Blackhawks at Pittsburgh - Loss Recap

"March Of The Penguins"



Not much has to be said about the Pittsburgh Penguins. They came with some big time scorers, even though two of their more important players were injured and not playing, in Crosby and Letang. Malkin, Neal, Dupuis, and Staal are just a few of the big names on this team, and Marc-Andre Fleury in net is always tough. This was going to be a VERY tough one for the Hawks, playing a team that is very similar.

The first period started off in the Hawks favor early, but a dirty hit turned the tide in the Pens favor. From that moment on, it was all Pens for a period and half. They scored one in the first, and two in the second to go into the third period up 3-0. The Hawks finally showed signs of life, dominating the third, but it was too little, too late and they eventually fell 3-2. Makes you wonder what they could have done had they even played 2 worthwhile periods.

The Good

• Big Slow finally found a way to get on my good side, coming to the aid of Dream Warrior, after Deryk Engelland left his feet AND went for the head of Krugs. Big Slow grabbed Engelland and beat the absolute piss out of him. How Engelland got nothing for the hit to the head, but Scott got 2+5+10 for instigating, is a flat out bunch of horseshit. Complete home cookin, and the complete opposite of what the NHL claims to be targeting. If he was knocked out, would it have been a penalty? Krugs didn't play after the first period, so we have THAT injury to now deal with.
• It wasn't pretty, but El Capitan was finally able to put the Hawks on the board early in the third period. He drove hard to the net and tried to feed Vik across the crease, but the pass went off the Pens defender and into the net. They needed a bounce, and this was it.
• Vik, Hoss, and Kaner zig-zagged their way through the Pens zone and Vik finished the play to put the Hawks within one goal, with 13:30 left in the game. This was the last of the Hawks scoring, but it was a pretty one.

The Bad

• Kunitz took advantage of the napping Leddy and Hammer, on the powerplay following Scott's fight. Kunitz weaved right through the two of them along the Hawks blue line, took a pass from Malkin, and went in on Razor. 1-0 Pens.
• Neal put the Pens up 2-0 on an oddman rush that was a result of a Deuce turnover deep in the Pens zone. After he turned it over Deuce then fell down, and teh Pens were off to the races. Seabs was left to defend a 2-on-1 of Kunitz and Neal. You can imagine how that ended, with the red hot Neal bearing down. Razor didn't stand a chance, and the Hawks were getting dominated.
• Halfway through the game, Quenneville had seen enough of a few of the opening combinations. Montador was moved to play with Hammer for a while, and Leddy was given the leash to Big Slow. Morin was swapped from first to the fourth line with Stalberg, which became a huge move. Some of this had to do with Kruger's injury and some didn't. They basically rolled 9 forwards for the third period, with Morin, Bickell, and obviously Kruger all playing under 10 mins. On D they rolled 5 because of Big Slow's 17 PIM's. I have to honestly say that I'd rather eat the 17 mins with him at forward. It's palatable, but rolling 4 1/2 D-men on Sunday, and 5 last night just doesn't work.
• FUCK! Bryan Bickell can annoy the HELL out of a fan. He had a clear chance to cleanly blaze through Malkin, and slowed down to hugged him. Then, when Malkin skates past him, Bickell lazy ass high sticks him. What the fuck, really, WHAT THE FUCK, Bickell? FUCKING HIT SOMEONE! Do something, ANYTHING!
• It's anyone's guess what the FUCK was going on with the third Pittsburgh goal. The teams were even at 4-on-4, but the Hawks had other ideas. Toews, Tank, Kaner, and Leddy completely ignored the stunningly ugly Tyler Kennedy, who skated right up the gut and took a pass from behind the net from the always dangerous Ben Lovejoy, and put it in the gaping net. 3-0 Pens. While I did not make this picture, it couldn't be more true:
  
  Credit to PuckPassion
  
• Nothing really of note at the dot, other than Jordan Staal donkey punching the Hawks all night to the tune of 70%.

The Ugly

• Pierre McGuire is a Professor of the Obvious, and he points out some of the dumbest things. That's clearly one of the biggest reasons that EVERYONE hates him. Can we nominate him for the Habs job so he can babble his worthless bullshit to the French, IN FRENCH? Please?
• Booing Hoss every time he touches the puck, Pittsburgh? Who are you, San Jose? Toothless Morons.
• It's true. There is a slower person that Big Slow. Aaron Asham lost a footrace for a break-a-way to Scott, who he had half a step on. Asham, you Sir, should be EMBARRASSED! When I saw the puck head back, and #32 was the only one back, I screamed "NO!!!!", because it was clear this was trouble. All I could do is laugh, when Scott recovered and knocked the puck away.
• Efforts like this are increasingly frustrating. As terrible as they played in the first two period, they played that GOOD in the third. This begs to question just why they come out like hungover sailors and it took them 2 period, and probably a Quenneville shoe in their asses, to get it going.
• I've been angry at games this year, but I was FURIOUS at the Hawks during this one. The Pens were skating up and down the ice like the '08 Red Wings, and the Hawks were suppose to be the best team in the league. Not only this, but the Pens were making a mockery of the Hawks by plastering them all over the rink with no answer.

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Blackhawks vs. Flames - Win Recap

"Through The Fire And Flames"



The Flames came into town Sunday night a much hotter team than they did previously. You could say things were starting to click a little bit for this flames squard. This team HAS the firepower, once they get their collective heads out of their asses. The trick is for Sutter to get those heads out, and that's not always an easy task.

The Blackhawks had a pretty good first period, Sunday night. The were able to outshoot the Flames 9-3 and outscore them 1-0. The only thing more you could have asked for is to score on the powerplay, which is the only negative. The second period was more of what happened in the first, with the Hawks scoring two more goals, including one powerplay goal, and outshooting the Flames 8-7. The third period was slanted more the Flames way, as they were able to pot 2 goals on 13 shots, and the Hawks were able to put the game away with one of their own for Quenneville's 600th win.

