Blackhawks vs Coyotes6-2 Win Recap

"DEVOUR"

by Gatekeeper

And then there were three. The Blackhawks hosted the Coyotes at the United Center, Tuesday night, in a game that really didn't mean much for either team. The Blackhawks could move up in the standings, but couldn't finish any worse than third. This means that the "fucks given" could have been be hard to find. The Yotes were coming off a terrible game against St. Louis which saw them take a 2-0 lead and then proceeded to give up five unanswered goals. Here I thought the Blackhawks played an incomplete game, on Sunday. Holy hell. On to the action:

To be quite honest, Blackhawks played the first period against the Coyotes a little on the sloppy side. Thankful for them, the Yotes are utterly terrible. The Hawks managed 2 goals on just SIX shots, one of the aforementioned goals being shorthanded. The Coyotes managed only 7 shots, themselves, during the opening period, even with two powerplays.

Surprise, surprise, the Blackhawks actually made it forty whole consecutive minutes giving a shit. They came out and scored on their first powerplay and then, with the help of a 5 minute Arizona game misconduct, scored two more powerplay goals. They also dominated in shots 16-6. What more really needs to be said?

The third period of this one just turned into a mere formality. The Blackhawks added their 6th goal, and gave up two late ones that did nothing but prevent a shutout. The one thing that the Blackhawks really needed to reel in was the three third period penalties, which helped lead to the 18-9 shot advantage in favor of Arizona. That's just sloppiness. A win against a team they should beat, without their top defender. We'll take it.

Shoutcast tomorrow, Blues on Thursday, and the MUTHA EFFING PUCKIN HOSTILE INVADES LUMBUS trip Saturday. If any of you will be there also, we'd love if stopped over to say hey.

The Good

• Five minutes into the first period, regular healthy scratch #DickPanik found a loose puck in front of Louis Domingue. Good thing Joel Quenneville is keeping him well rested for the playoffs, eating the shrimp cocktail in the press box. Don't want to show off your secret weapon. Crazy like a fox, that Quenneville.
• Just past the halfway point of the first period, and after killing off a short 5-on-3 powerplay, Jonathan Toews put a defensive clinic on for rookie Max Domi. He knocked the puck away and raced in on a shorthanded breakaway. Even with two guys on his ass, Toews was able to fake Domingue out of his jock and tuck the puck in behind him. All business.
• Patrick Kane continued his torrid pace just over five minutes into the second period, on the powerplay. His bosom buddy, Artemi Panarin gave him a nice feed, and Kane picked apart Domingue.
• Once most of the ass kicking was over, and the Yotes were beaten into submission, it was time for the 4th line to jump on the scoresheet. Marcus Kruger fed Andrew Desjardins
• The Blackhawks penalty kill has been significantly better since the return of Marcus Kruger. Credit where it's due, he seems to make everyone on the PK better. The Blackhawks killed off all 6 penalties, in this game
• Panarin is quickly climbing the scoring leaderboard with three straight three point games.

The Bad

• Two minutes into the game and Richard Panik snuck in behind the Yotes defense looking like he'd have a breakaway, until the the rookie referee jumped right in his way. That got him a big boo from the crowd, as it should have. As we found out late, if he scored there, he could have been up for a hatty late in the game.
  
  But Quenneville will keep playing the Manshitter over Panik because #3CUPZ.
• Dale Weise had a breakaway in the waning seconds of the second period, on a feed from Teuvo Teravainen, and Domingue finally made a save. Weise can't even buy some luck.
• Of the four former Blackhawks now playing with Arizona, Vermette and Tikhonov both made the score sheet for earning penalties. Jiri Sekac (remember him?) got an assist on the terrible Connor Murphy goal.

The Ugly

• Mid way through the second period Antoine Vermette hit Artem Anisimov awkwardly from behind. I know it was a dangerous hit, and worthy of a penalty, but I really don't feel that it was much more than a hockey play gone bad. I would also go as far as to say that the five minute penalty was sufficient, but as the rule book states, "Referee must also assess an automatic game misconduct if the major penalty for boarding resulted in an injury to the face or head". One might also say that the two power play goals by Van Riemsdyk and Ladd were also sufficient punishment. Lets all hope Anisimov's injury isn't lingering. Quenneville said after the game that he was day-to-day.
• Scott Darling must have been bored as all hell in the third period, after facing only 13 shots, because he let up a goal that was about as soft as baby shit. The only real harm was to Darling's stats, so let it be.
• Brad Richardson was able to score the Coyotes second goal of the game with just over 6 minutes remaining in the third. Svedberg was left to cover two Arizona forwards, in front of Darling, and they usually doesn't end well. Darling wasn't able to control the loose puck and Richardson chipped it over him.

The #Fatrick Stankus Fatsy Stats

• This is my biggest point of contention with advanced analytics. Let me preface this by saying, I believe in a vast majority of the advanced possession analytics, BUT...
  
  On Sunday, when the Blackhawks looked like they didn't give a rats ass (and they didn't), I was told it was because of "score effects". Alright, what are score effects? This is a theory created by the analytics crowd that claims that if a team is down, they will try harder, and the winning team will conversely go into a shell. This would also suggest that the team that is losing really wasn't trying in the first place, but that is neither here nor there. How can you even diagnose these magic "score effects" you ask? When you don't want to admit your team just plain lost interest. It is a completely arbitrary and subjective term. Worse than even #HITZ.
  
  Lets just say, for the sake of argument, that this silliness is true, ok? How do you explain the Blackhawks out shooting the Yotes 16-6, with an already 2-0 lead in this game? Where are the "score effects" or, as I like to affectionately call it, #ScibityDibity? On Sunday they were out shot 21-12 because of these magic "score effects" floating around in the ether, or so I'm told. Score Effects! Sounds so fancy and official.
  
  Why can't it just be that a team stop caring and let their foot off the gas? Kiss my fat pasty white ass with that horsehit! Sometimes things cannot be explained with fucking numbers, graphs, or stupid ass terms. Sometimes SHIT JUST GOES WRONG, or as Dr. Peter Venkman best said it:
  
• Screw everyone I've had enough advanced stats talk for one game.

The Lineblender
Ladd - Toews - Panik
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Mashinter - Teravainen - Weise
Desjardins - Kruger - Fleischmann

van Riemsdyk - Hjalmarsson
Svedberg - Seabrook
Gustafsson - Rozsival

oh hey, look, Highlights....

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Blackhawks at Arizona2-1 Win Recap

"Killing Time"

by Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks followed the parade of Cubs fans to the greater Phoenix area for a late season tilt with the terrible Arizona Coyotes, Thursday night. Following a long layoff, for NHL standards, the Hawks were going to have try and cure their goal scoring ills at the expense of the Mike Smith and his wafer thin team. Just have to love these midweek 9 o'clock starts. I will not miss these.

The first period started off how you might think a rusty team would. The Blackhawks came out and gave up an early goal, which stunned the Hawks fans that had traveled to see beating. It didn't take long for the Blackhawks to tie the game, and finished the period leading in shots 17-6.

The second period resulted in even less as far as the goals go, even though the Blackhawks had several powerplays and out shot the Yotes again by another huge 17-6 margin. These are the kinds of games that worry me, because one soft goal puts the Blackhawks in a position of chasing the lead.

The third period was very much like the first two. The Blackhawks out shot the Yotes AGAIN, but this time it was a 10-6 tally. Luckily enough, the Blackhawks were actually able to manage a second goal, and thus win the contest. The game was too late, and I was too tired. On to the discussion points.

The Good

• A few minutes after the Yotes went up, the Blackhawks powerplay took the ice, which is usually call for Yakety Sax. This time the first unit bailed the Blackhawks out of their hole. Duncan Keith shockingly got a shot past the opponent's shin pad, and to the front of the net. Mike Smith bit on the original blocked shot and Andrew Shaw was able to sweep a backhand through Smith for a tie game.
• The Blackhawks are going to miss Klas Dahlbeck. The guy is really going to be a nice player
• With about seven minutes left in the third period, the Blackhawks once again went to the powerplay, and this time the second unit got into the action. Kris Versteeg pulled a really nice tor drag around a Yotes defender and snapped a shot off. The rebound lay in the slot area and Brad Richards swept the puck past Smith, very similar to the Shaw goal earlier on.
• Corey Crawford settled in nicely after an early soft goal but, let's face it, 18 shots isn't a plethora.
• The Hawks won over 65% of their faceoffs. El Capitan was the lowest at 57%, but he also took a majority of them, as well.
• Two powerplay goals. We'll take that, even if it is against a team ranked 26th on the PK.

The Bad

• Just 5 minutes into the game, and the Yotes took a 1-0 lead on a pretty innocent goal. Tobias Rieder took the puck through the neutral zone, skated up the ice through the Hawks zone and cleanly beat Crawford on what should have been a pretty pedestrian save. And because I know you're thinking it, yes, Rozsival was on the ice.
• Despite the powerplay scoring early, they had a double minor late in the second period, before which Konroyd proclaimed "the Blackhawks powerplay is looking real good". They then went and, maybe, earned 2 shots on net.
• Bryan Bickell didn't exactly have that flame under his ass, after sitting the previous game.

