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HAWKS GIVE UP 10 GOALS AGAIN
What can the Blackhawks do to limit their opponents from scoring in huge numbers? That was the main topic of conversation during the post-game discussion on ESPN Radio following the team's 10-4 loss to Quebec. Chicago came into this season with hopes of improving defensively, but that hasn't been the case at all. Through 37 games, they have allowed 5 or more goals 22 times.
Unbelievably, it seems to be getting worse. For the second consecutive night, and third time in 7 games, they surrendered 10 goals. Despite their leaky defense, which gave up 4 goals during the first period, the Hawks kept close with the Nordiques by scoring 3 goals of their own. But things fell apart when they weren't able to match Quebec's success in the second period. The Blackhawks gave up 4 more goals to go down 8-3 at intermission. The Nords put it away by scoring a couple more in the 3rd.
It sounds like the team has decided to give starting goalie Nikolai Khabibulin some time off to clear his head and reset. There is concern that being pulled in back to back games isn't good for the young goalies' confidence, so we expect to see Rick Tabaracci take over the starting role in upcoming games vs. Anaheim, Toronto and Detroit. The Blackhawks also plan to shuffle their lines with more ice time for defensive forwards like Ed Kastelic and Bob Sweeney. One dimensional players like Ari Haanpaa will see a reduced role until the team sorts out it's issues on the back end.
ESPN Radio Chicago |