Posts Tagged ‘Detroit Red Wings’

Evil Doers Win Battle – Blackhawks 2, Detroit 3 (OT)

April 11th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Post Bolland Goal

So today’s 3-2 overtime loss to the evil doers of Detroit means that the Blackhawks fell short of the first overall seed in the west by one point. By clinching the second seed, they drew the seventh seeded Nashville Predators. In the regular season series, they had a record of 4-2-0 against their central division foe. Yea, it always sucks loosing to the Red Wings, but we can take solace in how well this team played in the last seven games of the season – as well as the kinder path the ‘Hawks could see as the second seed.

I had every intention of writing a game review for Friday game against the Avalanche, and the power play along with Colin Fraser were going to be among the talking points from that game. Well, the girlfriend’s dog chewed through the power cord to my computer making that impossible as my battery died while writing. Dave Bolland scored on the power play for the Blackhawks’ first goal. Prior to the two-game streak, they went seven games without scoring with the man-advantage. Fraser’s second period goal was his fifth in four games, and evened the game up at 2-2 forcing overtime. If the power play and fourth line continue being productive, it can only make the path to the Stanley Cup easier.

When it came to extra hockey in overtime, the Red Wings were the better team. It took them a little over three minutes to beat the Blackhawk defense and make Antti Niemi look silly. Dustin Byfuglien left his post to join the pushing and shoving on the boards, and that left Duncan Keith all alone to defend Dan Cleary and Brad Stuart. Niemi overcommitted to his left, allowing Stuart to score. The evil doers may have won the battle in overtime, but the war has yet to be won.

The Red Wings clinched the fifth spot in the conference with the win, and will play the Phoenix Coyotes in their first-round match-up. The Blackhawks and Red Wings can meet for a rematch of last season’s Coference Finals, but here’s to hoping they don’t make it that far.

Next, the Blackhawks will host the Barry Trotz’s On Ice this Friday at the UC for the first game of the 2010 post-season. Here is a link to the Blackhawks first-round schedule.

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Evil Doers Win – Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 5

March 7th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Make it rain... hats

I don’t think I’ve even witnessed a momentum shift like that (in person) before. That Blackhawks should have been up 3-0 early in the second period – on their way to victory – but the bogus no-goal call gave the Red Wings the break needed to mount a comeback. Cristobal Huet was chased from the game after letting in four of the five goals Detroit scored in the second period. Antti Niemi let in the other in relief. The Red Wings had a 5-2 lead at the end of the period. The United Center was silent.

The Blackhawks attempted a comeback of their own in the third period on the back of Andrew Ladd and the third line. He scored two goals in the period to earn the hat trick. It took a while for those in attendance to realize what just happened since Ladd’s third goal was on a redirect, but eventually baseball caps (and foam head-ware) slowly trickled their way down from the 300-level. The momentum shifted back to the Blackhawks, but they were unable to score another goal to take the game to free hockey (overtime). The Red Wings won 5-4.

This game was full of bad calls – for both sides. Of course, we only care about the calls that didn’t go the way of the Blackhawks. It’s easy to complain about the officiating, but it wouldn’t even be an issue if the defense showed up and the goalies stopped pucks. Detroit will be the measuring stick in the West for the foreseeable future. Give them and inch, they take a mile. Mentally, the ‘Hawks will need to be tougher to avoid another second period like today’s.

Next up, the Blackhawks will have two days off before they face the Kings at the United Center on Wednesday. Word is that Adam Burish will be in the lineup.

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BTK Killers – Blackhawks 4, Red Wings 3 (SO)

January 17th, 2010 by Leigh Michael Dengis

This is how a Blackhawk vs. Red Wing game ought to be. Yes, shutouts are great, but with a fuller roster Detroit made this one interesting till the end. The fact that the Blackhawks came out on top in the 4-3 in the shootout was incredibly satisfying. This afternoon’s win temporarily puts the Blackhawks ahead in the West, and starts the eight-game road trip 2-0-0.

It was a solid performance from Antti Niemi – he kept the Blackhawks in this one with the Red Wings challenging him in their offensive zone all game. Niemi stopped thirty-five of the thirty-eight shots (a .921 save percentage), and came up with some big saves with his pads all game. He got beat on the Red Wings first two goals, but he didn’t have a chance to stop Patrick Eaves‘ game tying goal off a perfectly executed screen from Darren Helm. Niemi’s biggest save came in overtime on Henrik Zetterberg’s break away to take this one to a shoot out.

