by SLoop on Dec 28, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
I agree
Cause everyone knows it’s all Barker’s fault. And Kopecky may have improved, but improved in his case isn’t saying all that much.
So let’s focus our hatred where it belongs.
If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning
didn't you read the post the other day?
it’s not any player’s fault, it’s that damn compressed schedule!
Barker would love to live up to his draft position but, you know, this being an olympics year and all.
While it paid off on his second goal, Kane’s tendency to only shoot high is getting a little frustrating. Yes, Kaner, we know it looks awesome when you roof one and hit the water bottle, but low shots generate rebounds and more scoring chances. Get it down, viagra boy.
Kaner can’t help it…Whenever he watches replays of the game, all he can hear is Eddie O talking about elevating the puck…
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."
-Bill Shankly
Did anyone see Erat whip around and slap the linesman with his stick after he was separated from Seabrook?
I’m wondering if they showed it on TV. Those who were at the game, did you guys see it too? What the hell was the deal with that?
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
i he did, he should have a long suspension
like the 20 games Lysiak got way back when
by krome on Dec 28, 2009 2:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Patrick Kane...............is good at hockey.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
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