Hawks edge Panthers 3-2, but need a shootout; Kane leaves game with major injury

By Brad Vandenberk

After suffering an embarrassing loss on home ice against the Bruins on Sunday afternoon, the Blackhawks shifted the focus on Tuesday to the Florida Panthers, who are battling for a playoff spot, and would love to take full advantage of a depleted Hawks squad.

Scott Darling was recalled from Rockford on Sunday night with Joakim Nordstrom. Ryan Hartman and Antti Raanta were sent back down to what seemed to be a salary type move. Which can only mean one thing. Nothing, it means nothing. Darling was then signed to a 2 year contract extension.

Darling was also named the started for this game helping the Hawks edge the Panthers 3-2 in a shootout. Jonathan Toews and Kris Versteeg were the goal scorers with Patrick Sharp lending a hand in the shootout. This would be the last game for this 8 game home stand recording 3-3-2.

There is some bad news that comes out of this game. Patrick Kane was shoved awkwardly in the back by Alex Petrovic and seemed to jam his arm, shoulder, collarbone area. He left the game and did not return with no diagnosis mentioned. Johnny Oduya did not dress for this one after suffering an upper body injury on Sunday. Tim Erixon and Dan Carcillo were the healthy’s tonight.

The Hawks got the message when it came to getting pucks to the net. Brandon Saad and Ben Smith fire as soon as there is an open shooting lane. There is a ton of pace to open this game. Darling makes a flurry of saves during a Panthers 2 on 1 robbing Jonathan Huberdeau, stretching out his leg using his toe to make the save. Brad Richards and his line mates, seem to be in the offensive zone for quite some time before Duncan Keith fires a shot that Luongo sees and stops. Florida, again gets another 2 on 1 but Darling earns his new contract. Very scary moment when Alex Petrovic gives a little shove to Kane really close to the boards. Kane hits the boards awkwardly and heads to the bench in pain making his way to the dressing room. The Hawks gain a power play from this dangerous play. No Kane, no problem on this power play. Toews finds a loose puck at the side of the net and sends it over Luongo 1-0. Darling starts to show some nerves fumbling a puck behind the net but makes the recovery as a puck almost passes the goal line off of David Rundblad’s skate. Bryan Bickell starts to throw his weight around hitting Steven Kampfer and Erik Gudbranson. As the period comes to an end Patrick Sharp hammers Petrovic to send a message. The teams get together and the period ends with no penalties and the Hawks leading the Panthers in shots 15-8.

With the announcement of Patrick Kane not returning to this game due to an upper body injury had the entire hockey world awaited the severity of the injury and the amount of time that could be potentially lost. At this stage, the pace of the game began to equal with both teams sharing opportunities. At the 14^th minute mark, Rundblad shot, was just the second one taken in the period. Bickell sends a stick on the ice toward the play forcing a penalty shot for Derek MacKenzie. His first every penalty shot was fired over the net and the Hawks remain in front. The Panthers get their first penalty of the game when Marian Hossa sends Luongo’s stick into the corner. No penalty shot this time, Hossa heads to the box for interference. Darling is sharp and even makes a save on a re direct while screened. The Hawks get another break when Sharp’s shot deflects off a Panthers defensemen and right to Kris Versteeg who beats Luongo giving the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Brad Richards and Aaron Ekblad mix it up after the whistle and head to the box for matching roughing penalties. Ekblad received an additional holding penalty putting the Hawks on their second power play of the game. During the man advantage Toews hits the post and the period ends with the Hawks out shooting the Panthers 27-16.

The last period opened with 1:37 of 4 on 4 time with both Hossa and Huberdeau getting second period ending slashing penalties. As the teams come to full strength, Michal Rozsival sends a puck over the glass giving the Panthers their second power play of the game. Darling again makes some key saves and Toews gets a shorthanded attempt. Another classic kill by the Hawks. Shawn Thornton then sends his shot over the glass and the Hawks throw everything at Luongo but cannot add to their lead. The Panthers get on the board when Jussi Jokinen gathers a puck from his skate to his stick beating Darling 2-1. Toews makes a slick move to split the defense but again Luo keeps it close. The Panthers start to come on strong keeping Darling busy. Vincent Trocheck sends an errand puck on net and it deflects off Keith’s skate and every so slowly, slides pass the goal line. At first the official call was no goal on the ice but after a review, the game would be tied at 2. Hossa has a few last minute chances, because that’s what Hossa does, but this one would require another period.

Saad tries to end the game early in the extra period, but hits the post, almost in the exact same spot as Toews. Dmitry Kulikov sends Saad into the boards slowing the speedy forward down. Darling really starts to impress the viewers, making all kinds of saves. The Panthers wanted this extra point to help their playoff hopes. Keith walks in and bobbles a point blank attempt sending this game into a shootout.

Toews – Enters the zone with speed and beats Luongo with a back hand – Goal

Trocheck – Makes a quick little move before Darling makes the save – No Goal

Sharp – Uses his speed and beats Luongo with a quick forehand – Goal

Bjugstad – Looses the handle on the puck and fails to get a shot off giving the Hawks the 3-2 victory.

Quick Hits:

-Hawks outshot the Panthers 38-36.

-Hawks go 1/3 on the power play and the Panther 0/3.

-Brent Seabrook led all hawks with 27:47 of TOI, Keith was next at 27:08. Bickell only received 9:47, with Kane leaving early in the first.

-Toews was 56% in the faceoff dot. Richards43%, Shaw 20% and Kruger 44%.

-Kane is now going to be re-evaluated and the extent of his injury should be known soon.

-Hawks now travel out to Florida on Thursday, where I’m sure there will be some redemption in order.

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