Blackhawks at Avalanche4-3 OT Win Recap

"Birthday Song"

by Patrick Stankus

Unlike the Puckin Hostile crew who finished closed out 2015 with last night's New Year's Eve Eve episode, the Blackhawks closed out 2015 by taking on the Avalanche in Denver. In addition to tonight being New Year's Eve, it was also Corey Crawford's 31st birthday. Joel Quenneville rewarded Crawford by giving him the night off. Also getting the night off for the Blackhawks was the $4 million dollar man Bryan Bickell. Terrific, what a way to close out 2015.

As the puck dropped in Denver, it looked like the Hawks were suffering from Steve Konroyd's favorite excuse of the thin air being an issue. I like to put it as a sluggish start, just like they've had in Chicago before. Early on with TVR in the box, the Avs would get on the board first after a Carl Soderberg redirect to give them a 1-0 lead. After a failed power play by the Hawks, they would be able to tie the game before the opening frame would end. With 90 seconds remaining, Artem Anisimov would score to tie the game at one after the opening 20 minutes.

The second period was like night and day for the Hawks. The Hawks dominated play throughout, and it showed on the scoreboard. The opening five minutes saw the Hawks get goals from Andrew Desjardins, and on the power play from Patrick Kane, to give the Hawks a 3-1 lead. Midway through the second, Cody McLeod would cut the lead to 3-2 after a brutal goal from 50 ft out allowed by Darling. In the middle frame the Hawks would end up out shooting the Avs 17-5, but couldn't add anymore to their lead. After 40 minutes, the Hawks would lead the Avs 3-2.

Much like how the Hawks bounced back with a better effort in the second period, the Avs returned the favor in the third period. Early on, the Hawks were forced to kill off a Brent Seabrook penalty, which they did, but the Avs generated some momentum. After two failed power plays, the Avs cashed in immediately, off another soft goal allowed by Scott Darling. Erik Johnson beat Darling with a weak wrist shot from a bad angle to tie the game at three. In the remaining five minutes, the Avs would have a couple chances to win the game, but none would go in, and we'd head to overtime.

The overtime frame would feature some great chances for both teams, but the Hawks would benefit from an Avs penalty. With Iginla in the box, Jonathan Toews would bail out Scott Darling, and beat Varlamov from the goal mouth to close out 2015 with a win for the Blackhawks.

And before I go, a big thank you to all our readers and listeners. It means a lot to hear your feedback, and we really appreciate it folks! You guys are the best. Thanks for making 2015 a great year. Let's make 2016 even better. Happy New Year to all of you.

The Good

• The #AK72Line was on display tonight at both even strength and on the power play. Their first goal of the night came from Artem Anisimov in the first period. Their second goal of the night came by way of the power play in the second period by Patrick Kane. I'm glad the honeymoon with the #AK72Line isn't over.
• Phillip Danault continues to impress during this stint with the Hawks. Although he was robbed of his first career goal by Varlamov, Danault was very noticeable. This gives hope to all of us who have a bad hip at a relatively young age.
• Andrew Desjardins hot streak continued tonight. He added his third goal in two games.
• Speaking of Desjardins, it was nice to see balanced scoring tonight, aside from just the #AK72Line. In addition to Desjardins, Toews scored in OT to win it.
• The Hawks power play had two goals tonight. That unit is so feast or famine, its not even funny.
• Teuvo's pass on Desjardins goal was a thing of beauty. Just imagine how good Teravainen can be if the Hawks A. Give him real players to play with, and B. Develop him correctly.

The Bad

• Artemi Panarin had a bad turnover at the point on the second Blackhawks power play in the second period. To his credit, he showed nice hustle on the backcheck to breakup a Carl Soderberg breakaway.
• Remember how I said the Hawks power play was feast or famine? Yes, they had two goals tonight, but they also had six power play opportunities.
• I'm crediting Gate with this one. Rob SuckDeri is exactly that. A sucky hockey player. Tonight he barely managed to break a sweat in 6:52 of ice time, and getting destroyed twice.
• Yes, the Hawks won, but I can't be 100% satisfied with the win, since it came in overtime, and gave a point to a divisional opponent.
• The "well Scott Darling hasn't played in awhile" talk is a lame excuse for his performance tonight. You need to be ready to play when called upon. Even Sheldon Brookbank did that correctly in the 2013 Western Conference Final.

The Ugly

• Steve Fucking Konroyd. The guy makes vanilla ice cream look exciting. Not to mention he's a complete clown. I counted 5 times before the 2nd period started that he called Artem Anisimov "Artemi." And bloggers are what's wrong with the hockey world.
• Scott Darling tried his best to make sure I didn't make it to the year 2016. I just about damn near had a heart attack when he came out to the circles to play a loose puck in the first period. How many times do I have to say it? STAY IN THE FUCKING NET.
• Speaking of Darling, midway through the second period, he allowed a 50 ft wrist shot from Cody McLeod to beat him glove side. McLeod's degenerate father Kelly Chase must have been proud. Talk about WOOOOOF.
• See Erik Johnson's goal.
• See Bryan Bickell, but look in the press box for him.
• And finally, it appears Scott Darling's birthday present to Corey Crawford was giving Crawford the net back.