The Good

• Frank the Tank opened up the scoring on a beautiful feed from MegaMayers. Tank was wide open in the slot and MegaMayers hit him. Tank then took a few strides in and let'r fly past Kipper. Meat and Potatoes. 1-0 Hawks
• Hammer used a magic puck to score he second goal of the game. He took a long shot from the point, and it looked to go of a Flames defender. The puck sat up on end spinning like a top along the the outside of the crease line, and just as it got to the net it curved, ever so slowly, into the net. Mucho Ugly, but Mucho Bueno. 2-0 Hawks
• Kaner finally got the powerplay going with a nice snapper (hey now!) in the high slot, late in the second, on a feed from Deuce. He used El Capitan's screen to put it past Kipper for a 3-0 lead. That's how the big boys do it.
• Boss took advantage of a Calgary hissy fit that resulted in a 5-on-3 and rocketed a laser of a slapshot past Kipper for a 4-1 lead that turned out to be the insurance goal.

The Bad

• Great way to start off the game, when Hoss turns the puck over to Stempniak who was all alone in front of the Hawks net. Luckily Razor poked it away, but Hoss? Wrong color jerseys, dude.
• Dream Warrior took a bad interference penalty during the Bourque major, that cut the 5 minute powerplay down to a 3 minute one. Not such a smart move, Kid. Not only that, but he was 17% at the dot. Really not his best showing.
• Right after the Bickell fight the Flames were able to finally put a puck past Razor, to make the game 3-1. Jokinen was able blow a puck past Emery while Glencross was allowed to set up camp in front of the Hawks netminder.
• It just wouldn't be a Hawks game if they didn't allow a shorthanded break against. This time it was Shooter who tied up Morrison. Really? Cut this shit out!
• Glencross was able to able to get the Flames within 2 goals late in the third on the powerplay, when Razor lost track of the puck behind the net, and he ended up covering the wrong post. Glencross was pretty much left to hack away at the puck by Hammer and Leddy.
• Cory Sarich and One Trick Bick had a pretty good tussle early in the third, after Bick absorbed a big hit at the red line. The two exchanged quite a few haymakers. Unfortunately, all the shenanigans cost Bick 17 minutes in penalties. Now, mind you, Bourque was only credited with 15 minutes for turning Seabrook's brain into baby food, but Bickell got 17 for taking exception to a questionably high hit.

The Ugly

• More Big Slow on defense. Ugh! That really fucking helps, when you're down one of your top two guys. Good job, Q. Nothing like basically rolling four D men for 40 mins.
• Douchebag play for Bourque to hit Seabrook the way he did. Look for Brendan Shanaban to step in, and for Seabrook to probably miss some time. Thanks, Asshole.

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Blackhawks vs. Ducks - Win Recap

"Roast Duck"



Friday the Hawks hosted the Anaheim Ducks, who have dropped to become one of the worst teams in the league. Things have changed since the Hawks last saw the Ducks, as GM Bob Murray made a quick coaching change, in favor of freshly fired former Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau. Even Anaheim's best players haven't exactly looked good, thus far, but they could break out of that slump at any time. With former 50 goal scorers Teemu Selanne and Corey Perry playing, they have enough firepower to light teams up, and with Jonas Hiller in net, they have the means to stop the puck, with former all-star Jonas Hiller in net, too. They just need to put the pieces together.

The first period was pretty even but the Hawks were the only team coming away with a goal. Shots were only 8-6 so that tells a tale of a fairly even 20 minutes. As the game would go on, this even play would tilt in the Hawks favor pretty significantly. The second was pretty much ALL Blackhawks. The shots were even but the Hawks scored 2 and almost had a 3rd that was reviewed and waved off. The Third period was more of a formality, because the Hawks were dominating the game at both ends. They finished up with a big 4-1 win that was solid from top to bottom.

The Good

• Megamayers opened up the Hawks scoring about 6 minutes into the game, on a really nice play by the fourth line. Bruno picked up a loose puck in the corner and put the puck in behind the Ducks net to Megamayers. He pulled it around like he was going to wrap it around the post and banked a backhand off Hiller's blocker and into the net. The best part about it, was that Big Slow got his first point of the year, on the play. Sloppy on the Duck's part, but we'll take it. 1-0 Hawks
• A terrible Anaheim turnover early in the second led to Hoss standing in front of Hiller all alone, and Hoss put a sweeping backhand past Hiller. The play started with Visnovsky turning the puck over in the middle of his own slot. Hoss almost took it on the first try, but kind of did a fly by. Shooter came in behind him and pushed it up to Hoss, who wasted no time with the backhander. 2-0 Hawks.
• Nick Leddy and Dave Bolland hooked up on the powerplay, late in the second to put the Hawks up 3-0. Leddy took the puck end to end with speed and with 4 Hawks at the dots, or lower, Bolly was left wide open in the slot as the trailer. Leddy fed him, and this time he beat Hiller cleanly. 3-0 Hawks
• Shooter put the Hawks up 4-0 beating four Ducks defenders and ripping a DIRTY wrister top shelf on Hiller. Nothing complicated about that. Just simply beastmode.
• The Hawks penalty kill played their bend but not break style, and didn't let up a goal on three chances.
• The Hawks were all over 50% in the faceoff circle with Dream Warrior going almost 90%.

