Jonas Hiller, Flames Steal Win In OT
The Blackhawks dominated every statistic except goals scored on Wednesday night, and a goal with less than 25 seconds remaining in overtime gave Jonas Hiller a hard-earned win.
In the second night of a back-to-back, it was an ugly box score for Calgary. Chicago out-shot the visitors 50-18, and Calgary blocked another 30 shot attempts in almost 65 minutes of hockey.
But Hiller made 49 saves to get his first victory of the season after struggling in his first two starts of the new year.
The Flames came into the game with a mediocre awful penalty kill, surviving only 62 percent of their short-handed opportunities before Wednesday.
But the Hawks converted only once in seven power plays.
A tipped shot got past Corey Crawford in the second period, but he performed well the rest of the night until Mikael Backlund beat him to end the game. He made a few big saves in the overtime before the game-winner, and finished the night with 16 saves against 18 shots in his first loss of the season.
Andrew Shaw was credited with the power play goal, tipping a Patrick Sharp shot past Hiller. Jonathan Toews, who won 14 of 25 faceoffs, was credited with the second assist on the Hawks’ only goal.
After the game, coach Joel Quenneville noted the number of missed opportunities. The Hawks had a number of great looks at the net, but shots were either missed or sent wide of the cage.
Patrick Kane led all Hawks forwards with 23:38 on the ice, while Duncan Keith led all Chicago skaters with 27:50 in the game.
Jeremy Morin got nine shifts and only 5:48 in the game. Daniel Carcillo skated 14 shifts (9:05) and David Rundblad skated 11 shifts (9:14). Of the Hawks four centers, Brad Richards skated the fewest shifts (14); he saw 5:56 of power play ice time, but had another turnover at the blue line that led to a breakaway.
Keith, Richards and Rundblad led the Hawks with two blocked shots each. Sharp once again led the team with eight shots on net, and Shaw led the way with four hits. Bryan Bickell was credited with zero hits and one missed shot in 12:28 on Wednesday night, and found himself watching a significant part of the game with Richards and Morin.
The Blackhawks killed their only penalty of the night.
Wow
The 29-91-11 line looked all discombobulated. They definitely weren’t on the same page at all. Once again Richards made a bad play at the blue line that led to a short handed opportunity. Bickell has the NHL record for the number of shots blocked. He has a wicked fast wrister, but 95% of the time it hits the Defenseman’s shins.
The game proved the fickle nature of hockey. The Hawks stole two points in Dallas, surrendered an extra point to the truculent Flames.
Biggest surprise of the game: Bollig received a penalty. Totally Unheard of
I have no understanding why Morin played 5 minutes tonight. I did not see him do anything that warranted him riding the bench most of the night. Actually, I thought he played well. I’m dumbfounded… TVR and Runbad…Meh!!! They played 11 & 9 mins. Besides not finishing on 5-7 good chances and losing the game, I thought this was the best game the Hawks have played so far. The winning goal was Crow’s fault…he should have made that save.
Weird or what? How is this possible? Carcillo looked great and should have been out there more….very motivated and good with hussle….in any other reality tonite he would have had a hat trick. This is the kind of game that makes the analytics guys look really dumb. We out Corsied them 75%-25% or more. Puck luck is an important thing sometimes. Richards had a beautiful setup and missed…so did everyone else! I’ve seen this kind of game a few times before…Karma coming at us for that game we stole from Calgary when Emery stood on his head beyond the law of physics and that game when we rebounded from a 5-0 deficit against them and won it…..oh well ( hands in the air).
Casper and Handcuffs are really exciting to watch? Casper had more blocked shots than Handcuffs had hits???
The good news 4th line looked good (cuz like I said before – 28 needs 16)
Other Good news – Runbad wasn’t horrible…than again the Puck was in the O zone 3/4 of the game…
How many more times do we have to see 91 make like a turn-style trying to stop a break-away when hawks are on PP???
Q better take 91 off the point real Quick!!!
Yeah lots of shots and give Hiller credit for stopping all but one of them and also give the Flames credit for clearing all the rebounds Hiller left out there. But, it was mostly one and done for the Hawks tonight. There was some luck involved for sure like when the Hawks had someone in front for a rebound it bounced long – BUT – they didn’t crash the net enough to take advantage of Hiller’s sloppy rebound control. And the few times they had good chances in close they muffed it. So while the shot total would indicate the Hawks played well and while the offensive zone time would confirm the Hawks played well – in my opinion the Hawks didn’t pay the price to get the gritty rebound goals that were sitting there for them tonight.
I suppose if Hiller didn’t stand on his head tonight the Hawks would have won and this wouldn’t even be an issue, but when you put 50 shots on a goalie and almost all of them were one and done shots – then they needed to do more.
