Hawks rise to the occasion
When the Blackhawks stepped it up Friday night, the Canucks backed down, starting with Ryan Kesler’s unwillingness to fight Andrew Ladd 37 seconds into the game.
“Some of my teammates told me to leave him alone,” Kesler said after the Hawks’ 6-3 rout of the Canucks at the United Center. “I don’t think it’s a good tradeoff for our team. Me sitting in the box with him isn’t something I want to do.”
Kesler might be a 19-goal scorer, but Ladd has 12 after scoring in Friday’s win so it’s not that big a tradeoff. Kesler, who called Ladd a coward after they fought on Jan. 23 at GM Place, had a chance to back up his words and chose to take a pass.
There were so many things to like about what the Hawks did to the Canucks, starting with chasing goalie Roberto Luongo with a 5-goal first period. The Hawks crashed the crease, which Luongo doesn’t handle well, just as they did in the playoffs last spring.
Despite allowing maybe a soft goal to Kesler in the first period, Hawks goalie Cristobal Huet was real good when he had to be, such as on Vancouver’s 5-on-3 in the first period when it was still a 1-goal game.
Kim Johnsson was plus-4.
Kris Versteeg scored a goal for the first time in 18 games.
Dustin Byfuglien was a pest around the Vancouver net, serving up hope that he again can be a presence in the playoffs.
The Hawks made the Sedins disappear. The twins had an assist between them and 3 shots on goal.
The Hawks were physical and didn’t back down from trouble.
“We knew it was going to be an important game and I liked the response of getting ready and welcoming the challenge,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “We did what we had to do.”
I keep reading on various hockey forums that goalies are a hit or miss proposition. This goalies have good games, they have bad games crap...that is pure rubbish. You can say that if your team is fighting to get to .500 and maybe grab the 8 slot. The Hawks are a Cup contender...you build your team for years to get to this spot and you go to the big dance with mediocre goaltending? That is ridiculous. The Bowman boys have been in Detroit too long...this is Chicago. We don't get to the finals every other year like the Wings. I cant believe they've let this fester all season without doing anything...anyone with functioning eyeballs could see that Huet wasn't the answer. I could see that last year and Ive seen nothing this year to make me change my mind. The kid, Niemi shows promise but he's not ready yet either. Can the Hawks still win a Cup this year? Doubtful...real doubtful. What do think the Hawk's chances are of winning some 2-1 or 3-2 games in the playoffs? Thats how it usually plays out. Everything is played much tighter...you need to defend, not make mistakes and have strong goaltending. Anyone seeing that type of play here lately? I know I haven't.
basically - this was two years in the making. supposedly Khabby was gone, and it was great that Khabby stayed around for a decent playoff run for the Hawks. But maybe if he left, he could have exposed what a fraud Huet is. And Huet couldn't even win the job from Khabby. And Khabby is an above average goalie, but not great. He definitely won a few games for the Hawks last year. Can you say that about Huet ever. I saw one game last year, this year - i don't think so.
I was so pissed last year - when you can see that Huet was average and had the propensity to let in soft goals or to have many off nights. But what did management do - nothing!!! Not sure what they were thinking. But hey - you have time and money invested in Crawford and Niemi - both guys played last year and didn't real take advantage of the opportunity. But they barely played. So they were not ready. Do you think that if the guys can't play last year a few games, how much could you depend on them the following season. Niemi still has a chance, but i am not holding my breath.
management - what a joke!!!!! They couldn't make a trade to package Huet and one of the abundant forwards. Even Sharp is expendable now. That guy has done nothing. i like Sharp, but he is not taking advantage of his opportunities. You can easily put Brouwer back on the top line and not miss a beat. Dowell or Bickel can easily replace any forward on the team besides Kane, Hossa, and Toews. Yea, they both lack overall talent, but they will still chip in a few goals here and are solid players.
I still want that Camaro. See my earlier post.
There's your headline for Monday, Tim.
You don't need to write much else to cover today's game.
Can somebody help me out here, I did not think it was a complimentary comment by Olczyk but I may be wrong. I for one see Johnsson as an excellent acquisition, he is an ice eater by being able to kill penalties, qb power play on second unit, and I think a very good teammate. Was Eddie O being complimentary or sarcastic today? If anyone can give me their opinion I would appreciate it. Hope I was wrong but I took it as a cheap shot because he said somehting like what were the hawks thinking and then went on about the ice eater bit?? What did he mean by what were the hawks thinking??
