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Hawks Bounce Back with a Huge W over Penguins


PITTSBURGH, PA -- Well, this Hawks team looked decidedly better tonight, and much more like themselves.

 The Hawks certainly started strong, taking just three minutes to score--and of course, it was another Artemi Panarin and Patrick Kane beauty (with Tanner Kero's help as well). This was Panarin's 26th goal on the season, and boy has he looked good this season. And, incidentally, all three of these players that helped on this goal are the three stars of the night. Well deserved, too.

But, back on track. Not but a few moments later,  Scott Wilson took a penalty for whacking the back of Ryan Hartman's head with his stick--in the words of referee legend Mike Leggo: you can't do that. Hawks went to the power play, but nothing came of it and they were back to even strength.

Corey Crawford made some incredible stops tonight, and I thank my lucky stars every night that the Hawks are lucky enough to have him in net. He and Scott Darling are an unbelievable duo.

The Penguins headed to the box again, this time Ian Cole for interference on Richard Panik, but again, nothing comes of it, and the game resumed as a 5-on-5.

Then, Panik saved the day and netted an absolute muffin of a shot. I still can't really believe that Marc-Andre Fleury didn't stop that one. Nick Schmaltz and Jonathan Toews got the helpers on that one, and with that, the Hawks were up 2-0 at the midway point of the period.

But, I know the Blackhawks. I know how they operate. This lead couldn't last long.

Panarin came in on a breakaway--but, nope, stopped by Fleury.  Their shots started going wide, they were letting the Penguins play in the Hawks end more--this was when I started really worrying. But, the Hawks were clearing pucks. They were stopping plays. I was impressed, actually.

Just as I was yelling at the TV, telling them it was time for about three more goals, Marcus Kruger said "yes, ma'am" and sunk one in on his own rebound. Pretty sweet goal. And, just 39 seconds later, Hartman raced up the ice, sauced the pass to Marian Hossa across the entire sheet of ice, and Hossa netted it. The referees looked for offside, but the goal was good and the call on the ice stood!

So, the Hawks went into the first intermission up 4-0. And part of me still worried.

But... no.

The Hawks take a penalty for high sticking (John Hayden, actually), and Phil Kessel had a few great opportunities, but the Hawks maintain their ground and the Penguins... took another penalty? The Blackhawks sadly haven't figured out their power play game yet, so the score remains 4-0 after two minutes.

 Crawford made some crazy stops right at the end there, too. But, it couldn't be a Penguins game without Sidney Crosby whining about something--this time it happened to be that he wanted a delay of game call with just four seconds in the period left, and the referee near him just skated away. It was actually pretty funny.

Anyways, the third period started and I began thinking, "Wow, they could actually get this solid win!" Look, the Hawks are a good team, a great team. But some days, I wonder about them.

 But, again, they proved me wrong.

Crawford robbed Tom Khunhackl (what a name) right off the bat, and Kero turned right around and scored on Fleury, earning the Hawks' fifth goal of the night. Jesus.

Trevor van Riemsdyk went to the box for holding, but before the Hawks could even begin killing the penalty, the Penguins' Patric Hornqvist took a penalty for slashing, and it was 4-on-4 for almost a full two minutes.

There was a lot of back and forth, but eventually Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, which took away Crawford's shutout--one I really hoped he'd get tonight, especially for how well he was playing. 

And, that was that. No more goals scored, no tears. Just a lot of scream-singing along to Chelsea Dagger, as one does. 

So, does this win bode well for the Hawks? I think so. I was expecting this game to be a high-energy, playoff-style game, but it was surprisingly not that. Granted, the Penguins have a good number of players out (eight, I believe), so it was not going to be an easy win against a mostly healthy Blackhawks team.

But, I still think this win meant something bigger than just the 24th road win, or Coach Q's 850th career win. This means that the Hawks aren't even close to done yet. I really do believe in this team, and this year in particular, I think they're a force to be reckoned with. Beating the Penguins tonight and sweeping the season series is huge. The Penguins, as much as many don't like them, are a good, hardy team. I knew they could give the Hawks a run for their money, but the Hawks struck first, and didn't stop striking.

I'm not saying what you probably think I'm saying, but I totally am. This team is good.

I'll ask you the same question Steve Dangle has been asking Leafs fans lately: Are you in?
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