Blackhawks Raise Banner, Win Thrilling Opener
By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 2, 2013 2:55PM
The Blackhawks pulled out all the stops Tuesday night in their banner raising ceremony celebrating the 2013 Stanley Cup championship team, with color analyst Eddie Olczyk honoring everyone from owner Rocky Wirtz to the lowest intern before unveiling the banner.
Then the Hawks got down to the business of trying to repeat as champs with a thrilling 6-4 win over the Washington Capitals at the United Center. Chicago scored first when Joakim Nordstrom won a scrum for the puck on the boards and got it to Marcus Kruger, who passed to Niklas Hjalmarsson at the top of the ice. Hjalmarsson put the puck in play on Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, who couldn’t control the puck. Brandon Bollig rebounded and deposited it in the net for a 1-0 lead.
Washington tied the score on a power play goal by Alex Ovechkin midway through the period. Patrick Kane answered with a wrist shot that is the first of what will be many highlights of the season.
Washington began to get their bearings in the second period with a goal by center Mikhail Grabovski to tie the game at 2. Brent Seabrook made the score 3-2 Chicago at the 14:32 mark with a power play goal. In the third period the Capitals scored on two power play goals by Grabovski to take a 4-3 lead and heighten the tense atmosphere at the Madhouse on Madison. Brandon Saad tied the game at 4 with a backhand shot at the 7:55 mark before Johnny Oduya, who celebrated his 32nd birthday Tuesday, scored the game winner at the 13:53 mark, assisted by Saad and Hjlamarsson.
Marian Hossa added an empty net goal with 38 seconds left in regulation to end the scoring.
The Hawks penalty killing unit was not its usual self against a Washington team that led the NHL in power play efficiency a year ago. Corey Crawford allowed goals on his glove side once again but both he and the PK unit hunkered down when needed most in the third period. Crawford ended the game with 28 saves and was 10 for 13 on shots on goal on the power play.
Game One is out of the way. The Hawks next face Tampa Bay 7 p.m. Saturday at the United Center. (WGn 720 AM, Comcast SportsNet Chicago)