Ever since the late December cave-in in Minnesota, this Hawks team has not been the same. That is the sort of game that wrecks a team for an entire season. You don't see a confident capable team surrender a 4 goal lead to an inferior team in just over a period or give up 5 unanswered goals in the second period at home in a nationally-televised game as we did today. Just doesn't happen. Yes, Huet is done. Send him to Rockford. Call up Crawford, and ride Niemi out. If it doesn't work out, then Stan the man knows what he has to do in the off-season. Again, many thanks to Dale Tallon for bringing Huet aboard.
Just about all the way around. I agree with almost everything that's been said.
I hope to win that Blackhawk Camaro sitting there. If I do, I'm going to put 39's all over it so I don't ever have to worry about anything hitting it. And for that matter, I also don't have to worry about getting in the way of anything. For I surely know i will miss whatever obstacle comes my way.
And yes, the Ref's really sucked.
Just checked the new Rockford roster on their website and they have Cullimore, Boynton, and Richmond as their vet d-men.
I know Cullimore and Richmond played here before (and I wasn't impressed), but I don't know much about Nick Boynton. Does anybody else think one of these guys might be called up for the playoff run??
Just want to say A. Ladd was awesome today, three goals, great back check on breakaway and big hit on Zetterberg, he was a monster today. He is a guy that given pp time and top six ice time could be a solid 70 point guy, he is a very valuable asset.
As for Huet, enough said!
We have to go with Niemi all the way or else bring up Crawford. With Huet we will not win nothing except blowouts. The Hawks should bite the bullet and buy him out for the better of the team or try and move him although that is highly unlikely unless Philly would bite for Briere or Hartnell. (they have ntc but I think would consider coming to Hawkland, Hartnell would not hurt our team at all) Tough to watch with Huet in net because you know it is just a matter of time before he crashes.
I said it at the trade deadline....and I'll say it again. This team has no chance to win a cup with Huet in net. You always hear in football, that the backup is the most popular guy in town, I think it's time we go with him. Our offense must be thinking...we have to score 5-6 a night just to cover up these mistakes. The other bad news...Ovechkin comes to town next Sun. Sure hope Niemi's in goal for that one.
And Steve Rain, completely agree with your post.
Just before the end of the first period did I detect a Pierre McGuire chubby for Hjarlmalsson?
Nice!
I don't think Eddie noCheck understands the term "ice eater" unless it's meaning has morphed and passed me by.
Jassen Cllimore was "ice eater" under the old rules for the Stanley Cup Tampa team, where he played in all situations, played against the best opposing line and on the PK, although he didn't have any offensive skills.
I guess I just take offense to using the term (which btw, I am PRETTY SURE I AM USING CORRECTLY) as a description to fit Hjarlmarsson, because he skates faster than the average ice-eater, and has some offensive game, a good shot upside, plays PK but he doesn't eat the ice in the way the top two defenseman do.
Cullimore could and was moved up and down the top two pairings with limited offensive skills, but that was because, under the old rules, you needed a bigger man to handle (impend ....no a penalty) bigger men.
I just think that Eddie is selling Hjammer's game short.
Granted he does play top minutes with Campbell, but just saying, a it seemed like an insult backhanded, but a mis-evaluation....
Wiz - the comment about ice eater was about Johnsson, no? I thought Doc asked him about what the hawks are expecting from Johnsson.
Funny, how when the Hawks are on national TV it gets pointed out how bad Huet is, and how off his game he really is. You never hear that from the mouthpiece of the Hawks, as that wouldn't be all roses and conflict the McDonough way.......
Look, either you can defend this guy and make every excuse known to man about how 90% of the goals aren't his fault because he's screened, they're deflected, or some turnover led to the goal. Or you can realize that he's going to cost this team a chance to win a title with his brutal play. THis team went into a shell after goal 2....and why? Because both were questionable at best, and it's a wearing on this team. They have to near PERFECT with Huet in net to win, or absolutely dominate and build up a HUGE lead (Friday).
The guy flat out sucks, and I don't know how much longer Quenneville can keep giving this sieve every chance to be the guy. Not only is he getting smoked through the five hole (Vancouver) but he's getting beat on long range shots because he's lost, and then his angles are off as Fippula had the WHOLE left side open on his partial breakaway. If Niemi is going to be your guy, start riding him now. It's obvious Huet is lost mentally, and you can't play confident when you have to worry that any shot you give up, will be in the back of your net.
I am firm believer that this team WILL NOT win a playoff game unless they score at least 4 goals. That's a lot to expect from your offense in the playoffs, but that's the truth right now.
