I would like to call on all Blackhawks fans to unite and help me locate Cristobal Huet and take him to a secure location- far away from Coach Quenneville.
After lazily allowing 4 goals in the 2nd period against the Red Wings today, there is no reason for Huet to start another game this year. Furthermore, he is in danger of extreme verbal abuse from the sure-to-be irate Coach Q, so by detaining Huet we would probably be doing him a favor.
While I do not waiver in my trust and loyalty to Coach Q and his intimidating moustache, if we can isolate Huet from the rest of the team, this would take away any remaining chance for Quenneville to attempt using the sputtering net-minder again.
I think that everyone essentially crapped themselves when Antti Niemi didn't look sharp out of the Olympic break last Tuesday vs the Islanders. Besides for that disappointing game, Niemi has been far and away the more impressive of the two Hawks' goalies this season, and looked sharp after replacing Huet, blanking the Wings for the remainder of the game.
Huet looks completely lost in goal at various points throughout many of his games, and although Niemi has at times struggled, he at least seems to have a thorough effort every time he plays.
After the Olympic break, all of us were hungry for the Hawks to resume their NHL domination, and when we looked flat against the Islanders most of the blame went to Niemi. While this was likely his worst performance of the year, it is at most his 2nd or 3rd bad performance. I feel as though I've seen 3 bad Huet performances this week alone (and don't forget that he gave up 2 goals to the Islanders after replacing Niemi on Tuesday as well).
Since the trading deadline has passed, we are stuck with the two goalies we have. Nothing can change that. For good or ill its Niemi, Huet, and the rest of the team for now through the playoffs. Perhaps next year this situation can be addressed more proactively, but for the time being we need to see just what Niemi is going to offer us, because what Huet is offering stinks.
If Huet can be obtained and detained, humanely of course, I say let's go for it. We can offer him some refreshments, maybe watch Slap Shot, and root for the Hawks together. Whatever needs to be done to keep Huet from touching ice for the Hawks again this year needs to be done.
I'll take my chances with Niemi, thank you very much, and that's the way that things should be from here on out.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Tags: Antti Niemi, Chicago Blackhawks, Coach Quenneville, Cristobal Huet, Detroit Red Wings, goal tending, goalies
Huet allowed 4, Niemei allowed the 5th one on a breakaway but played well, much better than Cristobal.
Thanks
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Sayonara' Hockey! I can hear thunder on the horizon even now, as the storm clouds approach Wrigley Field.