CHICAGO -- Antti Raanta was disappointed not to see more of himself in the first episode of EPIX’s Road to the NHL Winter Classic.
Raanta hopes to correct that in future episodes, and he’ll have that chance because he was chosen over Scott Darling to remain as the Chicago Blackhawks’ No. 2 goalie behind Corey Crawford earlier this week. The Blackhawks reassigned Darling to the AHL on Tuesday. Darling and Raanta each started four times in Crawford’s absence.
Raanta, who is normally happy, was even happier Friday to still be with the Blackhawks as they returned to practice after two days off.
“When you have this kind of chance to be here and play with these guys and be part of this group, you have to be thankful about that,” Raanta said. “Whatever the decision would be, you still have to work hard. If somebody’s going to Rockford or staying up here, you can’t stop working.
“Of course, it would be a little frustrating to go down like that. The goal is to stay here, and I’m happy to be here still. I wasn’t thinking too much about that still. I was just trying to do my thing and play good whenever I got the games and show everybody I could do this. That was my key thing. It worked out pretty good, so, of course, that’s a good thing.”
Quenneville debated between Darling and Raanta and ultimately decided to keep the Blackhawks’ goaltending situation as it was before Crawford’s injury. Raanta would remain in the NHL, and Darling, an NHL rookie, would continue to get work with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.
“Went back to where we were before,” Quenneville said Friday. “Everyone played well in the situation. Keep Darling playing and Antti was here before. We’ll see how it all works out. Certainly nothing’s changed as far as decision-making. Keep darling playing, and Antti was here and deserved to stay here.”
Darling appeared to have an edge on Raanta when he recently started four consecutive games, but Raanta was given the last two games and performed well in two wins. He stopped 23-of-24 shots against the Calgary Flames on Sunday and had 26 saves in a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Raanta has been more comfortable in net this season after coming over from Finland and playing in his first NHL season last season. He is 5-2-0 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .938 save percentage this season. Last season, he was 13-5-4 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .897 save percentage.
Raanta proved himself over the last few weeks, but he understands it doesn’t get any easier.
“Now I have to show again what I can do when Crow is back,” Raanta said. “It’s tough, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Raanta was also looking forward to proving himself camera-worthy for EPIX. He expected to be on more than he was in the first episode.
“It feels like the cameras are all the time here,” Raanta said. “You think they’re filming you like two hours of the day and then you see like five seconds you’re there. That’s pretty sad you can’t get more camera time.
“My friends back home were watching that. So, hopefully I can get a little more screen time and little more laughs.”
Keith back: Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith returned to practice Friday after sitting out Tuesday’s game with an illness. He confirmed he did not have the mumps.
Quenneville’s review: EPIX probably won’t be using Quenneville’s quote Friday on any promotional material for the show.
“I watched the show,” Quenneville said. “I don’t usually watch it, but I watched it. I saw it. It’s all right.”
Quenneville said he did hear about his swearing in the episode from one demographic.
“Well, young kids call me out on it,” Quenneville said with a laugh.