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Blackhawks Drop Season Opener to Avalanche

Written by: EricC on 8th October 2010

Just like last season, the Chicago Blackhawks emerged from their first Regular Season game with a single point. Despite a great effort by the Hawks, the Colorado Avalanche managed to take the win in Overtime, less than a minute and a half before heading into a Shoot Out. It’s very apparent that this is a new Blackhawks team that needs to get a little more experience playing together, but overall, they still appear like they can be a dominating force on the ice.

A surprise to most people, Bryan Bickell netted the Hawks’ first Regular Season goal during a Power Play opportunity. Despite receiving several more Power Play chances, nearly back to back, Chicago could not capitalize on another goal. In the final minutes before the end of the first period, Colorado had a break away, resulting in their first goal, and a tie game.

It started to look bleak in the second period, when the Avalanche grabbed two more goals, one of which was during a Power Play. However, Marian Hossa lightened the mood late in the second period with his goal, assisted by Patrick Sharp and Tomas Kopecky. With under ten minutes remaining in the game, Sharp took advantage of, yet another, Power Play opportunity, sending the game into Overtime. Unfortunately, in the final 1:20 of Overtime, Colorado took the Win.

Marty Turco played well during his first Regular Season game in a Hawks uniform. Unusual for the Hawks’ defense, they gave up 41 shots, 37 of which Turco was able to save. Only time will tell if the Hawks made a good decision letting Antti Niemi walk away.