Hard Hawk Hockey

Shattered!

My dreams, my hopes, my anticipation of the season continuing all down in flames! I am not sure how to recap game 5 other than the Hawks played a solid game, there were a few things that could have gone their way, and a couple things that didn’t, which ultimately did them in.

Let me start with Cristobal Huet. Talk about redemption! I don’t ever remember him playing as well as he did, especially in the first period stopping 21 Detroit shots, and surviving 2 power plays. The game could have been over alot sooner, but Huet rebounded nicely and his play continued throughout the game. I cannot blame the winning goal on him. It was an unfortunate bounce, and a Red Wing player who happend to be standing in the crease eating a hot dog (i.e. untouched) put the loose puck away.
I don’t know if the Hawks brass feels better about the goaltending situation after that performance, but at least they know he has it in him.

Patrick Kane finally on the scoreboard! I would say that Kane stepped up last night. He said he needed to and wanted to and sure enough he did. Only thing is that the Wings were without their top D-man Lidstrom, and who knows if his results would have been the same. Regardless he made some nice plays, was creative and tied the game giving the Hawks hope.

Colin Fraser had some nice chances to score and if not for the play of Chris Osgood, could have provided the goals the Hawks needed. However Osgood was better, and honestly as much as I never cared for him, I have to hand it to him, he played the best game of his life.

As for the bad, well the bench minor for too many men wasn’t a good thing. There were alot of turnovers, and a few too many fancy plays, which helped the Wings create more offense, scoring opportunities, and time in the Hawks zone. Let’s face it, the Wings are a better team. The north south game that was being played was exciting, and nerve racking, but in the end, Detroit showed why they are the champs.

All in all the Hawks have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Thank goodness the memory of game 4 has been erased by last nights performance. 5 games, 3 in overtime, and except for game 4 the Hawks were competing in all of them. Would Havlat or Khabibulin have made a difference last night? Who knows, and we can’t dwell on that. The effort was there, and they proved that they can play with anyone. What’s that old saying, in order to win, you have to lose? Don’t know if I like that, but I think that there is something to build on here.

In closing, the way the Hawks played this year has made me fall in love with them all over again. My renewed passion for my team has been rekindled. Shades of Roenick, Larmer, Chelios, Belfour and even my fond memories of my favorite coach, Iron Mike made this season enjoyable. The future is bright in Chicago and is going to be for a long time. Never would I have believed that when the season started in October that here in the dying days of May would they still be playing. A tremendous season for these guys. A real thrill ride. I know that some faces are going to change in the offseason. They have to. There are a few things that need to be done, but the core of this team is solid. With the way this season unfolded and ended comes the expectation of next year. There will be more pressure to be better and to do better. Everyone else in the conference is going to try to improve, and the Hawks need to stay with that and keep moving forward, so some little changes are to be excpected.

While I’m not happy about the loss I ultimately will be pleased with the season. It may take a few days to realize that, but I am looking forward to next year, anticipating the draft, and the usual free agent frenzy that goes along with it.

As for the cup final, sore loser that I am, I cannot root for either team. I might watch, I might not.
The pain of this loss is too much for me to stomach right now, and I have absolutely no desire to cheer either team on. As passionate as I am about hockey in general, my passion of dislike for these 2 teams is just as deep.

That being said, thanks to everyone for reading, and commenting. I will continue to provide news and notes during the off season as things develop.

Thanks again to the Chicago BlackHawks for an absolutely enjoyable season. I can’t wait for next year!

Thanks for reading!