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Puckin Hostile Shoutcast - Episode 46

In this Puckin Hostile Shoutcast number 46, the Dmitri Nabokov episode, the Puckin Hostile clowns are back together for a year end "Airing of Grievances" episode, where Gate is seconds from either vomiting or crapping his pants for the entire 2 1/2 hours.

The group discuss the following:

-We end 2015 on a sober note. RIP Lemmy Kilmister (Motorhead)
-Gate is introduced to NHL Network's Kelly Nash
-Fatrick gets lit up by a fat old mediocre face puncher
-Special segment for the second annual New Years Eve Eve Shoutcast
-The Hockey Press just wont go away
-World Junior Championships and over reacting
-Marcus Kruger has a serious injury, and Fatrick cries into his McRib
-Games vs Oilers, Sabres, Sharks, Stars, Hurricanes, and Quebec Coyotes
-Blackhawks roster moves including Philip Danault, David Rundblad and Erik Gustafsson
-Loyal listener questions from Matt Grunow
-Puckin Hostile Holiday Roadwatch bust
-And as always, an abundance of inappropriate references and jokes in very bad taste

You can find the episode on iTunes by following this link: iTunes

Puckin Hostile Shoutcast - Episode 46 MP3 Direct Download
You can listen below on the Talkshoe player:


Get the Shoutcast on Soundcloud here:



Also, Please check out and share the Puckin Hostile Stanley Cup Highlight video:




Music by "The Bloodline"


For all your custom jersey needs visit Black and Tan Sports at:

http://www.facebook.com/BlackAndTanSports

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Blackhawks at Arizona7-5 Win Recap

"Born To Lose"
(Click the Title, RIP LEMMY)
by Gatekeeper

For the last game of 2015, the Blackhawks traveled to sunny Arizona to face the lowly, but promising, Coyotes. The Blackhawks came off a pretty eventful day as far as they are concerned. They placed David Rundblad on waivers and called up defenseman Erik Gustafsson from Rockford. This was enough for all of us reasonable mammals to celebrate, but there was still danger of him coming back since no one claimed him off waivers. This was also the first time the Blackhawks faced their former team translator, Viktor Tikhonov, who was claimed on waivers by the Coyotes, who are actually serious about letting the poor kid actually play some hockey rather than eat all the bags of pretzels and peanuts in the press box.

The Hawks and Yotes opened up the game like the wild fucking west, Tuesday night. It started off pretty innocently but the powerplays began about five minute in, all hell then broke loose. The two team combined for power play goals on all of the first three, before the game was 10 minutes old. Sprinkle in an even strength goal and wrap this shit show up with a final minute powerplay goal and you have a 3-2 first period. The real laugher of this period was that the Blackhawks were out shot 12-5. WOOF

Understandably, the Yotes made a goalie switch for the second period, turning to a rookie named Louis Domingue. He thanked them by giving up a goal that was even worse than the one his opposing netminder gave up in the first period. The powerplays definitely slowed as far as production goes in the middle period as well. After the dust settled in this period, the Blackhawks had scored 2 goals on 17 shots while the Yotes were held scoreless on 14.

The third period can be best described as "sloppy" as far as the Blackhawks are concerned. Luckily for them, they were playing a team that was LITERALLY scoring on themselves. The Blackhawks went up 6-2 early on, but then proceeded to let the home team back in the game by giving up 3. When the game mercifully came to an end, the Blackhawks finished 2015 with a 7-5 win. All looks the same in the standings, right? Have a Happy New Year, everyone.

The Good

• The Blackhawks powerplay is just maddening. They look like total dogshit for the first half, so much so that Edzo was suggesting they play dump and chase the rest of the advantage after a Jonathan Toews live grenade to Teravainen led to a shorthanded 2-on-1. They turn right around the next shift and easily break the Coyotes defense which leads to Duncan Keith's powerplay goal.
• A minute after the Keith goal, the Blackhawks scored a second powerplay goal. This time from slumping Artem Anisimov. It was a pretty simple play that led to a long laser from the point, which Anisimov redirected in front.
• Stand down, everybody! Looks like all the Blackhawks ills are cured, guys. The biggest Hawks problem is fixed. The guy that was holding everybody back, Artemi Panarin, scored.
  Anyhow, Artemi Panarin, the pleasantly overachieving rookie that is 38 games into his NHL career, closed out the the final first period power play with a long snipe over Lindback, giving the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead.
• You know you are having a bad night when you give up a bouncing 50 foot wrist shot goal from Andrew Desjardins, two minutes into your night. Welcome to the game, Louis Domingue. It got worse.
• With just over 6 minutes remaining in the second period Andrew Shaw found Patrick Kane across the slot with a nice pinpoint pass, and Domingue had zero chance to get over in enough time to even attempt to stop Kane's shot. The Yotes are fucking awful. It should also be pointed out that the play was started by a nice keep-in and pass from Erik Gustafsson. No use for a guy like that on this team!
• Max Domi is a player. Kid has some serious talent. Let's all hope none of Shitstain Doan's repulsive sliminess rubs off on the kid.
• Erik Gustafsson was barely noticeable in 14:43 of time. He ended up with a plus 3, and an assist. Perfect for his spot. Just be serviceable. That he was, which is more than anyone can say for Rob Suck-deri.
• Hey, shit, Michael Rozival was alright too, eh? He matched his partner's +3, of course, in 13:23. That has to count for something right, Beetlejuice?
  

