What kind of spark can help the Blackhawks end their losing streak?

The Chicago Blackhawks need a spark.

That much is obvious amid a six-game losing streak. When things aren't going well, teams need to find it somewhere.

Here are some ways they might find it.

Commesso getting another shot in net

During the Blackhawks' four days off, one of the moves they made to their team was putting backup goaltender Arvid Söderblom on waivers. He has since cleared waivers and was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs.

With that, they recalled 24 year old Drew Commesso from Rockford on Nov. 8.

Captain Connor Bedard spoke at practice about Commesso on Nov. 9: "Yeah, it's exciting for him. I think he's been so good in Rockford for the last two/three years, and every time he comes up... obviously last year he got the shutout, and he's played so well. So he's an elite goalie, and whenever you get kind of someone new in, it gives an extra boost of energy, I think, just because he'll be so excited to be up, and just having that is obviously good for us.”

Commesso said when asked about what the opportunity meant for him, “It means everything. Yeah, I've worked super hard for this. I've kept so much faith in God and myself, just to continue to work and build steps, and this is something I've worked for for a long time, and I'm willing to kind of put my life on the line for this team, for these guys, and do anything I can to help. Whether I'm in net or I'm not playing, like, I'm going to come to the rink and provide a spark that these guys will hopefully build off of, and do my best every day to bring my best effort, be the best person, teammate I can.”

He went 2-1 in three starts last season with the Blackhawks, with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage, including the shutout Bedard was referring to.

If he ends up having success with starter Spencer Knight, that would be encouraging.

We'll see how he does whenever he gets his opportunity.

The Blackhawks looking at compete and momentum

I spoke with Anton Frondell at practice, and I asked him what stands out as something that could be a spark for this team:

"I mean, it's a basic word, but the word compete, the word battle, and that's also something: if one guy does it or if one line (does) it in the game, the other lines get energy from it. When you see someone that's working hard, like you said, a hit, going into a battle hard... fight for your teammate or anything, that just gives everyone on the team energy, I feel like. And now being back at home with our home fans, that feels like we're an extra player on the ice, kind of, because they have our backs. So I'm just excited for Thursday [to] play at home again, and I feel like (with that support), then we will get some more energy from that."

The Blackhawks' compete will be big for them, as their 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 7 did not sit well with anyone.

Furthermore, an example of the compete having a good effect came from Dillon Boucher, He was recalled from the Rockford IceHogs on Nov. 3, and he got into a fight in their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and his teammates couldn't have been more complimentary of his efforts.

Or sometimes, it can even be as simple as just sustaining momentum.

According to Jordan Greenway, "A spark can be a lot of different things. Hopefully, in an ideal world, we don't really need a spark. We just go out there and do what we got to do. Get some momentum early, and just kind of snowball that all the way throughout the game. Of course, there are moments in games that momentum isn't going your way. You need to get the crowd into it, or get the guys going, and yeah, typically a hit, a good power play, penalty kill, you know, you kill off a penalty, a big hit, fight. I mean, there are various things."

But nothing would bring the fire more to the Blackhawks than two points, with their eyes on their next game against the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 12.

Frondell said about channeling frustration, "The feeling I have right now... I don't know if I'm frustrated or if I'm just like, I want to win so bad. That's all that matters, and that's what we need right now. We need more wins... so, just try to translate that frustration into working even harder. This is probably all I can do, and try to do the right things for the team. Like I said, a win would be huge. That will kind of give the first spark (to top it off)."

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