The Bad

• Due to an injury to Car Bomb, we were forced to endure Big Slow game at forward. Sheldon Brookbank obviously hasn't watched many Hawks games, because he dropped the gloves with Big Slow. As one would expect, when you let Scott do the one thing he's good at, you're going to be on the losing end. Brookbank ate about a dozen John Scott right hands to the dome. The refs finally had pity, and jumped in, because Scott would have murdered Brookbank. If we have to endure Big Slow, I can handle him playing the shitty Ducks, just not in the final minutes of a shutout.
• By the end of the game, Quenneville had Big Slow on the ice with Kane and Toews. I'm quite sure THAT will never happen again. Especially since that shift let to the shutout blowing goal by Teemu Selanne. Tazer got lazy, and let the Ducks take the puck away from him. It ended up a on Selanne's stick and in the net. Razor deserved that shutout. He worked his ass off for it. As a guy that plays the position, the only thing we have to celebrate IS that elusive shutout, so when the team/coaches don't take it serious, it is VERY upsetting. THis would have been extra special since he played for them last year, and they let him walk after the season. Shame on Quenneville for putting Big Slow out there in the closing minutes. The strain his useless ass puts on the rest of the players out there no doubt led to a shorthanded like situation, and eventually in the back of Razor's net. Goalie's get very little glory as it is, and they took Ray's away from him. First star of the game doesn't mean shit when your contract is negotiated based on stats.

The Ugly

• The Hawks were robbed of a Bolland goal in the middle of the second period, when the Refs first claimed that Bolly kicked the puck in, which was untrue. "After further review" Toronto claimed that Bolly made contact with Hiller, which again was untrue.

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Blackhawks at MinnesotaSO Win Recap

"Walk On The Wild Side"



Wednesday night the Blackhawks traveled to Minnesota to face the LEAGUE LEADING Wild, and no that is not a typo. Two of the biggest names on the Wild are new members this year, Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi(injured). Veterans Mikko Koivu, and Niklas Backstrom are also big parts of the team. The Goaltending has been excellent all year from the three guys that have seen time in net. Really, what more needs to be said about team that leads the entire league? They don't win pretty, but they just win. It may or may not be a fluke, but for the time being, the Wild were on top of the world.

The only thing we could have asked for, from the Hawks, was an actual goal. They took a few minutes to actually get their first shot on net, but held the Wild to only 2 for the entire first period, while getting 11 of their own. Unfortunately, it all looks the same on the score board, with double goose eggs. The second was a fast and furious period, with each team getting 10 shots and 2 goals. Not what you would expect from these two teams, but all the action pointed towards a tense third period. The third was a story in itself, with each team getting a goal. There was end to end action and great saves, but this game was going to overtime. The overtime had a playoff feel, and pace. More end to end action, with excellent chances both ways, but again, no one could end the game. The extra point was going to be decided by a shootout, and the Hawks were finally able to pull it out, in exciting fashion.

The Good

• The first big chance for the Hawks started with Bickell out-hustling the Wild defender, and taking control of the puck, deep in the Wild zone. The puck eventually wound it's way around, and ended up going off the post, with Bickell fighting for position, below the goal line.
• Early on, the Killer B's line, had some great pressure in front. Bolland, Bickell, and Brunette had a lot of whacks, but just missed the net. They played a good game, even though they were all -2 on the night.
• Not often I put the opposing team in the good category, but the play Backstrom made on a possible 2-on-0 with Vik and El Capitan was EXCELLENT. They didn't even manage a shot on net, which turned out to be HUGE. Also, Kyle Brodziak looked like an allstar. Where did HE come from?
• Hoss got number 401 on a powerplay halfway through the second period. Shooter tried to jam the puck to the net, and it laid between Tazer's skates. Hoss rushed in and chipped it onto the net to put the Hawks up 1-0.
• Frodo made his way out of the doghouse by scoring a quick second goal shortly after the Hossa powerplay tally. The rush was started by Deuce, who floated a perfect pass to MegaMayers, who then sent it to Dream Warrior. Warrior's touch pass to Frodo ended up bouncing around like a pinball between the defenders legs, and into the cage. 2-0 Hawks.
• El Capitan whipped his balls out AGAIN, to put the Hawks up 3-2 almost half way through the third period, when he picked up a puck off Stalberg, and drove to the net, going through 3 defensemen, and then waited for Backstrom to go down. At that point, it was easy pickins for Jonny Big Balls, who put it up where momma keeps the peanut butter. 3-2 Hawks
• Hoss is just MASTERFUL with the puck on his stick. His sequence where he went through 4 out of 5 Wild players, even while being knocked on his ass, was incredible.
• Doc Emerick calling the came reminds me of the cup run two years ago and I absolutely love it! Just too bad Pierre McGuire fucking ruins it.
• Deuce has what was probably his best game of the year, and it showed with 30:30 of ice time.

The Bad

• Car Bomb pretty much got his ass kicked by Staubitz in the second period. Bomber got a few shots in, but Staubitz took control when he switched to throwing right hand haymakers.
• Another game, another supreme shorthanded chance against. If it weren't for the superhuman effort of Deuce, Razor would have had to come up huge once again. What...The...Fuck, Guys?
• The Hawks luck came to an end in the second period, and guess who was right in the middle of the action? Yup, Big Slow. The refs blew a CLEAR icing when Frank the Tank touched up. Slow went plowing in behind Tank, and below the goal line with his hands and stick around everyone's faces, and proceeded to play patty cake with the Wild forward. The puck was stolen from the two stooges that were too busy scratching their heads about the non call, and Kyle Brodziak waited Razor out long enough to bury it from a tight angle. Queue momentum shift. 2-1 Hawks
• Cal Clusterfuck and Matt Cullen tied the game up, on a horrible change by the Hawks. Hammer was left hung out to dry with Leddy coasting back half-assed. Cullen hit Clusterfuck with a pass, and he took it hard to the net. The puck ended up back on Cullen's stick and eventually into the net, Matrix slow motion style. 2-2 all tied up.
• Mikko Koivu tied up the game once again, with 5 minutes to go, on a delayed penalty. Clusterfuck came off the bench on a delayed penalty, and took the pass below the goal line. He waited for a Hammer, who was humping the ice, to clear and fed Koivu. Koivu got a little luck when his shot went off Leddy and past Razor. 3-3
• With just over a minute to go, Shooter and Hoss came in on a 2-on-1 and couldn't deliver.
• The Hawks peaked way too early, and were outshot 16-7 in the third period. Kind of makes that 11-2 scoreless first a moot point, doesn't it?

