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Hawks Get First Road Win As NHL Officiating Is Still A Work In Progress |
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The Blackhawks made enough mistakes Saturday night to normally lose a road game. Fortunately for Hawk fans Cristobal Huet outplayed Fredrik Norrena and the boys from Chicago were able to gut out a win. Huet let in at least one goal he would like to have back but he was very busy as the Jackets blistered him with 51 shots. Last night Huet set a personal best by recording 48 saves.
As was the case in reverse of the Wild road loss the Hawks were the team who couldn’t generate a lot in the way of offensive chances. That result should be partially credited to the Jackets. For the most part the ice was tipped toward Huet for much of the evening because the Hawks were in the penalty box far too often.
The Jackets like the Hawks are a work in progress, but probably more so. I still think the Jackets could be a Playoff contender but they will most likely need a healthy Pascal Leclaire. The Jacket’s Power Play is ranked near the bottom of the NHL and that will have to change also if they are going to gain a Playoff birth.
Simply put last night Columbus lost because the Hawk penalty killers stifled their Power Play.
The Jackets were awarded 14:13 of PP time including 1:00 of a 5 on 3 advantage. Scoring only one goal on the Power Play in so many opportunities usually leads to a loss as that was the case last night for Columbus.
Most of the calls against the Hawks were as a result of their misguided actions. There were a couple of head scratchers dealt to the boys from Chicago…2 minutes for abusive language…???
I know the NHL wants to increase scoring, but that one appears to be a real reach to provide more Power Play opportunities. If the NHL is going to start penalizing for F-bombs why not just play 4 on 4 to start with. What the League still fails to realize is more Power Plays does not equate simply to more goals. Unfortunately for Ken Hitchcock he can better explain that point than I.
A game full of penalties is not necessarily the best viewing experience for fans either. A fast flowing game with fewer whistles is much more appealing.
Now every other game this season seems to have a goalie interference penalty. Many times deserved but now goal keepers are starting to embellish. Norrena was at the top of his crease as Versteeg brushed into him…penalty ok, but the Columbus keeper acted as if he got hit by a truck. I don’t like the diving penalty; refs have enough on their plate. If the NHL is going to keep diving on the books it should have been called on Norrena.
There was a non call hooking penalty that was peculiar too.
Havlat had a Jacket defenders stick through his legs and up through his navel it appeared. This occurred just a few feet from an official but once again no call. According to the way the game has been officiated the last few years that was a blatant hook. Maybe there is going to be less emphasis on stick work infractions and more on distasteful language…
The Hawks were sloppy last night in many ways but it was also an odd game. Normally one would think that out of 16 penalties one or two would be for hooking. Last night not one penalty was issued for hooking but there were two called for too many men on the ice….strange, but deserved. Also we can not forget the one for abusive language…shame, shame.
Odd game… certainly not one both teams can feel really good about and in my opinion the game tape won’t be used a highlight film for officials either. Fortunately the officiating didn’t decide the outcome.
I liked the new order for the Shootout Queneville used last night.
Toews exploited a wide open five hole to lead off. Sharp had Norrena flopping like a freshly caught Lake Michigan perch but the puck rolled off his stick. For once that didn’t matter as Huet was not going to lose another Shootout. He made two excellent stops as the Nash save was a real gem.
Hopefully Huet will use his effort as a real confidence builder and a step toward establishing himself as a #1 goalie in Chicago.
Columbus has some fine young talent as Jakub Voracek and Derick Brassard look like future NHL stars. The Jackets like the Hawks have enough inexperience on their Roster which could lead to sporadic efforts. The Jackets are building toward the future and have a fine coach to get them to the Playoffs.
The Hawks also shouldn’t be expected to play error free hockey every game. Good teams do find ways to win when they don’t fire on all cylinders. Last night the Hawks picked up two points on the road and left Columbus rewarded but not satisfied.
Teams which achieve the most consistent level of performance make the Playoffs. The Hawks and Jackets have reason for sporadic efforts but need to find consistency to advance into the Post Season.
Unfortunately for fans of the NHL officiating is still a work in progress also.
Al's Shots
Except for Toews the Hawks had a poor night at the Dot.
It is going to be a big problem if Bolland, Burish and Fraser continue to lose the vast majority of faceoffs. The penalty killing unit has been great but losing draws when down by a man is playing with fire.
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