Blackhawks' Hjalmarsson: '(Shaw) is one of the best soccer players on the team'
The Chicago Blackhawks had a few laughs Wednesday about Tuesday's wild triple-overtime Game 2 marathon against the Anaheim Ducks, which featured a winner by Marcus Kruger and an entertaining disallowed goal by Andrew Shaw.
Shaw headbutted the puck into the net during a scramble in front of Anaheim's net in the second overtime period. Blackhawks players were disappointed when officials ruled Shaw's header illegal, but winning the contest afforded them an opportunity to enjoy the ridiculousness of the play rather than lament the result.
"(Shaw) is one of the best soccer players on the team," Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson told Eric Lear of Blackhawks TV.
Known more for his antics than his offense, Shaw seems to have a knack for finding unconventional ways of putting the puck into the net at important moments. His header in Tuesday's Western Conference Final game was only the latest example of some soccer-inspired play by the 23-year-old.
Shaw ended Game 1 of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final in triple-overtime when the puck deflected in off his leg and professed his love of shin pads during the celebration.
Shaw has nine goals in 50 career playoff appearances.