The Ugly

• In the first 10 minutes of the game, there was a grand total of 2 shots on net. TWO!. Even worse, it took the Wild SEVENTEEN minutes to get a single shot on net.
• Fourth line Frodo was the nightly wearer of the milkbone jockstrap. Not going to be a 30 goal scorer that way, Kid. By the third period he was playing on the first line with the wonder twins.
• The Hawks were collectively awful at the dot. The only player over 50% was MegaMayers.

The Shootout

• Matt Cullen was stopped by Razor.
• Toews beat Backstrom with the old faithful.
• Dany Heatley didn't get a shot off.
• Kane won the game on a stop-n-go.

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Blackhawks News And A BriefcaseFull Of Blues

Halfway through the month of December and the Blackhawks are still holding onto the #3 spot in the entire NHL. Even with all of the issues they have been having, they are able to pretty much stay there. Granted, there are 6 teams within 2 points of the Hawks (including Blackhawks south, The Panthers), but Hawks fan's have things to be happy about. The Blackhawks are also second in the league as far as Goals For. As with every good, there are plenty of things I would call "concerning", rather than bad. Lets go over a few:

• Razor's Edge. How could the goaltending quandary not be the first item on the list? Corey Crawford has come out "sub-par" and Razor Emery has actually over-achieved. This play has gotten Razor 3 starts in a row, when he takes the net tonight in Minny. I keep saying it, but this is not yet a controversy. Quenneville is going with the hotter hand, while he has the luxury of letting Crawford work the kinks out. This may very well turn into the same scenario as the last two years, but we mustn't drink the Razor Kool-Aid just yet. Crawford is not a fragile ego'd Huet, or an over the hill Turco. He's still young and impressionable. If Stephane Waite can't fix Corey's foggy head, then I will fully endorse panic mode, because the Hawks goaltending in Rockford isn't exactly comforting. Salak, and Richards haven't done anything notable, which is hugely disappointing, and Carter Hutton is small and not NHL ready, either.
• Bickell, Smith, Bickell, and so on. After last season's shocking 17 goal output, One Trick Bick opened some eyes in the NHL circles, if only to make league scouts say, "Don't give him 3 days to get his shot off". This also gave him a false sense of his place, as an NHL forward. He's a big ass that can cause traffic in front of the net, and if you give him time, can rip off a nasty wrist shot. Unfortunately, Mr. Bickell began to drink his own Kool-Aid (Yuck, I know), and lost his true identity. He began to think he was some kind of established sniper, and forgot to go to the net. Right to Q's Doghouse with you, Son. In steps every beat writers wet dream, the sandy haired Ben Smith. EVERYONE had been clamoring for the kid to step in. He was going to do great things because he had a handful of good, not great, games 8 months ago, right? Despite only scoring more than 20 goals once, in his Sophomore year at BC, he's a top six guy. Well, If you ask the Blackhawks Meat Beat Crew, they'll feed you that bologna. I've stated all along that Smith is, at best, a solid 3rd liner, who could fill in from time to time in other spots. Anyway, Smith was called up and, coincidence or not, laid a big steaming pile of poop in two of the Hawks worst games Hawks fans have seen in quite a long time. Now, by no means was this solely on Smith's shoulders, but he was absolutely invisible. Q had seen enough, and gave him the old "Healthy Scratch" treatment for 4 games. Bickell, who had been dropped to the fourth line, proceeded to swim in a sea of suck for those 4 games, and was scratched in favor of the kid. The Meat Beat threw fits of joy and spewed delusions of grandeur, when Smith scored in his first game back, but he then returned to earth so fast that he landed about 75 miles west of the UC, in Rockford. Now, we're back to the very affordable Bryan Bickell, who may or may not be angry enough to use that big ass to throw people around. At a dollar to pound ratio, the Blackhawks have to be winning on this one, right? Wednesday night's game will hopefully show us what One Trick Bick has learned, if anything. If not, he's cheap enough to sit in the press box, or even dangle as trade meat. Suck can be easily replaced.
• Hammer Time. All of us bloggers have been taking notice of Hammer's play lately, because that is what we do. If we point out the good, that's only restating the obvious. In this case, we can really blame Doug Wilson. As revenge for sending them packing in '10, he pulled a dick move on his former team and ran the price up on Hammer, like some kind of bidding war between the knuckleheads on Storage Wars. For those of you who are familiar, liken Wilson to the Dave Hester, yelling "yeeeeeeeeeep". Anyhow, Bowman had to keep him, at the time, and overpaid by at least a million for him. A young, good sized, Swedish defensive defender with a lot of potential could really be a steal a few years down the road. The problem, here, is that Hammer has not progressed, and, in fact, he's REgressed. He refuses to use his size to punish opponents, he really offers zero offense, and he absorbs huge hits. He has a constant look of extreme pain glued to his face, and he's only 24 years old! No player can take this abuse for long, and it's showing in his development. Yes, we all know he blocks shots, but that doesn't take a masters degree to accomplish, in fact, it's probably the easiest of all talents to master. You know where the net is, and where the defender is, just figure out the angle and cover your nuts. The bottom line is that time is running out. Nick Leddy has all but jumped Hammer to become the #3 guy. Hammer was never going to be a 40 point defender, but 20 would be a reasonable goal, and the even bigger issue is his physical play. He CAN punish people, like he did against the Islanders, but he's just too tentative. The clock is ticking, Nik.
• The latest of the entertaining shenanigans is today's article by NHL Blogger Extraordinaire Puck Daddy, aka Greg Wyshynski. Apparently, in a recent WGN radio interview, the host asked a question regarding the tired joke of the Sedin Sisters. Hardy, Har-Har, right? Bolly played to the audience and threw out a few jokes. Weeeeeeell, the Intarweb, mostly Vancouver Canucks fans, is up in arms over this, thanks to Wysh. Like this is the first time they've heard this shot. Really, it's like shooting fish in a barrel with Canucks fans, and this joke has been beaten to death. If you're going to get the idiots of the Intarweb up in a huff, find someone who is making a more recent stab, like their $10 Million backup goalie with the weepy face and greasy hair. I prefer the Tomax and Xamot Crimson Twins reference for the Sedin's, myself.

