Blackhawks Shoot Past Coyotes
Mike Smith played another fantastic game at the United Center, but the Blackhawks were able to emerge with a 5-4 shootout victory over the Coyotes on Thursday night.
For the third time this year, Phoenix allowed at least 50 shots on net; the other two were against San Jose. Smith was strong in net, though. He faced 40 shots in the final 40 minutes of regulation, and stopped 48 of 52 in the game.
Fortunately for the Blackhawks, Corey Crawford was the better of the two netminders in the shootout, and Chicago emerged victorious. Crawford faced only 30 shots, all during regulation, and stopped 26 in the victory.
Brandon Saad opened the scoring with his fifth of the season, and Patrick Sharp scored a power play goal less than four minutes later to give the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead less than seven minutes into the first period. But only 41 seconds after Sharp’s goal, the Coyotes got on the board and tied the game on a Shane Doan power play goal later in the first.
Marian Hossa gave the Blackhawks the lead once again with his ninth of the season at 5:05 into the second, and the Hawks would hold onto the lead for almost 10 minutes. But two goals from Phoenix just over two minutes gave the Coyotes their first lead of the game.
For only the third time this season, the Blackhawks were trailing after two periods.
Exactly three minutes into the third period, Brandon Pirri redirected a Brent Seabrook shot past Smith to tie the game. That would be the last time either goaltender would allow a goal in the game.
Pirri played well in the victory. He scored his fourth of the season in only his 14th game, and won seven of 11 faceoffs. Coach Joel Quenneville showed some confidence in the youngster by sending him out fourth in the shootout, and Pirri responded with the game-winner.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Nick Leddy had two assists each to lead the offense. Toews won 13 of 24 faceoffs, while Kane led all Hawks forwards skating 22:57 in the game.
Andrew Shaw skated over 19 minutes in the game, and once again mixed it up with Smith. In the third period, less than two minutes after Pirri tied the game, Shaw was pushed into Smith who took exception (but didn’t fall down, shockingly). Smith’s retaliation cost his team a power play; Shaw was called for interference, and Smith received a roughing minor.
Shaw won eight of 18 faceoffs and was credited with four shots on goal and three hits in the game.
Bryan Bickell had one of his more physical games of the season, leading Chicago with five hits. After Brandon Bollig foolishly doubled a minor penalty by adding an unsportsmanlike to a holding call only ten seconds after Doan’s power play goal in the second, his ice time evaporated; he was on the ice for only 7:21 in the game.
Seabrook led the team with four blocked shots and also contributed three hits in another strong performance. The Hawks’ six defensemen were credited with 14 shots on net in the game.
Jeremy Morin returned to the lineup and, once again, had the lowest ice time on the Hawks’ roster (6:57). In his 11 shifts he was credited with five shots on net, one hit and one takeaway. He had a couple good shifts, but hasn’t distinguished himself yet this season.
Before the game, the Hawks recalled Alex Broadhurst from Rockford and placed veteran Michal Handzus on IR. The 20-year-old had four goals and seven assists in 16 games with Rockford to start the season.
UPDATE: After the game, Morin and Broadhurst were sent back to Rockford when the Blackhawks announced they had acquired forward Kris Versteeg from Florida.
Question to anyone who saw cuz i missed it…. I saw Toews’ had a Shootout attempt/goal… Was it 5-Hole? I joke with a buddy of mine that he ALWAYS goes 5-hole.
He knows it, the goalie knows it, the refs and fans know it… but then he will still bury it… lol
Sorry Tim. Not the 5-hole. Nice move though.
I thought the 4th line had one of its weakest games of the year…
3rd line was not much better
Hawks looked really bad with 20/37/11 caught in the D zone one shift…
Don’t know if that line was by Q’s design (to hilite the problems w/ 11/37) or if they were just caught between line changes. But it was really BAD!
Great PU in Versteeg. I thought Morin did OK for what he had. Does Morin do anything for anybody on this blog replacing Bollig on the 4th line??
For me Smith continues to impress. Yes he makes rookie mistakes and yes he is not a huge scoring threat. But, he is a 4th liner who can grind and is defensively responsible. With the addition of Versteeg maybe Morin will get a chance on the 4th line
Morin / Kruger / Smith has some speed, grit, a potential sniper and defensive responsibility. This would be a 4th line that can log 10 minutes a night and keep the in the offensive zone a lot. Nothing against Bollig (save his idiocy last night). He has been playing fairly well but I think Morin is about the same defensively and much better on O.
Mike- I thinking Moring will serve that purpose come “Post-Olympic Break”. But in the grind of the 82 game season Bollig has a purpose. Once we get in the playoff stretch, typically teams will take enforcers out of the line ups. Morin will get his time, im not worried about that.
Hopefully this will invigorate Versteeg and he can solidify the 3rd line. No more Brookbank on wing please.
Bollig should have never been given the initial penalty, when players (19) are getting crosschecked in the goal crease with no calls how do these officials call some of the weak hooks against both teams they called. Can’t really blame Bollig for questioning the call.
When our first line has the puck in the Ozone it looks like we are on the power play at times. 2nd line looks like it is finally starting to get it together and for all their Dzone short comings still present a lot of match up problems for teams.
When is someone going to kick Doans ass? looked like he kneed Oduya in the head then took advantage of him trying to get off the ice. Cheap shot artist, and to think I wanted him as a Hawk a while back.
What a great time to be a Hawks fan!!!
Phoenix is not going to get many wins giving up 52 shots a game. I wish Khabby wasn’t so terrible in order to give Crawford a few nights off. That’s where Emery was beneficial last year.