The Bad

• Zybanek Michalek tied the game for the Coyotes, at 2, with almost 8 minutes remaining in the FIRST FUCKING PERIOD. Dennis Rasmussen got caught running around in the Hawks zone, after he turned the puck over. Oliver Ekman-Larsson wound up behind the Blackhawks net with about half a day to find Michalek for a one timer past Crawford.
• Shitstain Doan got his second goal of the game with about 12:30 remaining in the third period, on the powerplay. There were about 4 asses in Crawford's grill, which MAY have been a contributing factor.
• Andrew Shaw had a breakaway from center ice, and you might have some idea how that ended. "Hands of Stone" fumbled the puck like a virgin with a bra strap, on prom night, after faking Domingue out.
• Connor Murphy brought the game back within 2 goals with seven minutes remaining in the game. Tobias Rieder hit Murphy with a pass across the high slot and Murphy used an Antoine Vermette screen to beat Crawford. With all the crazy goalie interference calls this year, Quenneville had to be hoping they would take a look when he called timeout after. Was enough to make you wonder.
• Shitstain Doan finished off the hat trick with 27 seconds remaining in the game, on the powerplay. When nothing mattered. The appropriate time for him to tie the franchise record for career goals, when no one else gave a rat's ass. Clearly the "fans" didn't because there was ONE fucking hat thrown on the ice. That's both insulting and pitiful. Throw your hats out there, you fucking jackals!
• The Blackhawks gave up 37 shots, and somehow managed to score 7 on only 28 of their own. Kick your own asses, 'Zona. Seriously...
  

The Ugly

• The third powerplay of the game, and first by Arizona, yielded a simply BRUTAL goal given up by Corey Crawford. Shitstain Doan was on the half boards and just flipped the puck lightly at the net. The puck bounced innocently in front of Crawford and took a sharp left on him. Ugly looking goal, but the puck bounces funny sometimes. I guess. He should have honestly pulled a Pudge Fisk and gotten his entire body in front of that puck. He gave it the "Ole", and it handcuffed him something fierce.
• Andrew Desjardins' second goal of the game came with about 5 minutes gone in the third. Teravainen found him in behind the the Yotes defense and hit him with a great pass. Desjardins got off a shot that Domingue saved, but Grossman plowed into the crease and put the puck into his own net. This was a game of Benny Hill style goals.
• Late in the third there was some incidental contact between Zybanek Michalek and Marian Hossa at the Hawks blue line. Unfortunately, Michalek's head made contact with Hossa's shoulder because Michalek was bent over reaching for the puck. Foley was completely mystified as to why Michalek laid face down on the ice for a good minute after the play, even after seeing the replay. The best he could come up with was "looks like there could have been some knee, to knee contact". At that moment, you were the dumbest person watch this game. Pull yourself together.
• Bryan Bickell is so utterly terrible that Quenneville limitted him to 6:47 of ice time. He still inexplicably managed to take a penalty and go -2. When the best thing Pat Foley can say about a $4 Million player is that he had 5 hits in his previous game, that is an atrocious player.
• While we're at it, I'm going to tell you something that none of you probably realized. Ryan Garbutt dressed and played. "Played" being a relative term, because he was on the ice for miniscule 5:50. Enough said.
• Dennis Rasmussen centered this immense and gaping black hole of a line, and his reward was 6:21 time on ice.
  

The Lineblender
Shaw - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Garbutt
Teravainen - Danault - Desjardins

Keith - van Riemsdyk
Hjalmarsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - Gustafsson

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Blackhawks vs. Hurricanes2-1 Loss Recap

"Verbeauty And The Beast"

by Patrick Stankus

The Blackhawks returned from the Christmas break on Sunday night to take on the Carolina Hurricanes at The UC on Sunday night. Also returning to the rink on Sunday was Marian Hossa who missed the last couple of games due to an upper body injury. With four days off between games, tonight's game had the makings of being one of those trap games, especially with the fact the Hurricanes played last night. Oh, should I also mention, tonight marked the return of Kris Versteeg and Joakim Nordstrom to Chicago?

