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Consecutive Wins: Cam Speaks and Finding Their Identity |
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After an embarrassing 7-3 loss at home vs. the San Jose Sharks on Sunday, it was Cam Ward who stepped up and called out the team.
Don Granato mentioned this between periods as Eddie and Pat interviewed him. Then Pat Foley brought it back up at the end of the game as the Hawks won 3-2 vs. the Stars – their first consecutive wins since October 23-25 and their first since Colliton took over.
In recent years it's been Corey Crawford standing tall in the net and everyone knew if the Hawks were to make any noise this year and get into the playoffs, it would heavily rely on his play and health.
Well, Corey is now out with another concussion, which he suffered that SJ loss on Sunday. Now, with this season already being considered "over" before Christmas time, the remainder of the games for this Hawks team might be carried by the backup ‘tender, Cam Ward.
It's one thing to call out your team for lack of effort, but to then follow that up with back-to-back stellar games – that is the sign of a true leader and competitor.
I was ok with the Cam Ward signing in the offseason for this reason. Crawford's health was TBD at the time and Ward had a long history of being a starter and playing a lot of games. Now, that may be the case again.
In recent years, Ward has played:
2014-15: 51
2015-16: 52
2016-17: 61
2017-18: 43
… and is now at 16 GP this year.
His experience and leadership cannot be overlooked and could pay dividends now that he has a young goalie in Colin Delia looking over his shoulder. Cam has always been a get teammate and teacher of the game.
Up-and-down the lineup the Hawks played another solid game. Are they finding their identity? Jamal Mayers talked about that in the post-game that this team is thriving off being a hard-working (as of late), solid forechecking team that is working as an entire unit to grind out wins vs. solely relying on the pure skill of top guys or a goalie to completely stand on his head.
Erik Gustafsson scored again and now has 8 goals. I went back and looked at my predictions for goals by the defence and I have Gustafsson leading the way with 8 goals TOTAL. So, he's well on his way to eclipsing that. He also had a solid defensive game. He needs to aim for that level of consistency and work ethic in his own end. He was paired with Duncan Keith last night as he played his offside. Those two led the way in ice time and I wonder if that duo has some legs to stick together for a while. We know Colliton likes to play Gustafsson a lot.
Patrick Kane (2 G, 1A) and Alex DeBrincat (1 G, 2A) paced the offense while it was a team effort on defence. It finally feels like everyone is in sync and the 4 lines and 6 D are gelling really well.
The Hawks don't have time to dwell their win last night. They head to Colorado to play the Avs tonight. Colliton mentioned that they will talk and decide whether Ward will start again tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if he does. If not, Colin Delia has a lot of his Rockford Teammates from last year in front of him and you know they will be battling hard to get him a win.
Looking forward to seeing if this Hawks team has figured it out under Colliton. They will be severely tested by the speed and dangerous Avs.
See ya out there!
JL
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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