Despite losses, Blackhawks get a break
By Adam L. Jahns ajahns@suntimes.com November 20, 2011 10:30PM
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Updated: December 22, 2011 8:16AM
EDMONTON, Alberta — No changes were made to the Blackhawks’ plans. At least coach Joel Quenneville wasn’t about to announce any after two humiliating defeats in Western Canada.
“I don’t think there is a change right now,” Quenne-ville said about heading to Las Vegas for a two-day break after bowing to the Edmonton Oilers 9-2 a night after losing to the Calgary Flames 5-2.
Some R&R is nothing new for the Hawks during their long circus trip, and the Hawks stuck with the plan by not having a surprise practice Sunday or Monday. But can having a couple of days to think about what happened be good for the Hawks?
“We’ll continue to address what went on here and move forward,” Quenneville said. “We’re looking for responses and ways.”
Veteran Sean O’Donnell said their stops in Edmonton and Calgary will become just “two more losses” if they find a way to rebound against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday.
“We haven’t had a super- difficult schedule,” he said. “I’m hoping these two losses wake us up a little bit because we have a very tough game in San Jose and then we’re in Anaheim and L.A. We need to right the ship right away.”
Ray on Ray
Goalie Ray Emery had his worst outing of the season in Edmonton, getting pulled in the first period before being sent back in to start the second.
“You want to keep it in mind,” Emery said. “It does seem like we’ve had a tough couple of games defensively. But when you have a game like that, I don’t look too far away from myself. I want to control what I can control and fix the mistakes in my game and not worry about other guys. If everyone starts worrying about what they can do better, then it gets better collectively.”
