Recap
The Blackhawks lost to the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 in a shootout in their first home game back after a long road trip. The Hawks next game is against the San Jose Sharks on Friday night at the United Center.
There was no scoring in the first period. But again both goalies made big saves. Corey Crawford was forced to make several point blank saves. The Ducks would get on the scoreboard first when Ryan Getzlaf scored on the power play. It was only the fourth power play goal that the Hawks have given up this season. The Hawks would get some momentum when Bryan Bickell delivered a clean hit the chest of Getzlaf which resulted in a fight between Bickell and Brad Staubitz. The Hawks would tie the game 17 seconds into the power play when Nick Leddy’s slap shot beat Viktor Fasth over the glove. Another lightning quick score would give the Hawks the lead as 28 seconds later Brandon Saad scored. He launched a Bobby Orr type shot as he was in mid air when he shot the puck. After going over the shoulder of Fasth, the puck trickled towards the goal line. The puck would not go over until the green batons started to come out of the moorings. However, after a video review, a goal was called on the ice. The net is not considered off the ice until the green batons are completely out of the hole and onto the ice. It was the correct call as the goal was still in the moorings and not on the ice.
The score would remain 2-1 until late in the third period. After making several big saves, Crawford had no chance on the goal by Andrew Cogliano. He was in the right spot and had his stick on the ice to redirect the puck past Crawford. In overtime the Hawks would have two 4 on 3 power plays but could not get the puck past Fasth. The game would go to a shootout. Jonathan Toews would start off the shootout by shooting five hole. The puck trickled past Fasth who got a piece of it but not enough. Nick Bogino led off for the Ducks and scored on a sweet move when he froze Crawford with a sweet deke that led to an easy put in. Patrick Kane would be stopped when he tried to get fancy and go five hole. Corey Perry would score for the Ducks as he fired a wrist shot to the inside of the post. The Hawks third shooter would be Saad who was making his first attempt. Saad make a nice deke but Fasth kept his pad on the post to deny Saad and give the Ducks a win.
What it means
The Hawks are now unbeaten in regulation in 13 games. They are three games from tying for the best undefeated in regulation streak in the NHL. The Hawks now have 23 points in 13 games. There is no shame in losing to the Ducks as they are the second best team in the Western Conference with 19 points.
3 stars of the game
3. Corey Perry- Perry had a very active game. He had five shots, blocked two shots and also dished out two hits. In addition, Perry had the game winner in the shootout on a very nice shot that Crawford had no chance on.
2. Brandon Saad- Saad is starting to become more and more dominant. He consistently draws penalties and drew one at the end of regulation. Saad’s goal was his second of the season and his career. He also had six shots on goal and three takeaways.
1. Corey Crawford- Another stellar game for Crawford who has no reason to be disappointed after his performance tonight. Twice Crawford had to make point blank saves with his glove. In addition, he made a couple of saves in a matter of seconds when there was traffic in front of his crease. Crawford made 29 saves on 31 shots and his record stands at 7-0-3 for the season.
Comments