· Log in

Blackhawks Show the Stars a Different Outcome

Written by: EricC on 10th February 2010

Antti Niemi had his second back-to-back start this season, filling in for Cristobal Huet, who has had a tough time against the Dallas Stars. However, Niemi stuck it out all the way into the Shoot Out, helping the Chicago Blackhawks gets their first win against the Stars this season. In the end, Kris Versteeg had the winning Shoot Out goal that gave the Hawks two more points in the Standings. Chicago continues to lead the Central Division with a 16 point buffer.

Dallas started off the scoring in this game, putting in the opening goal during the eighth minute. A little over five minutes later, Patrick Kane tied the game up with an assist from Patrick Sharp. Then, with under two minutes remaining in the first period, the Stars scored again, but before the period could come to an end, Kane tied it up, once again. Kane, who had a hot streak back in December, has since cooled off a bit; however, funny enough, Kane had two goals against the Stars the last time they went up against the Hawks. In fact, two of Kane’s three, multiple goal games, were against the Stars.

23 shots were exchanged in the second period, but the score remained tied. During the sixth minute of the third period, the Hawks took their first lead of the game with a goal from Troy Brouwer. Chicago had a chance to finish this in regular time, but with under four minutes left in the game, Dallas tied it up again, sending the game into Over Time. After a scoreless Over Time, with some big saves from Niemi, the game went into a five round Shoot Out. Nobody put anything in until Versteeg made the game winning goal.

The last time Niemi had back-to-back starts, he ended up getting pulled during the second game. This time around, he gave up three goals, but he made some big saves to help lead the Hawks to victory. 24 saves during the game, and two saves in the Shoot Out.

The Blackhawks will play their next game this Saturday, February 13, at 7:30 P.M. CT. They will be taking on the Atlanta Thrashers for the first, and only, time this season.