The Chicago Blackhawks played in what could have been classified as both a hockey game and a boxing match.
It was by far the most physical game Chicago has played this season, but the physical nature of the game didn’t get in the way of the Hawks controlling the game.
In fact it was so physical that Hawk players Cam Barker and Ben Eager were both ejected for game misconducts, and captain Jonathan Toews even dropped the gloves for only the second time of his career.
It was a night of cheap shots and huge checks. Probably the biggest checks of the game was St Louis’ Mike Weaver’s hit on forward Patrick Sharp. Weaver hit Sharp center ice just as Sharp was looking up after getting control of the puck. The hit sent Sharp crashing to the ice and a retaliation by Cam Barker.
Patrick Kane was the butt of a cheap shot, a clearly evident forearm to the upper chest. No foul was called, but the Hawks knew that they were going to have to get more physical than usual.
No matter how physical the game is or how many hits a team laid on its opponents, all that matters is the score, and the Hawks beat the Blues in that category.
Early on, Blues’ goalie Ty Conklin was having a hard time controlling shots, giving away rebounds that ended up in two Hawk goals in the first period. Conklin looked really bad in the first period but St. Louis’ offense kept them alive tying the game after one period of play.
The physicality of the second period wasn’t even close to that of the first, but instead the Hawks dominated with their better hockey play. The Hawks and Huet shut out the Blues in the second period while scoring two goals themselves, propelling them to a 4-2 lead going into the final period.
Two early goals by Patrick Sharp felt like revenge for the hit he took back in the first, but more importantly in sealed the win for the Hawks, who were leading 6-2. The Blues did score a late power play goal to make it 6-3, but the game was already over.
The game showed that the Hawks were not afraid to drop the gloves and stick up for teammates.
It was a very physical, and a tough game to win, but the Hawks survived the battle and proved their dominance of the Western Conference, adding another two points. They now stand at a 28-10-3 record with 59 points. That’s good enough for second place in the Western Conference, just two points behind San Jose.
The Hawks are playing their best hockey in 27 years, bringing hope and happiness to many dedicated fans. Here come the Hawks!
The Hawks’ next game is Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.
*-Catch the highlights here.
About Tyler Juranovich