Seabrook is also in a haze. This guy has been brutal since early January, and the first goal he had ample time to fire it off the glass but instead waited and it led to goal. He's getting outraced to pucks, and smoked to the outside. He needs to get right, and in a hurry.
Either way, the message was sent. Detroit is back, and if the Hawks draw them in the 1st round.....god help us.
What about Steve Rain's post, RealWiz? Can we count on Seabrook to be solid in he playoffs? And what about any ideas Babcock has about how to attack the defense, particularly Keith and Seabrook?
I realize there are few really good, almost always solid defensemen in the league. Hockey has been described as a game of turnovers. Can Seabrook cut down his?
It's not just Huet, Steve. This defense cannot go far the way we've played lately. Not just the defensemen, but some forwards have to be better. Kane made a mistake today. But Q has to get each forward performing correct, thinking correct...I look first at Versteeg, Kane, Bufuglien and guys who if forced to be accountable, will screw up. They just need to be forced into more critical decisions by the other team. Q did have a like two week or longer training/review early last year and the team was playing great as a whole as far as defensive hockey goes.
I've said it before and I'll repeat it again here: we cannot expect to be as successful with puck possession in the playoffs. And our goaltender has to at least be the equal of the other netminder. I cannot be realistically enthusiastic about this team as they are playing now. That we have most of our defensemen poke checking and not regularly taking the man off the puck near the net -- you need a better balance of d-men who will effectively take man or take puck away when in proximity of our goaltender. Boyton should by all means be given a look; maybe he can help in this regard. Seabrook should be a help in this regard, so that would be one half of two pair of "d" that will be physical. Is that enough? In the rough and tumble playoffs, no! Not saying other teams don't have their issues, but message to John McDonough..you aren't going to be able to market your playoff winning team!
I wonder if Stan and Scotty still like our goaltending. Scotty actually laughed when asked about upgrading the goaltending at the deadline. I wonder if he's still laughing.
I also love how Tony O comes out and says he likes our goaltending...Really? THe guy is on the HAWKS payroll, of course he's going to say that.
Stan Bowman was too scared to make a trade when it mattered because of the "Chemistry".
Today was a prime example of how a goalie can lose you a game. Howard made the saves when he had to, while Huet was flopping all around like the pile he is....
Hopefully, they give Niemi at least a 5-7 game look.
I don't know about Esposito, and I'm not sure how Stan Bowman's going to pan out as a GM, but they were handcuffed at the deadline because of Huet's contract. I'm not sure any GM could have made an upgrade. It is what it is. As far as what Bowman says, think about this. It appears at the very least Huet may have confidence issues. They were stuck with what they have, so I don't think you can expect anyone from the Hawks to say anything but what they did. How many times have you ever heard any team exec actually be honest about their team's weaknesses? It would have done no good for Bowman to say, yeah we realize we have a problem, and we couldn't get anything done about it. What good does that do? I'm not mad about what was said, I'm mad about the Huet / Campbell free agent offseason. This problem was set in motion then. Rip the Bowmans all you want, but that is the root of the problem, and that hole was too deep to dig out of.
At some point soon they have to figure out who the playoff guy will be. We'll find out soon enough.
Nothing Hawks brass could do to unload a horrifically awful, low down, rotten, sickly, indefensible, illogical contract that was given to Huet. Only a goat herder from Kazakasthjan with an eye for goalie herding would have taken this contract off of our hands without requiring a King's ransom.
The Playoff guy is not Huet, he is a average goalie and should be a backup in case of emergency. So that leaves us with only one option. Niemi. Who has the ability to be above average but has been average for the last month of games.
This saga reminds me of the tv show "The Young and the Restless."
At least the skating portion of this team showed up. Great game by Ladd.
Hawks made a game out of it, but you could tell they were upset. They never complain to the refs, but when you're frustrated....that happens.
Niemi better start Wednesday.
I just didn't see any goaltender interference call on Buff. That would have been 3-0 Hawks but clearly everything changed after that. Detroit on the PP is always dangerous and that started the comeback.
This team has to be mature enough to overcome the bad calls but there is nothing they can do to cover up bad goaltending.
Is destroying us today. Another awful 2nd period. Lots of blame to go around in this one....just awful.
Just made it 1-0. Sharp and Kaner had good scoring chances on Howard too. Hawks look sharp here in the 1st.
God I f'n hate the Red Wings, Buff knocked the crap out of Holstrom. Good to see Big Buff.
