We missed out on Friday’s comeback win against the Minnesota Wild, sadly, because I was ill.  Ugh.  And those of you that know me, know that I have to be pretty ill to miss anything hockey related…

We took the Western bus to and from the game this time around.  Unfortunately, the bus schedule for Sunday nights sorta sucks, but we did make it home in time to catch the second half of the Eagles/Bears game.

On to the game…

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As a Sabres fan — as well as a Blackhawks fan — I generally despise Dallas.  It’s even more fun to despise them this season with Sean Avery on their team!  ;-)  I am not sure what I expected in terms of tempo for the game as there were a lot of starters playing, but no “starting” goaltenders…

First Period:

I was not even on my second sip of beer before the ‘Hawks were on the powerplay.  And not three sips in before they scored their first goal!  Dallas followed up about 5 minutes later on a shot that Chicago should have never let them take from the point.  Sharp lit the lamp with a nice screener — again on the powerplay — about halfway through…

Avery did not disappoint from an agitation point of view.  He was chirping as soon as hit the ice and mixed it up heavily about halfway in.  That brought Ott into the scrap.  Coming out…?  4 minute PP for the ‘Hawks with Ott being tossed, Avery sitting on 2 and 2 for roughing and an unsportsmanlike and Chicago with no one in the box!

Second Period:

The ‘Hawks started early again with yet another PP goal — a sweet deflection from the low slot by Toews from a Soupy point shot.  Dallas put up another marker before Soupy made a sick pass angled perfectly off the boards to a rushing Skille.  Skille beat his man and buried the shot.

The Stars came out strong in the first half of the period by playing a “full low” offensive zone set up — all three forwards down below the hashes with one of them usually behind the net and no one on a screen.  It was effective for a while, but the ‘Hawks eventually caught on.  I would say that Chicago needs to recognize and adjust a bit faster to things like this..

We saw the patented Soupy Spin-o-rama for the first time this season.  Love it!

Ladd — the player, not my wife — took a sucker swing at Avery landing square on his face.  It was almost worth the extra two minutes. 

Third Period:

Dallas did get one in the third, but Chicago spent a LOT of time in the offensive zone to mitigate any comeback attempt.  The did get some good PK as well — especially in the last few minutes!!

The ‘Hawks were able to overcome a huge shot deficit in the third — marking 13 shots in the period.

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Overall…  Soupy had an assist on every ‘Hawks goal.  The PP looks fantastic.  Dig it.