USA win over Canada was lots of fun for Blackhawks locker room
As reporters waited for Artemi Panarin to emerge for a postgame interview Thursday, cheers could be heard behind closed doors as Blackhawks players watched the exciting conclusion of the USA's shootout victory over Canada in the IIHF World Junior Championship game.
Canada led 4-2 with 4:05 remaining, but the U.S. stormed back with a pair of goals in the next 3:02.
Hawks players were able to watch the shootout after their 4-3 OT win over Buffalo.
"The feeling is kind of undescribable," said Ryan Hartman, who was on the last U.S. team to win in 2013. "I'm sure a lot of those guys are kind of feeling it today, and it's kind of that surreal feeling where it doesn't really sink in for a few days. But congratulations to them.
In addition to Hartman, the other Hawks from the U.S. include Patrick Kane, Scott Darling, Vinnie Hinostroza, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Tanner Kero. The Canadian-born players are Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Corey Crawford, Brian Campbell, Andrew Desjardins and Jordin Tootoo.
"There were a few things going on there; a few bets," Hartman said. "A few guys that were against each other. Good fun in the locker room, but it was nice to see the U.S. come out on top."
Forsling, Abbott sent down:
Defenseman Gustav Forsling and forward Spencer Abbott were both assigned to the Rockford IceHogs on Friday. Forsling had 1 goal and 3 assists in 32 games. He played in Thursday's win over Buffalo but was a healthy scratch in the three previous games.
"He started off all right, but I still think that this is still probably a good process for him, getting more exposure in the game," said coach Joel Quenneville, who wants the 20-year-old to play on the power play and penalty kill while in Rockford.
The move takes the Hawks down to seven defensemen for the first time since Trevor van Riemsdyk came off IR on Dec. 3. As for Abbott, he played 8:34 in his second career NHL game Thursday, but the Hawks decided to send the 28-year-old back down.
"Deserved the chance, playing well down there," Quenneville said.
"Was selected to play in the (AHL) All-Star Game as well. He's got skill. We wanted to see how he'd fit in a little bit, so it was a good opportunity to at least try it and give him a chance. We still think that at some point he could get another look."
Slap shots:
Brian Campbell returned to the lineup Friday in the Hawks' game against Carolina. Michal Rozsival was a healthy scratch for the 10th time in 11 games. ... Carolina came into Friday's game at the United Center ranked No. 1 in the NHL on the penalty kill, but the Hawks managed to cash in on one of their three opportunities when Artemi Panarin scored 13:29 into the second period. ... Ryan Hartman had team highs in shots on goal (5) and take-aways (3) in the win over the Hurricanes.