{"id":17328,"date":"2017-10-08T16:03:42","date_gmt":"2017-10-08T20:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=17328"},"modified":"2017-10-08T16:03:42","modified_gmt":"2017-10-08T20:03:42","slug":"chicago-blackhawks-start-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2017\/10\/08\/chicago-blackhawks-start-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicago Blackhawks Start Season With Two Wins"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Blackhawks opened the season with two wins and high emotions in Chicago. Bryan Bickell<\/a><\/strong> retired and Eddie Olczyk<\/a><\/strong> made an appearance for game two. Hawks fans everywhere\u00a0celebrated as the Chicago Blackhawks<\/a>\u00a0start the season with a 2-0 record.<\/p>\n

Chicago Blackhawks Start Season With Two Wins<\/h2>\n

The first two games of the season resulted in two complete team victories. In game one, the Hawks pounded the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins<\/strong> <\/a>10-1. Then in game two, the Hawks outplayed the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/strong> <\/a>to win 5-1. In these two games, the highlight was\u00a0the play of the Hawk’s second line of Patrick Kane<\/a><\/strong>, Nick Schmaltz<\/a><\/strong>, and Ryan Hartman<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The line was unstoppable against the Penguins, and also\u00a0in\u00a0the opening minutes\u00a0against the Blue Jackets. Unfortunately for the Hawks,\u00a0they lost Nick<\/strong> Schmaltz<\/strong><\/a> for the night on his first shift. During a rush into the Columbus zone, defenseman Jack Johnson<\/a><\/strong> decided to deliver a hard check to\u00a0Schmaltz the\u00a0puck carrier.\u00a0Johnson’s poor decision left Patrick Kane<\/a><\/strong> alone\u00a0to skate in and deliver the games\u00a0first goal. Schmaltz needed help off the ice, and would only return for a brief shift before ending his night. His status for the upcoming road trip is in jeopardy.<\/p>\n

While Chicago benefitted from playing two teams who had played the night before, the Blackhawks played two solid games.<\/p>\n

Bryan Bickell<\/a> Retires<\/h2>\n

The Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> selected Bickell in the second round of the 2004 draft. He played left wing for 384 of his 395 career games with the Chicago Blackhawks. 65 of his 66 career goals were with Chicago. None was bigger than the game-tying goal in game 6 against the Boston Bruins in the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals.\u00a0That goal\u00a0will forever be remembered as part of the historic “17 Seconds” of Stanley Cup lore.<\/p>\n

Another special goal occurred last April. In Bickell’s final game in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes<\/a>, coach Peters selected him to participate in the shootout. Bickell skated in and unleashed one of his wicked snappers and scored against the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>. Everyone in attendance went nuts as Bickell put an exclamation point on his last game in the NHL.<\/p>\n

Bickell was diagnosed with M.S. in November 2016. After time off for treatment, he returned to play for the Hurricanes in February 2017. He battled hard to play hockey again but faced a difficult choice with his health problems. This week he retired as\u00a0the Chicago Blackhawks opened their season. He signed a “one day contract” with the Hawks and was given “one more shift” with the\u00a0team. For more on Bickell’s retirement check out this from the Chicago Tribune<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Eddie Olczyk Returns<\/h3>\n

To the delight of hockey fans\u00a0all over the NHL<\/strong>, Eddie Olczyk was in attendance at the Blackhawks game last night. This was his first public appearance as he battles colon cancer. The crowd gave him a standing ovation and chanted: “Eddie, Eddie,\u00a0Eddie.” An emotional Olczyk did a live interview with\u00a0Blackhawks play by play man\u00a0Pat Foley<\/strong>. Check out the NBC Sports article by Paul Roumeliotis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Next Game<\/h2>\n

Chicago’s next test is Monday against the\u00a0Toronto\u00a0Maple Leafs<\/strong><\/a> in Toronto. Both teams\u00a0have scored 15 goals, something has got to\u00a0give in this collision.<\/p>\n

Main photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>