Blackhawks v. Rangers: Home on the Range-ers
In tonight’s Hawks/Rangers match-up, I was most looking forward to the Hawks meeting up with Sean Avery, the infamous kiss-and-teller of the NHL. Yes, Avery is renowned as having quite the mouth on him, so I was much looking forward to a Hawk decommissioning of that mouth. But alas, this original six meet-up was entirely too tame.
While there was plenty of tennis hockey — back-and-forth and back-and-forth — the Rangers would bust through late in the 1st period for the first goal. Hawks’ Duncan Keith bent over backwards to block the coming shot and was successful for his part, but Rangers’ Chris Higgins was handed a pretty set-up and shot high on Huet’s glove-side for the first goal. The Rangers scored in the 1st though the Hawks had 16 shots on goal versus the Rangers’ 5. (In case you’re bad at math that means the Hawks out-shot the Rangers 3-1 and were still losing after the 1st.)
Nothing very exciting going on in the 2nd period except for a bogus hooking call on Jonathan Toews. Again, the Hawks out-shot the Rangers 14 to 10, to no avail. The Rangers’ goalie Henrik Lundqvist was just that good shutting out the Hawks in the 2nd period as well.
The Hawks’ persistence would pay off late in the 3rd, however, when on the Hawks’ power play, Lundqvist was unable to freeze the puck and the Hawks kept whacking away and whacking away on net until Jonathan Toews, with a nifty assist from Marian Hossa, netted a goal for a tie.
And could it be that Dustin Byfuglien has found his purpose? In several attempts tonight Big Buff was in front of the opposition’s net-minder screening shots. As has been suggested by myself and many commenters here and elsewhere this is what we’d like to see Buff doing with that big body. Now, if he can perfect that art and keep from instigating with the opposing net-minder, perhaps he may have just found his calling in life. Oh yeah, and did I mention that Byfuglien had the game winner in the overtime period? It was as brilliant a goal as Jonathan Toews’ sweet “Superman” goal in the game against the Predators on December 4th. Big Buff was a blur on the breakaway as he zoomed Lundqvist for the game winner in OT. Final score, 2-1 Hawks over the Rangers.
And in honorable mentions, hats off to the Hawks’ poise as the Rangers committed three times as many penalties. Naturally in a game this close, you want to keep the penalties to a minimum.
And again, as an almost mandatory mention with these recaps, I must acknowledge Niklas Hjalmarsson. Everyone talks about how skilled this kid is in blocking shots and just overall ‘D’, but how many have noticed his incredible speed? For some reason, in this game in particular, I could not deny that not only does this kid have the Red-Wings-type defensive style that has sorely been needed on the Hawks, but he possesses the speed that allows him to be everywhere that lesser defensemen are not. I wonder if clocked, if Hjalmy would have the kind of speed that say, a Kris Versteeg would have?
And speaking of Versteeg, it was good to see Kris Versteeg back on wing. Clearly Steegy was not as at home in center as on wing, so it’s good to see Steegy back where he belongs.
Overall, good game Hawks. Wish I could’ve battled the blizzard (like the Hawks battled back to beat the Rangers) to see it in person.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
BUUUFFFFFF!!!
December 9th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Feeling really “bleh” about tonight’s game. I’ve got a lot more to complain about than I should, considering we picked up both points available tonight.
Three points for me:
First, I think Keith was the worst Hawks player on the ice tonight. He had a tough time connecting on passes, an even tougher time at the receiving end of passes, and whiffed on a couple shots on goal from the blue line. It looked like he was out there all night with a stick without a blade on it. Rough night for Dunc.
Second, I continue to be impressed with the hustle and grit of 36 year old John Madden. He is on the up ‘n up in my book. He created two scoring chances for himself in the first half of the game simply because of his hustle.
Third, what a goal from Byfuglien! I am as surprised as anyone, being one of his biggest critics. Good for him for scoring the way he did, instead of getting a cheap goal on a deflection in front of the net. Way to go, Buff!
Side note: I maintain, and will argue until my death, that Big Buff never learned how to stop himself on ice skates LOL! Did you see him crash and burn after scoring tonight?? LMAO! It was a beautiful goal, and for a guy who is a TERRIBLE skater, he did a great job getting to the net. But he still can’t stop to save his life. He scored, crashed, then used the boards to stop himself, which is his “signature move”.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
C’mon now Cakes, that was no different than a Tazer goal.
December 9th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
“Side note: I maintain, and will argue until my death, that Big Buff never learned how to stop himself on ice skates LOL! Did you see him crash and burn after scoring tonight?? LMAO! It was a beautiful goal, and for a guy who is a TERRIBLE skater, he did a great job getting to the net. But he still can’t stop to save his life. He scored, crashed, then used the boards to stop himself, which is his “signature move”.”
