I posted this last night on the Chicago Blackhawks Fans community on Google+.
In case you missed the banner raising, or if you just want to get teary-eyed all over again, I found the official video: from the player introductions and Cup skate-around, to the unfurling and raising of the banner, to the always stirring [Jim] Cornelison "Star Spangled Banner."
An awesome production by the Hawks and the UC!
This is a keepsake video, Hawk fans :)
This is a keepsake video, Hawk fans :)
So the 2013 - 2014 was underway.
I can only imagine what the Washington Capitals players were experiencing, sitting in the locker room and perhaps watching or listening to the banner-raising ceremony. A year ago, the Hawks were the visiting team in Los Angeles, as the Kings celebrated their Stanley Cup championship one last time to open the 2012 - 2013 campaign.
Look how much and how well that Kings' banner-raising motivated our Hawks!
Game 1
October 1st 2013
 |
| ESPN Box Score |
Plus side
An amazing six different players scored, as our offense looked like it was in mid-season form. The Hawks put a lot of pressure on Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, blitzing him with shots in the second period. I was especially happy to see Brandon Bollig score his first ever NHL goal, to lead off this shootout, on opening night. Corey Crawford gave up four goals, but three of them were on power play. He was otherwise superb on net, facing high-scoring Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Bäckström. Finally, the defensive pair Niklas Hjalmarsson (two assists) and Johnny Oduya (game-winning goal) were a lights-out +4 for the night. Meanwhile, Brandon Saad came away with the most points for the Hawks: one goal, two assists.
Minus side
The weakest part of the Hawks stellar game is the power play, and it couldn't match that of the Capitals. Our penalty kill team lost Michael Frolik, and obviously needed to reconstitute itself. I thought their play was a bit tentative and the four-man box in front of Crawford was too tight. The Hawks do not usually commit a lot of penalties, but tonight six different players spent time sitting out. The Capitals cashed in on 3/6 chances, while the Hawks did so on 1/4 occasions.
References
Blackhawks open defense with big 3rd period, top Capitals, with post-game analysis from Barry Melrose
An amazing six different players scored, as our offense looked like it was in mid-season form. The Hawks put a lot of pressure on Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, blitzing him with shots in the second period. I was especially happy to see Brandon Bollig score his first ever NHL goal, to lead off this shootout, on opening night. Corey Crawford gave up four goals, but three of them were on power play. He was otherwise superb on net, facing high-scoring Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Bäckström. Finally, the defensive pair Niklas Hjalmarsson (two assists) and Johnny Oduya (game-winning goal) were a lights-out +4 for the night. Meanwhile, Brandon Saad came away with the most points for the Hawks: one goal, two assists.
Minus side
The weakest part of the Hawks stellar game is the power play, and it couldn't match that of the Capitals. Our penalty kill team lost Michael Frolik, and obviously needed to reconstitute itself. I thought their play was a bit tentative and the four-man box in front of Crawford was too tight. The Hawks do not usually commit a lot of penalties, but tonight six different players spent time sitting out. The Capitals cashed in on 3/6 chances, while the Hawks did so on 1/4 occasions.
References
Blackhawks open defense with big 3rd period, top Capitals, with post-game analysis from Barry Melrose
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!
Ron Villejo, PhD
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