When defensemen Ethan Del Mastro and Nolan Allan were roommates in Rockford, Del Mastro used to do most of the cooking.
“But he’s always helpful with the dishes afterward, so that’s good,” he told the Tribune.
Now it’s the Chicago Blackhawks who want to let Del Mastro cook.
After a call-up Thursday, he saw his first NHL action of the season Friday night in the Hawks’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.
Interim coach Anders Sorensen liked Del Mastro’s exit plays and poise handling the puck.
“He made some really clean exits,” Sorensen said after the game. “Tape (passes). So that was really encouraging. Even on the blue line, made some really good plays and then also had an opportunity to dive in there. He almost scored there in the second.”
The plan had been for Del Mastro and Allan to pair up against the Lightning, but Seth Jones was scratched before the game because of illness. So Allan partnered with Alec Martinez, and Del Mastro played on the left opposite T.J. Brodie.
Before the game, Del Mastro said he was “super excited” to play with Allan again.
“We had a lot of chemistry, living together and playing together, so I think we’re pretty close,” Del Mastro said. “He’s been up the whole year, so I haven’t been able to see him too much. It’s exciting to be back up with him, and then also playing with him is obviously a nice touch as well.
Of reuniting with Del Mastro, Allan said “it’s been cool.”
“I haven’t seen him a ton this year,” Allan said. “Being on the ice with him was great too. Kind of brings back memories of last year and (we’ll) continue to build that chemistry.”
Both said they’re versatile enough together that they won’t skip a beat if each of them winds up on the other side.
“I know Delly in junior, he played a lot on the right coming up, and then I was on the right last year (in Rockford), and we kind of flip flopped a little bit,” Allan said. “So if we get mixed up, we don’t really have a problem with who’s on the right.
Added Del Mastro: “We’re both defensive-minded guys who will want to play safe in our own zone, make sure we’re shutting down plays, and then we both like chipping on the offense and playing a little offense as well.”
Allan has a goal and seven assists through 39 games, but he’s keeping an eye on Del Mastro, who had seven goals and 30 assists for the IceHogs last season as was selected to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic.
“I lean a little bit more defensively, and Delly last year, being an All-Star, he was a lot more offensive,” Allan said.
Whether any scoring chances materialize, that’s gravy. For now, Hawks brass wants Del Mastro laser-focused on defense.
“The big thing they focus on is just pace of play, being fast up there to close, fast to make passes up to the forwards and just quick with gaps,” Del Mastro said.
“I think gap control is a big thing they really focus on … and getting the first couple strides up the ice after you pass it, so you’re able to join (the rush) and be that threat as well for that.”
Sorensen said he simplified it for Del Mastro.
“Just have to trust his instinct and play his game,” he said. “He’s been really good down in Rockford, just a big frame, so use that to get in the way and stop plays defensively.”
Here are some other highlights — and lowlights — from the Hawks’ sixth loss in seven games.
- Colton Dach scored his first-career goal and then flung himself against the glass in celebration. Frank Nazar, who also scored, told him, “You earned it, just stuff like that. Maybe work on the celly.”
- The Hawks, who were up 3-1, let the Lightning’s Nick Paul score with eight seconds in the second period, then let Jake Guentzel tie the game on power-play goal with 41 seconds left. Finally, Nikita Kucherov notched the game-winner 57 seconds into overtime. “We’re up 3-1 and we’ve got to realize the game’s on the line at that point and you’ve got to finish off the period. And unfortunately we didn’t,” Sorensen said.
- Along with Dach and Nazar, second-year defenseman Louis Crevier also scored his third goal of the season. “The big thing you want is when your young guys are playing, to have them contribute, especially in the roles they’re in,” captain Nick Foligno said. “To see Frankie score, Crevs score, Dacher score tonight, it’s a good sign of what we’re building here.”
Ethan Del Mastro is focused on bridging the gap in his season debut for the Chicago Blackhawks: “Just have to trust his instinct and play his game.”
When defensemen Ethan Del Mastro and Nolan Allan were roommates in Rockford, Del Mastro used to do most of the cooking.
“But he’s always helpful with the dishes afterward, so that’s good,” he told the Tribune.
Now it’s the Hawks who want to let Del Mastro cook.
After a call-up Thursday, he saw his first NHL action of the season Friday when the Hawks played host to the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center.
The plan had been for Del Mastro and Allan to pair up against the Lightning, but Seth Jones was scratched before the game because of illness. So Allan partnered with Alec Martinez, and Del Mastro played on the left opposite T.J. Brodie.
Before the game, Del Mastro said he was “super excited” to play with Allan again.
“We had a lot of chemistry, living together and playing together, so I think we’re pretty close,” Del Mastro said. “He’s been up the whole year, so I haven’t been able to see him too much. It’s exciting to be back up with him, and then also playing with him is obviously a nice touch as well.
Of reuniting with Del Mastro, Allan said “it’s been cool.”
“I haven’t seen him a ton this year,” Allan said. “Being on the ice with him was great too. Kind of brings back memories of last year and (we’ll) continue to build that chemistry.”
Both said they’re versatile enough together that they won’t skip a beat if each of them winds up on the other side.
“I know Delly in junior, he played a lot on the right coming up, and then I was on the right last year (in Rockford), and we kind of flip flopped a little bit,” Allan said. “So if we get mixed up, we don’t really have a problem with who’s on the right.
Added Del Mastro: “We’re both defensive-minded guys who will want to play safe in our own zone, make sure we’re shutting down plays, and then we both like chipping on the offense and playing a little offense as well.”
Allan has a goal and seven assists through 38 games, but he’s keeping an eye on Del Mastro, who had seven goals and 30 assists for the IceHogs last season as was selected to the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic.
“I lean a little bit more defensively, and Delly last year, being an All-Star, he was a lot more offensive,” Allan said.
Whether any scoring chances materialize, that’s gravy. For now, Hawks brass wants Del Mastro laser-focused on defense.
“The big thing they focus on is just pace of play, being fast up there to close, fast to make passes up to the forwards and just quick with gaps,” Del Mastro said.
“I think gap control is a big thing they really focus on … and getting the first couple strides up the ice after you pass it, so you’re able to join (the rush) and be that threat as well for that.”
Interim coach Anders Sorensen said he simplified it for Del Mastro.
“Just have to trust his instinct and play his game,” he said. “He’s been really good down in Rockford, just a big frame, so use that to get in the way and stop plays defensively.”
More in Chicago Blackhawks
Discover more from World Byte News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
