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about 4 hours ago
SamFels
7 comments
0 recs
SCH Joins HockeeNight's PuckCast Tonight
Just a quick reminder that we'll be joining Fork and CT on their weekly Puck Cast at 8:15PM central time, so follow the link to listen live, or wait a while and we'll post the episode in its entirety when we have it. Hilarity, vulgarity, and likely male nudity to ensue!
*Note - you will have to sign up for an account to listen in but it takes like six seconds to do so, so sack up. There's even a live chat feature for you dweebs who are into that sort of thing.
about 7 hours ago
McClure
9 comments
0 recs
Barry Rozner Comes Out Of Cave, Sees Shadow, Means 6 More Weeks Of Total Bull----
by SamFels on Feb 8, 2010 1:51 PM CST
142 comments
I have to assume this came from the "I'm totally going to make something up so I can sound like a journalist for a day" pile he's got on his desk. I don't know if Rozner has actually talked to anyone or not, but the idea of James Wisniewski coming back to Chicago is laughable, except for any slight possibility of it happening makes me break out in cold sweats. As McClure pointed out when we talked about this, the only possible reason Stan Bowman would do this is to gain popularity amongst the droolers and non-ironic mustache wearers of Hawks Nation.
What purpose could he possibly serve? With Keith and Campbell QB-ing both power play units, it can't be that. Would he be the trigger man on the second unit? Great, so we can watch shots get blocked or rocket off the glass in a pattern only a blood-splatter expert would love. He's not big, so he can't clear the front of the net on the kill which Barker can (but doesn't always).
Oh, and the best part. HE'S A CHINESE FIRE DRILL IN HIS OWN END! Still is. He's been in the league a few years now, and he still makes some decisions that defy explanation. We talked with Ducks fans when they were here, and an overwhelming majority of them are at slit-wrists level of frustration with Wiz's cluelessness in his own end. Did no one watch Game 7 against Scum where he almost single handedly handed them three goals? Worse yet, his shotgun up the ice tendencies would leave Sopel completely exposed. While Catfish has been more than solid this year, that would greatly changed when his lead feet are asked to play center field. This is an asinine rumor, and if it comes to fruition I can finally hand in my verdict on Stan Bowman, and that would be "boob".
While it's no secret the Hawks would like to bolster their 3rd pairing, and Barker's high salary and lackluster play make him the leading candidate to hit the skids, this is clearly a case of Rozner adding 2 and 2 and getting 5.
While I'm on the subject, there's far too much smoke about the Hawks looking for a goalie to make me comfortable. I don't know how people could have watched, and I mean actually watch the game and not read the statsheet, and conclude the goaltending has been the problem. If the Hawks go off the rails in the playoffs, their recent defensive asshoolery and Doofus University on the power play would give me far more heartburn than the goalies.
And no name sets my pecker on fire, to quote Congressman David Dilbeck. Tim Thomas? 35 and paid 5 million for the next four years, and he's been stunningly mediocre this season. Dwayne Roloson? Even older, and aside from one great run in 2006, what's he done, exactly? He's never had a regular season SV% above .917 or a GAA under 2.70. Keep going.
Marty Turco? Finished. Giguere's gone to Toronto. Is there anyone left? Jaro Halak? Why would Montreal give him up when they've clearly tired of Carey Price? Cam Ward is hurt again. Even if the Hawks go and find another netminder, what's to be done with this Cristobal Huet? Stash him in the minors? Yeah, great, I'm sure people will be lining up in the summer to take him then.
I can't stand this mentality that the Hawks have to win this year or we'll never win again. Don't get me wrong, I want a Cup this season more than I want love, success, happiness, or McClure to leave me alone forever. But is this our only chance? Come on. The Hawks will ice a Top-6 next year made up of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Bolland, and Brouwer AT WORST. Their Top-4 defensemen will be Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, and almost certainly Hammer (they'll never let him go). So tell me, how bad can that team be?
-One more thing that's grinding my gears. Why doesn't anyone question Washington's goaltending as much as ours? Jose Theodore has been middling for years now. Semyon Varlamov had a few good games in the playoffs last year, but he also had some real bad ones, and has all of 22 career games in the NHL. And the Hawks blue line corps is more solid than the Caps. But this is me getting all Second City persecuted again.
