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Chicago Blackhawks: Twitter Reaction to 4-1 Loss to Detroit

By Matt Barbato

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The Chicago Blackhawks dropped the second of a back-to-back preseason slate with the Detroit Red Wings in a relatively empty Joe Louis Arena by a 4-1 tally. Many of Chicago’s prospects fighting for a roster spot got some action. Andrew Shaw, Bryan Bickell, Corey Crawford, David Rundblad and Trevor van Riemsdyk were the only players from last year’s Stanley Cup squad to play Wednesday night.

Former Blackhawk Brad Richards was in the mix quite a bit Wednesday night, starting with two penalties on one shift in the first period. Richards was called for high-sticking and roughing on one shift. He made up for those penalties quite a bit as the game went on.

Richards had a helper on the first goal of the game for Detroit, a Tomas Tatar goal off a one-timer pass from Richards. The Blackhawks dominated the first period, but trailed 1-0.

Crawford was taken out of the game midway through the second frame. He allowed one goal on only eight shots in about 30 minutes of work.

Crawford also debuted some fresh gear. Crow broke out a black glove, blocker and pads Wednesday night in what was quite a contrast to Chicago’s white uniforms. Wouldn’t it be hard to see the puck against those pads? Many fans enjoyed Crawford’s fashion choice. One took the opportunity to bash Marty Turco, while another fan noticed some clever word play.

It wasn’t all about Crawford, however. The Blackhawks tied the game on the power play thanks to Shaw with an assist to Rundblad. Bickell also deserves some love (he rarely gets it these days) because of a screen he set on Detroit net-minder Petr Mrazek just before the puck left Shaw’s stick.

Shortly after Shaw put home the equalizer, the Wings answered on a power play of their own.

Penalties were abundant in Detroit Wednesday night. The Blackhawks took five penalties, while the Red Wings had six infractions. The Blackhawks went just 1 for 6 with the man advantage, proving that some things just never change, even in the preseason.

The Hawks went to the dressing room trailing 2-1 after two periods. They had a slew of opportunities to even up the contest, but old friend Richards struck again. Richards took the puck down the left side and snuck a short-side shot through Michael Leighton and across the crease to a waiting Tatar, who banged it home for his second goal of the evening.

Some people were even reminiscing about the good ole days, AKA the one season Richards played with Chicago.

The Hawks pulled Leighton in one last-ditch effort to tie the game, but Tatar was having none of it. He took the puck and flicked it in from just inside the blue line for a hat trick.

The Blackhawks get a day off before traveling to Montreal to face the Canadiens in the halfway game of the preseason.

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