Viktor Stalberg figured he was going to hear it as he returned to the bench after his interference penalty, his fourth minor of Game 5. Instead, he got a chuckle.
After the fourth one he put me out there and said, Vik, youre up. Try to stay out of the penalty box, OK? and just started dying laughing, Stalberg recalled on Monday morning. That wasnt what I was expecting, but that was good for me. And I responded by getting out there and was involved in that game-winning goal. So it felt good to give something back there.
Indeed, Stalberg was there with the primary assist when Jonathan Toews scored the game-winning goal on Saturday night, a bit of retribution after a rough night. Its rare when any player has a four-penalty night, and coach Joel Quenneville figured that Game 5 was just that for Stalberg.
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Even in the game, that line was effective in ways, he said. Whether it was (him being) too excited or careless, you put both in the proper perspective. It was just one of those freaky or fluky things.
Stalberg was just grateful he got another chance despite his night.
You never want to take four penalties a game. Coaches, in general, wont be too happy. But that line was playing well, even in between the penalties. We were confident we could get it done. It felt great to be out there when we scored the game-winner.
Stalberg said he felt awful for his conga line to the penalty box the other night. The Blackhawks penalty kill performed well each time, keeping the Coyotes off the score sheet. But he wants to put it all behind him now and rebound with a strong Game 6.
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I certainly dont want to put the team in position to kill off penalties like that, he said. It was just one of those nights. Anything that happened, I ended up in the box. Ill try to stay out of there tonight.