The Ugly

• The Blackhawks were the fortunate recipients of an easy powerplay when Mike Smith jumped on Kris Versteeg and mugged him. Probably the best piece of action he has gotten in months.
• I know you'll all be shocked to hear this but, early in the third period, Mike Smith heard a Hawks forechecker skating up behind him and flailed to the ice like he'd been shot. That guy is a complete asshole.
• Joakim Nordstrom made a very stupid decision very late in the game resulting in a stupid boarding penalty against Oliver Ekman-Larrson, which also resulted in Ekman-Larrson getting injured. I wouldn't be surprised to see some disciplinary action following that.
• Steve Konroyd is an enormous fucking vanilla clown. He called Klas Dahlbeck, Chris. He called Patrick Sharp, Andrew. To top everything off, Edzo was back in Chicago with Dan "Frankenberry" Roan, in what could only be described as Red Forman's basement, Dumbass.

The Lineblender
Versteeg-Toews-Hossa
Saad-Vermette-Teravainen
Sharp-Richards-Bickell
Shaw-Kruger-Nordstrom

Keith-Rozsival
Seabrook-Timonen
Oduya-Hjalmarsson

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Coyotes at Blackhawks3-2 Shootout Loss Recap

Once Upon A Review

by Patrick Stankus

On Monday night the Blackhawks returned home to the UC to face the soon to be relocated Coyotes in the first game of an eight game home stand. With the Blackhawks being on a back to back, it was Antti Raanta between the pipes instead of Corey Crawford. Without anymore story lines, lets get to the recap.

The first period was BORING. Like snoozefest boring. See soccer fans, even I can admit when my sport is boring. Aside from a couple of chances by the Blackhawks, there wasn't much to see.

The pace picked up a little bit in the second period. A balls out effort by Brandon Saad, led to a loose puck finding the stick of Jonathan Toews, who centered it to Hossa and he did the rest to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The lead didn't last long. After a selfish unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Patrick Kane, Shane Doan cashed in on a redirect to tie the game at one.

The Coyotes managed to take the lead courtesy of soon to be former Coyote, Antoine Vermette to put Arizona up 2-1. However, Mr. Bobblehead Marian Hossa would answer back with his second of the night, and tie the game at two. That's where the scoring would end as the game headed to overtime.

Oh overtime, what an overtime it was. Andrew Shaw tried to hand the game to the Coyotes on a BRUTAL turnover in his own zone, but luckily for Shaw the puck was on defenseman Keith Yandle's stick and he couldn't beat Raanta on a breakaway. From there things got crazy. As the OT frame wound down, Shaw took a shot the hit Mike Smith high, and bounced towards the net. At first glance it looked like the puck had crossed the line, but referee TJ Luxmore emphatically signaled no goal and play continued. Seconds later, Saad rang on off the crossbar, and thus the overtime ended with no scoring. The war room in Toronto phoned down, and the Shaw play went to video review. Upon review the call on the ice stood, as there was NO CONCLUSIVE evidence the entire puck crossed the line. It was the right call on the ice, kudos to TJ Luxmore for getting it right, and for Toronto to verifying the call. So then it was onto the shootout.

Lucas Lessio and Vermette converted for the Coyotes, while only Patrick Kane could score for the Blackhawks. As a result, the Blackhawks fell to the Coyotes 3-2 in the shootout. Next up for the Blackhawks is a visit from the once rival Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night.

The Great
- I said it on twitter, and I'll say it again. We shit on officials all the time, but tonight they deserve a lot of credit for getting the call correct. Everyone's argument for more replay is so "they get the call correct." Well tonight, they got the call correct the first time and the second time. So stop complaining because you didn't get to hear the call you wanted to hear. From our original angle, it looked like the puck crossed the line, but when you look at it, the puck was on a 45 degree angle in the air. Of course from our vantage point its going to look like the puck was completely across the line.

The Good
- Sticking with the Shaw play, credit to Mike Smith for even making it across the net to stop that puck.
- Marian Hossa was a beast tonight as was Toews, plain and simple.
- The hustle, and effort by Brandon Saad on Hossa's first goal was ridiculously awesome. I'll take that kind of effort any day.
- Antti Raanta was good enough for the Blackhawks to win tonight, stopping 27 of 29 shots.

The Bad
- Back to back 2nd period penalties by Patrick Kane and Johnny Oduya. Kane managed to get 2 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct. Very uncharacteristic of Kane. Next time just shut your mouth and keep playing. Serves him right that the Coyotes scored on that power play.

The Ugly
- Speaking of power plays. The Blackhawks power play was 0 for 4 and absolutely horrendous. Particularly on entries. But this is nothing new to us.
- Shaw's turnover in overtime was enough to make my eyes bleed. Its getting to the point where I won't mind seeing Shaw shipped out of town. Stop overvaluing him because of one picture two years ago.

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Blackhawks vs. Coyotes 6-1 Win Recap

Dr. Feelgood

by Patrick Stankus

Coming off of bad back to back home losses, the Blackhawks got just what they needed when the Phoenix, sorry, forgot we had to change the name to broaden the fan base, Arizona Coyotes visited The UC. Actually after the shellacking that took place, you can argue the Coyotes didn't even show up.

The Hawks came out flying, clowning the Coyotes and outshooting them 20-9 in the first. El Captain got things started for the Hawks, snapping out of his goal drought just under seven minutes in. The next line will stun you. We had an Andrew Shaw sighting. Yes, after his benching in Sunday night's game, Shaw got on the board after a sweet dish from Turbo. I know I'm stunned at what I just wrote too! After one, the Hawks had the lead 2-0.

From then on, things only got worse for the Coyotes. Goals by Kane and Turbo, opened the game up to 4-0 before the Coyotes were finally able to get on the board. But whatever hope the Coyotes had from that goal was short lived as Mike Smith allowed a soft serve-esk goal to Andrew Shaw late in the second period to give the Hawks a 5-1 lead after two.

Smith drew the short straw tonight, and stayed in the net the entire game. As if allowing goals to Shaw (2), Kane, slump breaking Toews, and Turbo, wasn't bad enough, the sixth goal was yielded to none other than David Rundblad. Ouch. Talk about taking it on the chin. How's that contract extension working for you? It makes Crawford's deal tolerable. So in other words, the Hawks blew out the soon to be either Las Vegas, Seattle, Portland, Kansas City, Houston, or Quebec City Coyotes 6-1. Next up for the Hawks is a trip to Pittsburgh before the All Star break.

The Good
- One game after his awful showing this past weekend, Andrew Shaw bounced back nicely. I'll give him credit for rebounding nicely, and perhaps my assumption of he "sucks" after Sunday's game was a bit harsh, but I'm still not going to anoint him cured. I want to see more consistency.
- Patrick Kane's goal, was his 200th of his career. My how time flies.
- Aside from yielding one goal to the Coyotes, Antti Raanta was solid in net. It cannot be stated enough how difficult it is to be thrown into a game after sporadically playing.
- 51 shots, 6 goals. I don't care who the opponent is, I'll take it.
- Despite being 1 of 5 on the power play, the Hawks were skating circles on the Coyotes on the power play in the second period. Even though they didn't score on it, its a step in the right direction.
- David Rundblad looked comfortable out there night, not just because he scored either. Perhaps the key to this is him playing on the right side finally.
- Credit to Turbo on his goal. He took a high shot on Smith, and didn't stop skating. He followed up his shot, and put home the rebound. Looks like the kid is learning on the fly. But somehow he didn't crack 10 minutes of ice time.

The Bad
- Is there anyone surprised that it was the defense pair of Oduya and Rozsival that was on the ice for the Coyotes loan goal?
- Its starting to get a little concerning, but what's wrong with Marian Hossa?

The Ugly
- For the sake of not leaving this area blank, I'll pick something. Its hard to pick something about the Hawks, so I'll go with this; Mike Smith.

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Blackhawks Week That Was - 2/7

2/1 - Blackhawks at San Jose
2-1 Shootout Loss

• Blaming Corey Crawford for this loss, is idiotic. He held one of the more powerful teams in the West to just one goal in 65 minutes and had 38 saves. For those that are slow, that's a .974 save percentage. How anyone can complain about that is beyond my comprehension. Shootouts are stupid.
  
• The Pavelski goal was a marvel of physics. You can't expect Crawford to expect Pevelski to roof that shot from 5 feet, with two defenders all over him.
  
• Scoring a powerplay goal after giving up shorthanded goal kind of renders both irrelevant.
  
• The Hawks were "OK" at the dots, but Toews was a paltry 6 of 19 (32%). Since he takes a majority of the draws, it's safe to say he drags the rest of the team down with him.
  
• The Sharks' Mike Brown only played 9 shifts and allegedly had 4 hits. I call shenanigans.
  

Here are the video highlights: 2/3 - Blackhawks at LA Kings 5-3 Win

• I'm not really sure what go into the Kings, but they were extra "Blues-y" in this game. The game started off with Drew Dough-Boy charging Patrick Sharp from behind, and the shenanigans just continued from there. In one shift, I watched Matt Greene cross check and punch Versteeg in the small of the back at least half a dozed times, putting him on the ice for at least half of those. Are we condoning this, NHL, because it wasn't exactly behind the play.
  
• The big story of this game was that Patrick Kane lost his grandfather shortly before the game began, and he did what great athletes do; he took care of business. Two goals and an assist, are more than anyone should ask for from a young man who just lost an important figure in his life. We can all return to poking fun at the phenom later, because our hearts should all go out to him right now. We're lucky to have a player like this in Chicago, and anyone who thinks otherwise is a complete moron.
  
