Hawks Talked Big and Played Bigger
Al Cimaglia | May 04, 2010 | Comments 16
Early in the opening period the Blackhawks Stanley Cup dreams appeared to be over as the Canucks looked like a sure winner for Game 2. In the end no matter how good Roberto Luongo was on Monday he couldn’t withstand the Chicago attack alone.
The Hawks proved they can rebound from adversity and the Canucks squandered a great opportunity.
After the series opener Joel Quenneville and his players told all who listened the biggest problem was their performance not anything special the Canucks threw at them. Vancouver could have taken exception to the Hawks notion and proved they were the superior team in all respects.
Early on the Canucks did come out flying and seemingly were on their way to victory. But this time the Hawks showed they are a confident bunch because they performed as if they knew they would succeed.
By splitting games in Chicago the Canucks were successful in stealing home ice advantage for the series. But Vancouver left a lot on the table.
The Blackhawks benefitted from some breaks although the Canucks have only themselves to blame.
Antti Niemi wasn’t better than Luongo but he was good enough.
In the opening frame Kevin Bieska missed a prime chance when the Canucks led by two as his shot hit off the post. Maybe a three goal advantage would have been too much for the Hawks to overcome.
Maybe…
For the first time all playoffs the Hawks attack came in waves. For the most part the Blackhawks won the puck battles in the final forty minutes. The Canucks didn’t go into a shell but they made enough mistakes to cost them the game.
Luongo was probably the best player on the ice,the Blackhawks were the superior team.
The Twins were quiet and the Hawks had three lines rolling. It did appear Luongo might be able to steal the contest but the Chicago resolve proved to be too strong.
The Blackhawks top skaters were better than their Vancouver counterparts. The Twins were quiet and eventually the Canucks defense could not withstand the constant pressure.
Kris Versteeg has a habit of turning easy into difficult. He had his usual game of dazzle and turnovers but finally scored a playoff goal.
On the game winner Versteeg almost deaked himself into submission, but he caught a break and stayed determined. Versteeg and his mates displayed the grit and will of a winner.
Vancouver fans are probably content with a split. Lately the Blackhawks haven’t strung together many solid performances. They evened the series with a very good showing but it wasn’t close to their best. Hawks fans should be optimistic and Canucks followers cautious.
The odds of Chicago winning the series after going down 0-2 would have been slim. Now the Hawks probably feel a sense of relief and are encouraged.
Time will tell if the Hawks can keep the momentum and the Canucks regret this loss all summer.
Al’s Shots
Luongo has been very good but he has left rebounds.
If the Hawks could start to convert on those opportunities….
The Hawks still had too many turnovers near the bluelines.
The Vancouver defense had good sticks and the Hawks had trouble clicking around the net.
Troy Brouwer began on the first line but didn’t last long. His head doesn’t seem right.
Tomas Kopecky played his best game ever as a Blackhawk.
Many Hawk forwards were good and tough as they crashed Luongo’s crease.
Patrick Sharp showed why he is too valuable to trade away this summer.
I couldn’t begin to count the number of comments directed at Canuck players by Adam Burish and Ben Eager while on the Hawks bench. I had the binoculars on them and it was comical to watch.
I’m sure many Hawk fans were glad they were back in action.
blackhawkswin@comcast.net
Filed Under: Al Cimaglia • Chicago Blackhawks • Featured • NHL
Al, is there any further news on Brouwer’s personal situation?
I believe it was ESPN Chicago who reported that his father was gravely ill.
If that is indeed the situation, one would understand this might be having a significant emotional impact on young Brouwer.
The drop-off in Brouwer’s contribution is important to the Hawks, but the possibility of his own personal loss could be an overriding factor for him.
I had heard that his Dad had recovered – to what extent I don’t know – which was why Brouwer rejoined the team. I recall Brouwer saying his dad told him he’d be fine and for him to go home and do what he does best. When I heard this, I thought Brouwer would be a monster on the ice playing for his Dad, but it obviously hasn’t worked out that way. I don’t mean to be harsh and I hope his Dad will be okay, but he has been awful in these playoffs and I can’t believe Hawk management hasn’t seen this. Obviously, they should be in the know on the situation and with the way he has played they should have just told him that they appreciated his efforts to play but that it’s obvious he is not into the games and it would be best for him, his family and the team if he stayed with his father if that’s what the circumstances dictate.
Al,
Count me as one of the fans happy to see Burish and Eager back on the ice.
