Huet's whiff costs Hawks
By MIKE NADEL - editorial@nwherald.com
CHICAGO – Cristobal Huet quickly is becoming the favorite whipping boy of Blackhawks fans … and it’s hard to fault the paying customers for their discontent.
It’s bad enough when the goalie fails to make important saves. It’s far worse when he lets in goals that are softer than a sports writer’s belly.
Saturday was just such a night – or, in Huet’s case, what’s become just another typical night.
Despite controlling play most of the game, the Hawks lost, 4-3, to the Dallas Stars in great part because Huet let in two deflating goals.
And Huet knows it.
“Very frustrating. I can blame only myself,” he said. “Right now, I feel bad about myself. I feel like I let the team down.”
Dallas led, 2-1, midway through the second period when Huet whiffed while trying to glove Toby Petersen’s long slap shot from the right boards.
“The third goal is bad,” Huet said. “It can’t happen.”
The Hawks made it 3-2 with 4:36 to go in the second period on Jonathan Toews’ first goal of the season, but Huet gave it back in the third.
From near the red line, Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas dumped the puck into the corner; the puck bounced off the boards and took two hops toward the net. Instead of blocking it with his body, Huet tried to grab the puck, which eluded him as a chorus of boos rained down.
“I know if I go on my post, I have a chance. That little hesitation [hurt],” Huet said. “Obviously, I really looked bad tonight, and I didn’t help the team.”
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, who pulled Huet early Monday against Calgary and started backup Antti Niemi the next game, is worried about the mental state of his $22.5 million goalie.
“Obviously, we know how goaltending gets looked upon and gets evaluated,” Quenneville said. “He’d like to be better and we’re looking for him to improve. It’s still early. Hopefully, he gets that confidence.”
Toews, the Hawks’ captain, said he wishes fans wouldn’t be so tough on Huet – who no doubt leads the NHL in the category of “Bronx cheers received.”
“Pretty unfair,” Toews said. “There’s way more pressure on him than there should be. It’s not only frustrating for him but for us sometimes when we hear the jeers during the game.
“You have to try to forget all the voices outside the locker room. The ice has to be your haven, although it’s tough sometimes. Just because he’s a goaltender … he’s gonna take a lot of heat. That’s just the way it goes.
“We’ve all got to work harder to help him. He’s battling just as hard if not harder than anybody else in this locker room.”
