Hawks Need a Little Less Iron in Their Diet
In the last couple of games, we’ve heard the worst sound in the world: the “clink, clink, clink” off the iron as the Hawks have made some bad shots. It’s to be expected because the Flames are just that good on ‘D,’ harassing the puck away or harassing the Hawks while taking shots. But you know, that’s what you do in the playoffs. You up the ante. Unfortunately, the Hawks didn’t answer tonight in their 2-4 loss to the Flames.
While the team in general may have forgotten they were in the playoffs, Seabrook seemed to understand the up-the-ante mentality, making the big hits and masterfully blocking a humdinger of a shot for Khabibulin at the crease in the first period. (And a Happy 24th Birthday to Seabs!)
It’s also good to see the Hawks are using the power play better, with Patrick Sharp scoring a PP goal in the 1st period thanks to a nice pass from Jonathan Toews. Looks like Sharpie is back to his old self again, even checking a Flame or two with a nice how-do-you-do in passing. And as it was in the first game, Marty Havlat seemed to be one of the only ones who could take it to the net and score in the 3rd period. Again, that’s just good ‘D’ on the Flames’ part.
And while this game was overall lackluster, a special nod goes to penalty killer Adam Burish and the penalty kill unit. Although Bur should have known better than to cross-check Dion Phaneuf in the dwindling minutes of the game. That cheap shot started a kerfuffle (as Pat Foley likes to say) between Dustin Byfuglien, Matt Walker, Ben Eager and Rene Bourque, Jarome Iginla, and Dion Phaneuf, resulting in Dustin Byfuglien and Rene Bourque being sent to the dressing room*.
Clearly something went wrong tonight. Maybe the Hawks had jet lag. Maybe they just didn’t bring their ‘A’ game (to dust off an old trite sports expression). Well, whatever it was, hopefully the Hawks shake it off by Wednesday.
*Update: Though it wasn’t said at the time (probably because nobody, including the ref, the linesmen, and Toronto, knew what the heck was going on) apparently Dave Bolland, Ben Eager, and Dustin Byfuglien from the Hawks and Curtis Glencross and Rene Bourque from the Flames all received game misconduct calls for that end-of-the game donnybrook. Hopefully nobody gets suspended.