It was rather nice to blog about something else I'm clearly obsessed with (film and media) but it's back to reality now. This game left me in a pretty sour mood and I've been putting off writing this. Ah well, down with the castor oil.
Welcome to another episode of your Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde Blackhawks! For the first period, Fine Dr Jekyll was on the ice. The period was actually evenly matched - shots were only 10/9 in the Hawks' favor. The Hawks made the best of their chances with Dunc netting a goal on a slap shot and Ladd making the score 2-0 with a fine wrister on a horrible Detroit turnover. At the end of the period, spirits were high as it appeared the Hawks were carrying over the momentum of their thrashing of the Canucks on Friday night.
The second period seemed to get off to a great start with Kaner scoring to make it 3-0. But wait - the goal was waved off due to "incidental goalie interference" by Buff. I know Buff has a reputation for mixing it up in front of the net due to last year's playoffs, but apparently the refs don't realize that the invisible man has made more appearances in front of the net than Buff this season. The replay clearly showed that Buff didn't even touch Howard. The only explanation I have is either Buff broke wind in front of Howard and the stench caused him to recoil into his net, or in honor of the Oscars, Howard decided to give a performance worthy of a little gold man. In any case, the Hawks proceeded to play like a bunch of four year olds whose favorite toy had been taken away from them. Within a couple minutes, the game was tied. A time out didn't help and Huet was pulled after giving up two more - one of the goals he gave up he wasn't even in the frame he was so far out of position. I think he was headed to the 300 level for some nachos. Niemi was put in only to have a breakway scored on him by Datsyuk with a mere 2 seconds remaining in the period. Kane should have gotten an assist on that goal as Datsuck pick pocketed him at the blue line and Kane proceeded to watch as he scored. For fuck's sake Patrick - an attempt at backchecking probably would have resulted in time expiring. So at the end of 2 it was 5-2 Scum which made me thankful I didn't have tickets to this game - my brother said the atmosphere was UGLY.
Onto the third, it appeared Mr Hyde was left in the locker room again. Ladd scored his second two minutes in. I only saw the celebration of the goal as I had changed the channel during the break to make me less depressed. If you must know I was watching Terminator 3 - what, it's mindless! The game was back on - Laddie scored his third for the hat trick with 8 minutes left. I guess beating the shit out of Kesler again woke him up. Sadly, that is the first hat trick for the Hawks since Kane in Game 6 vs. Vancouver last year. I guess you could say that the Hawks' goal scoring is well distributed, but it's game 65 - we should have had one by now. Anyway, the Wings looked like they were hanging on for dear life, but the Hawks ended up shooting themselves in the foot by not shooting when they had the chance, missing shots completely (I'm looking at you Kopecky) and icing the puck. Game Over. Jesus Wept.
How unfair is it that Niemi gets the loss when Huet stunk up the UC in the second? They should slap the L on Kane as you can't fault Niemi for a breakaway goal from one of the game's premier players. Folks are jumping off buildings like lemmings regarding the goalie situation - I'm not there yet, but someone needs to step it up. If it were me, I would continue to play Huet in an attempt to get him settled. Q's musical chairs certainly hasn't helped lately, and the month break he had between starts I'm sure is a major reason for his play. Still, if he continues to look like swiss cheese, we might have no choice but to put the Finn in. On that note, Q needs to consider scratching Seabrook or breaking up him and Keith. Seabs has looked awful for the better part of two months - one only needs to look at his ice time in the Olympics to see how bad he is struggling. I can site multiple goals scored against us that he was out of position or lost his man. It makes me wonder if he's hurt - if he is scratch him - put TOFTBO or Hendry with Keith. If Keith doesn't win the Norris this year, he can thank Seabs as Seabrook's awful play is taking Dunc down with him.
it'sonlyonegameit'sonlyonegameit'sonlyonegame
*sigh*
No comments:
Post a Comment