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When the Blackhawks visited Denver six weeks or so ago, the outcome wasn't pretty. The upstart Avalanche made the Hawks look old, tried and slow en route to a 5-0 victory. But from then on, the Hawks have played really their best hockey all year.
The turnaround was never more evident than it was in a 7-2 victory over the same Avalanche last night at the United Center. The Hawks controlled the puck and the play masterfully from the opening horn before yet another loud sellout crowd. Patrick Sharp had a hat trick by :27 into the second period and finished with those 3 goals and an assist on one of a number of highlight reel goals poured in by Jonathan Toews, Michal Handzus and Kris Versteeg.
Antti Raanta was very good when he had to be with a couple of terrific glove saves. On both goals, he was beaten by uncovered Colorado players.
A number of Hawks played exceptionally: Patrick Kane, with a gorgeous feed on Handzus' goal, Duncan Keith setting up Versteeg's, Niklas Hjalmarsson, Ben Smith and numerous others.
A big win for the Hawks, especially versus a team that has given them lots of problems this year and in the last couple of seasons.
WORLD JUNIOR UPDATE
Teuvo Teravainen (Finland), Robin Norell (Sweden), Ryan Hartman and Vince Hinostroza (U.S.) are the Hawk prospects playing in this year's World Junior Championship. I'll be back tomorrow with an update on all their progress.
All for now,
JJ