Now, We're Getting Somewhere - Hawks Recap (11/9 - 11/15)

CHICAGO, IL -- Don't sing it. Don't sing it. Don't--

WEEEEEEE ARE THE CHAAAAAMPIONS, MY FRIIIIEEEENDS!

Sorry, had to get that out of my system.

If you're not following (I get it, I'm weird), the Chicago Blackhawks won their first game after an eight-game skid.

We'll get to that game in a minute, but unfortunately, we have to touch on two other games first. On the bright side, I just celebrated my birthday on Monday at the Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes game, so that was exciting-slash-stressful-slash-fun as hell.

Anyways, let's get into this.



BLACKHAWKS @ PHILADELPHIA FLYERS - L, 0-4

Yeah, this one was messy. I'll be honest, I was terrible about watching this game--my mom was in town for my birthday (hi, Mom), and we were out running errands all day so I really didn't catch much of this game.

I don't think I missed too much.

When I did go back and watch the highlights of the game, it didn't look like the Hawks were playing all that bad--it certainly wasn't a great game by any means, but it also wasn't as bad as I've seen. Again, I only caught pieces of it, so I could be overshooting here.

To be fair, that Claude Giroux goal was pretty nice. I really can't believe I just said that.

Corey Crawford played on his head (as he usually does), but that wasn't enough for the Hawks to bounce back.

Like I said, though... this game seemed like a bit of a turning point. The Hawks posted 33 shots on goal against the Flyers' 25 shots, which was certainly an improvement--they were taking shots and creating scoring chances. Erik Gustafsson and Henri Jokiharju took the three Hawks penalties, but Philly gave the Hawks four (yes, FOUR) power play opportunities that they did not capitalize on whatsoever. Shocking, I know.

Overall, this game wasn't anything massively special, or anything to write home about. I do think that this game did kind of open the floodgates, if you will--because the Hawks came out fast and furious on Monday.



BLACKHAWKS @ CAROLINA HURRICANES - L/OT, 3-4

This game was mildly frustrating but also wildly entertaining to watch.

I didn't take any game notes on this one, since I was at the game and wanted to enjoy it for what it was, so I apologize in advance if the details are a little fuzzy. But, damn, was it a great game.

It just so happened to be my birthday on Monday, so I went to this game with my dad for my present this year. We got there early enough to go down to the glass for warm ups, and though I didn't get a puck from Patrick Kane (though I definitely tried!), seeing him and the other guys that close was awesome.

That alone was a pretty great start to the night, if you ask me.

Let's get into the game, though.

Early in the first period, I could tell it was going to be a wild one. Brent Seabrook, one of my favorite players, definitely should have sat in the penalty box for tripping and/or boarding against a Canes player (I can't remember which one, to be honest), but the refs completely missed it, and I was shocked. I know the refs are inconsistent, but I feel like when you think your own player should be sitting for a penalty, something's wrong there.

Anyways, the Hawks were able to get on the board about midway through the first period, thanks to Captain Jonathan Toews. Fun fact: I actually have a video of the boys celebrating with me yelling 'THAT'S MY CAPTAIN, THAT'S MY CAPTAIN!' in the background. So, you can imagine how excited I was to see him score right in front of my face.

I was pretty pumped going into the second period.

In the second, the Canes did exactly what I thought they'd do--break my heart. But, not in the way you'd think.

The Canes offered a wonderful tribute video to Cam Ward, who had played in Raleigh with the Canes since 2006. That year, by the way, was the year that, as a rookie, he helped bring the Stanley Cup to Raleigh for the first time in franchise history. I'm a relatively very emotional person, so it's not a surprise that I cried at this, but man, was it just downright sweet. Definitely love watching him play, and I'm glad he plays for the Hawks (even if some other people may disagree with me).

Let's get back to the game.

Alex DeBrincat celebrated his 100th game on Monday, and what do you know? He scored a beaut of a goal about halfway into the period, putting the Hawks up by two.

You know how this has to end, but you probably won't guess how we get there.

The Hawks took two penalties back-to-back and the Canes capitalized on both. Two goals in 86 seconds, and the game was tied with five minutes left in the period.