When the puck dropped, the Hawks didn't look as sluggish as they could have been, but the Canes did have the extra jump to their step. As the period went on, both teams had a few quality chances, but neither could convert. With just over four minutes remaining in the period, Artem Anisimov had a great opportunity, but Eddie Lack denied him with a shoulder save. For the majority of the period, the Hawks fourth line was the best, but as the period wound down, the other lines started picked up the slack. As the horn sounded however, the game would be scoreless after 20 minutes.

As the second period got underway, it was mentioned that during the intermission the Hurricanes held a closed door meeting. Judging by the play early in the period, it didn't look like the meeting had much motivation for them. Just prior to the midway part of the game, Jonathan Toews had a great chance in front of Lack, but Lack made the save. A few seconds later, the Hawks would head to their first power play of the night, which would prove to be powerless. For the most part, this second period could have been brought to you by Serta because it damn could have put you to sleep. With 18 seconds remaining, Justin Faulk fired a wrist shot that beat Crawford five hole, and after two periods, the Canes would lead the Hawks 1-0.

The final 20 minutes of the game would be nothing short of frustration for the Hawks. They dominated the Canes in the shot department, out shooting them 19-9 in the third period. Despite that, it would be the Canes who would add to their lead. Off a lost face off in the defensive zone Victor Rask would increase the Canes lead to 2-0. Down the stretch, Corey Crawford came up big in net for the Hawks, keeping it a two goal game. In the final seconds, Brent Seabrook would score the lone, meaningless tally for the Hawks to cut the Canes lead to 2-1. With the final horn only seconds away, that would prove to be the final as the Hawks lost to the Canes on Sunday night.

The Good

• For the first 50 minutes of this game, Corey Crawford was the only reason the Hawks were even in the game. In the end he made 25 saves in the loss.
• The Hawks showed some fight in the final 10 minutes of the game, but it was too little too late. Frankly, I'm just stretching for something else to put in the good category.

The Bad

• In the first period, the referees missed two, too many men on the ice penalties on the Hurricanes. Pat and Eddie made sure you knew that "they weren't even close."
• The Hawks first power play of the night just might be the cure for my insomnia. Talk about vanilla.
• Thanks to a Hjalmarsson hooking penalty, and a Joakim Nordstrom embellishment penalty, we were treated to 4 on 4 for two minutes in the second period. It was riveting to say the least.
• Typical loss for the Blackhawks tonight, another time when they make a backup goalie look like an all star. Eddie Lack was peppered with 36 shots tonight, and probably deserved the shutout.
• Carolina blocked 21 shots tonight. That screams laziness to me on the Hawks part of finding open shooting lanes.
• In the first period, the fourth line was the best line for the Hawks. That's a hell of a way to open a game.

The Ugly

• Early in the second period WGN had a nice blackout of the game for about 30 seconds. I guess they must have blown a fuse while charging Dan Roan for the second intermission.
• How boring was the second period? Pat and Eddie talked about the Cubs off season signings and what kind of sandwiches they'd make out of the Christmas dinner leftovers while play was going on.
• The shitshow that was the second period, ended just as you'd expect with the Hawks allowing a goal in the final minute of the period. Terrific.
• I love Q's coaching of young players. Phillip Danault loses a face off draw in defensive zone, and Canes score. The result? Q benches Danault. God forbid a young player makes a mistake. Nothing says great coaching of young players by making them feel like they're walking on eggshells.
• Who else enjoyed seeing Rob Scuderi's ass stapled to the bench in the third period while Q tried to "generate offense." 
• What the fuck was the Kane-Shaw-Desjardins line in the third period?
• Man, Jeff Skinner would look awesome in a Blackhawks sweater. Maybe Eric Staal too. I wonder if those are 100% true rumors @TheHockeyPress is reporting on. Fuck off.
• Screw it, I'm gonna go back to my Twitter battle with Kelly Chase and other Blues fans. That was at least enjoyable.

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Blackhawks at Dallas4-0 Shutout Loss Recap

"Merry F#%king Christmas"
by Gatekeeper

Here it is, Folks. The big one. The division leading, back-to-back off-season champion Dallas Stars. The Blackhawks rolled into Dallas with some bumps an bruises. Marian Hossa was out with an upper body injury, and the Hawks were still getting adjusted to the loss of 4th line center Marcus Kruger. The Stars had been whipping some NHL ass, coming into this one. Their record was 25-7-2 with 8 more points than our heroes, at 52. The Blackhawks road record was a paltry, almost putrid, 6-7-3. To drill things down even finer, Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, and Patrick Kane had themselves a fine little points race going on. They were 1-2-3 coming into the game, and 1-2-4 in the entire league goals. For those looking for that narrative, the Blackhawks were to face former Hawks cup winners Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya and Antti Niemi, while the Stars were sure to get a tepid dose of Ryan Garbutt. Probably just enough to remember why they don't miss him.