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yes, to all of that! That’s what I love about you Cakes. You keep it real. Yes, the game was feet-dragging until the end. But who can deny that Buff came alive in the end. And yes, he still doesn’t know how to stop on those skates, but perhaps that’s one of those things we’ll find endearing after a while. :)
December 9th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
So, are you saying that his game winning goal wasn’t just like one of Tazers?
December 10th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Goon squad, Buff’s goal did have a very similar look to it as Toews’ goal the other night, for sure! The difference is that while Tazer looked like Superman when he went down, Byfuglien looked more like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpUcz7kW-s&feature=related
Unrelated: I hope Stan Bowman reminds Patrick Kane to pack his coin purse for the trip to Buffalo this Friday.
December 10th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
The video was kinda funny, but Buff was up and on his feet before any actual crash occurred.
I think he pulled it off rather smoothly for a guy his size.
The Kaner comment however was not funny at all…
December 10th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Oh come on Goon Squad, Cakes didn’t mean anything by it. Plus, it was kind of funny. I know you’re a little more sensitive because you’ve actually met some of these guys and are friends with them, but no harm was intended. Plus I’ve had way worse things to say about Kaner’s game and his broohaha in Buffalo. :)
Tis the season for good will towards men. ;)
December 10th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
My good will was just cut short after witnessing the officials put a beating on the Habs…
December 10th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I met Kane once, he was kind of an ass. It was a couple years ago when he had the body of an 11 year old girl. He signed for me anyway, though. So he is ok by me. I met Towes at the same time, and he was much nicer. Got them both to sign either side of my new Hawks hat. Pretty sweet deal. Dunc and Seabs were really nice too, as was Hjalmarsson. Probably the nicest player I met was Khabby, who is my 4 year olds favorite player. He was really cool with Trevor (my boy) and even gave him a big wave from the crease during warm-ups….ABSOLUTELY MADE Trevor’s day :D
McDonough was also a really nice guy to meet. He actually took about 5 minutes to sit and talk with me and Trevor about being Hawks fans and the team. Trevor asked him for his autograph, which he happily gave, and then to our surprise, he asked Trevor for HIS autograph! … which totally blew his mind. McDonough told him, “If you are going to be a star goalie for this team 20 years from now, I’m going to want your autograph!” It was really a pretty cool moment for Trevor (and for me!) It was my first REAL “proud dad” moment :D
Anyways, Goon Squad…
I have no serious issues with Big Buff, really. At the end of the day, I like him on the Hawks and I am happy with his production. He has a weakness (skating/stopping), so as a smartass/hardcore Blackhawks fan, I’m going to jump all over it and laugh and tease and point it out and have fun doing it. I love hockey and I love my team, and I love enjoying them. I don’t take it all so seriously that I am blind to each player’s weakness…and every player has one. I’m not saying you are blind to them or ignore them….I guess all I’m saying is I like to stay loose, call it like I see it, and enjoy the season one game at a time!
I do enjoy reading all your comments, Goon Squad. You make some great insights and I apologize if I personally offended you with my comment about Kane. Or Buff.
Cheers!
December 10th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
“I met Kane once, he was kind of an ass.”
Never met him but that was my impression too. (And what do you mean he had the body of an 11-year old girl?..ha, ha…sorry just couldn’t resist!) From his press conference last week and the to-do over the summer it seems like he has an attitude problem. That’s just my opinion. Be as cocky as you want to be, but you better make darn sure you’re good then! And yes, Toews will always be my favorite on the existing Hawks. The kid’s a class act on and off the ice.
“I love hockey and I love my team, and I love enjoying them. I don’t take it all so seriously that I am blind to each player’s weakness…and every player has one. ”
My sentiments exactly and that goes for things like arrogance, too. I can’t help but call that stuff out sometimes, especially if/when it’s detrimental to the team. It’s like the Cubs. I’ve suffered as a Cubs fan so long that I’ve earned the right to nail them if I want to. I’m actually a lot gentler on the Hawks. I think of it as tough love. You say those things because you love the team and you want them to get better is all. (Except for Kane. I could take him or leave him and most times I just want to leave him.)
Oh and I love people’s personal stories about the players so anyone feel free to tell some. That’s so sweet about Khabby and your kid. Those are memories that last a lifetime no doubt. Yeah, I miss the ol boy.
Well, don’t know about all of you, but I have a warm fuzzy now. ;) Thanks for the stories.