Hawks Dominate in United Center Opener

Less than 24 hours after dropping the season opener to the Dallas Stars in Big D the Blackhawks looked to open the season at United Center with a bang in the second game of a home and home with the Stars.  The capacity crowd would not be disappointed.  The Hawks came out feisty and with a purpose hitting everything that moved on the first couple shifts.  The Hawks poured on the defensive pressure holding Dallas to a meager 9 shots through the opening two periods.  Andrew Brunette opened the scoring with his first goal as a Blackhawk tipping home a rebound with Sharpie and Kaner adding helpers on the play.  The goal was the first power play goal of the year for the Hawks who went 0-4 with the man advantage in Dallas on Friday night.  Dave Bolland playing in his first game of the season made it 2-0 in the second on a shot that Raycroft did not appear to see.  Jonathan Toews made it 3-0 on a breakaway out of the sin bin notching his first strike of the young season.  Vernon Fiddler of the Stars cut the lead to 3-1 with a nifty roof shot at the last second as Crawford was going down.  Patrick Sharp extended the Hawks lead in the third period with a rocket over Raycroft’s shoulder.  Dallas pest Steve Ott tipped home a power play tally half way through the third to cut the Chicago lead to 4-2.  The Hawks continued their strong play against a Dallas team that appeared more tired despite the fact both teams got into Chicago in the early morning hours.  The Hawks outshot the Stars 31-21 for the game.  Dave Bolland added an empty netter for a 5-2 Hawks winner.  Cue Chelsea Dagger!  The Hawks went 1-7 on the power play and are now just 1-11 on the season.  One would think Coach Joel Quenneville will devote some practice time this week to the man advantage.  Getting pucks through traffic and on net should be a focus.  The penalty kill has been a bright spot through the first two games as the Hawks have now killed 6 out of 7 chances.  The Hawks will have the next 4 days off before the Winnipeg Jets come to town Thursday night.  It will be a homecoming for Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien who won the Cup in 2010 before becoming salary cap casualties.  It will mark the only appearance by the Jets at the UC before they possibly become division rivals in the 2012-13 season.