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Chicago Blackhawks Blogger •
That was a helluva hockey game.
As hard as it is for Hawk fans to swallow the outcome, you had to figure it was an uphill battle still, even if they managed to pull out the win in OT.
What the Hawks did do was fight like champions. And when you do that, and still lose to a superior foe on their ice, you have nothing to be ashamed of.
The Hawks showed, when they play their game, they can play with the Red Wings and take them to the wire. Three of the series' five games went to OT, twice at Joe Louis.
It was great to see these teams' players at center ice after the game, genuinely showing their appreciation and respect for one another, especially after such a hard fought and emotional series.
Again, a tip of the cap and a bow to the Red Wings. Still the Champs. Still so tough to beat. Their puck control, positioning and effort from all 25 guys is a primer for other teams who aspire to the Cup. And Darren Helm could play on my team any day.
A few things about the Hawks and the significance of this game, before I call it a night.
Cristobal Huet, you are a hard man to stay mad at!
I had given up on this guy as recently as two days ago. Not anymore. THAT was the Huet I saw play in Montreal and at the end of the regular season for Washington last year and at times for the Hawks this year.
Further, after the debacle of Game 4, when he was thrust into a tough, tough situation to begin with, he stood up like a man in the media, made no excuses, and took full responsibility, said he let his team and the organization down and had failed to live up to his big contract.
And then he goes out and plays a great, great game. Make no mistake, he started a little rocky. But you could see his confidence and his technique come back throughout the game.
As hard as it is to give a guy the #1 goalie job next year based on one game, if Khabibulin is indeed gone next year (and evidence mounts that he will be), then it's hard not to give Huet the reins (with Niemi, most likely as the backup) and see what he can do.
I'll say this, his teammates love him. And that's as big a vote of confidence as I need.
Patrick Kane, pretty good game, even saw you backchecking some tonight. And young man, that was a great goal. If Lidstrom plays, maybe that opportunity doesn't happen. But 29 nights out of 30, you won't be playing Lidstrom.
The 2008-09 Blackhawks were a young, crazy group of good kids (let's never forget the voluntary trek up to Northern Ontario to Dale Tallon's dad's funeral) who parlayed a lot of talent, if not a lot of discipline, into a great playoff run. In the process, they learned a lot, no doubt. Tonight's game, coming off the disaster of game 4, was clear evidence of it.
As a good Wing fan friend of mine texted me a few minutes ago: the Hawks will be back.
Offseason blogs to come. It's been a great year. Thanks everybody for reading throughout the playoffs.
JJ
As hard as it is for Hawk fans to swallow the outcome, you had to figure it was an uphill battle still, even if they managed to pull out the win in OT.
What the Hawks did do was fight like champions. And when you do that, and still lose to a superior foe on their ice, you have nothing to be ashamed of.
The Hawks showed, when they play their game, they can play with the Red Wings and take them to the wire. Three of the series' five games went to OT, twice at Joe Louis.
It was great to see these teams' players at center ice after the game, genuinely showing their appreciation and respect for one another, especially after such a hard fought and emotional series.
Again, a tip of the cap and a bow to the Red Wings. Still the Champs. Still so tough to beat. Their puck control, positioning and effort from all 25 guys is a primer for other teams who aspire to the Cup. And Darren Helm could play on my team any day.
A few things about the Hawks and the significance of this game, before I call it a night.
Cristobal Huet, you are a hard man to stay mad at!
I had given up on this guy as recently as two days ago. Not anymore. THAT was the Huet I saw play in Montreal and at the end of the regular season for Washington last year and at times for the Hawks this year.
Further, after the debacle of Game 4, when he was thrust into a tough, tough situation to begin with, he stood up like a man in the media, made no excuses, and took full responsibility, said he let his team and the organization down and had failed to live up to his big contract.
And then he goes out and plays a great, great game. Make no mistake, he started a little rocky. But you could see his confidence and his technique come back throughout the game.
As hard as it is to give a guy the #1 goalie job next year based on one game, if Khabibulin is indeed gone next year (and evidence mounts that he will be), then it's hard not to give Huet the reins (with Niemi, most likely as the backup) and see what he can do.
I'll say this, his teammates love him. And that's as big a vote of confidence as I need.
Patrick Kane, pretty good game, even saw you backchecking some tonight. And young man, that was a great goal. If Lidstrom plays, maybe that opportunity doesn't happen. But 29 nights out of 30, you won't be playing Lidstrom.
The 2008-09 Blackhawks were a young, crazy group of good kids (let's never forget the voluntary trek up to Northern Ontario to Dale Tallon's dad's funeral) who parlayed a lot of talent, if not a lot of discipline, into a great playoff run. In the process, they learned a lot, no doubt. Tonight's game, coming off the disaster of game 4, was clear evidence of it.
As a good Wing fan friend of mine texted me a few minutes ago: the Hawks will be back.
Offseason blogs to come. It's been a great year. Thanks everybody for reading throughout the playoffs.
JJ
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