• Bryan Bickell returned to the lineup and sunk a 2 foot putt, on a 3-on-1 feed from Pat Kane. Quenneville still had him on a short leash though, with only 8:10.
  
• The win will overshadow the fact that the Hawks were terrible at the faceoff dots. Toews only won 5 of 24 faceoffs. FIVE OF TWENTY FOUR! That's two games in a row that El Capitan was dicked at the dot
  
• I wouldn't call any of the goaltender stupendous, but it was servicable. Quick had a few really nice saves, and Crawford did as well. The Hawks were actually outshot 34-30, so you can call this a Crawford win.
  
• The Kings line of Williams/Richards/Brown was a combined -6. Woof! So much for running around the ice like a bunch of coked up henchmen.
  

Here are the video highlights: 2/5 - Blackhawks at Anaheim 2-0 Shutout Win

• This is exactly what Corey Crawford needed going into the Olympics. With the haters piling on, he was able to quiet them with just one performance.
  
• The Hossa goal was an extremely impressive example of patience. He waited Hiller out for what seemed like 3 days, and tucked it around the goalie. We are so lucky to have talent like this, because he isn't flashy, but he is just so good.
  
• How Hampus Lindholm got the third star, with Hossa having a part in both Hawks goals, is beyond me. Stars of the game are stupid.
  
• Andrew Shaw was pretty much stuck on stupid. His second penalty was just stupid. A kneeing penalty against everyone's favorite 100 year old Fin, Teemu Selanne. This is probably why he played less than only Bryan Bickell.
  

Here are the video highlights: 2/7 - Blackhawks at Phoenix 2-0 Shutout Loss

• New acquisition Peter Regan opened his first Blackhawks game at #2 center. Of course this was without Patrick Kane, who was with his family in Buffalo for the funeral of his Grandfather, but it's still not a bad place to be.
  
• What can you really say about a team that is shut out? Both Coyotes goals were on the power play which were as a result of stupid Blackhawks penalties. Bollig opened the game with a dumb slew foot of Shane Doan, and later Brandon Saad was a little less than vigilant about avoiding Mike Smith as he plowed through the crease. Michael Rozsival followed up the Saad penalty with an additional 2 minutes for yapping at the officials.
  
• The team had no jump. Whether it was the Olympic break or the loss of Kane, the Blackhawks were not on top of their game.
  
• I don't want to harp on the officiating, but I'm going to. The Officials called Bryan Bickell for picking up a teammate's perfectly fine stick and using it, and later on missed a call that would have negated the second Coyotes goal.
  
• After Bollig's dumbs penalty led to the very early Coyotes lead, he was basically stapled to the bench, playing only 5:22. Rozsival, on the other hand, took a stupid penalty, and was rewarded with a team high 30 shifts.
  

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks Week That Was - 12/6

11/30 - Blackhawks at Phoenix - 5-2 Win

• Before the fans even had time to settle in, the Hawks had opened up a 3-0 lead. It looked like they may run away with the game, but they let the Yotes back in the game.
  
• Just when it looked like the Hawks were poised to let the Yotes tie up the game, who blows the game back open? Brandon Fucking Bollig. If you would have told me that he would have three times as many goals, as fights, I would have told you you lay off the sauce.
  
• Brandon Pirri has officially been moved from Le Penthouse to Chateau Bow Wow. Seven minutes of ice time is indicative of that.
  
• The Hawks seem to be in a bit of a faceoff rut, losing the battle again to the Yotes. Toews and Handzus were raped.
  
• Antti Raanta had a successful second start for the Blackhawks. Thirty two saves on thirty four shots is very respectable.
  

Here are the video highlights: 11/17 - Blackhawks vs Stars - 4-3 Loss

• Opposite of the previous game, the Blackhawks spotted the Stars a 3-0 lead. They fought back to tie the game in the second, but ran out of gas in the third.
  
• Fuck Antoine Roussel for taunting the crowd. Where is that drunken 100 level trixie to throw beer on a player now? Who names their kid Antoine anymore, anyway? The call was weak in the first place. I'm glad Shaw slapped his ass around earlier in the game.
  
• No one on the Hawks really turned their "give a shit" on, until the second half of the game. The second Dallas goal was a double tip while shorthanded, so expecting Crawford to stop that, is just silly. When you out shoot a team 50-18, you need to win said contest. FIFTY to EIGHTEEN!
  
• The Hawks were above water at the dots, and if Brandon Pirri could win a faceoff, they would have worked Dallas. Pirri won only 3 of 14 faceoffs. The only thing Rich Peverley did for the Stars was win faceoffs.
  
• Leddy was the Q's Doghouse member for this tilt. He sat for a majority of the second period, and scored the game tying goal in his first shift back. I'm sure Quenneville will tell you it's because of the tough love.
  
• Dallas blocked 25 shots, to the Hawks 7.
  

Here are the video highlights: 11/19 - Blackhawks at Minnesota - 4-3 Loss

• Nice to see J-Mo pot a goal in his first game back up, by going hard to the net. Sadly he'll still end up back on Rockford, shortly.
  
• Saad's goal was a thing of absolute beauty. His ferocious forecheck led to a great strip of Mr Defense, Ryan Suter. Saad then drove to the net and beat Harding high on the short side with a ridiculous snipe!
  
• Crawford did not have the best game, but far from the worst.
  
• The Hawks were victimized at the dots again, with Ben Smith and Joakim Nordstrom taking the worst beating.
  
• All that trouble for the Hawks to come back from an 0-2 deficit and then take the lead, but once again, they ran out of steam.
  

Here are the video highlights: 11/22 - Blackhawks vs Ducks - 3-2 Shootout Loss

• Corey Perry is such an annoying little bitch. He went down trying to draw a call, and then popped right back up once he didn't get the call, and tipped the puck past Raanta for the first Ducks goal. Dramatic little girl.
  
• Forty five seconds after the little bitch show, Ben Smith found the puck on his stick and some room to beat Hiller 5-hole and tie the game up.
  
• The Getzlaf goal and the first shootout goal went 5-hole on Raanta, which he needs to fix. If he had just kept his stick in front of him, the Getzlaf goal would have been an easy save. He pulled some crazy splits in the shootout, but still gave up a goal through the gaping 5-hole. He needs work, especially in shootouts, but he is going to be pretty good.
  
• It's about time Versteeg finally did something worthy of giving up two young prospects. His goal is what eventually sent the game to OT and a shootout.
  
• The Hawks dodged a bullet in OT, when Seabrook cross checked Koivu into his own goaltender, leaving the Ducks an opportunity to win the game, but the refs blew the call, and the game went on. The Hawks got away with that one, but squandered the chance later.
  
• Morin only played 7:40 but he tied for the team high with 3 shots. He's creating chances.
  
• Believe it or not, but Marcus Kruger led all Hawks centers with 78% at the dots.
  

Here are the video highlights:

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The Week That Was - 11/15

11/10 - Blackhawks vs Oilers - 5-4 Win

• Pirri is starting to get the NHL game. He helped set up the first goal, by Saad after his pass went through Kane and right onto Saad's stick. Saad pumped it past Dubnyk, with Belov on his back, for a 1-0 Hawks lead late in the first.
  
• Sam Gagner was stopped by Crawford on a penalty shot, in the second period, after Gagner got in behind Deuce and Carter 7.
  
• Not only is Pirri getting the NHL game, but Saad has turned into a serious threat and playmaker. His pass, in the second period to Shaw, was extremely slick with a guy draped all over him.
  
• After getting torched for the first Oilers goal, the fourth line to put the Hawks up by one in the third, with a Smith to Kruger goal. This fourth line is really coming together.
  
• Sheldon Brookbank skated 8 minutes at 3rd line wing. ::head desk::
  
• The Hawks BEASTED the Oilers at the dots. El Capitan was at a clownish 75% and none of the other Hawks were under 60%. The overall team percentages were 68% to 32%.
  
• Not sure how this happens in a 5-4 game, but the Oilers Philip Larsen had 3 assists and a minus 3. DOH
  

Here are the video highlights: 11/14 - Blackhawks vs Coyotes - 5-5 SO Win

• Rostislav Klesla was a minus three. Whipping boy.
  
• Even though Martin Hanzel dick whipped the Hawks centers at the dots, the Hawks were still over 50% as a team.
  
• If you're looking for a Morin silver lining, considering he was sent to Rockford after the game, he had 5 shots in only 7 minutes of TOI.
  
• Saad, with a little help from Pirri, opened up the scoring. He continues to be a horse in the slot.
  
• The Hawks powerplay got on the board again, with a Sharp one timer finding the back of the net. Smith is going to have Andrew Shaw in his nightmares. That goal put the Hawks up 2-0, but they immediately let the Yotes tie it back up.
  
• Hoss'a second period goal was pure determination. He plowed right up the gut, put a shot on Smith and followed up his rebound. This temporarily put the Hawks back up.
  
• Pirri continued his hot play, tipping in a Carter 7 shot early in the third period, which eventually sent the game to OT, and then a Shootout. He ended up with the shootout winner, too.
  
• Anyone see Feee Agent prize Mike Ribeiro out there? Money well spent, Phoenix.
  