The pace of the first period as everything we were hoping for, but the scoring chances left alot to be desired. The Blackhawks were given two powerplays, but couldn't muster more than 3 shots total. The Stars actually had the majority of the few scoring chances that were generated. If I told you that these two teams would combined for 10 shots in the period, you would have told me to shut the hell up.

The second period showed a little more promise than the first, for both teams. The Stars got their power play "even up" calls, and they took advantage on one of said power plays. Believe it or not, the Blackhawks actually out shot the Stars by a pretty decent margin, 14-8, but all it took was one for the Stars to take a lead. This game was starting to give one the feeling of one of those "former teammate bites the hand that fed him" games, with the way Antti Niemi was playing, and guess what?

The third period was a fucking abortion. The Stars scored eleven seconds in and ran away with the game. The Blackhawks managed THREE lousy fucking shots in the third period, and a total of 20 overall. That will win you exactly no games. Now we all have to munch on this shit sandwich for 5 days.

The Good

The Bad

• The two first period powerplays were just brutal. In fact, the Hawks gave up a pretty decent shorthanded chance to Jamie Benn, early on.
• Ryan Garbutt and Andrew Desjardins had a pretty good second period 2-on-1 chance with one little problem, it was Garbutt and Desjardins. Not so much Garbutt, because he was able to get a good shot off and produce a rebound for Desjardins, who then put it right into a prone Antti Niemi.
• Just eleven seconds into the third period, Patrick Sharp snuck in behind Duncan Keith and Jamie Benn was able to drop a pass in on Sharp's stick. After shooting on Crawford for years in practice, Sharp knew just where to deposit the puck. We miss you, Sharpie! Wish you didn't make so much damn cabbage.
• Rob Scuderi took a puck in the beak, in the third period. That required some stitches.
• Crawford was exposed pretty bad in this one, but it could have also been 6-0.

The Ugly

• I can only hope that Quenneville found some warmth in that cold dead heart of his, when he started the 4th line, and Ryan Garbutt against his former team.
• Halfway through the second period, Jason Spezza finally opened the scoring. Spezza worked a ice little one touch give-n-go with Patrick Sharp, and had Crawford dead to rights. Crawford actually covered the post pretty well, but the puck snuck through. I would have though that Spezza would have gone long side, but he didn't.
• Antoine Roussel is a flaccid penis with ears. I may only hate one player more, and that is Steve "The Pirate" Ott. Fuck both of those guys in the bung with a sizzling soldering iron.
• Just under three minutes after the Sharp goal, Colton Sceviour redirected a long Jordie Benn shot past Crawford, to give the Stars a 3-0 lead. Call me #TeamMiserable, but there is little chance you're going to come back against a team with this fire power, especially one that has scored the most 3rd period goals in the league.
• The Blackhawks had pretty much just given up by the time Mattias Janmark used Michal Rozsival like the pylon he is, and banked the puck off him into the Blackhawks net.
• The Blackhawks were shut out by the team ranked 17th in goals against. Let that sink in.
• Hello, Trevor van Riemsdyk! Here is YOUR -3 for Christmas.
• I'm so glad Brandon ManSHITTER dressed for 5:56. At this point the fact that he is actually paid a salary is fucking larceny. He should be forced to pay his way onto the rink like rat hockey players do. Can Q put an actual useful player on the ice, and knock this shit off?f
• Speaking of useless sacks of shit:
  

The Lineblender
Teravainen - Toews - Shaw
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Mashinter
Desjardins - Danault - Garbutt

Keith - van Riemsdyk
Hjalmarsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - Scuderi

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Blackhawks vs. Sharks4-3 OT Win Recap

"Who's The Boss"

by Patrick Stankus

On Sunday night, the Blackhawks hosted the San Jose Sharks in their final home game before the Christmas break. The Hawks were returning home from a visit to Buffalo on a Saturday afternoon snoozefest. Coach Q decided to ride the hot hand in net with Crawford, instead of playing local hero Scott Darling. Another curveball thrown at us late, was the late scratch of Marian Hossa with an upper body injury.

The scoring would be fast and furious in the first period. The Hawks would be the first to get on the scoreboard. The #AK72Line would strike first, with Artem Anisimov found a loose puck and hammered it home to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The lead would prove to be short lived for the Hawks. The Sharks would score on a breakaway 3 minutes later, and followed that up with a power play goal to take a 2-1 lead. Much like the Hawks lead, the Sharks lead would also prove to be short lived. Just under 2 minutes later, Patrick Kane would tie the game at 2, and that's where we'd stand after the opening 20 minutes.

In the second period, the scoring would calm down, but the scoring chances for both teams would be a plenty. The teams combined for a total of 25 shots in the second. Despite the Hawks having 13, it would be the Sharks that found the back of the net. With just over 5 minutes remaining in the period, Joel Pavelski would add his 16th goal of the season to give the Sharks a 3-2 lead. As the horn sounded ending the second, the score would remain 3-2 in favor of the Sharks.

