Niemi "spectacular" as Blackhawks blank Canucks 1-0
Playing for only the second time in a month, Antii Niemi was spectacular in goal as the Chicago Blackhawks blanked the Vancouver Canucks 1-0. By stopping all 30 shots, Niemi earned his second career shutout in his sixth NHL start and led the Hawks to their seventh consecutive victory including three straight to start the current six-game road trip.
After two scoreless periods between last season's playoff rivals, it was a matter of who could score first. Though he wasn't credited with an assist, the Hawks' Patrick Kane sparked the lone scoring play with a patient cross-ice saucer pass to a pinching Brian Campbell.
Campbell cut to the middle of the ice and pushed the puck to the doorstep with Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell ready to answer the bell. Bickell picked the puck off of Canucks goaltender Roberto Loungo's left pad and tipped the biscuit into the net to break the scoreless duel at 1:12 of the third period. It was Bickell's first goal of the season.
For a team that scored 12 goals in their past two games, the Blackhawks only mustered 17 shots on goal thanks to a strong Vancouver defensive effort that limited most of Chicago's chances to 50-foot blasts from the blueline or desperation attempts from the boards.
The Hawks had one golden opportunity earlier in the game, but Troy Brouwer shot wide from point blank range as he stared into a half-empty net four minutes into the second period. For most of the night, the Canucks took away the middle of the ice and forced the Hawks to operate along the boards. The Blackhawks succeeded in multiple shifts with maximum offensive possession, however the result was few legitimate scoring chances.
On the other hand, the Canucks utilized an aggressive forecheck to sustain constant pressure throughout the night in the Blackhawks' defensive zone. Along with Niemi's performance, the Hawks' defense was also solid limiting Vancouver to the outside of the ice for the majority of the game.
The few times the Canucks' forwards did break through, Niemi was there to shut the door. The Blackhawks rookie goaltender allowed few rebounds and any puck that fell was quickly swiped away by the defesemen.
Simply put, this victory was all Niemi. As the entire team settles into their respective roles, it is encouraging to observe Niemi accepting his role as the Hawks' backup goaltender. With the lack of recent playing time, Niemi was allowed very little warm-up as Vancouver came at him early and often.
As good as Niemi was early, the young goalie was even better late. With under five minutes remaining in the second period, he stopped a Steve Bernier breakway attempt with a kick of his left pad to preserve the scoreless tie as the teams headed to the second intermission.
In the third, with the Hawks leading, Niemi made two brilliant point-blank saves to deny the Canucks' Alexandre Burrows as he gloved the second attempt out of mid-air. Vancouver's Alexander Edler was the only Canuck to beat Niemi, but he couldn't beat the goal post as his slap shot clanked off of metal later in the third period.
At that point, the Canucks must have realized that this wasn't going to be their night.
"What an effort, what a game," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "It was a goalie win. You get five or six over the course of the year and that was definitely one of them. I thought our defense played very well as well, but (Niemi) was spectacular. We have some momentum and it's a little bit fun right now."
As expected, there was no retailation by the Hawks against Vancouver's Willie Mitchell for his open-ice hit that sidelined Toews during the team's earlier season meeting at the United Center.
However, after-whistle festivities were commonplace throughout tonight's game. These two teams have developed a mutual hatred of each other over the past two seasons and it showed. The score may signal otherwise, but I wouldn't describe the game as "playoff atmosphere." There was plenty of chippiness, but the playoff-like intensity was lacking.
Bickell continued his strong play for the Hawks coaching staff. After leaving last night's game because his head hit the ice, Bickell returned tonight to skate with Toews and Kane.
With Pat Foley announcing that Marian Hossa's debut will most likely occur Wednesday night in San Jose, Bickell may find himself back in Rockford by Thanksgiving. However, the young forward has impressed enough in the past week to cause Quenneville and the Hawks to consider other roster manuevers.
Over the past three road victories, the Chicago Blackhawks have put the Western Conference on notice. Last year was no fluke and the young team is about to improve with the addition of the veteran Hossa.
A gifted two-way player, Hossa will add to the Blackhawks strength of adaptability. The Hawks have proven that they can win any style of hockey thrown at them whether it be "grind-it-out" or "up-and-down."
If Cristobal Huet and Niemi continue to thrive in goal, the Blackhawks will quickly become a favorite for the Stanley Cup. Most of the early season doubts have been erased. It's now time to start to believe that a championship season is a realistic goal.
