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| (image credit) |
All was good, indeed. From Andrew Shaw's apparent 'F-bomb,' in an interview with NBC Pierre McGuire (I thought he said 'puck'). From Tom Thibodeau texting Joel Quenneville, forming part of the Chicago coaches fraternity. To amusing news from Marian Hossa and a feel-good chat with Patrick Kane.
I offered this to our Fans community.
Behind-the-scenes stuff for the Hawks players last night: The guys were grateful for the equipment staff and trainers, who helped them recover, replenish and retool in the OT intermissions.
I don't remember playing any OT in little league hockey. Obviously we didn't have the luxury that the pros have: Just a head coach, plus one assistant were all we had. We took care of our own gear, and once we were strapped-in and taped-up at the beginning, we stayed that way in between periods.
But I can appreciate how good it feels to have some fresh clothes and dry equipment on, before getting back on the ice.
The Hawks trainers apparently did a fabulous job, too, in making sure the guys were in top-notch conditioning the whole season. So let's give them an assist on that long-awaited, winning Shawzie goal!
But Game 2 was upon us soon enough.
In Chicago, we mostly favor the local coverage by CSN on TV and WGN on the radio. But the video highlights and color commentary from stalwarts in the media business were awesome: NBCSN and ESPN. So have a look-see at championship hockey.
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| Barry Melrose is the hockey analyst I enjoy most, for his astute, colorful commentary (image credit) |
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| Another sellout madness on Madison Street, as the fans sought another thrilling victory (image credit) |
Game 1 was now ancient history, and the question was, What kind of game were we going to witness from these gladiators of the frozen pond?
Answer: The Hawks came out firing on all cylinders, seeming to rain shots on Tuukka Rask from the United Center rafters. The Bruins seemed still-hungover from the protracted, dramatic loss, and Barry Melrose quipped that they must've mistook the game for a later start. Fortunately for them, their netminder did show up to play and knew the NHL schedule like the back of his blocker.
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| ESPN Box Score |
That first period was reminiscent of the first period in Game 1 against the Kings. The Hawks outshot the Bruins (19 - 4), and were like beasts ravaging a lone prey. But then they went dumbfoundingly cold the rest of the match, as they had only 15 more shots-on-goal over two periods, plus 13:48 of OT. They gave away (16) as much as they took away (17), and they lost key battles of the dot (33 - 39).
Maybe the Hawks wore themselves down in that first period flurry. Nick Leddy stated the obvious, after the game, that his team lost track of their game plan. They're an up-tempo, finesse team, which opponents can barely match. But as they slowed down, it favored the Bruins' more methodic, hard-hitting game. So, you may be a deer, or even a gazelle, but if you aren't moving those little hooves, you will get sniped, captured and ravaged. Hence, the hits parade on the Hawks, courtesy of the Bruins (50 - 34).
Rask was more the goalie whom fans watched in their Penguins series, as he kept the deeply-talented, high-octane Hawks offense off the books. Except for one tally by Patrick Sharp, more on him later. Through Game 2, Rask trails Corey Crawford by a mere .01 on goals-against-average (1.75 - 1.74), and leads him by .09 on save percent (94.4% - 93.5%). While the two teams are very different teams, these close figures for their goaltenders are one reason why they're so evenly matched. Specifically, so evenly great.
Maybe the Hawks wore themselves down in that first period flurry. Nick Leddy stated the obvious, after the game, that his team lost track of their game plan. They're an up-tempo, finesse team, which opponents can barely match. But as they slowed down, it favored the Bruins' more methodic, hard-hitting game. So, you may be a deer, or even a gazelle, but if you aren't moving those little hooves, you will get sniped, captured and ravaged. Hence, the hits parade on the Hawks, courtesy of the Bruins (50 - 34).
Rask was more the goalie whom fans watched in their Penguins series, as he kept the deeply-talented, high-octane Hawks offense off the books. Except for one tally by Patrick Sharp, more on him later. Through Game 2, Rask trails Corey Crawford by a mere .01 on goals-against-average (1.75 - 1.74), and leads him by .09 on save percent (94.4% - 93.5%). While the two teams are very different teams, these close figures for their goaltenders are one reason why they're so evenly matched. Specifically, so evenly great.
So time to give some love to the Finnish goaltender, in photos and highlights from the NHL Network.
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| Tuukka Rask covered the puck with his body, in a controversial no-goal in the first period (image credit) |
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| Tuukka Rask gloved a point-blank shot by Nick Leddy in lightning fashion (image credit) |
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| Tuukka Rask was partially screen, but ably saved a radar slapshot by Marian Hossa (image credit) |
So, on the one hand, Rask was nothing short of awesome.
On the other hand, the Hawks could've punched through one or two more goals in that blitzkrieg first period, beyond Sharp's tally, and the game would've averted OT and ended in our favor. Actually, in fact, they did punch in one puck, on a shot by Marian Hossa, which replays showed crossed the goal line. But after a lengthy review, it was called off, because the whistle, that no one heard and that Hossa himself did not hear, had been blown already.
On the other hand, the Hawks could've punched through one or two more goals in that blitzkrieg first period, beyond Sharp's tally, and the game would've averted OT and ended in our favor. Actually, in fact, they did punch in one puck, on a shot by Marian Hossa, which replays showed crossed the goal line. But after a lengthy review, it was called off, because the whistle, that no one heard and that Hossa himself did not hear, had been blown already.
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| It was a rugby scrum right on Tukka Rask's doorstep, as Patrick Sharp shot a seeing-eye goal (image credit) |
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| The NHL agreed Marian Hossa's shot crossed the line, but the whistle had blown already (image credit) |
The officiating notwithstanding, Sharp and Hossa each had seven shots-on-goal and each scored a goal. But our young stars, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, ended the match with just two shots, and made it difficult for the team to win on just a lone score.
Toews does a lot of things on the ice, which don't figure on the stats sheet, and Joel Quenneville has every faith and confidence in him. But it would be good for him to lift his positively paltry one-goal, eight-assist performance in the playoffs a few notches up. Against the superb Bruins, it would undoubtedly be crucial for him to light up the stats sheet.
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| Patrick Kane assisted on the Patrick Sharp goal, but looked to apply magic on the ice (image credit) |
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| Jonathan Toews won the Selke Trophy for best defensive forward, so congratulations to the Captain (image credit) |
Meanwhile back to the gold-and-black. After just four shots-on-goal in the first period, the Bruins kept their focus and discipline, and had eight in each of the remaining periods, including the OT frame. Credit Chris Kelly and Daniel Paille for making those shots count.
In particular, the game winner began with a failed clearing attempt by Brandon Bollig. Adam McQuaid kept the puck in our zone, passed to Tyler Seguin, who found Paille by the right circle. It was vintage Hawks containment, passing and firepower. Except it wasn't the Hawks.
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| After a nifty deke and shot by Daniel Paille, Chris Kelly punched in the tying goal in the 2nd period (image credit) |
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| After a Hawks turnover, Daniel Paille fired a knuckler of a wrister past Corey Crawford (image credit) |
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| What more could anyone ask of Corey Crawford? (image credit) |
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| The crowd had the first period to cheer about, then a third nail-biter OT in a row (image credit) |
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| Turn off the laser show, empty the seats and concession stands, and put the ice to sleep (image credit) |
Of course, the Hawks can come back home up 3 - 1, then finish it up in Game 5 and hoist the Cup in one week. It's possible. Why not? We fans can dream, can't we.
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!
Ron Villejo, PhD
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