Blackhawks Finish Home Schedule In Dominant Fashion
The regular season schedule came to a close on Friday night, and the Blackhawks handled their business once again. With the 3-1 victory over the Calgary Flames, the Hawks moved their home record to 18-3-3 for the season.
Corey Crawford had another solid game between the pipes for the Hawks, stopping 25 of 26 shots to earn the win.
And, as has been the theme all year, the superstars stepped up for Chicago. Patrick Kane scored his 23rd goal of the year, followed by Jonathan Toews scoring his 23rd goal of the year. Kane finished the night with five shots on net, while Toews won nine of 15 faceoffs and was credited with a takeaway.
Sheldon Brookbank had a quality game, filling the box score in 17:17 of ice time. Brookbank was credited with three shots on net, a team-high three blocked shots, three hits and one takeaway. Brandon Bollig also played well, posting a team-leading five hits and one blocked shot in over 12 minutes on the ice.
Marcus Kruger scored the Hawks’ third and final goal of the game, and nine of 11 faceoffs. Meanwhile, Michal Handzus lost nine of 13 faceoffs.
The Blackhawks dominated every aspect of the game, and coach Joel Quenneville was able to spread out the ice time; only one forward – Kane – skated more than 16 minutes in the game.
Saturday ends a historic lockout-shortened regular season for the Blackhawks in St. Louis.
Zeus! Zeus! Zeus! How good did that 2nd line look tonight with Zeus skating between Kane and Sharp. I think it will be very tough to pull Zeus off that 2nd line now.
Ps – Like Wall I was in favor of adding Zeus. Unlike Wall I do not believe in the I told u so crap. Of all the things u said the other night Wall I didn’t like that you played that card cause I hate to play that card.
This is the best Blackhawks Blog on the planet and all the contributors as well.
Actually I hate when talking sports that someone plays the right wrong card. I believe sports talk is more like setting up an argument and does the conclusion match the Hypothesis? Too many times play the right wrong card as opposed to agree disagree when talking sports.
Thanks for listening to my ramble. Let’s go Hawks
Wall only mentions it, because he normally is “shot down” for saying it in the first place…so its not so much “I told you you so” as “STFU”.
The 2nd line has never looked so good this season, unless it was the brief time that Andrew Shaw was centring it…so hopefully Q was awake to see it as well.
Overall, it was another good effort…I just hope that tomorrow all the main players will have the day off and the Rockford kids will get a chance to play. BTW, very good game by Kruger tonight.
@Ryan – can’t stop myself … your right wrong stuff reminded me of the commercial where the little girl says “less more stuff” … I follow you :)
CRAWFORD! CC has played pretty well the last few outings and looks locked in. Let’s hope he carries it into and through the playoffs.
Does anyone know why Hammer sat tonight?
@Zebra – Hammer was listed as scratched tonight, not on injury report so the assumption is R & R.
Over the last 2 weeks Hammer has had 2 “maintenance” days while the rest of the team practised, so I see this exactly as ER said, R&R…well deserved…a great season by Hammer…better than even 2010.
Agree with SrBrad, best season for Hjalm ever, looks to be playing up to his contract which was a questionable match in the post Cup cap purge (I personally would have preferred keeping Ladd, but that whole scenario was poorly managed and SJ didn’t do us any favors with their offer sheet.) Regardless, great to see him develop into . Ironically, in view of league salary escalation, he was the best value on Hawks D relative to performance/salary this season.
Blues tonight, rest Toews to give him a break from Backes cheap shots. Kane could also use a day off, and I’d be fine with Hoss and Keith sitting down… Great season, let’s see who we start with…. For me, I still prefer Detroit (or Minny), as we’re far more skilled/faster than both and it would not be so physically taxing of a 1st rounder as it would against Columbus.. Looks like Vanc/StL/LA/SJ will beat the crud out of each other while ANA will play DET/BJs/MIN (whoever we do not get.)
Ryan- “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”… and by saying “like Wall I was in favor of adding Zues”- you are tooting your own horn – (as I was guilty of!!! ) So you basically are saying “I told you so” too!!!
Thx Ryan- I didn’t know you cared- lol
Tab-Brookbank did have a very good game- looked like #7 out there!
Sharp- don’t want him to get hurt- but looks like he should play just to help get timing back-
Would like to see Pirri w/ 81/20 or 10/88 to see if the kid has a future w/ Hawks- or they should trade him while he has the AHL scoring title.
Smith- 16/14-Morin line — I think one or both could be called on if we go deep in cup run and have injury/hiccups.
Thanks ER and Sr B for the info on Hammer.
Will be interesting tonight to see who is on the ice for the beloved…Q can have some fun and play many youngsters and give some guys an added day off.
We’ve all been waiting for this time of year…GO HAWKS!!!!!
I love the huge recall from Rockford. Many guys deserve the night off against the Blues who will no doubt be looking for trouble tonight. Will be interesting to see whom the Blues sit? Let our kids get after Backes, Sibotka, Reaves, Jackman and Stewart if they skate tonight. Fire torpedoes.
The game last night was almost like a preseason affair. The UC crowd last night was in a good mood as there was no pressure on the players and it rubbed off on the fans. Corey looked very sharp . Very agile and in control. He appears to be seeing the puck really well at the moment. He is our guy as we look ahead to what should be a deep playoff run. I very much like our lineup and the strong 4 lines we run at other teams.
Guys, we have a real shot at the Cup this year, so lets get it on.
Is it just me, or has Sharpie lost it??
Sorry about the bum information regarding the IceHogs call ups, guys. Dang. Now that they’re up I hope they all play and just let it fly.
IH…I think the player(s) who told you that were simply stating what was in the moment…probably a little frustration on their part as well. Thanks for that info. I am excited to see them fly around tonight.
A few things I heard this morning…
Q said the Handzus/Sharp/Kane line was DANGEROUS…that’s a good sign that line will continue.
Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook and Hammer all staying home…couldn’t confirm Sharp. So we get to see loads of the kids tonight…it’s going to be fun!
Kaner was ticked that Tazer scored his 23rd after his…wanted to beat him.
Kaner couldn’t have been that upset about being tied at 23 goals. Otherwise how do you explain the pass to Brandon Bollig with the net empty and less than two minutes to go? I thought that was a wonderful gesture and another sign of the maturing that has been a huge part of Kaner this year.
I addition to the players Brad listed, Sharp and Saad will also sit tonight. Hutton will get the start as well.
*In addition
I think he was playfully joking smitty.