Plenty of praise for Huet
Cristobal Huet said he didn't have time to think about the situation he was about to be thrust into Friday night at the United Center.
When Nikolai Khabibulin couldn't answer the bell to start the third period with Game 3 of the Western Conference finals tied 3-3, Huet went in to face a Detroit Red Wings team that had just scored three times late in the second period.
Huet stopped 6 shots in a scoreless third period then found himself the winning goalie when Patrick Sharp won it for the Hawks 4-3 in overtime.
Huet's last appearance in a game had been April 11 against the Red Wings in Detroit.
"I've been practicing a long time for that moment," Huet said. "I was anxious and at the same time ready to help the team any way I could. I thought the guys played very solid in the third. I don't know if it's because I was there, but they tried to keep it simple and wait for chances."
Huet's teammates praised him for providing a lift in the third period.
"I don't know if you could have a more pressure-filled situation than what Huey walked into - season on the line, a 3-3 game in the third period," Sharp said. "Hats off to him."
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said Huet never once has complained or pouted while Khabibulin started every playoff game.
"He should be really commended on, just not tonight's game, but his diligence and his dedication for the last month," Quenneville said. "Just watching him every day working his tail off in practice. Every day and every practice he was working, doing all the right things."
Wings into it: For most of the last decade, the Hawks have considered Detroit a rival more than the Red Wings considered them one.
But that could be changing now that the Hawks have the look of a team that is ready to begin challenging the Red Wings for supremacy, not only in the Central Division but in the Western Conference.
"I think for hockey and everyone that loves hockey, it would be great, obviously," Red Wings veteran Kirk Maltby said.
Condolences: Clint Smith, who played for the Hawks as part of his Hall of Fame career as a forward, died at age 95 as the oldest living Hawks alumni member.