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Blackhawks vs. SharksOT Win Recap

"Big Daddy"



On the heels of an OT win the other night, in Long Island, the Hawks headed back home to play the San Jose Sharks and former Cup winning teammate, Antti Niemi, along with other Former Hawks Havlat and Handzus. In addition, the Hawks made the announcement early Saturday to start Ray Emery. This team is NOT the Islanders, and they have plenty of firepower, so the Hawks were going to need to put on a better effort. On the night the Hawks announced Ed Belfour heritage night, the Hawks had a big game to make a statement. And did they!

The first period went the Sharks way, as they put 17 shots on net, including one goal, and only surrendered 8 shots to the Hawks. The Hawks kept up early, but lost their luster and ended up down, going into the second. The Hawks and Sharks were both able to dent the net, in the second period, to keep the Sharks up by one as the teams hit the second break. The Sharks were also able to put 16 more shots on net to lead the Hawks 33-13. The Hawks came out with a little edge in the third period outshooting the Sharks 16-3 and tying up the game, with under two minutes to go in regulation. Just when all signs pointed to a shootout, the Hawks were able to poke a rebound into the net for a big 3-2 win.

The Good

• Marcus Kruger tied up the game at 1-1 almost halfway through the second period. The goal was set up by a long Hammer shot that was tipped in front of the net and by Niemi by Dream Warrior. Nice screen in front of the net by Shooter and Kruger.
• The Hawks came out after a time out, and Emery on the bench, and tied up the game with just over a minute left. The Hawks set up a faceoff play that started with El Capitan winning the faceoff to Shooter. Shooter sent it back to Deuce, who then threw it over to Hoss. Hoss dumped it off his back foot and Bruno tipped it in. Big goal to send the momentum in the Hawks favor.
• Shooter won the game with 30 seconds to go in OT, to sent the Hawks fans home happy campers. The play started with Hoss taking a half swing shot from the high slot and the rebound laid in the crease at the toe of Niemi. Shooter had position on Brent Burns and poked the puck into the net.
• Razor did noting to make the Hawks faithful doubt Quenneville's decision to start him. He saved 35 of 37 shots, and stood tall when the Hawks weren't looking hot at all. While I still think Crawford should be #1, the clock is ticking.
• Once again, all the Hawks forwards except Kruger were over 50% at the dot. This must be part of the reason we saw Dream Warrior play wing, later in the game.

The Bad

• Jamie McGinn put the Sharks up 1-0 late in the first period, after Hammer just let him stand there and poke at the puck long enough to put it in the net. Once again, Hammer refuses to use his body to his advantage. Is anyone surprised?
• Just a couple of minutes after the Hawks tied up the game, Justin Braun ripped a shot past Emery, from high in the slot, to put the Sharks back up 2-1. There was traffic in front, but a very savable shot.
• Pick to Click Vik had another glorious chance thwarted, or did he just shoot it into Niemi's pads? He looked like he had room to bury it, but pushed it back towards Niemi, and Niemi got a pad on it.
• Glad to see Jumbo Joe acting like a total juvenile after high sticking Tazer in the neck, he then proceeded to yap at the refs, and then follow the whole tantrum up by crosschecking Tazer. Same goes for Ryan Clowe at the end of the third period. Bunch of little sissy bitches. Way to keep it classy, San Diego.
• While Niemi played well, the Hawks had several chances to tie the game and couldn't lift the puck. It's pretty widely known that Niemi is very good, down low and the Hawks couldn't shoot a puck higher than 3" off the ice.
• Quenneville was clearly not happy with the play of the third line. Frolik played under 10 minutes, and Ben Smith only played 5:48. I'm sure we can expect some juggling on the bottom 6, and maybe a reappearance of Bickell sometime soon.

The Ugly

• The Sharks Andrew Desjardins put an extremely dangerous hit on Pistol, by pushing him into the boards face first, behind the Hawks net. Based on recent Shanaban experiences, he should be getting a look see from the league offices, for that one.

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Blackhawks at New York IslandersOT Win Recap

"400 Ways To Die"



Thursday night the Hawks visited Long Island for the "Hawks Vs Isles Part Deux", in a weeks time no less. Aren't WE the lucky ones? Last game, the Hawks Made it much harder on themselves than they needed to, taking the Isles to OT, and finally a shootout all while giving up 40-something shots. It took a Herculean effort from Captain Serious, to bring them back, and he was the only one to score in the shootout. This time around, they didn't have the benefit of the home fans, after the comeback against the Coyotes the other night, that disappointingly fell just short. The Isles, on the other hand, put up 10 goals in the two wins following their loss to the Hawks.

The Hawks looked like the better team, for a majority of the first period, but the shots were even at 10-10. The Hawks were the recipient of some luck, and were able to go up and into the intermission 1-0 on their powerplay goal. The Hawks weren't as successful in the second period but were able to tie the period 1-1, putting the Hawks up 2-1 for the game. The Isles were able to tie up the game in the third period, and send the game into overtime, also outshooting the Hawks 8-7. Lucky for everyone wearing white, the Hawks were able to make quick work of the Isles in OT, and bring home the 2 points.