Rant over.
142 comments | 8 recs |
Put The Bail Money Away: Hawks 2 - Blues 1
by SamFels on Feb 7, 2010 5:37 PM CST
264 comments
Sorry for the delay, but as I'm sure you know and will understand, we have all just returned from St. Louis. So this'll be a quickie, and you can go on about your day and we call can go throw up and get some sleep.
Sometimes you win games because you play better than your opponent, and sometimes you win because your penalty kill and goalie are just good enough. So it was last night. The plan we thought we would see from St. Louis here on Wednesday came to fruition at DrinkScotch Center. The Blues came out makin' it look mean, and that ever so tough guy Barrett Jackman was cross-checking any Hawks that was shorter and smaller than he. Seriously, fuck that guy. I know our Blues fan friends try and convince us, or more likely themselves, that he's a tough guy, but that's bullshit. Picks a fight with Cam Barker? Really? And that's supposedly rugged? Whatever. Maybe with no Eager there aren't a lot of targets, but I'm not shocked he didn't go after Byfuglien or Brouwer, someone who might actually kick his ass.
Anyway, after weathering the early storm the Hawks began to turn the screws, and it netted them an advantage after Sharp, Toews, and Hossa combined to give The Shooter a tap-in, sending the 9,000+ Hawks fans in the stands into rapture. The Hawks carried the play for most of the period, and double the advantage when Kane took advantage of Oshie doing some sort of performance art at his own blue line before feeding Toews who couldn't miss.
The next two periods had the same form. The Hawks took dumb penalties, Niemi killed them off, and the Hawks blew their own power plays, which got worse with every one. The Blues carried the play for the last 40, and easily could have tied it in the last minute when they were given a second two-man advantage. But they only got halfway there.
OBSERVATIONS (THROUGH LENSES AFFECTED BY THE 24oz. BEERS THEY SERVE THERE)
-It was juggle-palooza again from Coach Q. We know Shooter and Daydream Nation will make magic, and they had both the goals last night. Not sure why Eager warrants a scratch, but in the name of experimentation that's fine. But Kopecky with Weapon and Hossa just isn't going to work, he doesn't have the quicks or the sense. Expect even more new combos on Tuesday.
-The power play was just beyond awful. They even managed to dump a few pucks in, but then didn't bother to go get them. This needs fixing in a hurry, because the scoring well done gone dry this last little stretch.
-Though he's struggled recently, Erik Johnson will be a problem for a very long time.
-The split in the crowd last night was at least 60-40, and may have even been evenly split, which I have to say I found absolutely shocking. I didn't realize Hawks Nation now travels so well, and there is something powerful awesome about taking over another team's arena. Especially when the Hawks win. Long may it continue.
-For those who weren't there, you probably heard the strong throng (see what I did there?) carry the UC Anthem Tradition down to Missouri. While I didn't join in, I can't say I'm opposed to it either. It definitely brought a smile to my face.
-Finally, a special thank you to all who came down for the trip, you made it even more epic than we thought it would be. A special shout to St. Louis Gametime for hanging out with us after, we had a blast. But you could have hung out for a few more beers. Pussies.
264 comments | 0 recs |
If We Don't Return, Avenge Our Deaths: Blackhawks @ Blues Preview, Game Thread, ROAD TRIP!
by Matthew Dirt on Feb 6, 2010 8:49 AM CST
in Game Threads
841 comments
@ 
Game Time: 7:00 Central
TV/Radio: CSN/WGN
Our Gracious Hosts: St. Louis Game Time
As you read this, people of various stages of cleanliness and sobriety will be descending upon St. Louis. Wish us well because with close to 50 people sitting our section, things could get loud and ugly. Hopefully we'll all be on our best behaviour though. As for the game...
On Wednesday, things didn't go so well. We saw the Hawks continue the trend of not playing for a full 60 minutes and it bite them in the ass. Their shitty second period saw 3 goals in under 10 minutes that led to the first Blues victory against the Hawks this year. Needless to say, it sucked.