In the opening minutes of the third period, the Hawks would try to hand the Sharks the win with some sloppy play. The Hawks were forced to kill off back to back power plays after penalties by TVR and Patrick Kane. The penalty kill would come through, and the Hawks would gain some momentum from it. Right after the second kill, Andrew Shaw would score to tie the game at three. Down the stretch the Sharks had some quality chances, but Corey Crawford would stand tall and after 60 minutes, we'd head to overtime.

Without #TeamMiserable watching together, we'd actually get to see the 3 on 3 gimmick, unlike yesterday during the #PuckinHostileRoadWatch. As is the case, the 3 on 3 didn't last long. The Hawks would get a 2 on 1 featuring Kane and Toews, which meant it was good night, and drive home safely. Toews buried a shot, and sent the UC crowd home happy with a 4-3 win for the Hawks.

The Good

• After being crushed at the dot in the 1st period, the Hawks bounced back to win the face off battle 36-35.
• Normally allowing 3 goals isn't a great performance, but Corey Crawford was huge in net for the Hawks. In the end he made 33 saves, but his best was a glove save on Joonas Donskoi in the 3rd period.
• Artem Anisimov had a solid night. He was all over the place in the first period, and netted the Hawks opening goal.
• Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, to go with a team high +4 on the night.
• Phillip Danault had an assist tonight. Its only been 2 games, but so far so good. No complaints thus far, as much as that pains me to say as a Marcus Kruger fan.
• It was good to see the PK bounce back and kill off both of the Sharks power plays in the 3rd period, after yielding a PPG in the 1st period.

The Bad

• Marian Hossa was a late scratch tonight due to an upper body injury. It also looks like he won't be available on Tuesday night when the Hawks visit Dallas.
• Hossa's late absence meant we were treated to 4:38 of The Manshitter, to go along with a fight and a -2 on the night.
• Duncan Keith's positioning on Donskoi's breakaway goal in the 1st period was flat out awful. I can only imagine the outrage if that was Rozsival instead of Keith.
• Just as we say we're impressed with Dennis Rasmussen, he gets rewarded by Q with 6:59 of ice time. Welcome to Mooseport, or as we say Q' Doghouse.

The Ugly

• The Hawks tried to piss this game away in the opening minutes of the 3rd period with back to back penalties. Talk about bad timing for that.
• Remember the hype of "Hertl Power" because of 1 game by Tomas Hertl? First of all, how dare you spin the Ninja Turtles like that, but secondly, that lazy change by him in OT is what lead to the Kane and Toews 2 on 1. On second thought, thank you Tomas Hertl for being an average player.
• The Hawks yielded double digit shot totals to the Sharks in all 3 periods tonight. You'd like to see them tighten up the defense a tad bit.
• Brent Burns, shave your fucking beard. God only knows what the fuck is living in it.

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Blackhawks at Buffalo3-2 Shootout Win Recap

"The Great Pretender"

by Gatekeeper

Well, the Puckin Hostile Road Watch was a huge bust, and so was the game we watched. That is alright, because we all knew that doing a roadwatch on the Saturday before Christmas was an awful idea. Eh, big deal.

The Blackhawks came out in the first period and took a quick 1-0 lead, but then went into winter hibernation. Two straight Sabres goals put the Blackhawks in a hole which they eventually dug themselves out of very late in the game.

The game went to overtime, in a rare no 3-vs-3, because of powerplays each way. When the game finally hit the shootout, the Blackhawks first of the season, it played out exactly how you would have thought. Patrick Kane was the only scorer, and the Blackhawks took the extra point.

The Good

• Dennis Rasmussen might very well be a thing. He put the Blackhawks up in the first period with a power move around Evander "I'm the second best" Kane. Once he was in on Chad Johnson, he was able to lift a shot up and over Johnson's glove for a 1-0 lead. All looked like it was going to go the Hawks way. Not so much.
• You could not have scripted this result any better. Blackhawks and Sabres are tied with under 2 minutes to go and who scores on the 6-on-3 advantage? Patrick Fucking Kane. Because, of course. It took them FAR too long to score, also. According to stats, they are third in the league in powerplay scoring, but they take damn need 2 full minutes to score on a 6-on-3 advantage against a team who's PK is in the 20's. This 3rd in the league shit is going to come crashing down, soon.
• Phillip Danault had an alright debut. He played bout 11 and a half minutes. He was on the ice for the Franson goal, but that had nothing to do with him.

The Bad

• The Ryan O'Reilly goal was a result of a Blackhawks defensive crossup. O'Reilly gave the puck up to Sam Reinhart and both Blackhawks defenders just left O'Reilly alone. Reinhart found O'Reilly on the back door and Crawford had no chance.
• Two Sabres penalties on the same play was an absolute gift.