Here are the video highlights:

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Blackhawks vs CoyotesShootout Loss Recap

"1000 Times Goodbye"

The Blackhawks hosted the pain in the ass Coyotes Saturday night at the United Center. What a year does in the scheme of the NHL. The Blackhawks had been rolling along with the best record in the league, and a chance to clinch that best record. The Yotes, on the other hand, were fighting for a chance to even make the playoffs. As we're all aware, though, the Coyotes can be a real obstacle to this Blackhawks squad. Just so they don't have to face Phoenix in the first round. Live from the United Center in Chicago, it's the Blackhawks and Coyotes.

The Hawks opened up the game with a big first period powerplay goal, but then let off the gas and gave up two Coyotes goals. The Hawks out shot the Yotes 16-9 despite the two Phoenix goals.

The second period was much more Blackhawk-like. They out shot Phoenix 12 to 4 and scored their second powerplay goal of the night. This was a very familiar situation against the Yotes, so the Hawks needed to be just as careful in the third period.

The Blackhawks and Yotes played even in the third period, even with the Yotes out shooting the Blackhawks 15-8. Since no one could break the tie, the game went into extra time. The extra five minutes weren't enough to decide a winner, so the extra point would be decided in a shootout. Hopefully the Hawks are done seeing this team, this year.

The Good

• The Hawks converted on their second powerplay of the game, just past the halfway point of the first period. Leddy fed Lucky Number Sleven for a blistering one timer that went off
• Kane made a beautiful highlight reel backhand pass to Seabrook, who was wide open in the slot. Seabrook wasted little time and snapped it past Mike Smith for his second goal of the night, tying the game up for the Blackhawks.
• The Hawks beat the Yotes at the dots with the help of El Capitan and Handzus, because Kruger, Bolland and Shaw were all under 50%.

The Bad

• Two minutes after the first Yotes goal, Radim Vrbata put them up 2-1 following a bad Marcus Kruger turnover at the blue line. Kruger's pass was far behind Bolland and ended up on the stick of former Blackhawk Rob Klinkhammer. The Coyotes turned the play around and another former Blackhawk, Vrbata, just snapped it over Crawford's glove.
• 31 shots are a little too much for my liking, especially for a team like Phoenix.
• I don't think there is a better #5 defenseman in the league than Nick Leddy. He plays everywhere and when he turns that speed on, there are few that will keep up with him.
• oh hey, Megamayers! There you are.

The Ugly

• About halfway through the first period the Hawks got a powerplay but it should have been a penalty shot. Hossa had a good two steps on Ekman-Larsson who hooked the hell out of him. How that was not a penalty shot is beyond my comprehension.
• Just a minute after the Hawks took the lead, Crawford completely dicked the dog on a 140 foot dump in that bounced over his glove and into the net. I have no defense for that one. Fucking terrible. About as bad as you'll see. Even worse was that the momentum swung in the Yotes favor after this.

The Shootout

• Toews almost beat Smith
• Boedker beat Crawford stick side.
• Kane beat Smith 5-hole to tie the shootout up
• Vrbata couldn't beat Crawford.
• Hossa hit the goal post.
• Sclemko beat Crawford for the win

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Blackhawks at Phoenix - Win Recap

"Slaughterama"

And the hits just keep on coming. The Hawks were in sunny far southwestern Quebec, aka Phoenix, to visit the Yotes and recently paroled, pea brained primate Raffi Torres. The Twatterverse had been abuzz with the prospect of getting at the cement headed ginger, after his near decapitation of Marian Hossa last spring. Honestly, I was just plain sick of it. If he wanted to run around the ice with a sickle in his hand and get himself exiled for an even more extended period time, let him. He's an asshat. The Blackhawks had their sights set on much bigger targets, like continuing their lead of the Western conference. You all know the drill, and this roster, so there is no use boring you once again with the details. Live from Phoenix, it's the Blackhawks and the Coyotes...

It didn't take long for the Hawks to start with the shenanigans, but luckily it was out of the way and done with, early. Once that charade was over, the Hawks opened up such a big lead, so fast, that Phoenix couldn't recover. They scored 4 goals on 17 shots, and completely took the game away from the Yotes.

The second period settled down some, but there were still two more Hawks goals on 6 shots, and the Yotes finally broke the shutout on 10 shots of their own. The fight had been sucked out of them in the first period, so both teams were going through the motions.

The third period had even less fight than the second. There were 10 shots either way, and Phoenix actually mustered up a late goal, but both teams were going through the motions. When all was said and done, the Hawks walked out of the desert with a convincing 6-2 win.


The Good

• Just over 8 minutes into the game, Shock-n-Shaw set up Swedeberg for a nice one time goal that looked like it caught Smith off guard. Shaw cut up the middle of the ice and pushed the puck past Chipchura. He made a nice move to slide around Chipchura, and once he caught up to the puck, Shaw pushed it over to a surprisingly open Swedeberg. The handsome Swede snapped it past Smith, while two Yotes defenders skated within 5 feet of Stalberg watching him snipe their goalie. This was the beginning of about 20 minutes of hell for Smith. How is that stupid haircut working for you now, Smitty? He might want to consider shaving his head, ASAP!
• Roughly two minutes later, with about 6 minutes left in the first, the Hawks used a 2 man powerplay advantage to take a 2-0 lead. Shooter ended up with a great chance on a back door feed from Seabrook, that Smith was able to stop. The puck bounced around between everyone's legs long enough for El Capitan to shovel it over to Crazy 8's, who was sitting outside the scrum and to the right of the net. Kane had a wide open net and that's not one he'll likely miss. It was especially satisfying watching Mike Smith throwing a tantrum, on his belly like a child, after the goal.
• Just under three minutes after the Kane goal, he earned his second point of the night, feeding Bolland for a one timer in the slot. Crazy 8's skated in the Coyotes zone fairly uncontested. He pulled his new favorite move, turning and skating with his back to the defender like he might pull a spin-o-rama, but instead reversed and fed a trailing Bolland for the one timer. I'm not really sure just what the fuck Derek Morris was doing, but he left Bolland wide open, while backing into and screening his goalie. If I was Smitty, and I'm glad I'm not, I'm ready to spear Morris in the groin after that bullshit effort. Dave Tippett should have pulled Smith at this point, because the snowball was gaining momentum. Not that Smith played terrible, but the Hawks were curl stomping all over the Yotes. He dropped the ball on this one. 3-0 Hawks.
• Another Hawks two man advantage resulted in the forth goal of the first period, with under 2 minutes left. Crazy 8's and Shooter on the back door of the power play is going to give goalies night terrors this season. This time, instead of Kane feeding Shooter, it was the other way around. Shooter sent a laser pass across the crease to Kane on the back door for a lightning quick one timer. Three points for Kane, and three for Sharp in about 8 minutes. I told you that you should have pulled Smith, Tippett. That's right, Boss, just let the boys pick off the carcass. 4-0 Hawks.
• Just past the 12 minute mark of the second, El Capitan felt it was time to whip his dong out on the table and join the party. He carried the puck up the right wing, 2 on 2, with Saad. Instead of forcing a tough pass across to Saad, he caught Yotes prodigy Oliver Ekman-Larrsen in some kind of daze, with his stick in bad position and leaning the wrong way. Toews read this brilliantly, shifted gears towards the net, and snapped a wrist shot past Smith for a 5-1 Hawks lead. Again, what the fuck is Tippett doing leaving Smith in the game? The team had clearly quit on him. The media should roast him for this, if anyone in Phoenix even cares any more.
• With 5 minutes remaining in the second period, the Hawks finished off their scoring onslaught, as Swedeberg stole a puck behind the Yotes net and fed it to One Trick Bick. Bickell was basically left alone on the back door to snap the puck into a gaping net. Finally, Smitty's night was over, but at this point, what was the difference? He was done 3 goals ago.
• 33-24 is right about what you would look for, from the Hawks, as far as shots.
• The Hawks were 54% at the dots, which is right where you'd ask, as well.
• Seabrook added to his league lead in blocked shots with 5 more last night. The dude is a consistant machine and if I had a man crush on anyone on this team, it's Lucky Number Sleven. Hjalmarsson had 4 blocks, himself, which has him at 6th in the league, and Oduya added two to put him at #18 in the league. Some big numbers under the radar.
• Kane is obviously as hot as a player can be. Second in the league in scoring, behind the unconscious Tomas Vanek in Buffalo. This is exactly why all the meatballs that were screaming to trade him after last year, and after the Madison incident need to be collectively dumped in the fucking lake. FU-CKING IDIOTS!!!
  

The Bad

• About 5 minutes into the second period, the Yotes finally broke the scoreboard with a redirected powerplay goal. Vrbata walked the blue line, and ripped a long shot on Emery, who was left alone with Hanzel camped on his front porch. It was hard enough for him to see the shot without a redirect complicating matters. Can't really fault him for this goal. It was only the third powerplay goal they have given up, in 11 games. As much as I'd like to hate on this, those are exceptional numbers, and this game was already out of reach.
• Just for good measure, the Hawks, who had lost interest about 20 minutes previous, gave up a slop goal to Bananaphone Torres in the final 2 minutes of play. I'm sure they meatballs will have a good time with this because it was Torres, but no one cared at this point? Take your worthless goal, asshole, because it matches the rest of your game; worthless and insignificant.

