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Hawks Drop First Home Game After the Road Trip

Written by: EricC on 4th February 2010

For only the fifth time this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have taken back-to-back losses; however, they still remain the only NHL team to not endure three or more consecutive losses, this season. Wednesday night, in their first home game after the long Road Trip, the Blackhawks fell short in their game against the St. Louis Blues. The first two times the Blackhawks faced the Blues, they pulled out the victory, even shutting them out in one of the games. Unfortunately, this time around, St. Louis was determined to provide a different outcome.

One of this seasons’ most successful duos for the Blackhawks, Patrick Kane and Troy Brouwer, managed to work their magic again. Less than eight minutes into the game, Kane got his 22nd goal of the season off of Brouwer’s 13th assist. The Hawks held the one goal lead until the second period, when some sloppy errors by the Blackhawks gave up three goals.

The first of these goals came a little over half way through the second period, but that only tied the game. With about a minute and a half left in the period, St. Louis took the lead during a Power Play. Then, with 22 seconds left in the period, what should have been a routine dump turned into a two goal lead for the Blues. Early in the third period, Marian Hossa managed to close the gap a little with his fourth Short Handed goal of the season; he is now tied for first for Short Handed goals in the NHL. Unfortunately, Chicago just couldn’t tie up the game with the remaining time.

Cristobal Huet was supposed to have the night off, but due to Antti Niemi coming down with illness, Huet took the spot between the poles. Huet was responsible for the Hawks Shut Out on the Blues earlier in the season, but that was not the outcome for this game. Despite giving up three goals, the defense made some careless mistakes; Huet only had 16 saves.

The Blackhawks will try to maintain their record of not losing three or more consecutive games this Friday, February 5. They will be taking on the Phoenix Coyotes, who currently hold the second place position in their Division. The puck will drop at 7:30 P.M. CT.