The Wild West

The Wild West

Here come the 'Hawks! The Blackhawks are dominating in the West to become the best team in the NHL for the second time in a row. They have definitely earned it in the 7 game road trip they just returned from. They came back with faces full of pride and success, as they won 6 out of the 7 games. After opening the annual "Circus Trip" with a 5-1 loss in Colorado, it seemed as though the trip was at a loss. They got their head in the game for the second game and stormed back to take six in a row. Finishing off the road trip in Phoenix with a 5-2 win, in front of an audience encumbered in Indian head sweaters, increased their NHL-leading point total to 44.

​With Nikolai Khabibulin injured, Antti Raanta is the back-up goaltender. Coach Quinneville figured he should give Crawford a break, because he started for 14 consecutive games. The first game of the road trip, Raanta made his NHL debut in relief of starter Corey Crawford, who gave up 3 goals before being pulled.  Raanta gave up 2 goals in the same game, not an ideal way to start off your NHL season. Towards the end of the road trip, he gave Raanta another chance… this was a risky move. You have a great record so far on the road and you put in your back-up goaltender? I figure you must have a lot of trust in him to do such a thing. Raanta only gave up 2 goals in this game against the Calgary Flames. Patrick Kane, the star player in the NHL, for the month of November had a few things to say about Raanta's game. "I thought he played really good," Kane said of Raanta. "Both goals he didn't really have a chance on and made numerous saves that he's not really expected to make, but at the same time, he made them. They were big for us. He was our best player tonight for sure, 100 percent and nice to see a start like that out of him. I know he was excited and it seems like he has a bright future, for sure.” He has been playing very well so far with his record being 2-0-1. The loss that he acquired was in a shootout versus the Anaheim Ducks on Dec 6.

​The 'Hawks have not won a game since they returned from their road trip. They are still seeking a win for the month of December, as of December 7th. Injuries that have happened in previous games are starting to heal and players are slowly coming back on the ice. Michal Handzus, a veteran center, returned on Monday night against Edmonton, after suffering from an upper body injury. Andrew Shaw, a center-man, returned to play on Friday, against the Ducks, after suffering a foot injury. Bryan Bickell, a left winger, left the game early against Colorado, after crashing his leg into the goalpost. He is expected to miss 'several weeks', according to 'Hawks GM Stan Bowman. Hopefully he gets better soon! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone! Go 'Hawks!