The Chicago Blackhawks beat the playoff-bound Los Angeles Kings 5-1 on Monday night. Spencer Knight made his Blackhawks debut and gave the crowd something to cheer about. To say he made a good first impression would be an understatement.
Knight didn’t only impress the fans with his “First Star of the Game” performance, but he also impressed his teammates and head coach. They had some nice things to say about him postgame.
“He was awesome.” Connor Murphy said in the locker room after the game. “We didn’t make it easy on him. Good thing he was warm going into that game because that start we gave him 2 on O’s and backdoor plays and everything and he stood tall. You can tell he’s determined, and it’s not easy to be that focused in a new environment.”
Murphy made a great point about Chicago not making it easy on him. They were outshot 17-7 in the first period before finally finding their game. If Knight hadn’t stood tall, this game would not have resulted in a win.
“He was unbelievable tonight.” Colton Dach said postgame on his goaltender. It’s a short but sweet statement that accurately depicts the game that Spencer Knight played.
“The biggest thing I noticed was his puck-playing ability.” Dach continued when asked about how Knight helped the team get past the tough early stages of the game. “He was making plays under pressure and he was really calm back there so it’s just awesome to see someone come in like that and have an effect on the team.”
Spencer Knight has always been good at playing the puck. It’s like having a third defenseman on the ice at all times. It’s harder to get on the forecheck against goalies who are good at playing the puck. Knight is also one of six goalies in the league with 2 or more assists this season.
It wasn’t only the new teammates of Knight that sang his praise after the game. Interim head coach Anders Sorensen spoke about his new goalie as well.
“He looked really good”. Sorensen said. “Calm is probably the word, right? He just looked so composed back there, so tight down low, made some great puck plays. Big part of it obviously.”
Sorensen isn’t a guy loaded with a ton to say but his opinion of Knight’s abilities is clear based on what he said in that quote.
Knight was also one of the players who spoke after the game. Instead of praising himself the whole time, he commented on what his goals for the team are in the long term.
“I’m here to build a championship-winning team.” Knight said postgame. “Whether that’s a year, two years, five, I don’t know. But that’s what we’re working towards.”
Knight knows success. He’s been a successful player his whole career and that includes in the NHL with the Florida Panthers. His name was put on the Stanley Cup last summer. Now, he wants to be the main guy that the team builds with.
It isn’t easy to go from first place and a contender to dead last in the division but Knight has the right attitude. He knows that he could be a part of something special if he keeps working toward that goal. His new teammates appreciated him based on their words after that marvelous performance.
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