/rant
Hiller was the reason why this game turned out the way it did. 18 shots in the 1st another 10 after 2. Saad and Kane continued to play good. Not to bitch and moan but this was a game where you empty the bench and let guys see longer looks or extra minutes, not a game where you double shift Kane and Keith. Clearly this game wasnt going in the Hawks direction so no need to double shift guys.
Was anyone else having Berra ’13 flashbacks?
Q is going to burn these guys out. High minutes and double shifting this early is just stupid. They played games like this last year, 50 shots but probably only 3 or 4 that you would consider quality chances.
Games like this just happen. Turn the page. The much bigger issue is Brad Richards. Sobering truth is he is a wretched fit for the Chicago style of play and is at the point where he just can’t skate well. His insertion has created havoc with the line combos. The good news is that with him only being a $2 million investment he either adapts his game or he will be gone.
I freaking love when one game goes against “analytics” so suddenly they are useless stats. Get a grip. Sometimes you flop the nut flush and someone runner runner boats you, pick yourself up and move on but make the same call the next time because the numbers say you are going to win more than you lose.
This ridiculously short bench is of Q’s own creation and it isn’t going to make it through the entire season. I understand that the numbers are going to be wonky because of the amount of power play time, but there is no excuse for not using all of your lines. There is a reason the Hawks slowed down in the third.
Games like this happen. My observations. Richards looks very slow. Towes and Hossa need a Bickel on the line to body up, protect Towes and do the dirty work, starting to look like the SUN-DIN’s in Vancouver. Morin needs more minutes, offensively he’s big and skilled, lack of pure defensive skills should not cost him minutes. Shaw is the only guy paying the price in front of the net. SAAAAAAD is the best player on the Hawks period and Kane is runner up. Towes doesn’t win the must win DRAWS when we need them, Backlaund killed us. Power play set up is so bad it’s not worth talking about but Hawks have the most skill in the NHL to get the puck in the attack zone, looked horrible.
TVR is the real deal, I love this kid, has the bEST STICK on defense reminds of Bill White of old days, stands tall, limited waste of movement and will bulk up next year! Offensively TVR is the best d-man we got, needs to be on powerplay. OH-doya continues to make big mistakes on the blue line, where he gets caught up in a SCRUM at the Blue line and gets held up and out of position, and an odd break is the result, happens 2 or 3 times a game, when to close, and cut off the exit is an art, he get caught toooo often. It is going to be a long season but in the end hawks will be near or on the top.
Is every hawks played as hard as Carcillo the season would be a cake walk, SAAAAD and SHAWWWW do and Ben Smith is beefing up too . . . TVR needs more minutes!
Plenty of rebounds from Hiller, but they didn’t find the tape on Hawks sticks. I have not seen an assault like that in awhile as the Hawks almost threw 100 shots at Hiller! Many blocked, many missed the mark. Strange in that with all of these shots many were from the peripheral areas, and not many from the killing zone down the middle and in the rings. Sure Carcillo had a tap in that he muffed, and Kane missed badly on one shot he would normally bury. Of course Calgary gets a lucky deflection to take the lead, but so it goes in hockey sometimes. Of concern was the Hawks giving up numerous odd man rushes that yielded quality scoring chance for the Flames. This has to stop. My God, Richards again fumbling one away at the point leading to a Flames breakaway.
Despite the loss Crow was very good again last night for the Hawks. I don;’t blame him on the OT winner. Seabs shouldn’t have backed off so much and that yielded a prime real estate scoring chance. Good shots beat good goalies.
Apart from the floundering 3rd line the lineup looked solid. Why Morin rode the bench last night was puzzling, but clearly he is for whatever reason Q’s 2014-2015 whipping boy. Joel has 1 or 2 every season. You would think Q would sit Bicks for example who in my eyes has been coasting this first week, and give Morin EXTRA minutes to send a message.
Rundblad much better last night that Saturday. Played with more poise in my eyes. TvR for a young guy is showing us he could stick. Number 4 is a really, really good D man. How about that fancy stickhandling in the 1st period? Was that a reverse toe drag I saw in that sequence? WTF?
Move on to the next one. Games like last night are going to happen in long schedule that is the NHL. Curious to see what Preds bring now that Trotz is gone. Goodness, that has been a really boring team to watch over the years. Tempted to sell or send some family members to the Sat game. I miss the old Wed and Sunday home games format. Wasn’t that what it was?
Lets Go Hawks!!
Okay, so are we done with the “Bad Richards” experience yet? I know I am…
This team has no finish. Q is a terrible coach. Our D blows. First round exit imminent.