The Ugly

• This game was painfully boring. PAINFULLY
• As #Fatrick said, "Stunning, Gate and I are watching a game which there was no 3 on 3 OT, and game goes to a shootout. Blame #TeamMiserable"
• Ryan O'Reilly, Tyler Ennis, and Zemgus Girgensons all failed in the shootout. What about that Eichel kid?
• Speaking of Jack "The Greatest American Hero" Eichel. He played 18:55, or so I'm told.
  
• The Cody Franson goal was brutal. Crawford went behind the net to play it, the puck hopped over his stick and he just assumed that Andrew Desjardins was going to bail him out. He half assed it back into the net and Desjardins didn't help any. Franson had a pretty open net to hit, and he did.
• Thanks to everyone who showed up to the Roadwatch. All four of us. If I hear one more complaint of "when are you doing a roadwatch?", I'm pointing to this recap. At least it was people I actually like.

The Lineblender
Teravainen - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Shaw
Garbutt - Danault - Desjardins

Keith - van Riemsdyk
Hjalmarsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - Scuderi

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Blackhawks vs Oilers4-0 Shutout Win Recap

"You're Better Off Dead"

by Gatekeeper

The Blackhawks were back at the United Center Thursday night to face the Oilers, after a pretty poor offensive effort against the Avalanche Tuesday night. That is, the Connor McClavicle-less Edmonton Oilers. The Kane point streak was finally over, and the circus surrounding it. Thank god.

The Blackhawks jumped out to a lead 1-0 in the first period and never looked back. They also out shot the Oilers 14-9 which set up some great momentum. Generally though, it was a pretty boring period.

The Second period has more action as far as shots, but the scoring was identical to the first. The Blackhawks added another goal, to take a 2-0 lead. The Oilers did, however, put in a better effort forth, getting out shot by only one, 15-16.

While the Oilers had the advantage in third period shots 9-7, the Blackhawks were able to make the most of their shots. The Blackhawks put the icing on a 4-0 shutout win with 2 late goals. All in all, this was a perfect game for the Blackhawks. Next up, the American Hero Jack Eichel and the Sabres in Buffalo, on Saturday.

The Good

• Jonathan Toews opened up the scoring for the game with six minutes remaining in the first period. Teuvo Teravainen started the play with a breakout from Hawks the half boards to Marian Hossa. Hossa then carried the puck into the zone 2-on-1 with Jonny Toews breaking. Hossa saucered a perfect pass to Toews across the slot for a one timer over Talbot's glove. Tell me again what is wrong with Teravainen playing left wing on that line?
• Just past the halfway point in the second period, Teuvo Tervainen gave the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead. Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa did some perfect forechecking deep in the Oilers zone and fed Teravainen for a quick one timer past Talbot.
• Tervavainen struck once again with about 4 minutes remaining in the game. Teuvo picked up a loose puck in the crease after a Hossa to Toews play, almost identical to the first goal of the game. This time, though, Talbot made he stop, but Teravainen poked the rebound into the net. How many times do we have to beg for Teravainen to play with skill players? THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS! STOP JERKING THE POOR KID AROUND!
• Artemi Panarin followed up the Tervainen goal with one of his own, closing out the Oilers. He was at the end of a really electric shift, where he was pulling his best Patrick Kane impression, skating around the zone unmolested. Brent Seabrook hit hi at the Oilers blue line and he was able to get a step on the pair of Eric Gryba and Andrej Sekera. Once he was clear, Panarin snapped a wrist shot past Talbot's glove. This kid is something else. Speaking of Patrick Kane, he got the secondary assist to extend....wait, we aren't doing this anymore?
• The first line was dominant for the first time this year. Three points a piece.
• Rob Scuderi didn't kill the Hawks, so I guess that's a bonus, eh?
• Ryan Garbutt was in for the Manshitter, thank god.
• After giving up one "legit" goal Tuesday night, the brick wall Crawford was back, earning his 3rd shutout in 4 games, and saving all 3 shots he faced. A new career high. He's dialed in.
• Rasmussen has really impressed me thus far. Nothing flashy, but enough skill
• I never get tired of hearing In Flames on the UC sound system.
  

The Bad

• I love Camo Talbot's Ghostbusters mask. Talbot, on the other hand, I'm not impressed with. Glorified backup that was sheltered behind a great starter in New York.
• You wouldn't guess, but the Blackhawks were actually under 50% at the dots. Rasmussen and Shaw were clowned, winning only 6 of 19.
• Marcus Kruger hurt himself in the second period and never returned.

The Ugly

• With about 6 minutes gone in the first period, Nik Hjalmarsson took a pretty harmless Justin Schultz shot to the inside of the left knee, but went down like a bag of bricks. He needed help to get off the ice and then had to go to the locker room. THAT would be a scary situation.
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins still looks like he's 11 years old.
• Harms mentioned a Bickell for Nikitin swap of terrible contracts from underachieving players. I'm not so sure I'd be into that. Nikitin is pretty bad. He had 2 penalties and was out on the ice for 2 of the Hawks goals.