The Ugly

• It didn't take long for the meatball asshattery to begin. Two and a half minutes into the game, and in the most anticlimactic moment of the season thus far, MegaMayers grabbed a Raffi Torres and the two did the dance of stupidity. Torres was already chirping at the bench and Mayers jumped right off the bench and dropped the mitts. Torres had the edge in the and tussle. Mayers lost his balance the two went down in a heap; Whatever. I get it. Veteran clubhouse guy doing his job. Can we all move on, now? This is almost a fucking year old for fucks sakes.

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Blackhawks at Phoenix - Win Recap

"For Your Malice"

After all the hoopla and bullshit in Los Angeles Saturday, the Hawks had no time to celebrate. It was off to Phoenix for a rematch of the the playoffs last season. This is a team that might have even gotten a little better than the one the Hawks saw last spring.

The first period started off looking terrible with the Yotes scoring an awful goal, but the Hawks recovered nicely and scored a powerplay goal of their own, which sent the teams into the locker rooms tied at one. The Hawks even outshot the Coyotes 11-9 in the first frame.

The second period looked like it was going to be a rough one too, with the Coyotes taking an early 2-1 lead, but the Hawks roared back and scored 3 straight goals to send them back to the locker room down 4-2. Oddly enough the Yotes took advantage of some powerplays to out shoot the Hawks 10-8 in the period, but the Hawks led where it counts.

The Hawks came out flying in the third, scoring just 14 seconds in, but then proceeded to give two up. Twenty two shots in the third made for a wild period. After a time out to settle the troops down, the Hawks regained their two goal lead, and that was all she wrote, Ladies and Gents.

The Good

• Kaner had his second break-a-way in as many games which drew a powerplay, which was unsuccessful. Playing in Switzerland did him good. I like what I see.
• Just a few seconds after a Shane Doan high sticking penalty, Bolland scored from the back door. Kane fed Bolly with a nice tape to tape pass, and all Bolland had to do was chip it in. Two powerplay goals in two games? I could get use to this.
• In just six periods of play, Hjalmarsson has played some great hockey. He laid Steve Sullivan out in the first period, like we all wish he had been doing for years.
• Earlier in the day I commented on Paul Bissonnette's Instagram, and begged him to take Bollig off the ice for at least 5 minutes. Well, my prayer was answered as BizNasty and Bollig went at it about halfway through the second period. Neither player had a defined edge but I'd give the decision to BizNasty. Bollig tossed in a stellar 5:40 of playing time after 5:27 in the Kings game. Here we go again with this pointless horseshit.
• Being a goalie with an attitude at heart, I never get sick of goalies defending themselves, and Emery is no exception. In the second period he took a poke at Chipchura, after Chipchura took a few extra whacks at Emery's glove.
• Sharpie tied the game back up half way through the second, on a bang-bang play from Oduya, to Bolland, to Sharp. Sharp took a Bolly pass, took one stride and snapped a tight top chizzle shot over Smith's blocker.
• Michal Rozsival and Marian Hossa worked a beautiful give-n-go after to consecutive successful Hawks penalty kills. Hossa took the pass back from Rozsy, delayed a bit and picked Smith apart. 3-2 Hawks
• Fifty seconds later Pick-to-Click Vik took a feed from Bickell and snapped it past a very deep Smith to give the Hawks a 4-2 late in the second period. Bickell had powered through a check a the blue line and given himself enough room to hit Stalberg, who was wide open.
• Fourteen seconds into third period Hossa rushed in on Smith and sent a real stinker past Smith for a 5-2 Hawks lead. The goal was a harmless backhand that Smith just muffed. The puck rolled through him like a slot machine and over the line. Three of the four goals Hossa has this year have been stinkers.
• Roughly thirty seconds after the Doan goal, Bolland scored on a shot that flipped up and over Smith. Sharp held up and saucered a pass to Bolland, who redirected it on net. Smith made the save, but the puck flipped up like a coin toss, over him, into the net. The best part of this play was Smith thowing a tantrum and beating the shit out of the post with his $200 goalie stick. Meltdown city!
  
• Tazer and Kruger were over 50% at the dots, but Bolland and Shaw were both under.

The Bad

• Vermette got in behind Seabrook after Kaner lost a faceoff deep in the Hawks zone. Vermette picked up a fat ass rebound to Emery's right after a long Schlemko slapshot, and deposited it in the net. 2-1 Yotes.
• The Coyotes took advantage of a powerplay early in the third when Boedker streaked up the wing and sent a shot in on Emery. The rebound flipped up in the air in front of Emery and Hanzel bunted it into the net.
• A few minutes later Shane Doan pulled a 1-2 move after a feed from Schlemko and roofed a backhand over Emery to bring the game back within 1 goal, with over 14 minutes left.

The Ugly

• This one didn't start as well as Hawks fans would hope. David Moss took a deep turnover and pushed it between Emery's legs just over three minutes into the game. The shot was weak, and I can only gather that Razor thought it was going to be coming at him much faster, because it was a weak 5-hole shot.
• Keith and Seabrook had a rare off night and looked like steaming dog shit with minus two each. Luckily the rest of the team picked their asses up.

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks vs. Coyotes Game 6 Season Ending Loss

"This Is the End"



If you would have told me, two weeks ago, that the Red Wings, Penguins, Sharks, and Canucks would all be eliminated before the Blackhawks, I would have laughed in your face, yet here we sit. Not to mention that the Stanley Cup Champs were one game from elimination as well. The Hawks have their own fish to fry, though. They were able to squeak out a gutsy 2-1 OT win Saturday night, but still had to win two more to move on. Not an easy task when your goalie has given up soft OT goals in 2 of 5 games and channeled the spirit of Cristobal Huet and Chris Mason, while the opposing goalie has channeled the spirit of Jacques Plante and Ken Dryden. Until Saturday, the top 6 forwards were invisible in this series. That is until Captain Serious whipped his ball bag out and tea bagged Mike Smith. The problem is that the Hawks need two more performances like that to just simply move on. Luckily, with the Canucks out, the pressure is much less. The Blackhawks weren't expected to go anywhere when these playoffs started, but they could use the momentum and make a run. Alas, it was not to be, as the Hawks joined the ranks of the golf clubs.

The Hawks opened up at a fierce pace, out shooting the Coyotes 16-2 in the first period. Unfortunately, The Hawks were still tied 0-0 going into the first intermission. Just as you would worry, when you grossly out shoot an opponent, but can't score, the Hawks out shot the Coyotes 12-6 in the second period, but came away down 1-0. They were up 28-7 after 2 period, yet were losing. That is sad! The Hawks opened up the third period yielding the second Coyotes goal of the game, to put them in a hole 2-0, and it all went downhill from there. The Yotes added 2 more goals in the third period, just to rub salt in the wound. Bad penalties, the failure to finish, and an atrocious powerplay spelled the end of the Blackhawks season. If there IS a next season, this team could look different in quite a few areas.

The Good

• The Hawks were as fast and aggressive as I've ever seen them all year, in the first half of the first period, out shooting the Yotes 10-1. They could have easily been up 3-0, but couldn't beat Smith. You HAVE to finish, when given the opportunity.
• Just a minute into the second period, El Capitan turned Derek Morris around like a top and drove right up the middle of the ice on a partial break-a-way. Smith was able to make the save, but it would have been a highlight reel goal, if he scored. But again, He couldn't finish.
• Stalberg, Toews, and Morrison had a gorgeous 3-way passing play about 5 minutes into the second period, and Morrison couldn't lift it up and over Smith's extended leg. If Morrison gets his shot up, it's an easy goal. Still, great pressure, though.
• Amazingly enough, the Hawks were 57% at the faceoff dots. Tazer was a cartoonish 15 out of 19, Kane was 6 out of 10, and Dream Warrior was even 5 out of 10. Bolland got clowned once again, going 4 out of 12. Might have been nice to have Jamal Mayers in there to win a few faceoffs, don't you think?

The Bad

• The Coyotes used a late Toews interference penalty to take a 1-0 lead towards the second half of the second period. Sooner or later the penalty kill was going to break, and that was only the Coyotes SIXTH shot on net. Oliver Ekman-Larsson blew a long slap shot past Crawford, through some traffic in front of the net, on a pretty generic goal. When you're out shooting a team 24-6, you should be winning somehow. Fucking ridiculous. I get the screen threw Crawford off, but Smith showed that you have to be able to carry your team through rough stretches, and Crawford just wasn't up to the task. The Coyotes showed what a team with a half-assed powerplay can accomplish, while the Hawks were 1 for forever.
• The Coyotes took a 2-0 lead early in the third period. Leddy and Lepisto got worked and didn't pressure Chipchura behind the net, while Brule snuck in behind them. Chipchura worked a pass through the Hawks to Brule's stick, who roofed it past Crawford. Funny how a forth liner can get the puck about 6 inches off the ice, but no Blackhawks could.
• Antoine Vermette put a dagger in the hearts of all Hawks fans in the final minute of the 5 minute Jimmy Hayes major, picking up a loose puck in front of the net, and beating Crawford.
• Just for good measure, Kyle Chipchura was left wide open in the slot to beat Crawford, and give the Yotes a 4-0 lead with 5 minutes left in the game. Not even worth watching any more at this point.
• Hits and blocked shots were fairly even, but as in most Hawks games, the opponent held the advantage. Hits were 37-25 and blocked shots were 19-14 in favor of Phoenix. The Blocked shots worry me much more than the hits do.

