After the Chicago Blackhawks kept quiet on Wednesday’s trade deadline, the Hawks took the ice Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues. The only roster addition the Hawks made through a trade was Michal Handzus, who made his Hawks debut tonight. But more importantly, the Hawks are starting to get healthy and got Marian Hossa back Thursday. But the Blues were ready to steal the show at the madhouse.
The defense of both teams were impressive early as the teams struggled to get many quality chances in the first period. The few chances the Hawks managed to produce were saved by Blues goalie Brian Elliot. The only goal of the first period came off of a Hawks turnover in the Blues zone. After the Blues stole the puck, Duncan Keith fell and left a free lane for Adam Cracknell. He was able to fire a shot past Corey Crawford to give the Hawks a one goal lead.
The second period was a different story for the Hawks. They had complete control of play as the Blues only got five shots the entire period. Jonathan Toews had a strong period and got the Hawks the first goal 3:18 into the second. Two minutes later, Toews made another great play and fed Saad for a goal right in front of the net, giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead. But the third period struggles haunted the Hawks again in this one.
3:30 into the third, Cracknell was able to tie the game for the Blues. Shortly after, David Backes was able to sneak one past Crawford on a rebound. But the Hawks were not going done without a fight. As time was ticking down, Viktor Stalberg came up with a huge game timing goal with under five minutes to play. Toews had a chance to give the Hawks the victory, but was denied on a strong rush to the net.
The game went to a shoot out and it was not a good one for Crawford. Toews and Patrick Kane scored on the Hawks first to attempts but Crawford was unable to stop the Blues. In the fourth round, Hossa blasted a slap shot past Elliot but again Crawford could not come up with a save. The Hawks eventually lost in the sixth round of the shoot out. Crawford only saved two shots.
What’s next: The Hawks face the Predators again on Saturday afternoon in Nashville. Puck drop set for 2:00 P.M.
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