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Blackhawks Fall to the Dallas Stars in High Scoring Game

Written by: EricC on 30th December 2009

The Chicago Blackhawks played a tough match against the Dallas Stars, falling to them by one goal, for the second time this season. The Blackhawk’s offense did great, but just couldn’t keep up with the Star’s offense. Cristobal Huet had a rough night, eventually getting switched out with Antti Niemi. Chicago kept up with Dallas until the third period, when the Stars put in the fifth and final goal.

Only three minutes into the game, Troy Brouwer took advantage of the Power Play, giving the Hawks an early lead. Unfortunately, only about two minutes later, Dallas tied up the score during a Power Play of their own. In the 15th minute, Dallas got the lead, but they didn’t hold it for very long. Patrick Kane used another Power Play opportunity to tie the score at 2-2. Before the period came to an end, Colin Fraser put in his first goal of the season off a great pass from Kris Vertseeg.

Within the first two minutes of the second period, Dallas scored two goals, tying it up, and then taking the lead. Huet was traded out with Niemi, which turned out to be a good move. In the final seconds of the second period, Patrick Kane got his second goal of the game, tying the game once more. During the fourth minute of the third period, Dallas used their Power Play to take the lead for the final time. Chicago had 11 shots in the final period, but couldn’t tie it up again.

The four shots that got past Huet can’t be solely blamed on him, however, with a 6-10 save record early in the second period, pulling him was the best option. Whether Huet was just having a bad game or Dallas was in his head from their previous match up, letting Niemi finish the game was what needed to be done. Niemi managed to hold Dallas to only one goal, which came off of a Power Play, but that one goal ended up being the difference between winning and losing.

The Blackhawks have one last game in 2009, playing on New Years Eve. They will be taking on the New Jersey Devils who currently lead the Eastern Conference with 55 points (the same as the Hawks). Before the ball drops, the puck will drop at 7:30 P.M. CT.