The Good

• The Hawks were able to open the scoring on the powerplay, in the first. Hoss scored his 400th career goal by taking the puck behind the net, and banking it off Montoya and into the net. Terrible goal for Montoya, but congrats to Marian Hossa. 1-0 Hawks
  
• Hoss continued his red hot play a couple of minutes into the second period, feeding Shooter for a rocket of a one timer. Montoya couldn't get across the crease fast enough to catch up to Sharpie's laser of a shot. 2-0 Second Line.
• Hossa capped a historic night by picking up a loose puck in the Hawks end and leading the rush up the ice, in OT. He took a shot Montoya, who ended up on his dupa, and the rebound conveniently came right out to Shooter, who put it in for his second goal of the night, and the game winner. And a mighty handsome goal it was. Huge night for the second line, and nice win for the Hawks.
• For the first time in recent memory, Hammer actually hammered someone. He laid a big hit on Michael Grabner, who had his head down the entire way, in the Isles end of the ice. I had to do a double take of the number.
• The Hawks powerplay looked excellent all game long. The defining moment, of course, was the Islanders 5-on-3 at the end of the second/beginning of the third. It was SO good that the Hawks didn't even give up a shot.
• Despite a rare gaffe, Seabrook was a beast on the back end all night long, whether it was a strong pass, shot block, or a big hit he was on his game. Even though he was out there for the tying goal, that one really wasn't on him. He also led all Hawks in shorthanded TOI. That says a lot about Quenneville's confidence in Lucky Number Sleven.
• Razor was 31 of 33, and he made several big saves that kept the Hawks up, and in the game. As slow and tender as he looked in the preseason, and early on; he's looked that much better as of late. At least one of them is looking tight. This is more evidence to support the idea of Razor getting more time, to take the pressure off Crawford. Again, this is no controversy, YET.
• Three points for both Shooter and Hoss. More please!

The Bad

• Travis Hamonic put the Isles on the board with under 2 minutes left in the second period. The Hawks weren't able to get the puck out of the zone and it was fed across to Hamonic, who Ben Smith had somehow lost track of. Hamonic used the screen of Smith and Hammer to blow a long slapshot past Razor. 2-1 Hawks.
• The Isles tied up the game, in the third, when Steve Staios' shot went off Michael Grabner and past Razor just over halfway through the frame. The Hawks actually looked to have the play covered pretty well, but the deflection snuck by Emery.
• Patrick Sharp started Razor's night off by turning the puck over at the Isles blue line and then letting his guy skate right past him. Unfortunately, that guy was John Tavares, but Razor was up to the task. Thanks, Shooter!
• Whenever Hammer tries to build up some speed, it looks like his feet are moving extremely fast, but he's not going anywhere.
• The third line had another rough night, going minus 3 total, and collecting 4 minutes in penalties. I'd honestly like to see the Hawks give Bolland some down time to rehab that foot, while they have some time to play with. If this is still an issue down the stretch run, it's going to become a major one.
• The Hawks weren't terrible at the dot, but Bolland was smacked around most of the night, most notably by Tavares. 37% for the shutdown center isn't a pretty stat.

The Ugly

• Queue up the Mr. Hyde/CarBomb. With just under 4 minutes left in the third period of a 2-2 game, he took exception to Kyle Okposo jumping into a post whistle fracas, and jabbed Okposo right in the yap, drawing a penalty. The Isles didn't score on the PP but that kind of crap isn't going to make Quenneville happy, especially if they give up a goal.

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Blackhawks vs. Coyotes - SO Loss Recap

"Never Enough"



Round two for the Blackhawks and Coyotes. After a pretty successful weekend, the Hawks had all but forgotten about the last time they saw the Coyotes. Too bad the Coyotes hadn't forgotten. It looks like Phoenix is going to become the new thorn in the Hawks side. Since last game the Coyotes haven't exactly lit the world on fire, but when they come in the UC, they look like the Devils of the early 2000's.

The Coyotes picked up where they left off a week ago, taking it to the Hawks in all areas, including outshooting and outscoring the Hawks in the first period. It's not going to be easy to win against a team like Phoenix when you're already in a hole 2-0. The second period was a whole different story. It was the Hawks turn to dominate the period in both shots and goals. After giving up an early goal, they came out with a purpose and brought the game back to a 3-3 tie. The third period was of playoff style. Tight checking and no scoring. Both teams had chances but the Hawks clearly had more. Neither team could break the tie and the game headed into OT, which was dominated again by the Hawks. This game was decided in the shootout, as the Yotes were able to win the shootout 2-0. Certainly disappointing, and clearly the soft first period cost them dearly.

The Good

• The Hawks finally put a goal on the board with three minutes gone in the second. Toews picked up a blocked Pat Kane pass and ripped it past Mike Smith to bring the Hawks within 2 goals. 3-1 Yotes.
• The Hawks struck again on the powerplay, as Captain Big Balls tipped a Deuce slapshot past Smith the bring the Hawks within one goal, half way through the second period. At this point, the Hawks had ALL the momentum, and were skating circles around the Coyotes. They had been dominating Phoenix for about 5 minutes previous which led to the penalty, and the Hawks made it count. Queue momentum shift.
• I'm slowly, but surely, becoming a big fan of the Dream Warrior (Sorry, Second City Hockey, the name is just TOO perfect), Marcus Kruger. He plays solid in his own end, and has learned to play really big with the puck in the offensive zone, despite his small stature. He's won me over.
• Kaner tied the game up with 6 minutes to go in the second period on a Yotes turnover, which led to a Toews/Kane 2-on-1. Captain Big Balls outraced the Yotes players and held on to the puck until the perfect moment when Kaner cleared the defender, and hit him with a perfect backdoor pass, that he buried past Smith. NOW we have a game! All tied up at treys, and the Hawks were in a zone, all of a sudden.
• That Jonathan Kane connection is looking pretty good, isn't it? Thank you, Dream Warrior, for allowing this to happen. People need to start sweating, because the league is in trouble. The Bromance is back.
• Outshooting the Yotes 35-27 is right about in the Hawk wheelhouse, but they need to be better in the saves category.
• Bolly was the only Hawks center under 50% in the faceoff circle, for the game. Bolly is hurting, we just don't know how much. With the emergence of Dream Warrior, do the Hawks give him some down time to allow him to heel? Brandon Pirri is absolutely lighting up the AHL, so maybe NOW is the time to get Bolly healthy, because he has basically reverted back to Invisi-Bolly.

