The Chicago Blackhawks opened their home schedule in fine fashion Tuesday night, treating the United Center crowd to a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Corey Crawford was able to out duel Brian Elliot to give the Blackhawks their third win of the season in as many games.
The Blackhawks dominated most of the first period, testing Elliot several times in the opening minutes. Patrick Kane, Bryan Bickell and Brandon Bollig all had open looks on odd man rushes but were turned away by the St. Louis goalie.
Elliot held fast until the 7:20 mark, when Chicago managed a three-man rush to the net with no opposition by the Blues. Nick Leddy started the play by gaining possession of the puck and finding Kane in the neutral zone. Kane brought the puck up the left side, played catch with Patrick Sharp and came across the crease. One backhand later, Kane had his second goal of the season and the ‘Hawks led 1-0. Read more »
Former teammates Brandon Bollig and Kyle Hagel, drop the mitts and engage in a classic battle on December 15th at the BMO Harris Bank Center in Rockford.
Bollig and Hagel were teammates on the IceHogs in the 2010-11 season when Bollig was in his rookie season after spending two years at St. Lawrence University. Hagel, a Princeton University (2004-08) graduate, handled the bulk of the team’s enforcer role that season, fighting 31 times to Bollig’s 13. After that season, Hagel signed a two-way deal with the St. Louis Blues organization but his 2011-12 season was cut short in late October by major shoulder surgery. Hagel signed an AHL contract with his hometown Hamilton Bulldogs this past off season.
“He’s a tough kid,” Bollig said in respect of his former teammate following Saturday night’s contest.
“I’ve seen [Hagel] fight a lot of really tough guys. Those are the kind of fights that are fun when you’re in my position.”
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