Chicago Blackhawks Huge Third Period Leads to 6-3 Victory

Nov 21, 2013; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie

(31) stretches to stop Chicago Blackhawks forward

(52) as he controls the puck during the third period at MTS Centre. Chicago wins 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports

The Blackhawks visiting the Jets for the 2nd time this season and it was all Hawks in the first period.  The Jets had two chances with one of them in the opening seconds when Andrew Ladd had the puck on the doorstep in front of Corey Crawford but he was denied.  Midway through the second Corey Crawford was able to poke check the puck away Bryan Little on a mini break away.  The Hawks looked to be playing at scrimmage for most of the period with the Hawks dominating play which included shots on goal with the Hawks leading 12-2.  Both Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin made really nice plays to set up teammates but were not able to capitalize.  The Hawks were able to get on the scoreboard after Evander Kane made a real dirty play by sticking his leg out to trip up Brandon Saad, this was already his second dirty play of the period after Kane fired a puck at Brent Seabrook after the whistle had blown.  On the powerplay Patrick Kane wristed one in from the slot for the only goal of the period.  If the Blackhawks continue to play like they did in the first period this game will be another walk in the park.

The second period was a non stop march to the penalty box for the Blackhawks and a pretty wild period.  The Blackhawks took a 2-0 lead when Marian Hossa made a great defensive play and perfect pass to Brandon Saad for the goal.  Most Hawks fans were still celebrating the Hossa goal when the Winnipeg Jets scored two goals in 29 seconds to tie up the game and if you include Saad’s goal it was 3 combined goals in 48 seconds.  The hometown Toews made a huge charge to the net and scored to what seemed to settle things down while giving the Hawks the lead, but Michal Rozsival tripped Andrew Ladd to put the Hawks down two skaters and former Blackhawks fan favorite Dustin Byfuglien scored to tie the game up in a period that the Jets totally outplayed the Hawks.

The third period has been a tough period for the Hawks in the early part of the season, but now it’s back to being a strength.  The Hawks got the lead back when Jonathan Toews flipped a perfect saucer pass right on Marian Hossa’s stick and #81 didn’t make a mistake. It was great having Hossa back in the lineup and even though he said his timing might be off, from the first back check to his goal, having Hossa was great for the Blackhawks. Ben Smith had a good night working behind the goal line and he picked up a goal late in the third period after a lot of hard work and it was well deserved.  Patrick Sharp picked up an empty netter for the final tally, so after a rough 2nd period the Hawks dominated the third period for their 15th win on the season.

-With the first period goal Patrick Kane now has a 9 game point streak.

-Toews had a 3 or more point night for the 27th time in his career.

-Third line was very quiet with Versteeg, Morin, and Shaw not seeing the ice very much on Thursday night.

-The Blackhawks won 40/63 from the faceoff dot.

-The Hawks play next against the hated Vancouver Canucks Saturday night.

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