It was great to see Vancouver try to intimidate the Hawks ! That is all they needed to wake up from the grind of the long season .Vancouver should have looked at last years playoffs to see that wont work. i think the biggest thing last about last nites game was getting more players on the scoresheet going into this stretch of tough games . The cup is not won just by your stars , it is won by the team who has the most contributing , overall. Who knew the names of the guys on Anaheim or Carolina before their cup runs . Only the hometown fans . And the first round of the playoffs ,if it is still a 5 game series , ( i think it is ) could be the toughest . Lose one at home , and you could be going home .
Sopel has played well this year despite all the bumps and bruises he has taken. It is a significant sign that he has had to sit out a game so soon after having 2 weeks off for the olympics. It would be an interesting move if Sopel is put on IR. I think in that case the Hawks might be able to call up Boynton on emergency recall which would prevent him from being exposed to re-entry waivers. Not saying that everyone is dying to have Boynton on their team but some team might do it out of spite or to prevent the Hawks from simply having that depth. It would be nice for Boynton to play some games here with the Hawks to get to know the system and players in case something unforeseen does happen and he is pressed into duty during the playoffs.
i had said the same thing about nick boynton, when bowman got him, i stated earlier in the week that was a good matt walker like under the radar pick up not only for this year but next going into the uncertianty of the cap this summer. the team misses matt walker and #37 all season. boynton is a stay at home D that has played pp,pk, and made the allstars in his earlier years.plus add the element that matt walker added when it came to shaking off the mitts. i'm a sopel fan but definitly a smart low key back end of the D pick up by stan. you need guys like him and sopel to anchor the 5-6-7 spot. another ben eager type player although older,drafted in the 1st round,but a better down the line up depth and grit player.hopefully we'll get a look. i can't speak for what happened in boston and anahiem,but maybe a 5-6 spot is more his comfort range vs. being a top4.........................beautiful game last nite!.."the good ole hockey game"!! now lets hammer detroit, la and philly the same way!
Great win last night. We really took control vs. VAN , am already looking forward to tomorrow vs. DET. If everything goes according to plan, we get Burish back vs. LA. Team's been missing his energy and toughness all year. It'll be great to have him back in the lineup.
What a horrible display of coaching from Vancouver. Did they actually think they could get into the intimadating factor and win? Granted, they have 80 points, so what, they don't have a chance. See ya vancouver, it was fun.
You don't want Hendry on the ice in a tough spot just yet. If playoffs started tonight, I'd think about 7 defenseman, using Sopel on the penalty kill. Like a real specialist. Let Hendry play the regular shifts and try to hide him for 12 minutes a game.
Intimidation didn't work for Canucks lastnight and I wouldn't put all the blame on
Luongo either. Kesler should put up or shut up, what a cry baby, he didn't look that
brave lastnight. Go on, call somebody else a coward and then go hide. Go Hawks!
I want Jordan Hendry to play and continue his development.
He ceratinly has come along way in the last three years as i am sure he would also acknowledge.
You cannot develop players by just letting them lanquish in the AHL and the pressbox.
and I understand the "kid gloves" that are necessary keep these guys working and NOT quiting on themselves.
Players do make themselves better but handling their chances contributes too.
I thought Buff had a good game last night. He was getting involved all night especially when one of their guys was trying to goad Towes early in the game. He also has been setting up shop right in front of the net. When he does that he sure makes it tough for the goalie to see the shot. All signs are pointing to another strong playoff run for Buff and if he plays like he did in last years playoff I sure like the Hawks chances.
Big Buff needs to play like Al Secord in all aspects. He needs to be a force in front of the net (like last night) and finish. He needs to be more physical and aggressive - drop the mitts in anger more frequently.
I see no reason why this cannot happen. We saw a glimpse last night and at other times.
Fantasy tranformations do not happen.
Buff just isn't a fighter, and doesn't have the fire or disposition that the religious Al Secord was able to emit, and transform into on the ice.
Secord didn't come to the big leagues and start fighting.
He based a junior career on it.
Buff didn't,I don't believe, go to management in the summer, asking for cab fare to the karate / ultimate fighting, and boxing tutorials
Gotta agree with Wiz. I would love it if Buff could find the angst deep within to play the game with a chip on his shoulder the way Secord did. Unfortuately, I don't think that will ever happen.
Now I will say that Buff played a solid game last night. Got in Luongo's kitchen (and in his head) and he did finish a great majority of his checks. I like him being down with Eager as I think Eager's willingness to get his nose dirty rubs off on Buff.
