Blackhawks-Flames: Toews Scores First Goal In Blow Out Against Calgary

Game Recap

It is official: the Chicago Blackhawks have officially found their groove, defeating the Calgary Flames handily 6-1.

The story of the night was the first line scoring, as Patrick Kane, Kris Versteeg and Jonathan Toews all recorded goals and multi-point games. Toews was able to tally his first goal of the season after a 12-game stretch; the longest goal drought of his early career.

Aside from all the scoring, the 'Hawks also managed once again to play amazingly on the penalty kill, nullifyng all six of the Flames power plays. A name many may not recognize on the penalty kill is Colin Fraser, who saw the third most ice time on the PK; almost half of his ice time.

For the Flames, this is their second straight loss in as many nights. It marks the third time this season that the Calgary net-minder, Mikka Kiprusoff, has allowed six goals in a game. The former all-star goalie has not looked like his old self, posting a decent 8-6-1 record but has a save percentage of 88.8 and a goals allowed average of 3.33 this year.

This was a rather chippy game between the Flames and Blackhawks that saw two fights and two game misconducts, courtesy of 'Hawks Ben Eager and Flames Cory Sarich.

There were quite a few scrums which captain Jonathan Toews found himself in the middle of, trying to protect his teammates. In the third period there was a particular scrum where three Flames took shots at Toews after the whistle.

Most of this was just the Flames frustration with their ineffectiveness against the 'Hawks penalty kill and the ineffectiveness of their goaltender.

Even after a long lay-off the Chicago Blackhawks have proven that they are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.

Three Stars of the Game

1. Patrick Kane

2. Martin Havlat

3. Jonathan Toews

Michael Wagner's Player of the Game

Kris Versteeg

For all of those people that think Kris Versteeg is going to fall off or stop, guess you will just have to keep waiting. 'Steeg tailed a point and an assist in tonight's game which gives him 12 points in his first 13 games, which only trails rookie scoring leader Derrick Brassard by one point.

Next Game

The next game for the Chicago Blackhawks will be on Wednesday at home against the Boston Bruins. The Chicago Blackhawks will also retire the number three to commemorate the careers of Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson.

Chicago Blackhawks Game Notes

Many believed that the 'Hawks would miss a beat after the five day lay-off but they did not with six players tallying multi-point games. (Cam Barker, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Kris Versteeg, Troy Brouwer, and Martin Havlat)