The Bad

• The first Yotes goal of the game was a result of a Frank the Tank blow out at the Phoenix blue line. Tank tried to dive and knock the puck past Raffi Torres, but couldn't. This led to a 2-on-1 against Lurch, who really didn't stand a chance. He chose to pressure the puck and Boedker dumped it off to Torres, who just directed it into a wide open net. 1-0 Yotes
• The second Phoenix goal of the game was as a result of a giveaway deep in the Hawks zone, by Deuce, who just threw the fucking puck away into his own corner. Ray Whitney got to it, and fed the puck out to Radim Vrbata who drew Crawford out of the net, after he grossly overcommitted, and tucked it in behind him. I really can't say I remember any Phoenix goals, this year, against the Hawks that weren't ugly, and this one certainly fits. 2-0 Yotes
• Just over a minute into the second period Keith Yandle put an end to Corey Crawford's nighy, sending a long shot through a Pyatt screen and into the net. Crawford really didn't have much of a chance, with Leddy letting Pyatt pitch a fucking tent in front, but sometimes you have to bail your team out. 3-0 Yotes.
• Frank the Tank really had two bad turnovers to begin the game. He looked like he was just in a haze out there, but eventually shook it off.
• Vik Stalberg once again passed up a glorious chance from no more than 15 feet from the net, and turned the puck over with a godawful pass. I love his speed, but you have to shoot the fucking puck, kiddo! He missed at LEAST 3 other chances in the game, and I'm talking "5 feet in front of the net with no defenders between you and the goalie" chances, including one in OT.
• Kaner pulled his little fancy pants spin-o-rama passes, AGAIN, to Car Bomb who was just a few seconds too slow to beat Smith.
• Looks like Ben Smith has come back down to earth, again. This is what you're going to get out of him. He's a third liner that could fill in from time to time on the top line, but you're not going to get major points out of him. I'm perfectly happy with Smith playing out there ahead of One-Trick-Bick even though him and Frodo were minus 2 on the night, because he brings more to the table.

The Ugly

• Jesus fucking CHRIST, Captain Obvious, aka Pierre McGuire, is the creepiest and most annoying announcer in sports, bar none. Will SOMEONE please give him a job that keeps him off the television? PLEASE!
• The Hawks powerplay has really become "Feast or Famine". Either they are running the puck around like the Globetrotters, or they can't even get the puck into the zone. There is no in-between.
• Hossa missing the shorthanded chance halfway through the third is a MUST SCORE. You just HAVE to put that mistake in the net. Roof it on the long side. That goal would have put the Coyotes to bed, because an ugly shorthanded goal like that, on the road, would take all wind out of their sails. This one turned out to be HUGE!
• I'm not screaming goalie controversy, here, but Razor has earned a back-to-back start or two. Obviously, continuing to throw Crawford out to the wolves is NOT working. Let him work through his issues and give Razor some more starts.

The Shootout

• Ekman-Larsson beat Razor
• Tazer was stopped by Smith
• Vrbata beat Razor
• Hossa was stopped by Smith

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Blackhawks at St. Louis - Win Recap

"Rough Boys"



After Friday's questionable Shootout win against the Isles, the Hawks still had a lot of questions to answer. The first was the marginal goaltending, and the Hawks answered that by giving Crawford the night off in favor of Razor emery. The second was figuring out what was wrong with the bottom six forwards. The third was what to do about the bottom 3 defensemen. The Bickell Chronicles seemed to be over, with Agent Smith getting a goal in his first game in the last 4. The Blues have been red hot since they switched coaches, and were now only one win and two points behind he Hawks. The good news story of this game was the return of sniper David Perron, who had missed nearly 100 games due to a concussion.

The game opened with the Blues taking the lead, in the first, and even though the Hawks out shot the Blues 13-6, the blues held the lead for the remainder of the period. The Hawks came out in the second just like Friday night and pretty much dominated the period. They ended up also winning the period 3-1, and took back the momentum. The Hawks were able to hold on to the momentum in the third period, netting another goal, and an open netter to win 5-2. Good win for the Hawks, and a solid game.

The Good

• The Hawks opened the second period, and tied the game forty one seconds in. Captain Emormo-nuts tipped a Hammer point shot into the net. The play started with Kaner negating an icing, and controlling the puck long enough to get it to Hammer, who was able to throw it towards the net.
• Boss 81 tied the game back up at 2, on a shorthanded 2-on-1. The Hawks forced a turnover at the Blues blue line, and Hoss took it netward waiting for Bolly to clear the defender, which he never did, so Hoss just blew it by Elliott. HUGE play to shift the momentum in the Hawks favor, and this ended up the defining play of the night, and could end up being a defining play for a whole lot more.
• The powerplay finally showed some life as Shooter scored on a nice long range slapshot, through a screen, to put the Hawks up 3-2, late in the second period. That's right, I said POWERPLAY.
• Car Bomb finally showed some positive aggression in the second when the Blues tried to push Kaner and El Capitan around. He took on a few Blues players, including noted fucktard David Back-Ass. He ended up with 4 for roughing, but I'll take that any day. "DON'T YOU EVER TOUCH MY CAPTAIN"
• For once, the Hawks actually opened up a third period with a goal. Hoss took a drop off pass from Shooter, who couldn't handle the feed, and blew it past Elliott for a 4-2 lead on the powerplay, just a minute into the third period. Lookin good, lookin good!
• Kruger had continued to look good in all areas of his game. He hasn't looked overmatched at all, and he's been logging a lot of PK time. Thank god someone is panning out.
• Frolik picked up a late goal, even though it was an empty netter. At this point, he'll take anything he can get.
• With two powerplay goals, one shorthander, and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill the Hawks special teams had an EXCELLENT game. I can't emphasize how much they needed this.

