Hawks win! Hawks Win! Hawks Win!: Tribute To Pat Foley

 

It was a long time coming and it was appropriate during Pat Foley night that he was able to shout Hawks win! Hawks win!...one more time! It was an emotional night as we said farewell to the voice of the Blackhawks for the past 39 years with a pre-game on-ice ceremony, that included family and people closest to Pat. He will be sadly missed by Blackhawks fans from Chicago and beyond, since the broadcast can be accessed by all, via streaming services and network TV. I'm not even from Chicago and I've had the joy of watching Hawks broadcasts since I've been able to get them and it just won't be the same without him.

On the ice (after the ceremony), there was ahockey game and the Blackhawks played an inspired game and had much more jump and enthusiasm than the previous weeks. It was entertaining and the Hawks were competitive, something that's been missing since they were officially eliminated from the playoffs.

Highlights:

• Hey, the Hawks won! It was their first win in nine games and it took extra-extra time to settle the game with a 5-4 shootout win. Though the Hawks blew a two goal lead in the third period, they hung on and the Cat was the only scorer in the shootout.

• Goals: It was the start the Hawks were hoping for, Patrick Kane scored 1:18 into the first period. It was back and forth on the scoreboard, as the teams traded goals, twice with it tied 2-2, until late in the second when the Hawks took a lead 3-2. The Hawks scored again early in third to give them a two-goal lead, before the Sharks scored a pair to force overtime. Other goals were from Taylor Raddysh, who scored in back-to-back games giving him 9, on a tip-in from Seth Jones. Calvin deHaan from a great feed from Kane and a beautiful 3-way passing play between Kane, DeBrincat, Jones and Strome. It was Strome's 21st of the season, a career high. The Strome line which was reunited for this game, played especially well and were a threat every time they were on the ice. There is such a drop in offensive production behind these guys and breaking them apart made no sense. Patrick Kane finished the night with 1 goal and 2 assists, Dylan Strome with 1 goal and 1 assist and Alex DeBrincat with 3 assists, plus the shootout goal.
  

• Goal? The Blackhawks appeared to expand their lead in the second period with the puck fluttering around the goal line before James Reimer swatted it away. Depending on the angle, it was very close, but the call on the ice took, no goal.

• Foley: Very cool to hear past players, fellow broadcasters, family and even Gary Bettman offer their congratulations to Pat on his retirement. The common theme seemed to be he'll be doing a lot of golfing during his retirement. Visiting Pat and Eddie in the booth were Troy Murray, who works on the radio broadcast and Hawks legends, Denis Savard and Chris Chelios who wanted to thank Pat in person. Much of the telecast game was filled with reminisce and hilarious stories, that I'm sure Eddie was in tears of laughter, joy and sadness. A wonderful moment was following the game when the players saluted Pat up in booth, while Pat and Eddie gave a toast and chugged some brew from their Pat Foley pint glasses (it was giveaway night!). The night ended with Pat addressing the crowd and players one more time and thanked everyone for these great years!

Up next: It's an early matinee in Nashville, Saturday at 11:30 am Wow, that's early! 

"Blackhawks fans enjoyed the broadcast, and we know they enjoyed the outcome."