Hawks' Crawford amused by goalie controversy talk
Corey Crawford finds the media-generated term “goaltending controversy” quite amusing.
Most goalies do.
Crawford doesn't consider himself to be in any sort of controversy over playing time with Blackhawks teammate Marty Turco.
Crawford has started the last three games for the Hawks, and while Tuesday's 7-5 win over St. Louis wasn't necessarily a masterpiece, it was his fifth in a row.
“The biggest thing is the team is winning and we've been playing pretty good,” Crawford said. “Marty has been playing really good this year so I don't think we have to deal with that at all. That's stuff you guys can talk about.”
Only coach Joel Quenneville knows who he has in mind to start on Friday against Vancouver at the United Center, but it was Crawford who beat the Canucks 7-1 less than two weeks ago.
Crawford looks more and more comfortable and composed in the net.
“He's moving quicker and has got his reflexes really going,” teammate Brian Campbell said. “It seems side to side he's just balancing in the net instead of it having to be a struggle at times.
“He doesn't let too many things get to him. If a goal goes in, it goes in. He doesn't let it hit home too long. Give him credit. He's paid his dues and now he's getting an opportunity.”
Crawford's work ethic never has been questioned all the way up through the minors.
“It's nice when you have a goaltender every day come up to you and ask if you need him any more for any more shots,” Campbell said. “That's a sign of somebody who wants to get better and improve and be a better goaltender. I love that attitude that I see.”
Who's counting?
With a goal and 3 assists against the Blues, Tomas Kopecky established a new career high for points in a game.
“I've had better games, but it's the most points probably,” Kopecky said. “It's nice, but it's behind me. That's what I do. Even if we win or lose, I take five minutes after the game and move on to the next one.”
Let's go streaking:
Is this the “roll” the Hawks have been looking to put together?
The win over St. Louis was the Hawks' third straight and sixth in the last eight games.
“Even going into the road trip, the two games prior to that in Nashville and here against Anaheim, we basically showed what we're capable of,” Joel Quenneville said. “We started being a little harder to play against and more simple with our approach, and I thought we extended it on the trip.
“Certainly we have some momentum right now and we want to make sure we establish that at home.”
Bank shot:
Rookie Jeremy Morin never will forget his first NHL point.
It was Morin's dump-in Tuesday that bounced sideways off the glass in front to Troy Brouwer, who had an open net with Blues goalie Ty Conklin headed behind to play the wraparound.
“It wasn't how I drew it up, that's for sure, but I'll take it,” Morin said.