Yeah, it was that bad.

The third period was filled to the brim with unbelievable save after unbelievable save from both Scott Darling for the Canes and Ward for the Hawks (that's a weird sentence to say). I love watching hockey in person, and seeing those saves was just a downright treat. Goalies, man.

But, by the time the clock wound down in the third period, neither team had scored (though, each side had a good handful of chances), we headed to overtime.

You can imagine how thrilled I was about that, given my track record with overtimes.

And what do you know? David Kampf got just a hair too fancy, let Sebastian Aho steal the puck, zip down the ice, and boom. Ward didn't have a chance, and folks, we had ourselves a game.

I will admit, I was extremely impressed with the Hawks play this game. I thought they put tremendous pressure on when it counted, our defense looked better than it had in a while, and they were creating chances. Both Kane and Jokiharju hit the post in the third period, which was infuriating, and I think it was Kane as well that had a shot that should have gone in but Darling swiped it right out of midair (I think that was in the second period).

Seriously, a great game, and my first time watching the Canes do their Skol clap celebration at the end of the game. If you're in the Raleigh area and have nothing to do on a game night, go to PNC. It's a blast from puck drop to Skol clap, and I've always loved going to games there.




BLACKHAWKS VS. ST. LOUIS BLUES - W, 1-0

THE DEMONS HAVE BEEN EXORCISED!

Yes, I know that's kind of the Washington Capitals' thing with Pittsburgh. I don't care--that is all I've been yelling for the past 24-36 hours.

I'll be honest, though, after the first period, I was worried about this game. Mostly because nothing happened in the first period. I mean absolutely nothing.

Crawford and Jake Allen both made some great saves (I swear, Allen is only good against the Hawks), but other than that, it was a lackluster period on both ends.

There was a quote close to the start of the period where Crawford made a series of unbelievable, highlight reel-worthy saves and Pat Foley (my favorite commentator ever) yelled, "Wow, that was an adventure for Corey Crawford!"--if that doesn't sum up this wacky season, I don't know what does.

Anyways, Vladimir Tarasenko (the only player on the Blues I tolerate) took a penalty pretty early in the period--around three and a half minutes in, if I'm remembering right. Just thirty seconds in, Seabrook capitalized.

We have a power play goal, my friends.

The best part is that it really wasn't even a Hawks goal--Jay Bouwmeester knocked it in off his skate. Oh, sweet, sweet victory.

There was a Hawks penalty later in the period (lookin' at you, John Hayden), but they managed to stave off the Blues for a little longer and lived to see another period with a lead.

The third period was where I got stressed out. The Hawks aren't the best at holding a lead (see: most of the games this season), and it was only a one-goal lead, so things weren't looking great.

But, there's hope.

The defense actually played well, Crawford was unbelievable, and the offense created so many chances. I kind of wish Artem Anisimov hadn't whiffed on the empty-netter, but whatever. The Hawks won.

It was eleven o'clock on a Wednesday night and I was screaming, jumping up and down on the couch.

I'm sure my neighbors love me.

Anyways, a great finish, and a great first NHL win for Coach Jeremy Colliton. After the way they've been playing the past few games, it was bound to happen sooner rather than later.




Well, we're getting to the tough stuff, boys. The next couple weeks are rough, including 16 or so games against teams that are probably playoff contenders.

Yikes.

The Hawks need to string together some wins here, and they need to do it fast. It's still early, so they're not quite out of it yet, but they definitely need to kick it into gear if they want to catch the playoffs this season.

Also! I don't think I've mentioned this before (I've been meaning to for weeks), but my best friend, Shay, and I have started a podcast! It's called Puckin' Right Chicago, named after only the best speech ever, made by none other than MVP Corey Crawford at the 2013 Stanley Cup parade (then repeated at the 2015 Cup parade).

Anyways, we talk Hawks mostly, but we do a kind of round table of other weekly NHL topics, hot takes on the NHL, and what we're watching the next week. It's a great time and you should join in!

You can currently listen in on Spotify and Itunes, so go check us out!

I ask this every week, but I'll ask it again, just to make sure: Are. You. In?