The Blackhawks found themselves in another proverbial shootout against the Blue Jackets as Alex DeBrincat scored the only goal in the actual shootout to seal the 6-5 victory.
Brandon Hagel finally registered his first career NHL goal while Adam Boqvist notched his first of the season. Patrick Kane turned in a 4-point night with a goal and 3 apples.
While the Hawks power play clicked at 2-for-3, so did the Jackets power play which was one better at 3-for-4. Kevin Lankinen also stopped Oliver Bjorkstrand on a penalty shot.
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Starting Lineup
The starting lineup reverted back to 12F/6D as Matthew Highmore drew in, Connor Murphy was activated, and Nicolas Beaudin was scratched:
And the starters for the opening shift:
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Scoring Recap
1st Goal: Soderberg (1-0) PP
After a previous flurry, Kane got the puck on net which created a scrum in the crease. Carl Soderberg was able to stash it home scoring his 3rd goal over the last 5 contests.
2nd Goal: Kane (2-0)
Mattias Janmark forced Max Domi to turn over the puck at the Hawks offensive blueline which landed fortuitously on Pius Suter's blade as he and Kane went in on an abbreviated 2-on-0.
3rd Goal: Atkinson (2-1)
David Kampf attempted to corral the puck but Boone Jenner chipped it out of the Jackets defensive zone past Ian Mitchell to send Cam Atkinson on a fast break against Lankinen.
4th Goal: Laine (2-2) PP
Scoring the first of a pair of power play markers, Patrik Laine received a perfect feed in his wheelhouse that he one timed into the twine from the top of the left circle.
5th Goal: Hagel (3-2)
Hagel not only collected his first NHL goal but helped Duncan Keith keep the puck in the zone then moved it to Soderberg. Kane missed on his shot but got it to Hagel who made it count.
6th Goal: Laine (3-3) PP
Laine racked up his second power play snipe in a similar fashion as his first but was situated lower at the left faceoff dot and roofed the puck with a blazing wrister.
7th Goal: Kubalik (4-3)
Soderberg won a draw back to Keith who then teed up the puck for a patented Dominik Kubalik one timer. Janmark worked industriously to get to the net and eclipse Joonas Korpisalo.
8th Goal: Boqvist (5-3) PP
Near the end of a 5-on-3 power play, Boqvist earned his first goal of the year as he one timed a Kane dish from a wide angle that hit the camera and rattled in and out of the cage.
9th Goal: Bjorkstrand (5-4) PP
Just like Laine, Bjorkstrand scored a two-pack of goals. His first one from the left faceoff circle brought the Jackets within a goal. It helped that Nikita Zadorov screened his own goalie.
10th Goal: Bjorkstrand (5-5)
The game was a night of one timers as Bjorkstrand one timed the puck from the right faceoff dot after Lankinen passed it up the boards that Laine was able to intercept and keep it in.
Shootout: DeBrincat (6-5)
Blue Jackets
* Atkinson (miss)
* Laine (miss)
* Roslovic (miss)
Blackhawks
* DeBrincat (goal)
* Kane (miss)
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Other Plays
Penalty-Shot Save
On Bjorkstrand's penalty shot resulting from a Mitchell take down, Lankinen played it well positioning himself at the top of the crease to reduce the amount of net available to look and shoot at.
Waved-Off Goal
Even though the goal was waved off for goalie interference, Ryan Carpenter and Kampf executed a give-and-go that Kampf rushed up ice and waited for Korpisalo to commit and expose an open net.
Overtime Stonewall
In overtime, Lankinen stood tall in between the pipes stonewalling several attempts particularly in the closing seconds against the pesky Bjorkstrand who had successive chances to win the game.
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Player Notes
Carl Soderberg
Soderberg is getting into a groove now with a goal and 2 assists on the night and 6 points in the last 5 games. He has been a force defensively and as a net-front presence.
David Kampf
Kampf has been stellar at keeping the puck as far away from his own net as possible and extending offensive zone time. He's hard on the forecheck and creates scoring chances.
Matthew Highmore
Highmore seems to be gripping his stick tight and playing not to make a mistake. His play this season is a 180 from a year ago when he was similar to what Hagel is this season.
Adam Boqvist
Boqvist was peppering shot attempts at every opportunity during the first half of the game which is a rhythm he needs to get into. However, his skating still looks awkward and rigid.
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Rockford Updates
At long last, the IceHogs were victorious defeating the Cleveland Monsters 3-2 on an outstanding performance by goalie Cale Morris in his first pro start after Monday's relief appearance.
Starting Lineup
Game Recap
1st Goal: Sikura (0-1) PP
Tyler Sikura scored on a lucky bounce as he attempted to send a pass over to a teammate but the puck deflected off of Cole Moberg's skate and into the net.
2nd Goal: Barratt (1-1)
Evan Barratt recorded his first pro goal by picking up the garbage after captain Garrett Mitchell won the faceoff and Isaak Phillips sent a point shot towards the crease.
3rd Goal: Polei (1-2)
Evan Polei scored from a bad angle along the goal line that had eyes and trickled past Morris. Justin Scott created the space and distraction needed for Polei's seeing-eye shot.
4th Goal: Altybarmakian (2-2)
Andrei Altybarmakian teamed up with Tim Soderlund on a persistent forecheck to manufacture his first pro goal. Soderlund poked the puck to Altybarmakian who took it hard to the net.
5th Goal: Phillips (3-2)
Another Soderlund forecheck made the game winner possible as he freed the puck in the Hogs end which Barratt gathered up and passed to Phillips who scored his second on the year.
Player Notes
Barratt (1-2) and Soderlund (0-3) broke out with 3-point nights. Phillips had a goal and an assist.
Soderlund and Altybarmakian were relentless on the forecheck again using their speed and fearlessness to drive the middle, battle along the boards, and crash the crease.
The steadiest defender so far has been Moberg. He stays simple in his end to protect the house responsibly yet isn't shy to activate once the puck has cleared the zone.
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See you on the boards!
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