Antti Niemi just capped off his 3rd shutout of the season in only his 7th start, beating the Tampa Bay Lighting 4-0. How does he keep doing this?
A better question is when will Coach Quennville give him more playing time?
Niemi deserves to get more time in the net, if not being the Hawks’ starter. He has a league leading 1.50 GAA and a stellar 6-1-1 record. It’s not easy to just come off the bench, not playing for a whole week, and just stone the opposing team, but Niemi has done that this season.
His efforts need to be rewarded with more playing time.
It’s not that Cristobal Huet has been bad, because he has improved his game significantly since last year, it’s just that Niemi has the same, if not better, abilities as Huet. I am not asking for Huet to be benched and Niemi start. I am just asking for a more balanced approach to the playing time of each goalie. I know Quennville likes to shake things up, especially in the lines, and I am positive he is smart enough to realize the potential Niemi has.
If a player is playing as well as Niemi why waste his talent and keep him on the bench for most games? It’s nonsensical to waste such talent.
As for the rest of the team the Hawks finally lifted an offensive drought in which they only scored 10 goals the last 7 games with a 4-0 win over the Lighting.
If you didn’t see Marian Hossa’s goal you can check it out here. Let me just say that it’s amazing and jaw dropping.
Don’t miss the next Hawks game Wednesday against division rival St. Louis at the UC at 7:30 cst.
*Note: Patrick Kane left the game with 6:59 left in the 1st period. Kane hit his head on the ice after being checked. He didn’t return and is day-to-day.
About Tyler Juranovich
