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Patrick Kane put the brakes on the Wild's effort to steal 2 points from the Blackhawks in the skills competition.
Literally.
Jonathan Toews scored on the Blackhawks first attempt, overpowering Nicklas Backstrom through his five-hole. Matt Cullen and Dany Heatley flubbed their attempts completely, without posing a single threat for Ray Emery (4-0-0 in his last 4 starts).
Finally, Patrick Kane streaked down the ice with blazing speed.... err what? He didn't?
Actually, his shootout attempt was reminiscent of Andrew Brunette skating in wet cement with Rosie O'Donnell strapped to his back. Nearly stopping completely but never did impede his forward motion--Kane's footwork was the opposite definition of his hands. He took Backstrom out of his jock strap and out of the net exposing the entire left side of the net to put away the game with his fancy stick work allowing the Blackhawks to take the extra point.
Before Wild fans moan over this goal, let's remind them of PM Bouchard and his attempt on Nikolai Khabibulin in 2006. If anything both goals teeter on the edge of impeding forward motion but neither actually stop.
Despite the fireworks to end the game, the shootout seemed like a poor ending to an otherwise exciting match-up.
The Blackhawks came out flying in the first period with several chances but Nicklas Backstrom was up to the task stopping all 11 shots sent his way. The rest of the game seemed fairly even with both teams generating an equal amount of chances at each end.
The Blackhawks picked up the scoring on the power-play with Marian Hossa pinching from the point and shoveling the puck past Backstrom for his 13th of the year. Michael Frolik followed soon after by connecting with Marcus Kruger's perfect pass through the crease for an open net, his 5th goal of the year. But, the Wild answered quickly with two goals to end the period tied 2-2 going into the 3rd period.
In the middle of the 3rd period, Viktor Stalberg drew two defenders to allow Jonathan Toews a perfect lane to the net where he completely fooled Backstrom with patience and threw the puck top shelf for his team leading 18th goal of the year. Mikko Koivu answered back to tie the game and extend the Wild all the way to the shootout. The rest is history.
Minnesota now has a two point lead on the Blackhawks but Chicago has one game in-hand.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Chicago runs on Duncan: Duncan Keith had an incredible effort tonight; certainly a difference maker for the Blackhawks although he did not get a single point. However, Keith did end the night with a plus-2 and also started the play which allowed Marian Hossa to grab the first goal for the Blackhawks. Oh, not to mention he made an incredible defensive effort to separate Matt Cullen from the puck on a shorthanded breakaway without committing a penalty.
Depth comes through: They actually had just as many points as the superstars in the line-up. Mayers, Stalberg, Kruger and Frolik combined for 4 points on the night while Hossa, Toews and Sharp put together 4 points as well. When you face the top teams in the league your depth needs to come through and they did tonight.
Speed kills: The Blackhawks pushed the pace the majority of the night and grabbed the lead early to force the Wild to answer. The game plan was executed well and Quenneville may have had his best game of the year in terms of execution and bench management.
BLACKHAWKS THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Jonathan Toews
2. Duncan Keith
3. Marian Hossa
Click here to view the article
Literally.
Jonathan Toews scored on the Blackhawks first attempt, overpowering Nicklas Backstrom through his five-hole. Matt Cullen and Dany Heatley flubbed their attempts completely, without posing a single threat for Ray Emery (4-0-0 in his last 4 starts).
Finally, Patrick Kane streaked down the ice with blazing speed.... err what? He didn't?
Actually, his shootout attempt was reminiscent of Andrew Brunette skating in wet cement with Rosie O'Donnell strapped to his back. Nearly stopping completely but never did impede his forward motion--Kane's footwork was the opposite definition of his hands. He took Backstrom out of his jock strap and out of the net exposing the entire left side of the net to put away the game with his fancy stick work allowing the Blackhawks to take the extra point.
Before Wild fans moan over this goal, let's remind them of PM Bouchard and his attempt on Nikolai Khabibulin in 2006. If anything both goals teeter on the edge of impeding forward motion but neither actually stop.
Despite the fireworks to end the game, the shootout seemed like a poor ending to an otherwise exciting match-up.
The Blackhawks came out flying in the first period with several chances but Nicklas Backstrom was up to the task stopping all 11 shots sent his way. The rest of the game seemed fairly even with both teams generating an equal amount of chances at each end.
The Blackhawks picked up the scoring on the power-play with Marian Hossa pinching from the point and shoveling the puck past Backstrom for his 13th of the year. Michael Frolik followed soon after by connecting with Marcus Kruger's perfect pass through the crease for an open net, his 5th goal of the year. But, the Wild answered quickly with two goals to end the period tied 2-2 going into the 3rd period.
In the middle of the 3rd period, Viktor Stalberg drew two defenders to allow Jonathan Toews a perfect lane to the net where he completely fooled Backstrom with patience and threw the puck top shelf for his team leading 18th goal of the year. Mikko Koivu answered back to tie the game and extend the Wild all the way to the shootout. The rest is history.
Minnesota now has a two point lead on the Blackhawks but Chicago has one game in-hand.
KEYS TO THE GAME
Chicago runs on Duncan: Duncan Keith had an incredible effort tonight; certainly a difference maker for the Blackhawks although he did not get a single point. However, Keith did end the night with a plus-2 and also started the play which allowed Marian Hossa to grab the first goal for the Blackhawks. Oh, not to mention he made an incredible defensive effort to separate Matt Cullen from the puck on a shorthanded breakaway without committing a penalty.
Depth comes through: They actually had just as many points as the superstars in the line-up. Mayers, Stalberg, Kruger and Frolik combined for 4 points on the night while Hossa, Toews and Sharp put together 4 points as well. When you face the top teams in the league your depth needs to come through and they did tonight.
Speed kills: The Blackhawks pushed the pace the majority of the night and grabbed the lead early to force the Wild to answer. The game plan was executed well and Quenneville may have had his best game of the year in terms of execution and bench management.
BLACKHAWKS THREE STARS OF THE GAME
1. Jonathan Toews
2. Duncan Keith
3. Marian Hossa
Click here to view the article