When I got my @NHLBlackhawks tweet before Saturday’s game with the scratches, the first thing that struck me was last year’s entire fourth line was a scratch.
Was that part of the problem? Hmm…
Easy for me to bring it up now. Don’t know that I hit the panic button at the time, but it was an interesting curiosity.
Speaking of the entire fourth line being scratched, why do you think Fraser is always the odd man out? Is he in Q’s doghouse?
With Brouwer obviously struggling, why not give him a sit and slide Fraser into center the fourth line?
Think I’ll get Q on the horn…
Frasor seems to be the odd man out more becasue of the position he plays compared to some others…I doubt he is in the dog house.
Not sure about Brouwer’s father.
If his dad is very ill obviously that could cause a difference in his play.
Finally, a real playoff game. While exciting to watch, I do agree Al, the ‘hawks need to be better still. They were just a crossbar away from being down 3-2 with 4 or 5 minutes to play and failed to convert too may grade A chances. Still, some positives to move forward with, notably the Sedins were kept at bay, and I do like their road game much better than the home game at the moment. Maybe they’ll wake up now and start to play the way they are capable.
I think the Canucks eased off the pedal for the third period and with their third period record that is understandable. Don’t expect that to happen again.
6-2 in PP advantages is another area that needs to even up and though it’s obvious that the Canucks are turning away from confrontation the ‘hawks will need to be more disciplined on the road.
Vancouver still has a couple of gears they haven’t used yet and the ‘hawks had better be ready to play from the outset while in Vancouver.
Niemi is going to have to steal one, IMO.
As for Brouwer, well the situation is unfortunate and at least now he’ll be close by. He probably should be sent home for the next two games.
How’s that for saying a whole lot of nothing.
Those PP advantages had nothing to do with Vancouver discipline. They were:
1) The dumbest rule in hockey – delay of game for the puck going out of play unintentionally
2) A very weak call on dislodging the net
3) Stupidity by Eager when going for a change and then deciding to stay on the ice.
We have the most bench penalties in the playoffs – that is what needs to change.
As for Brouwer, he has been off his game since that ill timed pinch against the Flyers that led to the winning goal. If he needs personal time, give it to him. Family is way more important.
That will make 2 years in row then that the Hawks lead the NHL in bench minors.
This appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times back on April 14:
Winger Troy Brouwer left the Blackhawks after their April 4 win over the Calgary Flames and headed to Vancouver with his father ill and in the hospital.But he has returned with a positive outlook.”He’s doing better, that’s for sure,” Brouwer said Tuesday after practice without getting into details of his dad’s illness. ”He doesn’t want me around right now. He’s a guy that really wants me to do well in hockey. As soon as he was OK, he wanted me back here and doing what I love to do and what he loves to watch.”
Nothing further has been mentioned about his Father’s health taking a turn for the worst. I did see where he said he lost a little confidence after turning the puck over in Game 1 against Nashville, so perhaps it’s not a family issue at all, but a confidence issue. I can understand him lacking confidence because he’s not scoring, but it shouldn’t effect his physical play and knowing who he’s responsible for on the ice. He just hasn’t contributed anything to the team at all. Perhaps there is more to the story, and we won’t know about it until after the playoffs, if ever
that game was a fast pace game last night and it was fun to watch and seabrook and sharp were awesome. i would like to see toews and keith step it up like they did in the olympics but they are struggling i wonder if they are tired or injured
According to what has been reported from Vancouver it appears Brouwer will sit tonight.
Hendry will likley play defense while Byfuglien goes to forward and skates with Kane and Toews.
Look for some push-back from the ‘nucklers tonight. Hordichuk draws in as does shot blocker extraordinaire Johnson. Gonna be a rough tilt.
This is a key gamee….I would like to see how the Canucks respond if the Hawks can get up by two early.
Al, your crystal ball was obviously working tonight.
Probably the Hawks’ best game of the playoffs so far.
Al,
Is Hendry a better option than Boynton? I haven’t seen enough of Nick to know how he would fare against the ‘Nucks, but it seems that the Blackhawks might benefit from his playoff experience.
If Quenneville intends to limit Hendry’s minutes, playing him just enough to give the other five defensemen a breather, the potential benefit of Hendry’s effectiveness as a speedy defender who can join an offensive rush would be minimal, and his playoff inexperience could be more of a risk.
I like Hendry….the more he plays the better.
Considering he has been spot started…that’s a tough spot for him. But he usually keeps it simple and is a good, fast skater.