Carolina (Bayda) and Chicago (Toews) mat for the first time this season last night. Before the game, the Canes were on a 4 game win streak and the Hawks on a 3 game losing streak. Afterwards, Carolina had extended to 5 wins, and Chicago to 4 losses, with a 3-0 shutout of the Hawks. Toews and Kane were not only kept in check, they looked completely frustrated because the Carolina defense just wouldnt let many shots through or anyone to get in the slot, or any other good shooting spots, on hardly any occasions. Toews did rough it up with Tim Conboy after Conboy hit a Hawk player into the boards coming back to touch up for icing. Conboy got boarding and roughing minors, even though the Hawks player's back was NOT to Conboy. Toews, curiously enough, got a boarding penalty as well, even though all he did was give Conboy a bloody lip. They were held back from each other by the refs.
This was my first time being able to watch Johnny since he left UND. He looked good out there. Much stronger on the puck, and you can tell his hockey sense is way up there. Was a good game to start. both teams came out hungry and fast. When the Canes got the first PP goal it had the potential to still be a good game. Then the 2nd one a few mins later almost sealed it. When Joe Corvo held up at the blue line and slid the puck to Eric Staal who undressed Duncan Keith and slid the puck 5-hole by Corey Crawford in a sweet backhand move, you could tell who had the momentum and the will to win.