It’s a scream, baby: Blackhawks 4, Sharks 3 OT

Jonathan Toews heard a screaming girl behind him, and he flicked a no-look pass in that direction possibly out of fright. Actually, it was a wide-open Brent Seabrook, who scored his second OT goal of the season to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-3.

“I didn’t see (Seabrook) but I just heard him screaming like a girl almost, so I knew it was him and he was wide open,” Toews told the Trib after the game.

The goal was the third unanswered tally for the Blackhawks, who rallied from a 3-1 deficit early in the second period and won their seventh straight game at the United Center to earn all eight possible points on the four-game homestand.

The ‘Hawks had one last chance to make a statement to the Western Conference before the annual Circus Trip, and they didn’t disappoint. The win will open some eyes for a few different reasons: A) They did it without Andrew Ebbett and Kris Versteeg, both of whom were scratched. B) They rallied from a two-goal deficit against the best team in the NHL and C) held one of the top offensive juggernauts in the league to a mere 23 shots on goal.

Some observations from Sec. 108, Row 3, Seat 5:

• Watching Patrick Kane up close is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen. He’s smart, he’s quick, he can do whatever he wants and his energy is inspiring.

• Speaking of Kaner, his goal was all the work of Toews. The play developed about 20 feet away from me behind the net, and Toews’ quick thinking was the reason Kaner had such a good opportunity.

• My non-sexual crush on John Madden continues to grow. I can’t say enough about this guy and what he means to the Blackhawks. Madden was 9-for-9 on face-offs, was a parasite on Sharks superstar Joe Thornton most of the game and scored the game-tying goal on a rebound late in the second period. He’s just… yeah, I love him. I said it.

• The most underrated, overlooked player for the Blackhawks is by far Niklas Hjalmarsson, and it’s not even close. It’s tough to get noticed when the ‘Hawks have standout blue-liners like Seabrook and Duncan Keith, and he’ll never get the recognition of Toews or Kane. But this guy has been a force ever since his call-up late last season. Why? Mainly because rarely makes a mistake.

• Brian Campbell is becoming the fans’ whipping boy — again.

• Brent Sopel is disgustingly ugly up close, but hey, thanks for the goal tonight buddy!

• Thanks for the memories, JR. Watching the highlights during the game on the scoreboard of Jeremy Roenick’s eight seasons in Chicago made me tingle.

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