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Rough Game With the Ducks Results in a Loss for the Hawks

Written by: EricC on 18th March 2010

The Chicago Blackhawks went back and forth with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night, almost sending the game into Overtime. Unfortunately, a questionable goal towards the end of the third period resulted in the Hawks third consecutive loss. In the net, the Blackhawks pulled up their goalie from the Rockford Ice Hogs, Corey Crawford; Cristobal Huet was out with the flu, and Antti Niemi needed to be fresh for Chicago’s second half of their back-to-back games.

The Ducks took an early lead, putting in a goal during the fourth minute of the game. However, about seven minutes later, Brent Seabrook tied the score up with his fourth goal of the season. Unfortunately, a little later in the game, Seabrook took a monster hit against the boards from former Hawk, James Wisniewski, and sat out the rest of the game.

Nearly six and half minutes into the second period, Anaheim put in a Short Handed goal to give them the lead again. They held the lead until the fifth minute of the third period, when Marian Hossa deflected in a long shot from Duncan Keith; this was Hossa’s 21st goal and Keith’s 50th assist! With about six minutes left in Regulation Time, the score was still tied 2-2. Brent Sopel went to glove down a falling puck, only to get checked from the back and knocked to the ice, leading to the Ducks game winning goal. In the final minute of the game, Anaheim had a fourth goal into an Empty Net.

Crawford really stepped up to fill in for the Hawks, playing the first NHL game of the season. The young goalie played his heart out, making 32 saves, and giving up only three goals, one of which was questionable. Niemi will be taking the spot between the poles for the Hawks game against the Kings.

Tonight, March 18, the Blackhawks will head up North to Los Angeles to face the Kings. Hopefully, the absence of some key defensive players won’t be a downfall for Chicago. The puck will drop at 9:30 P.M. CT.