The Lineblender
Teravainen - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Bickell - Rasmussen - Shaw
Garbutt - Kruger - Desjardins

Keith - van Riemsdyk
Hjalmarsson - Seabrook
Rozsival - Scuderi

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Puckin Hostile Shoutcast - Episode 45

In this Puckin Hostile Shoutcast number 45, the Karl Dykhuis episode, the Puckin Hostile clowns stay "hostful" style for a rare back to back week episode.

The group discuss the following:

-Stephen Burtch must be huffing compressed air cans
-Torts and Johansen butt heads in CBJ land
-Roenick's new podcast, and "playing the game"
-Patrick eats Chik-fil-a
-Trevor Daley trade for Rob Scuderi
-Pittsburgh fires their coach
-Patrick Kane Point streak mercifully comes to an end
-Creepy Dan Roan
-Games vs Nashville, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Colorado
-An actual listener submitted question.
-Looking back, Derek asks should they have traded Shaw rather than Versteeg?
-Puckin Hostile Holiday gathering / Roadwatch
-And as always, an abundance of inappropriate references and jokes in very bad taste.

You can find the episode on iTunes by following this link: iTunes

Puckin Hostile Shoutcast - Episode 45 MP3 Direct Download
You can listen below on the Talkshoe player:


Get the Shoutcast on Soundcloud here:


Also, Please check out and share the Puckin Hostile Stanley Cup Highlight video:


Music by "The Bloodline"

For all your custom jersey needs visit Black and Tan Sports at:

http://www.facebook.com/BlackAndTanSports

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Blackhawks vs. Avalanche3-0 Shutout Loss Recap

"Zero Hour"
by Patrick Stankus

The Colorado Avalanche came to town on Tuesday night to face the Blackhawks who were riding the wave of two straight shutout wins.  From the last time we talked, the Hawks made a tweak to the roster in acquiring D Rob Scuderi from the Penguins for D Trevor Daley. Much of the pregame talk was centered around how Rozsival 2.0 would fit on the Hawks blueline and that question was answered. On the third pairing with Rozsival. I know, we should all cringe at that.

From the drop of the puck, the Hawks looked like they were lacking that extra jump in their step. Despite having an early power play, the Hawks couldn't solve Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov. After having two power plays in the first period, the Avalanche would finally get on the board with just over five minutes remaining by way of a Matt Duchene goal that was redirected past Crawford. With the first 20 minutes in the books, the Hawks would trail 1-0.

The second period didn't get off to a great start for the Hawks. Just under two minutes into the period, after a nice passing play, Zach Redmond fired a wrister to put the Avs up 2-0. The Hawks would get a little better as the period went on, finally catching on to how Marian Hossa had been playing. Despite that, the Hawks could cut the Avs lead in half, and after two periods, the Avs would continue to lead 2-0.

The final 20 minutes featured both teams getting a chance on the power play, but neither could convert. The majority of the period saw both teams trade chances, but were to no avail. With time winding down, it was becoming clear that Patrick Kane's streak would come to an end. Which it did. The Avs would add an empty net goal late in the period to seal the 3-0 win over the Hawks.

The Good

• Marian Hossa was the best Blackhawk tonight. Watching him corkscrew Francois Beauchemin to the ice was hilarious. Hossa ended the night with a team high six shots, and for awhile looked like the other Hawks interested in playing.
• Corey Crawford had not a great game, but a good enough to win type game. Tonight he made 24 saves in the loss.
• The sloppy play of the Hawks resulted in the PK having to kill off four Avalanche power plays. Luckily they came through tonight.

The Bad

• Rob Scuderi was very Rob Scuderi, but not as ugly as Rob Scuderi in his Blackhawks debut. That pairing though of Scuderi and Rozsival is a disaster waiting to happen.
• I'd love to know who is paying the beat writers to write that Bickell has been great since returning to Chicago. He's been mediocre at best. Tonight a missed defensive assignment by him lead to the Avs second goal.
• Seeing Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla on the Avalanche makes even me feel old. Jesus Christ.
• I'll put this in the good category when I see it more consistently. Tonight every Blackhawk (even Artem Anisimov) was above 50% at the dot with the exception of Kruger. All in all they were 35-26 at the dot tonight.
• Patrick Kane's points streak came to an end at 26 games tonight. It was a hell of a run, but its over. Time to move on. I bet someone's parents wishes they made their kids study tonight.
  

The Ugly

• Seriously, how the hell is Ryan Garbutt not playing in favor of Brandon Mashinter? At the very least, Garbutt can give you more than five minutes of ice time. When the Manshitter goes back to Rockford, he can take Bickell back with him.
• The Hawks sloppy play resulted in them being shorthanded four times.
• Let us marvel in the fact that former Blackhawks 1st rounder Jack Skille is playing for the Avalanche. Somehow the Hawks thought he was better than Anze Kopitar. Sigh.
• The Hawks had 22 shots blocked tonight. Time to start moving those legs and finding open shooting lanes.

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