Blackhawks-Blues: Andy McDonald Ends Chicago's Comeback in Overtime

Game Recap

It was a Friday night full of excitement at the United Center, with high powered offense and flying fist of furry. The first period was full of both as there were four goals scored and four fights registered.

Andy McDonald got the scoring started in the first period with a short-handed goal on a Dustin Byfuglien turnover at the point. Just under three minutes later, David Perron would add an even strength goal to give the Blues a 2-0 lead just over six minutes into the game, but the 'Hawks would not take this lying down.

The 'Hawks will retaliate with a pretty goal of their own on a two-on-one break that lead t Dustin Byfuglien making up for his early turnover with a goal, bringing the 'Hawks with in one. The Blues would again stretch their lead to two, as Cam Paddock would score his first NHL goal in his first NHL game. After Paddock's goal, the game got rather physical.

The 'Hawks and Blues would register four fights, including a memorable bout between Dustin Byfuglien and Keith Tkachuk. Tkachuk had said before the game that it was likely that he and Byfuglien would lock horns and he would get his wish. It was an interesting fight because Tkachuk and Byfuglien were completely off balance but if anyone got in any good shots it was Byfuglien, not Tkachuk.

The second period was quite uneventful, besides Dave Bolland's beautiful break-away short handed goal that would inch the 'Hawks with in one as they reached the third period.

Bolland would again answer the call in the third as he would one-time the puck right past the Blues goaltender, Manny Legace, and tie the game at three. The three goal tie would stand until the end of regulation and would send the game into overtime.

In the overtime period the 'Hawks hero during regulation would turn out to be the goat in overtime as Dave Bolland would commit a hooking penalty one minute into overtime which would give the Blues a four on three power play.

Andy McDonald, who had scored the first goal, would put a hard one-timer past Nikolia Khabibulin to end the game.

Even with the overtime loss, the 'Hawks are still accumulating points on a nightly basis and have still not lost in regulation at home. 

Three Stars of the Game

1. Andy McDonald (2 Goals)

2. Dave Bolland (2 Goals, 1 assists)

3. Andrew Ladd (2 Assists)

Michael Wagner's Player of the Game

Andrew Ladd

Ladd has been playing great as of late with five points in his last four games. Even when Ladd is not putting up points he is taking the body and creating traffic in front of the net.

Many lately have been saying the 'Hawks have lost the Tuomo Ruutu/Andrew Ladd trade as Ruutu has 11 points in 14 games with the Hurricanes but for Ruutu he has found a system that he fits in. Ladd is only four points behind Ruutu and has played only one more game than Ruutu. Also, Ruutu is a first/second line and Ladd is a third liner but their point differential is not that far apart.

Next Game

The Chicago Blackhawks will host the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on Sunday, Nov. 16. This will be another good test for the hot 'Hawks as they have scored points in six consecutive games but they are facing the Western Confrences' best team according to record (14-3-1).