Blackhawks' Youth Sparks 3rd Period Comeback Against Cancuks, 4-3 in OT

For those who went to bed early last night, myself included, SURPRISE!!  HAWKS WIN!!  

Vinnie Hinostroza and Ryan Hartman tallied 3rd period goals along with Artemi Panarin to help the Blackhawks erase a 3 goal deficit.  Marian Hossa finished off the comeback in overtime with his 2nd consecutive GWG, as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Vancouver Canucks, 4-3.

The Canucks started the scoring mid-way through the 1st period as Loui Eriksson found a rebound in front of Blackhawks' goalie, Scott Darling, and deposited it in the back of the net for a 1-0, Vancouver lead.

In the 2nd, The Blackhawks got their first powerplay in nearly 2 games, only to have Bo Horvat score short-handed to extend the Canuck lead, 2-0.  1:24 later, it was Brandon Sutter, yes, he's one of those Sutters, on a one-timer that beat Darling, stick-high, to make it 3-0 after two periods.  The Blackhawks had a total of 11 shots through 40 minutes.

One has to wonder the "talks" that go on between periods.  The Blackhawks came out in the 3rd and threw 17 shots on Canuck goaltender, Jacob Markstrom.  Panarin and Patrick Kane played catch across the ice on a give and go, and Panarin buried a one-timer to get the Hawks on the board 2:53 into the period.  1:13 later, it was Hinostroza collecting a rebound of his own, to make it a 1 goal game on his first career NHL goal.  

It stayed that will till there was less than 5 minutes remaining in regulation when Hartman was fed a nice pass from Hinostroza, that beat Markstrom, stick side to tie the game at 3.  It was Hartman's 4th of the season.

The game headed to overtime, where heart attacks are made.  Just :30 in, Jonathan Toews beat Markstrom for the apparent game-winner, only to find that the goal was disallowed when Niklas Hjalmarsson was offside, ahead of the play.  Vancouver had glorious scoring chances after that.  Markus Granlund on a 2-on-1, got Duncan Keith to go down, toe-dragged himself in front of the net, only to have Darling sprawled out to knock the puck away.  The Sedin's then hooked up, only to ring the post. Darling then stopped Erikkson who was in alone on a breakaway.  (Who are these people that say hockey is boring?)

Then, with under a minute remaining in overtime, it was Hossa, from the top of the slot, wristing the puck beyond Markstrom, through an Alexander Edler screen, for the game-winner.

Notable Mentions: For Hinostroza, it was a night to remember (1G 2A).  In his first 16 NHL games, zero points.  Hossa has been on a tear.  In his last 12 games (10G 3A).  3 of those goals were GWGs.  Hossa has 81 career GWGs, (14 in OT).  Darling had 24 saves in a game where the Hawks would never have gotten to overtime.  There was a lot of "goalie" to go around last night.  Both Darling and Markstrom stand 6'6".  Blackhawks are now 18-1-2 in their last 21 games against Canadian teams.

Three Stars Of The Game
1st - CHI - Vinnie Hinostroza - (1G 2A)
2nd - CHI - Patrick Kane - 1A, 7 shots
3rd - VAN - Bo Horvat - 1 SHG

Next Game: Monday, November 21st, Away vs. Edmonton Oilers (10-8-1), TV - CSN-CH, Radio - 720 WGN-AM

LET'S GO HAWKS!!!