The Ugly

• Opponent or not, Rostislav Klesla looks like he was accidentally clipped or kicked in the face with Brendan Morrison's skate. You never want to see a serious eye injury to a player. Luckily he came back later in the game without and lacerations.
• The Powerplay. What a piece of dung their powerplay is. Northern Illinois College of Clown Arts as I've affectionately named it. They can't enter the zone, they shoot from horrible angles, they have zero net presence, and no one moves. They would accomplish more if they just took retaliation penalties every time they earned a powerplay. The Blackhawks should be ashamed of themselves as professional hockey players, after this year's display of horseshit.
• With 11 minutes left in the game, Jimmy Hayes took a bad 5 minute checking from behind major penalty. He'll get a talking to, from Brendan Shanahan for that one. This was basically the end of the Blackhawks season.
• Just for good measure, Kaner's invisibility act ended with a childish misconduct for chirping at the refs. Way to act like a little bitch, kid. Thanks for the effort and for showing up in the series, Kaner! No goals, and a stellar 27.8% faceoff percentage for young Patrick.
• Speaking of the "name" players, where the hell was Sharp all series long? The only thing he accomplished was 23 hits, which was good for 17th in the entire playoffs. Surprising in and of itself, because that is not the stat line where Patrick Sharp belongs or should to be. ONE point and a minus 2 in 6 games.
• Hjalmarsson, Lepisto, O'Donnell, and Brunette were all minus 3 for the series, and Dream Warrior was a minus 4. Think that highlights where some improvement needs to happen?

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks at Phoenix Game 5 OT Win

"White Knuckles"



They've been here before, and they have conquered. After the announcement of the Raffi Torres 25 game suspension, the Blackhawks had bigger fish to fry. They were in Phoenix and facing elimination, after 4 straight overtime games. What more needs to be said? They Hawks had to win three straight games against a team that they were having a very difficult time against. Would this be the last game of the Hawks season, or would they live to see Monday night back in Chicago?

The first period of the game, Saturday night, was largely in the favor of the Blackhawks, but unfortunately, they weren't able to take advantage of it. They out shot the Coyotes 12-4, and had nothing to show for it. Not always a good sign, because the Coyotes can wear you down. The second period was a bit of a different story. The Coyotes took the lead on 10 shots, while the Hawks were, again, shutout on 10 more shots. The Hawks were going to be playing for their playoff lives in the third period. The Hawks actually tied the game up, in the third period, out shooting the Coyotes 12-4. 5 games, 5 overtimes. Thank god that this time the Hawks were able to eek this one out to force a game 6.

The Good

• Quenneville shook the lineup up, to start. Bickell was playing with the top line, Hayes was playing with the second line, and Morrison was playing with the third line. Lepisto was in the lineup, as well.
• Whatever Michael Frolik is doing lately, I like it. He has looked like the fastest player on the ice for the three games he's played. It would have been nice enough to see this Frolik in the first 84 games. Three points in three playoff games is something to great to see.
• The Hawks PK was stellar. They managed a few chances and held the Yotes to a handful of chances. The Hawks won the game because their PK was on fire.
• Halfway through the third period, Nick Leddy blew a puck on edge past Smith, using some Coyotes defenders and Bolly as screens. Frolik and rookie Brandon Saad both got assists. Nice to see some life out of the Blackhawks who were about to have only 10 minutes left in their season.
• Just 2:44 into overtime, El Capitan whipped out his big boy balls, and slapped them on Mike Smith's chin. Toews won the faceoff, controlled the puck, and then whipped a sick wrister past Smith for the game winner. Hawks win 2-1.
• After having some TERRIBLE games, the pair of Oduya and Leddy were a combined plus 4 for the game.
• Looks as though the Hawks did just fine without the hammer throwin Brandon Bollig out there. No one murdered any Hawks players. No one took cheap shots. Lets keep this up, eh?

The Bad

• How long have we all been screaming about Duncan Keith blindly blasting shots into defenders shin guards? Is no one in the organization pointing this out to him? What the fuck good are you when you can't get a shot off?
• The Hawks did great to out shoot the Yotes 38-19, but they still fail to get the QUALITY chances.
• Once again the Hawks were grossly out blocked, 29-9. Like I said last game, if they even get a third of those through, they have almost 50 shots on net.
• The Hawks were average, as a team, at the dots. Toews and Kruger were pretty good, but Bolland was anally probed and ridden like a mule all night.

The Ugly

• The Coyotes took advantage of an awful third defensive pairing play. Hammer got caught pinching, Lepisto was left hung out to dry, and none of the forwards (Brunette, Hayes, Kruger) rotated back. Lepisto was caught in no mans land, and three Coyotes forwards were bearing down on him. The puck was chipped to the off winger, Brule, who raced in and beat Crawford, short side. 1-0 Coyotes.
• Vik Stalberg reverted back to the dipshit we saw at the beginning of the season, taking 4 penalties in the game. None of them ended up in the back of the net, but any momentum the Hawks were able to muster was halted, because they were on the PK. Four penalties by one forward is just too fucking much. Stalberg has no points, minus 1, and 8 PIMs. That has to be better.

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks vs. Coyotes Game 4 OT Loss

"The Thing That Should Not Be"



Just when you thought things couldn't get any more dramatic, Raffi Torres throws his ass-hat in the ring. Just as the Coyotes were starting to savor the sweet taste of justice, with the Shaw suspension, Torres pulled one of the biggest asshole move of the series, yet. With Hossa down for what might be a considerable length of time, Brandon Saad was the first player to be given a chance to step in and contribute. The Coyotes were still without a couple of their players, as well, with Hanzel and Korpikoski out. I had the honor of attending the game, thanks to an old High School friend, that was nice enough to score me a seat.

The first period looked like a really motivated Hawks team as they came out and out shot the Coyotes 11-5, but there were no goals scored. The second period was more of the same with the Hawks getting 12 more shots, and only allowing 5, but again they weren't able to finish. The third period was full of action as both teams scored two goals, and the shots were much more even. Extra time once again for these teams, and the Coyotes took only a couple of minutes to end the game and send the series back to Phoenix with a 3-1 Phoenix lead.

The Good

• While Saad had just over 13 minutes of time, he didn't look any worse than what Hossa gave in the the first three games of the series.
• The chants of "Hossa, Hossa, Hossa" to open overtime really gave me the chills. It was a heartfelt gesture by the fans.
• Of all the people that I would have picked to get the goal to bring the Hawks back within one goal, the LAST player would have been Brendan Morrison. I don't care what he did, he still sucks! He got lucky because his shot was deflected up and over Smith's shoulder by Rosty Klesla. Whatever, it's a goal. There was finally some life in this team. 2-1 Yotes
• Michael Frolik continued to make up for his horrible regular season by tying up the game late in the third period. Bolland made a great clutch play to get the puck to the slot and get a backhand on net. The rebound came out and laid in the crease where Frolik was hanging out on the back door. He poked it into the net with one hand, and the place was up for grabs. The question is, though, should they really only be tied at this point? Absolutely not. Amazing what happens when you create pressure in front of the net, eh gents?

The Bad

• While the Hawks out shot the Coyotes 32-19, it's disturbing just how few actual scoring chances the Hawks had. When a team out shoots an opponent as bad as the Hawks have, you HAVE to have a better goal differential. Mike Smith my ass, the percentages don't lie.
• The Hawks were whipped at the dots, once again, and it's become a rare occurrence when they haven't been. Toews and Kruger were average, Bolland was pretty bad, and Morrison didn't win a draw.
• The Coyotes out hit the Hawks 50-32, which isn't all that odd, but where they should be worried was the shot blocks. The Coyotes had 21 and the Hawks had only 6. If the blocks were just even, the Hawks would have had 15 more chances.
• I'm so fucking tired of watching people like Stalberg try to force tough passes when there are clear, open, easy passes, or watch them try to walk through defenders one-on-one, when they could simply chip it deep. Stalberg especially, could give a defender windburn by chipping and chasing. There isn't a player in the league that's going to turn and keep up with him. Stop trying to be so fucking fancy.
• Once again, Quenneville essentially played only 10 forwards. Bollig and Morrison only played three and nine minutes respectively, so the other 10 players needed to pick up the slack. Is there ever going to be a point when the coaches realize that this doesn't work? Wake the fuck UP! It's common sense.
• That being said, They dressed Lurch instead of Lepisto or Olsen. I can live with this, because O'Donnell can kill penalties. The problems with this is that A) O'Donnell is fucking old, slow, and can't carry the puck for shit, and B) He played only 9 minutes. Why dress a 6th d-man and 11th/12th forwards if you're not going to play them? This isn't "rocket surgery" people!
• Hey, guys? Kaner? Sharpie? Anytime you guys want to show up and contribute, would be fine by us. Toews gets a pass because he's clearly not 100%, but when Frolik and Morrison are your contributors, something is very fucking wrong. VERY wrong. And that penalty Sharp took with 5 minutes to go in the game, with the Hawks down by one goal was just stupid!

