Blackhawks Stun Devil's in a Defining Game for Antti Niemi
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The Chicago Blackhawks take home their 2nd win a row after stunning the New Jersey Devils' with 26 seconds left in the 3rd and ultimately taking home the "W" in a shootout. No player shined more tonight than Antti Niemi who showed Chicago once again that he is the man for the starting position going into the playoffs. The Blackhawks, who have struggled as of late, finally pulled a 2-game win streak for the first time in a month.
Chicago has only been out shot under 10 times prior to the Olympic break, but ever since, that has not been the story and is the story in tonight's game as well. Chicago was held to only 25 shots during regulation to the Devil's 30, and only out shot the Devils in the 3rd period 9-8. The Devil's held the lead, almost literally, the entire game after a early goal by Kovalchuk, 5 minutes into the 1st.
The Blackhawks would fight the entire game down 0-1 until a slap shot by Kris Versteeg with only 26 seconds left in the 3rd tied the game up. Marty Brodeur, goalie for the Devils, played an amazing game and almost blanked the Hawks but with 1 minute and change left in the 3rd, Quenneville pulled Niemi to put 6 attackers on the ice for a final stand. With 6 attackers, the Blackhawks finally found a hole in Brodeur's armor to score a much needed goal to tie the game and bring it into OT.
During Overtime the Blackhawks once again were out shot, 1-3, but neither team really had any good looks on goal. During the Shootout, Niemi faced; Jamie Langenbrunner, Zach Parise, and Ilya Kovalchuk, and blanked them all. On the Hawks side of the ice, it was a one and done, as Jonathan Toews represented the "C" well and scored on a beautiful, accurate, and quick shot leaving Brodeur shocked. Kane shot 2nd for the Hawks and really didn't look like the Kane we know, skating wide and shooting early as Brodeur easily glove saved his shot. Hawks didn't need to send a 3rd shooter as Niemi proved too much for the playoff bound Devils!
It wasn't as if the Blackhawks weren't getting opportunities to score, the Blackhawks had many good opportunities to score off of rebounds, turnovers, and passes, Brodeur just stunned the Hawks cold. Tonight's game was a great display of hockey, as 2 playoff teams fought some recent struggles, and finished out a full 60-minute game (in regulation). Tonight game was also the first penalty-free game in 9 years, there were some calls that could have been made, but the game played on as the penalty bench sat cold.
The biggest highlight of the game was Niemi's ability to buckle down against a playoff team and complete the job and get a "W" for his team. The Blackhawks played for the first time like a team as Chicago's best chances on goal stemmed from turnovers or passes. Almost every Blackhawks player said they are not worried by the team's recent slump and inability to play together for a full 60-minutes and tonight showed why. After Niemi blanked the Wild last game, 4-0, tonight's game only stamped his ticket to the playoffs as the Chicago Blackhawks starting goalie. If Huet were to get any more starts during the remainder of the season, I will be surprised. The team is playing well with Niemi in goal, and with all of Quenneville's talk about wanting a confident goalie, I believe Niemi is there.
Blackhawks will travel to Calgary for the last time during the regular season to play the Flames who are on the brink of catching the 8th playoff spot, and will be playing with all of their heart Sunday night. So throw on your favorite Blackhawks Jersey, grab a Miller Lite, and gear up for another possible round 1 playoff scenario game.
I'm ChiN8 and I want to thank you for your interest in Windy City Sportz. Let's go Hawks!
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