However, I'd give anything if Buff would not turn away after his big checks to face the opponent head on. He's challenged quite often to protect himself or a teammate and all he does is push and shove until a linesman comes into separate. THAT is where the difference is between Buff and Secord. When Al hit you and squared off, he meant it. Buff doesn't have it in him...
It was wishful thinking on my part.
Too bad though, Buff has better wheels than Big Al. But, tends to have cement hands at times too.
Theirs, not ours.
Last night's game adds to the list of victims - premier goalies that got yanked:
Brodeur
Nabobkov
Thomas
Kipprusoff
Luongo
Did we fire 5 or 6 goalies? To tell you the truth, in all the excitement I kinda lost count.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night's game. The only things that could have made it better was doing to a Sedin what happened to Toews and not letting up weak goals on our end.
But would you rather have had Luongo on your team last night? We've seen twice in the last two weeks an "elite" goalie who "steals" games (Luongo, Kiprusoff) get wiped out in a physical contest.
We can win with Huet, is all I'm saying.
As for people who think the Hawks need more toughness, let Tanner Glass be a lesson to you.
Stooven, hate to call you out on this one, but that was not Tanner Glass wearing a Canuck sweater last evening.
It was actually the long-lost George Glass, Jan Brady's imaginary boyfriend from when she wanted her fellow Bradys to think she had a fella squiring her around.
I always wondered what happened to that guy!
He's certainly no Tanner Boyle.
Screw you, Buttermaker!
THAT is funny!!!! :)
Six goals....another PP goal....good PK.....Hendry playing like he demands to be on the playoff roster....scoring from the top three lines....shelling Louuuuu from the game.....Versteeg finally scoring another goal. A strong statement game which is a good thing since these two teams have a great shot at meeting up again in about two months.
Speaking of statement games, tomorrow's game will be another one of these. Detroit might sneak up to the 5th or 6th spot by the end of the season but there is still a chance that they'll get matched up against the Hawks in round one so playing well against them tomorrow would be a good thing.
First, I don't know if maybe Stanley Cup, Stooven, or one of a couple other post people I saw at Johnny's Icehouse last July @ prospects camp.
No matter if it was you, I would like to have known and to say hello. During those games some "veteran" fans were speaking at length to John Wideman, the radio play-by-play man. If you are into following prospects closely, know that as far as the Florida rumors go, very late the night before the deadline a source told me that Bowman ponied up Beech. And Randy Sexton, Florida GM, loves Versteeg. Don't know whom else was involved. But if a goaltender like Vokoun does arrive summertime or later on, Huet would either be in trade, or assigned to Rockford. It makes sense that Sexton will re-visit his interest in Versteeg after the season and before July 1 (free agent sign day one).
I say make a tough decision about salary cap: let Madden go. Trade Versteeg. See if you can do an exchange of first round choices, the idea being to move up very high because that is the most likely scenario where the yield is going to (eventually) be a core player. You won't obtain a core player with a trade (if so, this entails moving maybe your own core player). You can't afford to sign anyone else not already on your roster. So that leaves the draft. Crap year 2011 draft, but strong draft top 30 or so this year. You want a core player, whom exactly entices as a player to trade in order to do that exchange of first rounders?
Answer: Bufuglien. A top six scorer (?) with size, even if he isn't always tough enough. Picture this: a GM wants to employ Buf as a bookend on a size line, as in Anaheim where Perry, Ryan and Getzlaf is a force to be reckoned with. Stan Bowman is creative enough to make this sort of move. It isn't the way Bowman's operate in the past, but all things considered, be another team's GM and what players Chicago might launch interest you? Not Versteeg at this point in his development. Not with his on ice decision making and his needing to learn he is not a first line big star. Sharp is not ideal if you consider he is older and slower now after his knee woes last year. Also makes about one mill $$ more than Versteeg. Buf, on the other hand, is signed for one more year and is cheapest salary compared to Versteeg and Sharp.
Moving to another topic: It is all fine and nice how we beat Vanc. They didn't have Mitchell and Bieksma. Still until Luongo is better we should beat them if we meet again. Yet this blueline crew is nearly all alike in poke checking and not taking man off puck, when the opponent is near our net. That and the FACT that Huet cannot be trusted to make enough key saves. This adds up to us no more than a 50/50 proposition in most other playoff matches. You think we can control play with puck possession? Not as easy to do in playoffs. Your face off percentage has to remain high as well; are we certain we can win like 75% of the face offs? Well, what is holding Bowman from recalling Boyton? See how he fits in. Is he in good shape? And for goodnes sake, stop playing Keith in particular heavy minutes. When ahead, 4-2 vs Edm, don't send Keith out on PP. Use Johnsson, Hendry. What in the world are you thinking, Q?