Morin brings energy into the game. In the split seconds he has had on the ice, he generates offense and plays physical. In my mind, he deserves more opportunity than Richards, Bickell, Runblad and TVR are getting at this point. What more can this kid do?
To me, I have to think this short bench crap is Q’s way of pouting in response to Stan Bowman decisions he disagrees with. Otherwise, it makes no sense.
While Richards is far from perfect I am not willing to write him off yet. His speed is limited these days but he still does several things well. He is a good shooter and has an above average hockey IQ. IMO hockey IQ is very important. He is also an above average passer and good on the power play. 5-6 years ago I would have put Richards as an elite setup man but his skills have eroded slightly so he is merely above average these days. He is still a serviceable player unfortunately at this point he doesn’t seem like the 2nd line center that Hawks fans myself included have been searching for.
Speaking of hockey IQ, Bickell talk about a LACK of hockey IQ. He goes to the net gets position and then doesn’t look for the puck. Imagine if you have Shaws IQ and instinct with Bickell’s body. I’m not sure Bickell will ever put it all together. IMO I think that he tries harder in the playoffs because he knows whats at stake. I don’t expect him to red line the entire regular season but he is a very frustrating player to watch game in and game out.
TVR and Runblad both looked decent last night no glaring issues from my view point.
Mike/Mook- I have been a TvR guy from day 1… and yes it was the Flames…but the kid is pretty darn composed…AND I completely agree- Would love to see the kid get some PP Time (especially if it Means 91 is on the pines… or at least in a spot NOT near the Blue line- where his lack of speed is OBVIOUS!!!)… but TvR does show some very good IQ and knows how to seal guys on boards
Yes- Bickell is a No show again (it is the regular season- right)… he is healthy this year – right??? he lost 10 lbs- right??? I am willing to say Bad Richards is part of the problem-but the guy has to show a little more heart…
Good comments SSHM regarding Richards and Bickell.
Booman, it can be argued in Q’s defense that shortening the bench can work when the schedule is so light this week. Making Morin sit in the corner facing the wall, is something else. I just think that is wrong so early in the season to blackball a guy that is giving a good effort to help the team win. I said it before and will say it again. Sit Bickell as a call out to get his game on. Will it happen, not likely. The guys that got paid, play.
Loved SSHM’s comment regarding Shaw’s brain in Bickells body. Good one!!
Let’s Go Hawks!!
I am not willing to give up on Richards yet either. He came here to do one thing and now is being asked to do another. Give him a 10 games to adjust. That said……get him off the point on the PP.
Phil,
Excellent point on shortening the bench during a light week. I have my fingers crossed that someone picks Cumiskey up on waivers. Let Morin play and give Bickell an enema instead of Shaw’s brain. Whatever is up his ass, we need it out to get him to play.
A couple of thoughts:
1. A barrage of shots does not translate directly to quality scoring opportunities. If we’re not going to pay the price in the front of the net, when a goalie is on we’re not going to score. this has happened many times over the past few years, lots of action and activity- but perimeter action without the results.
2. When the Hawks think they’re the Globe Trotters is when they get beat in games like this. When Bickel and #4 are toe-dragging and think they’re Patick Kane is when we’ve lost our identity and a team that plays hockey. Hey- even us older beer leaguers like to just play fancy and not get our hands dirty- but that’s not what wins in the NHL..
3. Brad- nice if you could recapture some of the old magic- yes?
Plain and simple…
RICHARDS HAS GOT TO GO!
Coach Q is over rated and players like Bickel shine in combinations with other players as we say “frickin chemistry” trying to scramble lines up in a blender is a sign of weakness of course at times ya need to shake it up but right now the Kane, Saad and Shaw have balance every line needs a Shaw. Morin, Smith and Carbomb is also playing very well. Toews, Hossa and Sharp is not the right combo, Sharp needs to be with Richards. Plenty of talent and confusing why it took Coach 3 years to find the Saad, Shaw Kane combo.
TVR is the real deal, watched him out here at UNH. I am a Chicago transplant to Maine so I do see a lot of damn good college hockey out east. Kid can really play, very smart, and when he puts on about 10 to 12 pounds next year he’ll be an all star if Hawks don’t screw him up. Novices throw the word Hockey IQ around but TVR has the speed, the size and awareness of when to fill a gap, slide back or go to the net on the offensive, very impressive and once the wingers get used to his aggressive nature they will find him and he’ll find them. Plus he makes few if any mistakes on defense, simple square body position towards the boards.
TOI… 4games in first 13 days.
Q being Q – I just hope those of you saying SB and Q are at odds are right because if SB and Q are in this together we have problems. I know those of you blinded by the glare from the 2 cups will defend Q but hard to understand how he’s handling Morin is going to make him a better player.