Niemi goes from risk to reward
There have been many risks taken by Blackhawks management over the past several seasons. But, on Sunday afternoon, none paid off more than the decision to sign an undrafted goaltender from Finland in 2008. Antti Niemi proved his worth once again in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, stopping 44 shots in the Blackhawks' 2-1 victory.
[photogallerylink id=11619 align=left]Niemi repeatedly turned away shots from Dany Heatley and the remainder of the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion. He was not intimidated by "The Shark Tank" or the number one seed in the Western Conference.
Niemi's ability to block out distractions has been apparent throughout the season. He navigated his way through a goaltending controversy through much of the spring. Chicago fans were ready to turn their backs on Niemi and his goaltending partner, Cristobal Huet, despite the two combining for one of the best GAAs in the league. Niemi never showed any frustration through those tough times. He remained fixated on leading the Hawks into a Stanley Cup playoff run.
The Hawks have arrived now at the Western Conference Finals and Niemi appears ready to carry them through this series.
He was one of several risks taken by Hawks management in recent years. It seems that most of these controversial decisions have turned out in the Hawks favor such as the dismissal of Denis Savard as head coach, the decision to let Martin Havlat walk away from the club, and the decision to sign an injured Marian Hossa to a hefty contract. In 2008, still at the beginning of the club's resurgence, they signed Niemi. He was an undrafted 25 year-old free agent who had spent three seasons as a professional in the Finnish League. He began his North American professional career with Rockford, before beginning this season on the Blackhawks roster immediately following training camp. The decision to keep the mostly unproven goaltender on the roster could now turn out to be the Hawks' saving grace.
In order to win championships, management needs to take risks and those risks need to turn into rewards. Niemi appears to have turned the corner from risk to reward. Just like the hiring of Joel Quenneville, or the shuffling of Dustin Byfuglien back and forth from the blue line to the wing, or the signing of Hossa; Niemi was a risk. However, just like Quenneville, Byfuglien, and Hossa; Niemi has become yet another golden ticket for Hawks management. Now, he might be the ticket to a Stanley Cup Championship.