The Bad

• David Perron made for a really good story, opening up the scoring just over five minutes into the first period, on a play where neither Bolland, Frank the Tank nor Lurch could tie up Perron. He was given more than enough time to wait out Razor and pick his spot. Please tell me they just had pity on him, and threw him a solid.
• Immediately following a big hit by Deuce on Steen, Deuce proceeded to shoot the puck on his own net. Good thing Razor was paying attention. Slick move, Kid!
• The Blues took the lead back on a questionable play where Vladimir Sobotka clearly tripped Bruno from behind, who was trying to start a break out in the Hawks end. Chris Stewart picked the loose puck up and snapped it past Emery. The refs definitely missed the call but the Hawks can't stop playing to bitch about the non-call. 2-1 Blues.
• Frank the Tank, and Lurch only played 3 shifts in the second period and were a minus 2 each, for the game. Not their best showing.

The Ugly

• It is Official, Ryan Reaves is a complete and utter cement head douche. Not that it takes much, but he's taken over Cam Janssen's spot.

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Blackhawks vs. Islanders - SO Win Recap

"Islands In The Stream"



Just when all seems to be in a state of disarray, the lowly Islanders come to town. The Islanders have fallen on hard times...since 1985. As of late, they have had a bit of a goaltending "issue". They've been through 4 goaltenders in 22 games, and this is not from poor play as much as poor genetics. The Isles have a few young weapons in Tavares, Moulson, Grabner, and Blackhawk prospect for a second, P.A. Paretneau, but have not been able to get themselves on the winning side of anything for about 2 decades. In net, the Isles went with Chicago native Al Montoya. Easy game, right?

This game opened like so many others before, with the Hawks giving up an early lead, and then giving up another one after they had tied it up. They outshot the Isles 14-13, but that was far too many shots to be giving up to a bottom dwelling team, like the Isles. The Blackhawks must have felt the same way, because they came out in the second and out shot the Isles 15-2, and outscored them 2-0 to go into the third up 3-2. The progress they made in the second period all disappeared when the Isles scored an early PPG and another one later in the period. The Hawks were outshot 23-5 in he frame, and the game was headed to overtime. After a few chances in the OT, the Hawks won the game in a shootout. Good thing this was easy, eh?

The Good

• Of all the people to open up the scoring, the fourth line were the ones to dent the net, about half way through the first. Bruno took a nice pass from Lurch, who had taken a nice pass from Car Bomb. Bruno ended up with a wide open cage. 1-1 tie.
• Agent Smith tied up the game in the second, and I heard Jesse Rogers scream like a teenage girl who just scored Justin Bieber tickets. Smith took a fancy pants pass from Kaner and put it in the net on his second try. We might as well just nominate Smith for the Hall Of Fame right now, because the Ben Smith parade probably planned for Sunday. In all seriousness, he IS a much better option than Bickell. A mediocre Smith still has more pure talent and grit, which doesn't take much. 2-2 tie.
• El Capitan singlehandedly put the Blackhawks up after stealing the puck from Jurcina, shorthanded and beat Montoya before either player knew that happened. What more has to be said? Toews is a fucking beast. Shorthanded, 1-on-2, and managed to own them all. 4-3 Hawks.
• The Hawks second period was insanely good. The not only outshot the Isles 15-2, and outscored them 2-0, but they missed almost half a dozen open nets and serous scoring chances. Honestly, they could have scored 4 that period.
• Shooter used his lucky tape, and put the Hawks back up AGAIN, 4-3 with five minutes gone in the third, on the powerplay. 4-3 Hawks.
• All of the Hawks centers were either right at 50% or better than 60%. That works!

The Bad

• The Isles opened up the scoring on the powerplay with a goal by Kyle Okposo. It was a fairly simple play in which the rebound of a point shot came right out to Okposo who was left wide open by Hjalmarsson, and he had a gaping net. Hammer couldn't looked any less interested, or motivated. 1-0 Isles
• The Hawks responded to the first Isles goal with another failed PP, that made the Isles PP look like world beaters. To top it all off Bolland took a great one timer chance, stopped it, tried to put it on a platter, and proceeded to let the Isles defender block it.
• Goal number two for the Isles was yet another simply WEAK goal. Moulson snapped a wrist shot right past Crawford fairly easily after finding a soft shot between the Hawks defenders. 2-1 Isles.
• The PK took their second hit of the night when P.A. Parenteau picked up a bouncing puck in the slot and ripped it past Crawford to tie the game. Too many Hawks players just standing around watching the puck. 3-3 Tie.
• The Hawks weren't the only ones with shorthanded chances. The Isles had at least 2 really solid 1-on-1 chances while shorthanded.
• Just as the Hawks killed off their 2nd of 4 powerplays against, Nino Niederreiter took a turnover in the Hawks neutral zone and was able to get a step on Deuce and Seabrook, finally ripping a shot past Crawford to tie up the game AGAIN. 4-4 tie.
• Car Bomb had 07:29 of playing time and I can't remember much more than :30 of it. That doghouse sure is cold and lonely.

The Ugly

• Getting outplayed the way they did in the first and third periods, to a team that's just not that good, was unacceptable.
• Just when the Hawks had all the momentum going into the third, the PK let them down again and took away all momentum. Not tight at all.

The Shootout

• Nielsen met Crawford's glove.
• Tazer beat Montoya. All business.
• Niederreiter was stopped, finally, by Crawford.
• Hossa shot it over the net.
• Moulson hit the post

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