Well, That was Embarrassing
Earlier in the Western Conference Finals, everyone thought the series was over when Detroit went up 2-0 with an overtime win in Joe Louis Arena and I was quick to disagree. Now, they’re saying it again calling Game 5 a formality. Are the writers on the mark this time? Well, maybe.
Game 4 could be an aberration and a momentary lapse, but it looked more like a surrender. All the things we were talking about the Blackhawks needing to avoid were evident in Game 4. They couldn’t spend their time chasing Niklas Kronwall looking for revenge, and Kris Versteeg and Ben Eager both fell victim to antagonizing the Wings defenseman. It’s hard to say how out of position they got chasing big hits, but the penalty box door got a workout because of it.
The Hawks also had to harness their emotions after a tumultuous Game 3, and they failed miserably. Two things are to blame for the failure: youth, and more importantly Joel Quenneville. In my opinion Quenneville should be a serious candidate for coach of the year the way he handled the Blackhawks this season, but Game 4 was a meltdown. When emotions are flaring up all over the place, the last thing your team needs is an explosion on the bench after a first period that ended with your team down 2-0. The Hawks looked lost before Q’s screaming at the officials about a roughing call against Matt Walker, but after it they were out of control.
Was there a penalty on Walker in the scrum? I sure didn’t see one. Was it the worst call in sports history? Umm, really? It was an irrational overreaction by the coach that led to much of the same from his young team. Especially with a young captain who hasn’t been through this before, the coach needs to be the guy that keeps it together. Quenneville’s outburst was followed by dumb penalties from Versteeg, misconducts from Eager, and a couple ejections.
Quite a bit of praise has been doled out for the Red Wings, who dominated the Hawks without Lidstrom and Datsyuk, but the Hawks cost themselves the game. They gave up a shorthanded goal in the first period after four Hawks were caught below the goal-line in the Wings’ end. They probably should have kept Huet’s start a secret from Cristobal so he didn’t have time to mentally prepare. He was awful. I’ve seen the Red Wings do this to teams for years now, but I didn’t think the Hawks would get sucked in; it’s not like the Wings are above cheap shots, they just pick their spots and I’d venture a guess to say they get less retaliatory penalties than just about anyone. You can’t get pissed at them and try to bait them into fighting you, they aren’t the Flames or Canucks. The Hawks ventured way off the gameplan and that’s why it’s 3-1.
There are really very few good things to say about the situation right now, but let’s see what we can come up with. The Hawks will have the benefit of another three day break. Last time they were counted out of the series, they responded after the extra rest with a great performance and a win. This time will be tougher in the Joe, but the Hawks have also proved they can play with the Wings there. The Red Wings still have some injury issues too. Draper is out for the series, while Datsyuk and Lidstrom haven’t been cleared to play yet.
Finally, what do they have to lose? No one thinks they can win. Coming into the series there were plenty of people who thought the youngsters had a chance, but not now. The problem was that Kronwall’s hit and the reaction got them thinking too much. If they can get back to just playing hockey, anything can happen. Right?
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