Blackhawks Take Back Home-Ice In Another Niemi No-No

Even though the Blackhawks played terrible in the first game in Nashville on Tuesday, Thursday was a different story. A must win for the Hawks, coming in down 2-1 in the series.

A loss would have spelled disaster for the Stanley Cup hopefuls, but the Hawks shut out Nashville 3-0, getting help from goaltender Antti Niemi and his 33 saves.

Niemi is defiantly silencing the critics who said he wouldn't make it in the playoffs due to his lack of experience, but the playoffs are showing us that experience might not mean everything.

The New Jersey Devils' goaltender, Martin Brodeur, one of the best, if not the best ever, goaltenders of all time just lost in the first round to a virtually no-name goalie, Brian Boucher of the Philadelphia Flyers. That's shocking to a hockey fan's perspective, but, then again, those upsets are what make sports interesting. Just the fact that ANYTHING can happen makes me love sports.

 

Niemi became the 2nd goalie in Hawks' history to have two shutouts in one playoff series. The other being Tony Esposito in 1974.

 

The Hawks needed SOMETHING to happen Thursday night, and they got that something. Even after being totally outplayed by the Predators in the first period, having to kill off a five-on-three power play while clinging on to a 1-0 lead, but the Hawks kept the Preds out of the net for the second time this series.

The early kill was a crucial turning point in the game, pointing all of the momentum to the Hawks for the rest of the game. Most importantly we saw the Hawks' star players putting some points on the board.

Captain Jonathan Toews scored a goal and also added an assist. Patrick Sharp, who was named the first star of the game, scored two crucial goals. Forwards, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane, both added an assist.

The Hawks' offense woke and so did it's stars. Both are absolutely necessary in winning in the playoffs. Any coach will tell you that their best players need to play their best in the playoffs, and if they don't, it means a lot of trouble for the team.

Another crucial game will be played Saturday afternoon. With the series tied at 2 apiece, the next game's winner could also be the series winner. Having home-ice advantage, the game will be played in Chicago were the Hawks have a 29-8-4 record.