#TheKidsAreAlright

ST. PAUL, MN -- That was a pseudo-playoff game if I've ever seen one. The tension was remarkably high, the chances were unbelievable, and the goaltending was superb. I was blown away by this one, folks.

 The Blackhawks start out with a good number of chances, and it didn't seem like they were too afraid to get up to the net and fight for a goal. The defense was actually quite good tonight as well, finally looking like the Hawks we know.

 And, after eleven minutes of pressure, Ryan Hartman finds the back of the net with a beauty of a pass from Vinnie Hinostroza, and the kids put the Hawks up 1-0 with nine minutes to go in the first period. Corey Crawford made some unbelievable saves in the first period as well, but as a whole, the period was pretty boring with just one goal scored. Charlie Coyle took an interference penalty, but nothing came of the Hawks power play, and thus the period ended with the Hawks up 1-0.

Of course, the second period had the most energy and definitely the most controversy. Nick Schmaltz quickly fired a wrist shot into the back of the net only a minute into the game, giving the Hawks a go-ahead 2-0 lead.

That lead lasts not even forty seconds before the Wild find their way onto the score sheet, and cut the lead in half.

It didn't become controversial until Zach Parise's goal about seven minutes into the period. This to me is exactly why the NHL needs to take a step back and reevaluate their referees. 

This photo pretty clearly shows that Parise (the furthest left player in green) was well over the line when Coyle had the puck in his control. It took the refs a little over five minutes to discuss, which was ridiculous. NBCSN showed about five different angles of the play, and from at least three of them, it was obvious that Parise was over the line. But, the call on the ice stood, and the Hawks faced a 2-2 tie. (I do plan on writing up something on the terrible refereeing this season, by the way.)

There were some questionable hits and non-calls on both sides, along with a little scuffle between Matt Dumba and Artemi Panarin--Panarin should have gotten a cross-checking penalty for that one, probably. Marcus Kruger should have drawn a tripping penalty, but that really is neither here nor there. We already established that the refereeing was atrocious at best in this one.

Crawford, however, was absolutely unbelievable. I could not believe some of the shots he faced and just whacked away--he made it look easy. He made at least two saves on Stewart when he managed to breakaway a little, which was impressive enough, since the Hawks have had issues with turnovers lately.

With some more pressure, the Hawks finally notched a third goal, thanks to Richard Panik near the eighteen minute mark. It was a tipped-in shot from Jonathan Toews, and again, they made it look easy and regained the lead at 3-2. The period ended, and though the Wild led in shots on goal, the Hawks were clearly dominating the game with a resilient offense and a strong goaltending game. The defense really needs to step up their game, however.

 The third period starts and again, the Hawks are putting pressure in the Wild's end. Crawford made some absolute highway-robbery-type saves especially in this period, and each one had me on the edge of my seat. Dennis Rasmussen took a seat in the box, and for the first time in a while, the Hawks did a very nice job of killing the penalty--including Niklas Hjalmarsson's incredible block on Dumba's shot.

The boys are looking good until about the three minute mark. Hawks let one in, it's a tied game again, at 3-3. Staal probably should have gotten an interference call here, but again, the refs didn't seem to call much in this one.

Slowly, the time ticked down, and to overtime we went. Crawford, again, started out overtime with some unbelievable saves right off the bat, and finally, the Hawks catch a break--Ryan Suter goes off for holding on Marian Hossa. And just a few seconds into that powerplay, Captain Jonathan Toews goes five-hole on Darcy Kuemper and seals the deal.

Whew.

Arguably the best players tonight were Crawford, Keith, and Toews. Those three proved tonight just why they belonged in the All-Star game last weekend. I was impressed by all of the rookies tonight--with Hartman and Schmaltz both finding the back of the net, Hinostroza with an assist, and Kero with a good few shots, the rookies, once again, looked good.

The Blackhawks finally come away with two well-earned, hard-fought points. And, once again, the kids are alright.