The Ugly

• Paul "Biznasty" Bissonnette and Brandon Bollig decided to dance in one of the most anticlimactic fights ever. Biznasty took the decision, but was tossed from the game when his jersey came off. Seriously, what did this charade accomplish? Not a god damned thing!
• The powerplay fails AGAIN. Did we really expect any less? One time. That's all we ask for. One powerplay goal would have brought a win. I hate to be the one that predicts failure, but I said it before. If they didn't fix the powerplay or the penalty kill, they wouldn't make it out of the first round. Gee, look where they are.
• With thirteen minutes left in the game, the single most shithead play of the game happened. Johnny Oduya made my shitlist on a big way, by getting absolutely worked over and embarrassed by Shane Doan. The Coyotes dumped the puck in for a change and Oduya leisurely skipped back to get it. Doan came off the bench, went all the way around the net, picked Oduya's pocket in a masterful manner, and fed Ray Whitney for a cross ice one timer. That's not the worst of it! Crawford made a beautiful save, but the rebound went back to Doan, who easily beat Crawford. THIS is what made me scream, "ODUYA! YOU LAZY FUCKING PIECE OF SHIT!" at everyone in section 210, before the puck ever went in the net. Once Oduya get horsed, you'd think he'd dig his ass off to get back and help bail his own ass out. No, he didn't. He pouted like a child, and left Leddy and Crawford all alone while he coasted back. The Campoli turnover last year really left a bad taste in everyone's mouths, well this one should leave a worse taste. No fucking excuse for that lackadaisical horseshit. Fuck you, Oduya! This isn't fucking Winnipeg or Atlanta. This was THE PLAY that gave the Coyotes life. 1-0 Yotes
• Forty four seconds later, the Coyotes took a 2-0 lead, and I was about to get up and leave. Bolland, Bickell, and Keith got mesmerized by the puck and left their areas. Bickell tried to push the puck through a player and the boards, which obviously doesn't work. Seabrook poked at the puck like like it was a rabid sleeping wildebeest, leaving Pyatt free reign to take a pass from behind the net and direct it past Crawford. Where do you start, and where do you end with the fucking terrible on this play. Even the most constant player on the team, Seabrook, looked terrible. C'mon guys, show some fucking PRIDE! 2-0 Yotes
• The game winning goal was just deplorable. From top to bottom, the whole play was a truckload of bullshit and half-assed play. It only took one overtime shot to win it for the Coyotes. O'Donnell got caught trying to keep the puck in the Coyotes zone, Leddy got caught trying to be too aggressive and lost his cushion on Boedker, and Boedker went around him. Now, Crawford has to make the save because Boedker never really even got shot off. The puck just slowly rolled between Crawford's legs with all the commotion. FUCKING TERRIBLE by everyone on the defensive end of the ice, for the Hawks. UN-FUCKING-ACCEPTABLE!

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks vs. Coyotes Game 3 OT Loss

"For Whom the Bell Tolls"



Game three brought the teams back to Chicago with the series tied 1-1. On the heels of the Andrew Shaw three game suspension, the fans looked for the Hawks to take the ice with some aggression, and enact some revenge. What they wanted and what they got were two different things. After taking the first two games into overtime, the Hawks were also looking to take control of the game a bit sooner than the last minute. With the fans behind them, and a chip on their shoulder, everyone was expecting great things Tuesday night. Instead, it was more of the same.

The first period turned into a shitshow once Hossa was carried out on a stretcher. The Hawks were out shot 16-10, but when all was said and done, they somehow took a late lead into the first intermission. The second period was a much different and controlled period, with the Hawks out shooting the Coyotes 10-6 and no goals either way. One goal game, going into the third period; remind me where have we seen this one before. The third period was, again, a completely different period from the previous two. The Hawks had goal on 11 shots, and Coyotes had two goals, in a minute, on 9 shots. For the third game in a row, the Hawks and Coyotes were going into overtime. The overtime period was sloppy and ugly, but the tired Coyotes were able to take advantage of an extremely soft goal to take a 2-1 series lead.

The Good

• The Coyotes got an early powerplay on a weak Bollig penalty, but Crawford was outstanding, stopping several huge chances.
• Andrew Brunette grabbed the lead for the Hawks with 28 seconds left in the first period, off a faceoff win by Marcus Kruger. Kruger won it back to Leddy, who turned it over to Kaner. Kane ripped a long wrist shot that was tipped by Bruno and the place went bananas. 1-0 Hawks.
• After Hossa went down, Sharpie looked like a man possessed, throwing big hits and making some big plays in the Hawks zone. It didn't last all game, but he certainly looked motivated for a while.
• Bolland and Frolik hooked up for a huge goal, just 30-something seconds after the Klesla goal, to grab the Hawks a lead. Bolland threw a shot on net and the rebound shot out to Frolik, who backhanded it past Smith. Unfortunately, that lead would last less than a minute. 2-1 Hawks
• Seabrook whipped out his enormous coconuts, in OT, blocking a shot that stung him badly, but he stayed out for another minute or so and eventually threw a big hit at the end of his shift, on one leg. Game in and game out, he has been an example of steady play and dependability.
• Frolik looked great, as well. He had a goal and several great chances, which makes one feel much more comfortable about Shaw missing two more games. With Hossa's status in question, that's another story. For the first time in forever, Frodo was noticeable on the ice. Maybe it's because there was really no pressure or expectations, but maybe something has clicked; MAYBE.
• El Capitan, and Kruger had a great night at the dot (18-of-23 and 6-of-7 respectively), but Kaner and Bolland were ridden hard to the tune of 6-of-24. Mayers only took 8 draws, and won half. Can we please pull Kane out of the dots and have someone else take his draws?

The Bad

• Can we put to bed the theory that Dylan Olsen is fast, in any way? Raffi Torres opened up the game beating him BADLY to a delayed icing puck which turned into two excellent Coyotes chances. Quenneville cannot be playing this game in the playoffs. In a game that was over 70 minutes long, Olsen played a paltry 4:56. Keith and Seabrook will be cold corpses by game 7 if he keeps this up. They each played over 4 minutes more than anyone on the ice, and Oduya was third in minutes played. Play Sami Lepisto, for fucks sakes! Enough of this horseshit, already, Joel. We get it, you're stubborn. Lepisto can carry a puck, at the very least, instead of watch Oduya and Leddy get horsed from the best seats in the house.
• The Hawks opened up their first powerplay of the night by giving up one of their infamous "shorthanded partial break-a-ways against". Luckily a tired Seabrook was able to catch a tired Boedker and Crawford was able to keep his eye on the puck. Obviously, this powerplay problem isn't magically going to improve, just because it's the playoffs.
• I'm not sure how I feel about this, but Crawford and Smith passed each other at the end of the second period, on the way to to the locker rooms. Crawford gave Smith the hairy eyeball, the stink eye, and the "what have you". Had the refs not stepped in, there may have been a purse or two thrown. As entertaining as that would be to watch, that was not in Crawford's, nor the team's, best interest. Leave the shenanigans to the Flyers, Pens, Sens and Rangers. The Hawks aren't built for such theatrics.
• For as great as Johnny Oduya was in the regular season, he's been THAT bad in the playoffs. It's like he has become Bizarro-Duya. Every time he has had the puck, he has treated it like a red hot hand grenade, been caught out of position, and has been out worked for the puck several times. At this rate the Hawks will be playing golf before he gets his shit back together.
• A late 4-on-4 situation resulted in the Coyotes first goal by Rosty Klesla. An open slapshot from the high slot, beat Crawford to open a minute thirty of chaos. Leddy got worked behind the net, Oduya and Kane got caught out of position and the puck got caught in the net. Awful match-up on defense. 1-1 tie
• Just 32 seconds after the Frolik goal put the Hawks up, Ray Whitney picked up a fat rebound in front of a fallen Corey Crawford, and put it in the net, tying the game back up. Another 4-on-4 situation with Leddy and Oduya out there, and another goal against. Didn't Quenneville learn his lesson a minute earlier? I understand that Hammer was in the box, but you need to have either Keith or Seabrook out there with one of those two, especially after the circus that they put on the first time. Sure would be nice if someone on the third pair, like Lepisto or even O'Donnell could log some PK time, wouldn't it? 2-2 tie.
• So much for that "John Scott Theory", that Carcillo, Bollig, or Scott himself prevented other teams from pulling assclown stunts against the Hawks skill players. Bollig ended up with 14 minutes in penalties, in the first period alone. On the first powerplay against, only Crawford kept the game scoreless, with a couple of ridiculous saves. Clearly that first dumb ass penalty sent a message, as 8:28 later Torres pulled his horseshit, and he certainly looked scared doing it. Can everyone now agree that "enforcers" rarely deter anyone from acting like ballbag thugs? Thugs are thugs, and they always will be (unless you're Matt Cooke and received a frontal lobotomy in the offseason). They are too fucking stupid to care which fucking cementhead the other team dressed.
• Meatball stat of the game. The Hawks actually out hit Phoenix, 41-39. Worked out well, didn't it?

The Ugly

• Well, lets just say that Andrew Shaw got a game misconduct for his phantom hit on Smith, but Torres got nothing for practically breaking Marian Hossa's neck. League owned team. Coincidence? I can't even express what a mess of horseshit that Brendan Shanahan has created with this disciplinary committee. Now Marian Hossa's health is at risk and maybe his career. Let's hope for the best, because aside from his hockey talent, Hossa is a classy individual. Get well, Hoss!! I'm not going to go into huge detail here on why the Torres hit is dirty and completely different than the Shaw bump. Shaw was irresponsible, not malicious. Torres is trying to end people's careers. If Shanahan has an ounce of self worth, which is highly debatable, that is the last time Raffi Torres is seen until the 2012-13 season, no matter what happens in this series. I put this together last night and I hope Hossa's unfortunate injury can help inspire the Hawks to another level.