Can anyone confirm that Dowell is good on face offs? He is an option fourth line more so now that he has shown willingness to go around hitting people (checking) as an energy 4th line type. He is not bereft of talent, which to a certain degree Burrish and Fraser are. Still, I want Burrish in there because with him in lineup Buff, Eager, Ladd, Versteeg give us enough players who will play with an edge. Fraser add to that list, if in lineup. Already know that Toewes and Brouwer will show up! Each line has to have that dimension or ability to play gritty -- can't loose too many battles in playoffs.
And as for Sopel, agreed he should be used most on PK and limit his regular minutes. You cannot always count on being in perfect positioning a la Larry Murphy so yes, Sopel is a liability when players can skate around him. Then, there are plus and minus with most players -- so whom do you gamble with Hendry or Sopel (or Boyton).
I flet great for him to score his sharp gaol, but I thought he seemed to be in trouble all night in regards to paying his position. He either got taken out or took himself out of plays from period to period, and granted you only ask for light muntes that far down the pairings, he didn't have the best of games either.
But I am in full (Fool) understanding of how rosters with Caps have to be ecomonically filled to be successful especially after you have overpaid or tarded for the much larger ticketed defenseman.
Yeah, I have to agree thta there may a be a possible bite in the tush if the hawks were to open against the wings in an early round for Lord Stanley's Cup.
I think I saw Hendry finished at +2 for the night which the team will take every night from a guy on the third pairing. He does get in weird spots occasionally, as well as getting knocked off the puck a bit too often, but overall I think his arrow is pointing up right now.
Whether he makes the playoff roster is yet to be seen. Sopel's health may make the decision a no-brainer. But if both guys are healthy five weeks from now it'll be interesting to see who gets the call. It'll probably depend on the matchup. If it is Detroit you might want Hendry for puck moving purposes and because Detroit doesn't typically play a physical game. We'll see. Got a lot of hockey yet to be played.
Boldy, i wouldn't use a bargain basement Huey jersey to wipe my runny nose but he was good for the most part on Friday night. Nice stops on the 5 on 3 i will admit but then a softie to Kesler. He needs to be ultra consistent.....ALL THE TIME.
Great goal by Steeger too...a hilite reel gem. But this is what worries me. By scoring a gorgeous goal like that...does Steeger think he now has more license to try more solo rushes...like he hasn't been doing that half the season anyway ? Sometimes i wonder if the word pass is in his vocabulary and by scoring a beee-ute like that, 32 might try to do it all by himself more often, when teamwork is always key.
Let's face it too...we didn't play 60 minutes again. A lapse in the 2nd nearly let Van pull to within 2 and it might have been a far different game. Still very sloppy inside our zone, cycling and retreating and getting too cute. Didn't cost us vs Van but it will i promise. I don't know what Torch and Haviland are doing but these assistant coaches do a crud job of correcting mistakes and Q lets them get away with it. This team still has a TON of work to do to solidify itself DEFENSIVELY.
We took it to them early and often! Kessler just contributed to a game plan that failed early but Obrien`s crosscheck of Toews into the net was just a cowardly.
The first Canuck goal...if youve never played in the nets it was a softie. If you recorded the game slow it down and have another look.
Philco: Huets jersey will be the best bargain youll ever find :)
Wasn't it also loogie who threw his teammates under the bus last season when he refused to take blame for playing like chit (the one where he left the UC crying)?
At least Bowman had one thing right: "We are a team - we win together and lose together"
Other thoughts on the game: hawks took it to the Nucks in every physical way - they just couldn't keep up. I'd like to see Buff play with the edge he found last night.
"“Some of my teammates told me to leave him alone,”
That's it, Kesler, blame your teammates for you big mouth and unwillingness to back it up.
Always fun to see the Great Loo get flushed again in the UC.
I'm sure his teammates were telling him to leave Ladd alone because they didn't want to see him get his butt whipped again in front of a sellout crowd. If that had happened Kesler would have been erased totally from the game.
I still would have liked to have seen the Hawks get a little meaner towards the end of the game to send a message to Vancouver. That's the old time hockey in me comin' out though. You know, lumber in the teeth and let him know you're there! Right Reg?
Great to see Roberta dashing off after 1 to change his pad. Slamming his stick like the ticked off beech he is. Luckly for Kuntsler he saw that right coming, otherwise it would have been lights out