Hossa hits back with two goals
Gets measure of revenge against Coyotes
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Sure, the Blackhawks’ Brandon Bollig and the Coyotes’ Paul Bissonnette threw hands for a bit, each landing a few good shots in a solid draw. And, yes, Andrew Shaw tackled Kyle Chipchura behind the net for swatting at Ray Emery’s glove one too many times.
But the real “fireworks” between these two budding rivals will have to wait until Feb. 7, when they meet again here with Raffi Torres — Public Enemy No. 1 in Chicago for his illegal hit on Marian Hossa last April — on the ice, as Patrick Kane predicted.
As for a measure of “retribution” for that hit and last season’s bitter first-round loss?
“The best way is winning the hockey game,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said before the game.
The Hawks did that Sunday night, twice rallying from one-goal deficits early and taking over in the second period of a 6-4 victory over Phoenix. The fact that Hossa scored two goals — including the game-winner — only made it that much sweeter.
“I came to the game [with] no hard feelings,” Hossa said. “I tried to take it as another game for me, just prepare as I always do.
“It definitely feels good, especially winning in this building. They’ve got a great team, and we always have a tough time playing in this building.”
The Hawks moved to 2-0 on the young season, scoring 11 goals on two of the league’s top goaltenders — the Kings’ Jonathan Quick and the Coyotes’ Mike Smith. And Hossa — healthy, rested and raring to go — again led the charge.
Shortly after Patrick Sharp tied the score at 2 at the 9:50 mark of the second period, the Hawks took back-to-back penalties, the second a slash by Hossa. The Hawks successfully killed them both — they’re 8-for-8 after struggling last season — and sprung Hossa for a breakaway right out of the box. But the big winger missed his chance.
Twenty seconds later, though, Hossa got another opportunity, and this time he buried a pass from defenseman Michal Rozsival (who had two assists in his Hawks debut) for a 3-2 lead and a small measure of revenge on the team that ended his season, and then his team’s season.
Fifty seconds after Hossa’s goal, Viktor Stalberg made it 4-2, wrist- ing a Bryan Bickell pass past Smith.
Hossa scored again only 14 seconds into the third period, slipping a backhander past Smith. It was his fourth goal in two games — not bad, considering he said he’s still trying to get his timing back since returning from the concussion Torres gave him.
That goal made it 5-2, but the Coyotes didn’t go away quietly. Martin Hanzal and Shane Doan scored 50 seconds apart on Ray Emery, who was getting the start ahead of Corey Crawford on the back end of a back-to-back set. Emery — like Smith — struggled to corral the puck throughout the game. Suddenly it was 5-4, and the Coyotes contingent at Jobing.com Arena — drowned out by the smattering of Hawks fans for much of the game — came to life.
But the Hawks answered immediately, as Dave Bolland got his second goal of the game (he also had an assist) 22 seconds later to make it 6-4, creating a little breathing room.