Post-season heroes come in all forms from the star player to the unknown fourth-liner. We all know the exploits of the great playoff performers. However, we hardly hear about the unlikely playoff heroes. These unlikely post-season stars can contribute in many ways. Contributions could be for an entire playoff run, a series, a game, or even a goal. These unlikely heroes have made big plays that no one expects. This series looks at all of these unknown stars. These are the unlikely Chicago Blackhawks playoff heroes.
Unlikely Chicago Blackhawks Playoff Heroes
Bryan Bickell
Before the Moment
Bryan Bickell was the a top ten pick in the second round of the 2004 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks didn’t expect Bickell to be a flashy star. However, he was a guy who could play anywhere needed in their lineup and also provided grit on the ice.
Bickell played well in the OHL and was a great top six forward player for four seasons in the AHL. Bickell had a shot to prove himself as an asset for the Blackhawks. When playing for Chicago, Bickell solidified a bottom six role. He was as a serviceable player when his physical play was needed as well. He constantly made big hits and got into fights throughout his time in Chicago.
For those two years, Bickell spent most of his time with either Jonathan Toews on the Blackhawks first line. When he wasn’t, he was a contributing player in the Blackhawks bottom six. In his third season, Bickell started to become more and more valuable to the Blackhawks. After playing in the Austrian league during the NHL lockout, he came back for the resume of the season where his team looked poised to make another run for a Stanley Cup.
The Moment
In 2012-2013, the Blackhawks were on the brink of a game seven being forced by their opponents, the Boston Bruins. Down 2-1 in game six with under 90 seconds left in the game, the Blackhawks needed a goal and momentum to hopefully get to overtime.
After pulling Corey Crawford, Patrick Kane and his linemates Jonathan Toews and Brian Bickell wanted to get the puck deep into the offensive zone. Kane would register a shot on net, and the rebound went into the boards. Moments later, Toews would get the puck in a tie up in the offensive zone, and feed the puck cross crease to Bickell.
Bickell did not pass up this golden opportunity the score the game tying goal as he buried the puck in the net, and had at the time, sent the game to overtime.
The Aftermath
His goal proved to not only be the game tying goal, but arguably the goal that gave the Blackhawks the momentum and energy. This boost was used right after Bickell’s goal and the Blackhawks would take the lead 3-2 in the game only 17 seconds later. After what seemed like a game seven had completely shifted from Boston to Chicago.
The Blackhawks took the Stanley Cup in six games over the Bruins. The game-winner was scored by Dave Bolland, but the case can be made Bickell’s goal was more important. Brian Bickell’s goal proved to have not only have tied the game late, but also gave his team a huge morale and energy boost with his game tying goal.
Bickell arguably went from a gritty role player to a Blackhawks hero in a matter of moments. This truly encapsulates what kind of players this series desires to bring to light. With his goal, Bickell not only helped establish Chicago as a dynasty, but established himself as a phenomenal depth piece. Although he would have to retire early due to multiple sclerosis, Bickell serves as an icon in Chicago for his iconic momentum shifting goal.
Antti Niemi
Before the Moment
After going undrafted twice in the early 2000’s, playing in the NHL seemed like a longshot for Antti Niemi. He decided it would be best to continue playing in his home country in Finland. With three solid seasons in the Finnish league, his steady improvement caught the eyes of the Blackhawks. They would decide to take a chance on Niemi, signing him to a one year contract which would later be extended.
While tuning his game in the AHL, Niemi put up stellar numbers, and after 2 great seasons. After that, the Blackhawks would call up Niemi to play full time in the NHL. Antti Niemi would go on to post a 26-7-4 record, a 2.25 goals allowed average, and a 912 save percentage. This would help Niemi take over as the starting goaltender over Christobal Huet in time for the 2010 NHL playoffs.
The Moment
Niemi played lights out in the playoffs with a 16-6-0 record, a 2.63 goals-against-average, and a .910 save percentage. These numbers would significantly help the Blackhawks capture their first Stanley Cup in almost 50 years.
He consistently kept the Blackhawks in every playoff game they were in. The Fin had been an x-factor player for the Blackhawks in every close game in their playoff run. He made numerous saves in overtime versus the Nashville Predators in the first round, and rarely made a mistake. He was the definition of a brick wall.
In his first full season with Chicago not only did Niemi evolve into a reliable goalie in the NHL. He was also was a key contributor to a Stanley Cup. This without a doubt was a gem the Blackhawks were able to find. Niemi hit the bar that originally set for him, and overachieved it by a lot. He truly was one of the Blackhawks heroes in 2010.
The Aftermath
Niemi finally received a shot to come overseas to play in the best league in the world and proved as mentioned before as a reliable starting goaltender in the NHL. The Blackhawks would choose to let Niemi walk that off-season however in favor of young goaltender Corey Crawford. Niemi would have a long and solid career until he retired after the 2018-19 season.
Antti Niemi is without a doubt a prime example of an overseas gem. Adding him helped the Blackhawks finally get over the hump as a contender, and helped Chicago capture the Stanley Cup.
Pierre Pilote
Before the Moment
Pierre Pilote at the start of his career was a unique type of defenceman at the time. Most blueliners were very defensive-minded while Pilote was not only a shutdown defenceman but also an elite offensive weapon.
He also was a smaller defenders at only 5’10” and 178 pounds. He was a physical defenceman and spent the time he wasn’t creating chances for his teammates in the penalty box. With four 30-plus point seasons, Pilote was a top point-getter at his position.
The Moment
In the 1961 NHL playoffs, Pierre Pilote and the Blackhawks were trying to get their third Stanley Cup in franchise history. On a very stacked team, Pilote was a great option for MVP of the playoffs having over an assist per game and three goals in 15 games.
Many of his assists came at important times where the Blackhawks were looking to keep the momentum on their side. Without a doubt, Pilote was the best defenceman for the Blackhawks and played tremendous for them in their championship run.
The Aftermath
The Blackhawks as mentioned previously went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. The Conn Smythe trophy didn’t exist in 1961 but Pierre Pilote had a strong resume for winning it back then had it existed.
Pilote continued to build off his success that season, and would go on to win three Norris trophies in his career. He would also captain the Blackhawks for 7 of the 11 seasons he was in Chicago. Pilote was such a great player he was back in the fifties and sixties. However, the likes of Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull, and Glen Hall seem to have covered up what was an elite defenseman at the time Pilote was.
