This one looked like it was going to be one of those (rare) nights for the Blackhawks. They were down 2-0 to the Bruins just eight minutes into the game. Boston’s first goal came on the power play, as Blackhawks penalty-kill unit couldn’t get the puck out of their end. Blake Wheeler redirected Derek Morris’ initial shot for the goal. Their second tally came off a Blackhawks’ turnover deep in the defensive zone, and Miroslav Satan waited for Antti Niemi to drop. At point-blank range, he aimed high to score the Bruins second and final goal.
Duncan Keith brought the Blackhawks into the game with a one-timer just shy of the blue line, which snuck past Tim Thomas to his right. Minutes later Ben Eager started the sequence that led to Colin Fraser’s feed to Tomas Kopecky for the Blackhawks’ second goal. After the first period, the Blackhawks and Bruins were tied at 2-2.
In the second frame, the Blackhawks were able to capitalize on the momentum gained in the first period. Andrew Ladd screened Thomas as Brent Seabrook fired the puck on the net. Thomas saved the initial shot, but Ladd poked in the rebound to score. Both he and my boy Troy Brouwer have been productive stationing themselves in front of the opposing team’s net.
Keith was able to extend the Blackhawks’ lead by two when his wrist shot from the point that made it’s way past Thomas. It appeared as though the massive Zdeno Chara screened his own goalie, which made Keith’s goal possible. It was the second goal of the night with the fourth line on the ice. They continue to be very productive for Coach Quenneville. Fraser, Kopecky and Eager had a plus/minus of +2 on the night. Keith had a big night as well, scoring two goals, helping on one and a plus/minus of +4.
Patrick Kane added the Blackhawks’ fifth unanswered goal of the night late in the third frame. Brouwer put pressure on the Bruins defense after a Jonathan Toews face-off loss, and retrieved the puck to set up Kane for his nineteenth on the season. His point streak is now at ten games.
The ability the Blackhawks have to comeback after an early two-goal deficit on the road can be attributed to the team’s tenacity, and the solid goaltending of Niemi. His rebound control wasn’t as good as it has been, but he and the defense shutdown the Bruins for the remainder of the night.
Next up, the Blackhawks will visit the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night, then host the Anaheim Ducks at the United Center the next night. Enjoy the ride ladies and gentlemen.
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