by Susan SlusserFiled under: Blackhawks, Sharks
SAN JOSE -- The first thing most of the Blackhawks, and even coach Joel Quenneville, say when asked about Corey Crawford, is how much he reminds them of Antti Niemi last year.That only adds to the intrigue tonight when Crawford makes his first-ever start against the Sharks. In the opposite net, it's Niemi.
Crawford has told reporters that starting against Niemi provides a little extra motivation because repeatedly getting sent back down to the minors, beat out by Niemi time and again, "was tough to take."
It's always something with Niemi when the Blackhawks are in town. Last month, he made his first start against Chicago since helping the team to the championship, and he beat his former team. This time, it's a hot rookie goaltender who's gunning for Niemi a bit, trying to maybe prove something.
"Any time you get a little extra motivation, why not take it?" Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith told FanHouse on Saturday after the team's morning skate at HP Pavilion. "Those guys were splitting time for years, I'm sure there's a little motivation there. But as a team, we're focused on trying to get two points."
Crawford, 25, has recorded seven consecutive wins, one shy of the team mark for a rookie set by Hall of Famer Glenn Hall in 1967. He has allowed only nine even-strength goals in that time.
"He's been rock solid," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews told FanHouse. "He's having a lot of success, and he's having fun, but he's working hard in practice. We all knew he was a good goaltender, and now he's getting the opportunity -- it's kind of similar to Antti last year. You never knew what poise they had. It's surprising to see in a young goaltender, to come in and have success right away. It's impressive."
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