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Hawks Smash Coyotes In A Surreal Affair |
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I felt a bit surreal while watching last nights game as I knew what was happening but still found it weird to watch. Weird or odd is the only way I can describe a lot of what took place in the 1st period as the Hawks steamrolled the Coyotes 6-1. So much happened before the 11 minute mark was reached that I enjoyed what I saw but my emotions were paralyzed by the outburst of scoring. Maybe Mr. Gretzky and his Coyotes felt the same way. I thought for certain that Gretzky would have tried something to break the Hawks momentum before he finally switched goalies. He replaced Bryzgalov after Byfuglien scored his Hat Trick, which was the 4th goal for the Hawks. That didn’t slow down the game as the action was already stopped so the hats could be cleaned off the ice. Maybe Gretzky was in the same surreal state that I was in, he saw what was occurring but couldn’t really believe it too.
A natural Hat Trick, 3 goals in a row by the same player, does not occur very often throughout the NHL. A natural Hat Trick in the 1st Period alone is very unlikely. A Natural Hat Trick by a defenseman in the 1st Period…..that is almost like hitting a multi state lottery game.
The young Hawks Defensemen Dustin Byfuglien scored 3 goals in 5 minutes and 29 seconds during the 1st Period last night. To put things firmly into perspective only 2 Blackhawk defenders have ever scored 3 goals in 1 game, let alone 3 goals in a row in the 1st Period. Dick Redmond had a Hat Trick in 1977 and the great Doug Wilson did the same in 1991.
I am not saying that big Buff is on his way to becoming the next Doug Wilson. That would be lofty praise as Wilson was a very good defensive player as well as having a huge shot from the point. He also skated very well and in my opinion with 237 goals should be in the Hall Of Fame. He along with another old Hawk Steve Larmer deserves to be in HOF without a doubt. Now as I step off my soap box let me further add that I am not saying that the young, big, strong and fast Dustin Byfuglien will ever win the Norris Trophy as Wilson did in 1981-82. I hate to compare players but I would not bet against Byfuglien becoming a star in the NHL.
His defensive play was suspect in the past. This season after being called up from Rockford he has played in 13 games and has performed well defensively on almost every occasion. Buff can be also used on the wing and that may occur when Wisniewski gets back from his injuries. Zyuzin has performed well of late and including Johannson the Hawks have 8 defensemen, so maybe Dustin will be used on the wing next week.
Vandermeer was the 3rd Star last night and I was happy to see that. He has been often maligned and for good reason in the past. Since being a healthy scratch weeks ago Vandy has performed like a top 4 defensemen and that has been another reason why the Hawks have been very stingy in allowing scoring chances. Pound for pound Vandermeer is one of the toughest players in the NHL and when he plays with a mean streak he can be very difficult for the opposition.
Another player who is often over looked because he doesn’t score as much as many thought he would or should is Tuomo Ruutu who was the 2nd Star last night. Ruutu scored his first goal on a shot that Bryzgalov probably should have stopped at the 75 second mark of the opening period. He also later tipped in a Vandermeer drive during a PP for his 2nd tally. In the closing seconds of the 3rd Period Ruutu was tapped on the shoulder and jumped over the boards. Savard wanted to see the hard working Ruutu score a Hat Trick and it seemed like that was going to be the case. Ruutu got the puck and beat a defender to break in over the Blueline. As he was 20 feet from the net he didn’t shoot but rather slid the puck over to the snake bitten Samsonov who shot and did not score.
No one would have blamed Ruutu for taking that shot, he probably would have if it wasn’t 6-1 at the time and it wasn’t Samsonov skating in on his right side. Ruutu wanted to give his teammate a chance to get the monkey off his back as Ruuty knows too well how that feels. Before last night Ruutu had gone 15 games without a goal, Samsonov hasn’t scored in 9 months although he has deserved much better in the last few weeks. In any event that play speaks volume for the character of Ruuty as last nights game was a bit odd for him too. Ruutu had 3 shots on goal but 0 checks and he seldom has a game without any real contact, as he leads the team in Hits. Whatever line Ruutu winds up on he is a contributor of consistent effort in every game, but I do wish he would shoot more and hit less on many nights
It has been quite a full season for Hawk fans already and we haven’t even reached Christmas. There have been many big comeback wins and big lead squandering that fortunately still led to victories. There also have been some odd happenings like the 1st Period last night and the game before as Khabibulin got credited with 2 assists in that contest. Throughout all the drama and rare occurrences the Savard led Hawks have stayed focused and respectful of the opposition throughout.
Even though they smashed the Coyotes the player reaction was subdued and their attention was quickly focused on the Blues game this evening. I like the Blues team and their Coach a lot and their record is also well deserved.
Although I wouldn’t trade the Hawk Roster for the Blues group of players now, St Louis may be the better team when the season concludes. That could happen but I wouldn’t bet on that either.
Al’s Shots
Young Colin Fraser got rocked a bit toward the end of his fight with the Coyotes bad boy Carcillo. Koci watched as the 2 battled as David is in another weight class. Give Carcillo credit he is a tough customer for his size. The fight should have taken place after the Hawks 2nd goal instead of the 5th. That observation is coming from what should have been the Coyotes perspective of trying to slow the Hawks down but as I said they let the mo go too far.
The Hawks were out coached and outplayed in their first game against the Blues, but have since won 2 in a row. Savard did a nice job of adjusting his system of play in the next 2 games which led to victories.
We will now see how Andy Murray will deal with a Hawk offense that includes Havlat. No doubt the shrewd Blues Coach will have a plan.
Kane is already one of the best passers in the NHL, his feeds on Buffs last 2 goals were perfect.
Lalime will have to be on top of his game tonight. Although the Hawks rolled 4 lines last night and some players did have fewer minutes then normal…this will still be the 3rd game in 4 nights for Chicago.
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