Who would have thought that, after three games, the two best players on the ice would have both come from the same European country of Slovakia?
While coming away with their first win of the 2010-11 NHL season, the Chicago Blackhawks have found a duo worth leaning on through a tough start. Many were led to believe that it was the Blackhawks' defense that would be what keeps them in games, and the likes of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane that would get them the win.
Hardly so.
Hands down, over the first three games, it has been the hustle and heart of Marian Hossa and fellow countryman, Tomas Kopecky. The two have been paired every game, with only the center-man switching. Deservedly so, seeing as the two account for three goals and five assists.
A team led by two of the most well-known athletes (Toews and Kane) has been searching for resurrection as the Blackhawks dropped their first two games. An absence of defensive consistency and lack of urgency did in the Blackhawks both games.
The Blackhawks were clearly in need of a leader entering Monday's game in Buffalo that would throw the team on their back and carry them to a v ...
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Article written by Kyle Wahlgren
Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky Providing Backbone for Chicago Blackhawks
October 12th, 2010 by Kyle Wahlgren Leave a reply »
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