That would be "Buy Two Get One Free." Sorry, I guess I still have retail lingo in me.
I have been somewhat remiss about doing these game recaps. A stressful work week and 3 games in four nights doesn't help. But here ya go...I'll just cram all of these in:
Blues 4, Hawks 2
This one started out promisingly. Q's line schizophrenia seemed to pay off as the new top line of Sharp-Toews-Hossa scored two in the first (Sharp & Hossa). Too bad they would be the only two goals the Hawks would score that night. The Blues came back to tie it in the second, and then the wheels came off in the third. I wouldn't say this was a *horrible* night (then again, after the last two Jackets games, it makes watching American Idol enjoyable), but it could have been better. The Kane-Versteeg-Buff line flat out sucked, and Niemi probably would have given up at least two less goals if his teammates weren't screening him/deflecting the puck in (Sopel). At least Cam Janssen got a game misconduct for just being himself (douchebag). Too bad he made both Eager and Boyton look silly. Apparently he also broke Boyton's face as he hasn't been seen since this game.
Hawks 4, Fake North Stars 0
Well that is more like it. Yes, I know it was against the Wild - in their Xmas uniforms no less. But this was a cathartic game for a big reason. You might recall the last time our Hawks were in Minny, they were the best team in the NHL and had a 5-1 lead with 14 minutes left in the 3rd period. Four unanswered goals later and a defeat in the shootout, the Hawks have been limping around, figuratively and literally, since then. From a mental standpoint, the game should really help the team close the book on a three month stretch of inconsistent and at points, downright brutal hockey. A gold star to Aunty for his seventh shutout of the season - second to only Bryzgalov (with eight) and pretty fucking impressive considering he squeaked in at the beginning of the season as the backup and has really only played half a season. He made some incredible saves during a 5-3 disadvantage at the end of the second. The score was only 2-0 at that point and a goal or two by the Wild would have probably changed the outcome. I also have to give props to the fourth line. Kopecky scored two (I'm going to venture a guess that he might just lead the team in multi-goal games - and he only has nine goals total) and Eager had one goal and two assists. I've been a harsh critic of Eager this season with his dumb penalty taking, crappy fights and lack of presence. But here's to you Ben. I will state that the probable cause of this fourth line explosion was the return of Colin Fraser to the line up. I like Burish's energy, but not withstanding his first game back, he's played like shit. Fraser gives an all out effort, is pretty decent at the faceoff dot, and the boy really tries when he fights. It warms my heart.
Hawks 2, Devils 1 (SO)
I missed the first two periods as I was on the road coming back from a day trip up to Milwaukee (thanks Jesus for the day off!). I didn't miss much as Kovalchuk scored about seven minutes in. That was it as far as scoring for the first two periods. From listening to the radio, the game didn't seem to have many stoppages in play in addition to a lot of time in the neutral zone. Niemi kept us in it, but Brodeur seemed to be on his way to yet another shutout. But with 26 seconds left, Versteeg ripped a wobbly shot off, and a Toews screen got the puck past Martin. The OT went scoreless and Toews scored his league leading eighth shootout goal. And that was that. Niemi shut the door on the Devils' three shooters, and the Hawks stole a game right out from under the Devils noses. I can't remember the last time the Hawks have come back to win in this fashion (Calgary?) and this does wonders for the teams' confidence as the games wind down. There were no penalties called in this game at all - the first time this has happened in nine years. One minor gripe - it's fine that Versteeg got the first star, but Brodeur #2 and Kovalchuk #3? If you're going to give a goalie a star, it should have been Niemi with his 32 saves and shutout in the shootout compared to Fatso's 25 saves. And where is Toews? Without his screen, the Hawks lose and he did have the only goal in the shootout. I know the three stars thing is a subjective piece of shit, but I have to be annoyed with *something*
Whew! That took awhile to write. As the next Hawks game is not until Sunday (vs the Flames), I'll try to post a Cubs season preview here during the weekend. Because that baseball thing starts next week or something.
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