Blackhawks v. Canucks: 1, 2, Snore, 3rd Period, Score
Games like tonight’s Hawks/Canucks match-up where the teams are scoreless even after the 2nd period can kind of drag on. It feels more like tennis when you’re watching the boys skate back and forth. But there was still some good scrappin’ to keep things lively, and things lit up in the 3rd period. Seems to me like ever since that now infamous hair pulling incident, these two teams just can’t seem to get along. <chuckle>
Ben Eager and Canuck Rick Rypien scrapped early in the 1st period after some late smacking around of Tomas Kopecky. I was certain that Dustin Byfuglien and any of a number of Canucks were going to go at it late in the first period after Byfuglien was called for holding, you know because the Canucks have a long-standing hatred of Buff. But Buff quietly slunk off to the sin bin. (By the way, it wasn’t holding. The correct call would have been either tripping or interference.) Canuck Steve Bournier also caused a ruckus late in the 2nd period and while not a bench-clearer, it did draw a crowd of Hawks. (Say, does anyone enforce the third-man-in rule? Just curious.)
And though admittedly I was a little worried about Antti Niemi in net tonight (seeing as how Roberto Luongo was at the other end) he blew everyone away blocking 30 shots to Luongo’s 17. In one impressive save, Niemi reached up to the sky and gloved the puck as if he were a baseball catcher catching a wayward pitch. Niemi was simply spectacular which of course is why he was the player of the game.
Apparently impressiveness was contagious as Bryan Bickell was back on the ice tonight despite that hard hit to the head he took last night after his open-ice check on Oilers’ Dustin Penner. Bickell’s tougher than I thought. (And I thought he was pretty tough!) Clearly this kid has a lot to contribute, but if that hard hit last night on both Penner and himself didn’t prove it, the one and only goal scored in the game by Bickell (a redirect goal scored off of Jonathan Toews early in the third period) sure will! Hopefully management takes note.
And also of note, if you’re a Canucks fan, is that the Sedin brothers were back together after brother Daniel’s recent trip to IR-land. There were definitely some sweet, you-complete-me moments upon Daniel’s return, but really, who cares?
Weee, what a fun Circus Trip we’re having! On to the next!
P.S. This is the second game in two consecutive games where there has been a problem with the clocks. What gives? Please clock minders, mind your clocks better!
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:35 am
The third-man-in rule? Is that still around?
If it is, I think it would only apply to Avery and Ott nowadays.
Maybe the thing with Buff is that he comes alive in the playoffs. Kinda like Franzen does in Detroit.
(am I allowed to say the ‘D word” on here?)
Any who…
…I’m sure the upper brass are checking on their prospects and getting ready to do some shuffling and dealing.
The trade deadline comes sooner than you think, and the guys are gonna be bucking for secure spots, so the competition level should pick up and some great hockey to follow.
Not that it hasn’t been great so far. You know what I’m saying. ;)
And your “you-complete-me moments” comment is pricless!
Nice work!
TTYL
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 am
Thanks. And if you use the ‘D’ word around here, be sparing with it. For instance, you can refer to Detroit in passing as in “Chris Chelios used to play for Detroit” but Detroit has to be kind of an afterthought…lol… I’m still cringing over Marian Hossa, so convos involving Detroit should be handled with kitty gloves. ;)
What? Am i the only nerd who downloads the NHL rulebook each year? Yes, the third-man in rule states:
47.16 Third Man In – A game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the
Referee, shall be imposed on any player who is the first to intervene
(third man in) in an altercation already in progress except when a
match penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This penalty
is in addition to any other penalties incurred in the same incident.
This rule also applies to subsequent players who elect to intervene
in the same or other altercations during the same stoppage of play.
Generally, this rule is applied when a fight occurs.
I *think* this rule was imposed on someone, I forget who, during that now infamous fight with the Phoenix Coyotes last season involving Kris Versteeg, but don’t quote me on that. Now my fellow nerds and I will be retiring to our nerdery with our calculators. ;)
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:34 am
That rule is mute right after “at the discretion of the Referee”.
Enough said.