• After an overtime of missed chances, Kaner passed up a chance, in the middle of the ice, which the Yotes turned around. While Kane didn't have a clean shot, he had enough space to flip the puck either at the net or towards the net. He chose neither. The Coyotes did the one thing Kane couldn't which is get the puck deep, and Hjalmarsson was caught looking over his shoulder, rather than making sure he was the only person to control the puck. Boedker picked up the puck in the corner and fired it at Crawford, who somehow let it slip through his pads, very similar to the cup winning goal 2 years ago. Goa line extended, with zero angle. VERY weak goal after an otherwise strong performance. Damn shame, in fact. Phoenix had TWO shots in over 13 minutes of overtime play, and one went in. That absolutely cannot happen.

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks at Phoenix Game 2 OT Win

"Cleanse the Soul"



Well, Game One didn't go as planned, but all hope is not lost. The Hawks played two very good periods, and one not so good period. They need to play 3 solid periods to beat the Coyotes. First of all the Hawks powerplay MUST get better. If they go 0-4 every night, they won't make it to the next round. Losing in OT, on the road, while not playing your best possible game, is something to take away as a positive.

The game looked promising when the Hawks opened up the scoring, but Phoenix scored two of their own in the first period. The Hawks had plenty of pressure, out shooting the Yotes 17-11, but they were going to need to put a few more in the net to win this one. The second period turned into a complete mess thanks to a long major powerplay for the Coyotes. The Hawks and Yotes each had a goal, and the Hawks out shot Phoenix once again, 11-10. The third period yielded only one goal, and that was the game tying goal with 5 seconds left in regulation to send it to overtime. Fortunately for the Hawks they were able to hold the fort together long enough to score the game winning goal halfway through the overtime period. All in all, the Hawks out shot the Coyotes 50-33.

The Good

• Just as everyone was saying that the Hawks powerplay needed to come though, Bryan Bickell whacked the rebound of a Bolland shot past Smith with just over three minutes gone in the game. Bolland ripped a shot off Smith, and Bickell smacked a waist high shot out of the air and past Smith.
• Two games in a row that Hjalmarsson laid big hits on opponents. What has gotten into him? This time it was Doan that he laid out, but where was this player all year?
• Brandon Bollig tied the game back up, seven minutes into the second period. He skated up the left side and took a 40 foot shot that beat Smith that looks like it surprised him. I'm sure he wants that one back.
• When Brandon Bollig has two of your best offensive chances in the third period, something isn't right.
• Once again the Hawks tied the game with under a minutes to go. Patrick Sharp deflected a Brent Seabrook shot past Smith to send the game to overtime. Two huge Corey Crawford saves kept the game within reach. It's not often you see two last minute game tying goals with the goalie pulled.
• One Trick Bick won the game halfway through the overtime period for the Hawks after an exhausted Adrian Aucion shot a clearing attempt directly up the boards at Viktor Stalberg. Stalberg directed the puck to the slot where a streaking Bickell was waiting and beat Smith low, to the glove side.
• Brent Seabrook had yet another huge game. Five shots, five hits, and an assist on the game tying goal. The guy is just a STUD!
• The Hawks were close in both blocked shots and hits at 10-17 and 34-40 respectively.

The Bad

• Just as the Hawks took the lead, Raffi Torres took it away. Shane doan just out worked the Hawks behind the net and threw it out to a streaking Torres, and he beat Crawford. Of all the people, why don't they just let Alex Burrows score too?
• Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette teamed up on the powerplay to give the Yotes their first lead of the game. Yandle was given a few chances from the point, and eventually took something off the shot to get it through the mess of bodies. Vermette got a stick on the shot, because he was left all alone in front, and beat Crawford.
• Phoenix took advantage of the Shaw major powerplay as Vermette used the screens by Torres and Seabrook to snap a shot past Crawford from the right side of the slot. Complete and utter bullshit that the Hawks were in that situation, in the first place.
• Seems like no matter what they do, the Hawks can't manage much better than 45% at the dots. This game was no different at 46%. Toews, and Bolland were above the Mendoza line but Kruger, Mayers and Kaner were all well under.

The Ugly

• Shortly after the Bollig goal, Andrew Shaw and Mike Smith collided behind the Yotes net, and as you would expect, all hell broke loose. Smith flailed around on the ice like he was shot, which led to Shaw getting 2+5+10 and a Game Misconduct. Shaw left his elbows down, and bumped Smith no harder than any other players. If goalies can't take some incidental contact, they need to stay in the crease. Smith had the puck on his stick and Shaw pressured him. Shaw's momentum took him into Smith, whom he just grazed, and because Smith has no clue how to lift his head when he's playing the puck, he didn't see Shaw coming. Terrible dive and bullshit call.

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PLAYOFFS - Blackhawks at Phoenix Game 1 OT Loss

"Ha, Ha, Ha, WHITEOUT!"



Finally, the 2012 Playoffs begin. The Hawks drew the least threatening of the possible opponents. That is not to say that they aren't a dangerous team, just less dangerous than Nashville. The big matchup will be the Blackhawks offense versus Mike Smith. While both teams had almost identical records in their last 10 games, the Yotes were on a 5 game winning streak. The only glaring difference between the special teams is Phoenix's penalty kill unit, which was 8th in the league, as compared to the Hawks 27th ranking. Both powerplays have been absolutely horrid, so don't expect much excitement there, unless you're looking for shorthanded goals. This biggest story of the series, though, is the return of Jonathan Toews after missing 22 games. If the Hawks second line can maintain it's hot play, the Yotes may find themselves in trouble often, but that's a big "if".

Even though only one goal was scored in the first period, Thursday night, the Hawks controlled a majority of the play. The Hawks looked energized and out shot the Yotes 11-8. As with everything the Hawks do, that successful first period came to a screeching halt in the second. They were outshot 13-11 and outscored 2-0. It's a damn shame they can't be consistent enough to play three solid periods in a row. In the third, the Hawks mounted a comeback they shouldn't have needed in the first place. They peppered the Yotes with 18 shots, and scored with 14 seconds left in the game to send it to overtime. In overtime the Hawks were sloppy in their own zone and ended up losing about 9 minutes in.

The Good

• El Capitan wasted no time making his presence known scoring just over four minutes into the game, from Kaner and Oduya. It was really a scramble and Tazer just threw it at the net from a bad angle, and it ended up beating Smith. I know he'll take it!
• Read this very carefully, because you probably won't see it again. Hjalmarsson actually laid a big hit on Klesla. It was a VERY nice open ice hit. I was shocked.
• Crawford flashed some sass with only 2 seconds left in the first period. He slid over to stop a backdoor chance for Hanzal after Oduya turned it over behind the net.
• Brent Seabrook was the hero, briefly, with 14 seconds left in the third period. He picked a Kaner rebound off the post, off his skate and finally deposited it in the open net to send the game to OT. The Hawks were all OVER the Coyotes at that point.
• While he was a little frisky at the end of the first period, Andrew Shaw really showed me that he's a gamer. He plays with a naive confidence that works for him. He's growing on me more and more every game.

The Bad

• Raffi Torres is still a complete fucking tool bag. Fuck him and his whole fucking family. He was running around trying to throw elbows at people, like a total jackass. I will admit it's funny to watch him miss, though.
• One Trick Bick had a chance to completely take all momentum from the Yotes, and shot it right into Smith's bread basket. I really don't know what is worse, trying to pick a corner and missing the net or hitting the goalie in the chest.
• Antoine Vermette grabbed the lead for the Yotes late in the second period on a mid range slapshot. It was a fairly innocent looking play and Crawford had the time to track it, but just simply didn't. Crawford would love that one back, I'm certain.
• The Coyotes won the game as the clock struck exactly midnight of Friday the 13th. How appropriate. Kruger lost an important defensive draw, Aucoin kept the puck in the zone, and then both Kruger and Leddy got out muscled by Hanzel for the tip.
• Minus 2 for both Lurch and Hammer. Coincidence? Hjalmarsson deserved a minus two on the first goal alone. "I know whe've been stuck on the ice for about 2 minutes and we can't get the puck out of the zone, but let's keep the play alive. None of that silly play stoppage stuff!"
• I'm sure Frolik would be more useful than the 6:40 of playing time Bollig got. At least Frolik can work the PK, but what do I know? Bollig sure looked great on that first Yotes goal, didn't he?

The Ugly

• After a complete clusterfuck of shift, the Yotes finally tied up the game. Bollig, Sharp, and about 5 other players failed to get the puck out of the zone. With that much action in your own end, you are bound to end up picking the puck out of your own net. Pat and Edzo can blame it on the missed too-many-men call all they want, but the bottom line is that if Sharp doesn't turn that puck over to start the shitshow, that never ends up happening. Are you not professionals? In Pittsburgh they can cry about officiating, like little bitches. The Hawks need to overcome and conquer. Lets not even get into the fact that Hjalmarsson prevented Crawford from stopping the play with a complete dunderhead move of his very own.
• Just goes to show that the powerplay is going to bite them in the ass, the Hawks were 0-4. 25% is all I ask, for Christ sakes!
• The Hawks were out hit (48-22), out blocked (27-12), and beat at the faceoff dots (43%), yet still took the game to OT. I've been pointing out the faceoff problem for months and look how the game winning goal was scored. Lost faceoff. That's not coincidence, folks.

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