Success of Hayes, Shaw motivates Brandon Pirri

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Hawks center Brandon Pirri takes the ice in the second period as the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Nashville Predators Tuesday January 24, 2012 at the United Center. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times

Updated: February 26, 2012 8:17AM

A few days ago, center Brandon Pirri turned in an impressive two-goal game for the Rockford IceHogs with assistant coach Michael Haviland on hand for Blackhawks day.

With center Jonathan Toews out until after the All-Star break, Haviland probably put in a good word for Pirri after his performance, leading to his call-up for the Hawks’ game Tuesday against the Nashville Predators at the United Center.

“It’s not a good thing that we’ve got so many injuries,” said Pirri, who started on the third line with Jimmy Hayes and Andrew Brunette. “But you know us young guys are trying to take advantage, trying to get spots for maybe next year and turn the heads of the brass so they have to take a second look at you.”

The Hawks apparently thought highly enough of Pirri to put Toews on injured reserve (seven days) and scratch veteran Michael Frolik for the last game before the All-Star break, which was a crucial one against a divisional opponent that’s on their tail. Pirri is a true center, but Frolik has been used in the middle before by coach Joel Quenneville.

Like rookie forward Ben Smith before him, Pirri was sent down by the Hawks after his three-game stretch in December because he struggled to be a positive factor. There also weren’t as many roster spots available as there are now with Toews, Patrick Sharp and Daniel Carcillo hurt.

“It’s just playing with confidence; that’s the biggest thing for I me, I think,” Pirri said. “It’s being a puck-possession guy and making the plays I know I can make. It’s just a matter of doing it up here.”

Seeing fellow rookies Andrew Shaw and Hayes have instant success after they were called up is further motivation for Pirri.

“No one said it’s easy to make the NHL,” Pirri said. “They’ve worked so hard down there, and they deserve everything they’ve got. I’m just happy to see two good friends succeed. I just try to follow suit because I know I can do it.”