Blackhawks Unsung Heroes

Fan Commentary, by Tyler Perlmutter
May 11, 2009

As we watch our Hawks come within one game of the Western Conference Finals it is time that the unsung heroes get their recognition. The Blackhawks are a team full of fight, determination, and skill.

Of course our three all-stars are the guys getting most of the attention, while if we take a close look at the action from these exciting 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, we can see that it has taking every guy on that bench to win these crucial games.

Look at a guy like Dave Bolland. Going into the year I bet nearly 1/10 of the people filling up the United Center each night knew who this guy was. But Dave Bolland has been nothing but spectacular in the playoffs, as well as during the regular season.

You take a guy like Dustin Byfuglien (3 goals 3 assists in the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs), day in and day out this monster otherwise known as "Big Buff" has been working his butt off. Every time he steps onto the ice he is either nailing someone into the boards or is in the middle of a Hawks scoring chance.

It is important to not forget the work that guys like Ben Eager and Matt Walker are doing. Now we all know Matt isn't the best or most skilled hockey player suiting up every night, but when the guy makes hits like the one in game 4 inside the defensive zone blue line, that helps the team. When you have Ben Eager and Adam Burish starting brawls after the whistle, and even putting the puck in the net like they did in game 6 versus the Flames, that helps the team.

When you have a guy like Andrew Ladd who has been mister clutch all season long, that helps the team. And this ladies (if any actually read this site) and gentlemen is what I love about the Hawks. We know that Hawks don't have an Ovechkin or a Crosby, but we do have other guys that make our superstars perform.

How about our Rookie Kris Versteeg. The guy has 9 points in his first playoff experience of his very young career (2 goals 7 assists). The guy had 53 points during the regular season (22 goals 31 assists), and he is not getting national attention, but he doesn't care.

The hawks are a very unique blend of pure talent. They are definitely one of the deepest teams in the league, and there is a reason the hawks are the most watched hockey team in the world. Now just remember 9 more wins until we can finally say to Detroit, "We've got the cup, and Detroit still sucks." Go Ducks, but most importantly Let's Go Hawks!



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