Steve Montador rings up a ‘Howe Hat Trick’
By ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com November 10, 2011 10:12PM
Steve Montador of the Blackhawks celebrates after scoring a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period on Thursday night. | Jamie Sabau~Getty Images
Updated: December 13, 2011 9:03AM
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A fight. An assist. And, a goal.
NHL legend Gordie Howe made the combination famous, and Blackhawks defenseman Steve Montador tallied that “hat trick” in a 6-3 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
“It’s definitely exciting to be contributing to the success,” Montador said. “Sometimes you get on the scoresheet, sometimes you don’t. Tonight I did and I was happy about it.”
Montador was acquired partially because of his willingness to scrap and that side showed up early on as he fought Blue Jackets winger Derek Dorsett after he took a run at center Marcus Kruger. It was Montador’s first fight as a Hawk.
“He probably would have done the same,” Montador said. “It happened right in front of me. I wasn’t too happy with that.”
With the Hawks’ power play struggling, Montador was put in the slot on the second unit, which was successful in Columbus. He assisted on Andrew Brunette’s power-play goal at 1:25 in the second. Montador then fired in a Duncan Keith feed during another power play for his first goal of the season.
It was the Hawks’ first “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” since Brent Seabrook did it on March 27, 2009 against the New Jersey Devils.
Cast your votes
Last year, forward Patrick Sharp was a notable snub from the NHL’s All-Star ballot. Now, it’s goalie Corey Crawford.
Sharp, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, Keith and Seabrook are on the ballot, which came out Thursday.
Sharp (MVP), Toews, Kane and Keith were All-Stars last season. Voting begins Nov. 14
While Crawford’s stats are expected to improve, there were 18 other goalies on the ballot, including the St. Louis Blues’ Jaroslav Halak (two wins as of Thursday) and the Toronto Maple Leafs’ James Reimer (injured).