The first line of Troy Brouwer, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were credited for two of the Blackhawks three regulation goals – each player has a different role on the line. Brouwer has improved every aspect of his game this season, but he provides a physical presence on the line. Toews is a blue-collar type player, working his ass off every minute he is on the ice in both ends. Kane is a skilled forward who can pass and shoot as good or better then anyone else on the roster. Together they have the ability to slay the competition, and will hereby be known as the BTK Killers. To soon?

Outside the first line, Patrick Sharp and the second line had a productive afternoon. After serving the third of three consecutive Blackhawk penalties in the second period – the one Detroit scored on – Sharp redeemed himself by deflecting Duncan Keith’s pass past Jimmy Howard in the third period to take the lead 3-2. The lead didn’t hold up, but Sharp scored the shootout winner to clinch the victory.

Next up, the Blackhawks will play in Ottawa Tuesday night. It’ll be the only time they will face the Senators in the regular season.

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Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 0 (Part Two)

December 24th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Antti Niemi was coming off his worst game of the season in the 5-4 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins. He was caught out of position a few times, and didn’t have great rebound or puck control all night. That wasn’t the case in last night’s shutout of the Red Wings. Detroit is extremely good in front of the net – especially the wide-assed Tomas Holmstrom – and Niemi came up big when the Red Wings pressed hard in front of the net. It is the Fin’s fourth shutout on the season.

The Red Wings had possession of the puck longer then the Blackhawks’ defense would have liked, and out-shot the opposition 24-20 in the first two frames. Patrick Kane was able to get one past Jimmy Howard just thirty seconds into the second period while on the power play – the ‘Hawks were one of three with the man-advantage. Troy Brouwer’s screen of Howard made the goal possible. In the third period the Blackhawks took over scoring two more goals from Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews.

Next up, the Blackhawks will play the second place Nashville Predators Saturday and Sunday in a home-and-home.

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Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 0

December 21st, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

Even with seven players on the shelf I thought the Red Wings would show up and make this game difficult for the Blackhawks to win. That was not the case as Cristobal Huet and the Blackhawks’ defense were able to keep the Red Wings scoreless on the nightt. The defense limited Detroit to twenty shots on goal, and clear the zone of any problematic rebounds Huet gave up. This is the ‘Hawks third shutout in four games, sixth of the season and second in a row for the man from France.

The Blackhawks’ defense has been very strong this season, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the play of Huet and Antti Niemi. Shutouts aren’t anything to scoff at. The Blackhawks’ goaltending has been very affective, and so has the penalty kill. In the last ten games the ‘Hawks are 24 of 25 when shorthanded. They rank second in the league behind the Bruins with a percentage of 85.6. Only if this level of success could carry over to the power play, all would be right with the world.

Duncan Keith had another great night scoring a goal and an assist. Dustin Byfuglien scored his tenth goal of the season by just putting the puck on the net to beat Chris Osgood down low. Overall, the whole team played well.

Brian Campbell scored his second goal in as many games, and is finally playing like the seven-million-dollar-man. Something has changed in the last two games for the redhead. Campbell has been carrying the puck deep into the offensive zone, joining the rush and has just been more aggressive. I doubt it is the new batch of sticks, but possibly has something to do with playing in front of brass of Team Canada’s Olympic team. I hope Campbell can keep it up.

It always warms the heart when we beat the Red Wings, but this version of the team was not the real thing. The Blackhawks play the Red Wings in Detroit on Wednesday, and I would expect a tougher game.

A bit of news – Bryan Bickell was reassigned to Rockford. Depending on the health of Ben Eager he could be back with the team tomorrow night with the Blackhawks host San Jose.

Changes have been reflected on our In the Organization page above.

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Toledo Walleye – New ECHL Affiliate

August 5th, 2009 by Leigh Michael Dengis

The Blackhawks announced today that the organization will have a new ECHL (East Coast Hockey League) affiliate this season will be the Toledo Walleye. Last year the ‘Hawks were affiliated with the Fresno Falcons before they folded due to low revenue and dwindling attendance. The Gwinnett Gladiators became a temporary home for the rest of the season. Relocating the ECHL affiliate to Toledo will bring prospects in the Blackhawks’ system closer to Rockford and Chicago.

Often teams are unable to fill out an entire roster at this level and opt to share an affiliate with another NHL organization. Well, of all twenty-nine other teams in the league, the Blackhawks will share the ECHL affiliation with the Detroit Red Wings – this will be their first season with Toledo as well.

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