Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Posted: 9:06 p.m.Updated: 10:52 p.m.
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
The Blackhawks and Canadiens had just completed a late regular-season game with plenty of playoff feel. Great goaltending, great chances, great drama.
And then it ended on a call the Blackhawks didnt think was so great.
P.K. Subban scored the game-winning power-play goal in overtime after Jonathan Toews was whistled for a trip on him in the Blackhawks 2-1 loss at Bell Centre on Tuesday night. The Blackhawks got a point out of what was a classic game played by both teams, but they were frustrated that the questionable-at-best penalty led to the conclusion.
Watch: Toews frustrated with late penalty call
I dont really know what to say right now. We worked our butts off and you dont want to blame it on one little thing and say it comes down to a call but thats obviously what happened, Toews said. You can argue the call, especially when you feel there are a lot of stick penalties that dont get called against you out there. And then the games decided on something like that, its pretty damn frustrating.
Coach Joel Quenneville said I 100 percent disagreed with the call. He wasnt calling it (at first) and Jonny didnt touch his feet. Both goalies were great tonight. It was a tough way to end it.
Watch: Quenneville disagrees with overtime call
NHL
As angry as the Blackhawks were with the conclusion, they certainly did have their opportunities to win. They had 42 other shots, all of which Carey Price stopped in a fabulous performance. The Blackhawks also went 0 for 5 on their power play.
The Blackhawks gained a point and remain in eighth place in the West. Patrick Kane scored, giving him his 300th career point and changing game momentum. But the Blackhawks also lost Troy Brouwer who suffered an apparent right-shoulder injury with 13:07 remaining in regulation. Corey Crawford was stellar in his return home, stopping 33 of 35 shots.
Watch: Crawford thought calls didn't go Hawks way
We played well and we had some chances and I thought we couldve gotten some calls that we didnt. We get that one in overtime and thats a tough one to swallow, Crawford said. At least we got a point out of it. Its just tough because others are chasing us now and theyre playing well and we need every point we can get. Thats a tough point to lose.
The Blackhawks wont have much time to be angry, as they play St. Louis Wednesday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks, with 93 points, hold a two-point edge over ninth-place Dallas (91); both teams have three games remaining. Points are at a premium right now and they need all they can get.
Watch: Kane thinks Hawks have some work to do
Its tough to take because the call came so late, Kane said. But we got a point tonight. We have to look to tomorrow and try to win and move forward.
Brouwer hurt
Read: Brower leaves with shoulder injury
Brouwer suffered an apparent right shoulder injury with about 13 minutes left in regulation and did not return. Brouwer landed shoulder first around the boards and did not get up for several moments. When he did, he skated off under his own power.
Quenneville said hed have a better assessment of Brouwers status on Wednesday.
The Blackhawks are already missing two forwards in Patrick Sharp (left knee) and Dave Bolland (concussion). Sharp continues to improve and could be skating in the next day or two, Quenneville said. Meanwhile, Bolland is showing a little progress.
Briefly
Patrick Kane played just over 21 minutes and had five shots on goal. Marian Hossa logged 23 and a half minutes.
Bryan Bickell had a team-high seven shots on goal.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.