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8 Comments
nklhd12 said:
Very happy with that win and the road trip to date. The Hawks are playing some great hockey right now and we still have Hossa to come. While I am extremely happy with the progress the team has made, I'm not yet convinced that they can win at any style of hockey. Good as the defensive stick work of the Hawks was last night, Niemi was that much better and was the difference. Without a doubt, last night's effort against choking defense was a huge improvement for a team that has been beaten with that strategy several times this year by lesser teams. This isn't a doom comment at all, but I think the Hawks are just a little bit away from being able to comfortably play whatever game the other team wants. If this keeps up though, man do they have a great chance to go all the way.
Mark Kiley said:
Quenneville deserves credit for making his players accountable in the defensive zone. It's not an easy task for a team with this much skill. While Toews and Madden have been impressive on defense, you can even see improvement from forwards such as Kane. Winning your third game in four nights on the road in a 1-0 contest is a testament to the system that Coach Q has instituted.
Dave Morris said:
Mark, another fine writeup from you, sir. Many thanks.
To answer the doubts of our esteemed colleague Mr. Nucklehead The Second: three games in four nights. Three wins. On the road.
This one against a well-rested, highly skilled team coached by one of the best defensive strategists in the game.
And still without Hossa--though not for long--Bolland, and Burish.
Impressive any way you look at it.
Perhaps the Blackhawks' best game of the year.
And young Mister Bickell? The kid jammed in that juicy rebound like he was born to do it.
The Nieminator was the Antti-dote to the Brothers Sedin.
Seven in a row. Here Come The Hawks.
dum dum alouwishes said:
...the only way you "beat the goaltender" is when its in the net.
Mark Kiley said:
Thanks for your attempts at becoming my editor, but I think I'll stick with my dog. The mutt has become very reliable, especially on the late night starts.
Niemi was unable to stop Edler's shot with his glove hand as it whistled past his ear and clanked off of the post. I'd say Edler "beat" Niemi. It was the only such occurence in the Fins very fine evening in goal.
iplagitr said:
The Canucks seem to have the answer to the Hawks' offensive attack more than most other teams, and they obviously play a little harder to prove it when the Hawks are on the rink with them. They've consistently given the Hawks difficulties, and are a better team than their record indicates. They supplement their tight, disciplined defense with surprisingly crafty offensive playmaking. I can relate to Nucklehead's concerns about playing teams like the Canucks in that regard.
But hey, no one said the Hawks are going to run away with the Cup this year. They'll have to play great teams they're uncomfortable with. (But I'm quite sure the Canuck fans feel the same way when their team has to play the Hawks!) In this past win streak they've proven they can win against the big boys, home-and-away, rested or not. It will be interesting to see how Vancouver's defense manages the addition of Hossa.
I was very happy to see no senseless runs made at Mitchell last night. Neimi was AWESOME! Way to go Hawks!
Jerry Kayne said:
The coaching staff will be the 7th man this season. It's more obvious more than ever that there must be a serious, unique, & strategic game plan for every opponent, especially the elite teams. One game plan does not fit all anymore. They have to build on but stick with the basics, forechecking and backchecking. The Hawks did well shutting down the Canucks at their game, setting up from behind our goal is the Canucks strong point. That's the Canucks M.O. for every team they play. Campbell & Hjalmarsson were great at staying home while the other chased and blocked the middle last night. I can't say enough about Sopel also. He's a rock. Never makes the wrong play.
And maybe Hossa will be the answer we need to gain the offensive zone with more ease, especially on the power play. That's still a serious weakness the Hawks need to address. They're good at even strength once in the zone with cycling the boards and freeing up a man in front.
Hossa will probably also spring up Sharp's scoring too. Sharp's doing all the little things but I'd like to see him get the points he's capable of.
deandrey duffie said:
JOB WELL DONE BY BLACKHAWKS I THINK THEIR DEFENSIVE ZONE IS QUITE WELL AND IF THEY KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK THEY WILL BE WELL ON THEIR WAY TO RECEIVING THE CUP IN THE FUTURE THEY STILL HAVE TO WORK ON THEIR STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS AS A TEAM IN ORDER TO PULL IT OFF OVERALL I THINK THE BLACK HAWKS HAVE COME A LONG WAY. GO HAWKS AND NEVER MIND THE NEAGATIVIY . P.S DONT HATE CONGRADULATE YOUR S TRULY DEANDREY.
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