Perhaps the best thing the Hawks have going for them tonight is the fact that they've now lost 3 games in a row for the first time this year... and they've all been games the Hawks probably should have won. This is the first real slump we've seen from the Hawks. There's costly turnovers and questionable passing though, the effort is there and we can see the skill but it's only coming in short but dominating bursts... A few months ago the Hawks were winning these games when things don't go their way... now they're struggling a bit. Needless to say, it sucks.
We'll have to hope the Hawks come out angry over losing the last three and take advantage of the Blues and their home record, which is a pretty miserable 9-15-5, especially compared to their 16-8-4 record on the road. Needless to say, they suck at home.
In the last game, the Blues took a day off from their normal game plan against the Hawks and we didn't see many cheap shots or overly physical play. It was a surprisingly clean game, only 2 penalties called on St. Louis and no fights, roughing or any other shenanigans between the two squads. Of course, playing each other twice in just a few days (and when the Hawks should be angry) can change that quickly. Lets hope for the best. OK... I really should go pack.
Reminder- For everyone going on the St. Louis trip tomorrow, we will be meeting at Maggie Obrien's, 2000 Market St. in St. Louis. We will be there from about 4pm on.
Lets Go Hawks
841 comments | 0 recs |
Phoenix 1 - Chicago 1: Cahyotes Win Russian Roulette
by Matthew Dirt on Feb 6, 2010 2:30 AM CST
in Recaps
19 comments
Well we'll try something new here. This will be a recap written by a guy who only actually watched the first period of this game before spending time being a boyfriend and taking my girl out before spending time with all you schmucks drinking, eating and hockey watching in St. Louis (and just in case she reads this, I had a great time) . Sam and McClure both told me via text messages that I'd be able to write the best recap seeing as how they decided to go out and get shitty... which is probably quite astute.
To make things even worse for this recap though - I actually missed the Hawks lone goal. I listened to the game on the radio driving downtown, got out to walk to the bar and by the time I got there I saw the face-off after Colin Fraser's second goal of the year. Of course I saw it on replays, and it was great to see Fraser grab a goal after being a healthy scratch the last game. The goal was equal parts skating hard to the net, being in the right spot and lets face it, a lot of luck. Mario knocked the puck off LaBamba's shoulder and it found it's way into the net. Kane aims for that space, Fraser just closes his eyes and hopes for the best in this situation.
As of yet, I have no idea how the Coyotes scored their goal. I see on the box score that it came on the tail end of a Coyotes power play and of course it comes after the always annoying too many men penalty. Throwing salt into the wound, it had to be Radim Vrbata...
Even worse, ESPN tells me Adrian Aucoin was the first star of the game? The fuck? This game existed to do nothing but kick us in the junk. Lets hope for something better tomorrow or it's going to be quite ugly.
19 comments | 0 recs |
Dog Disco - Hawks vs. Coyotes Preview, Game Thread, Lasik Surgery
by McClure on Feb 5, 2010 1:12 PM CST
359 comments
vs. 
Game Time: 7:30 Central
TV/Radio: CSN/WGN
Desert Search For Techno Allah: Five For Howling
A term that has been getting thrown around a lot lately is that of "trap game". We've used it here in reference to the Carolina game, and it was also used in reference to whatever Wednesday was against the Blues. If such a thing exists for a foul-mouthed blog, this would be it. We're probably going to get caught looking ahead to the mayhem and chaos that surely lie ahead for the St. Louis road trip tomorrow. But we'll fight the urge to have one foot already in the limo before the final horn of the game at hand tonight.
So the 'Yotes come into town for the first time this year as one of the biggest surprises as a team in the entire league this year. After the embarrassing ownership saga this past summer, as well as then-coach Wayne Gretzky stepping down, the Desert Dogs have shocked many by being tied for second in the Pacific and fourth in the conference with the Kings at 73 points, a mere five points behind our beloved Blackhawks. Most of the credit can be placed on coach Dave Tippett, who brings a structured game that Gretz really wasn't interested in teaching, as well as goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. While Breezy's save percentage and GAA have come back to earth (still a very respectible 2.27 and .920) from the gaudy numbers they were at to start the season, he's still fifth in the league with 30 wins, and is obviously capable of stealing a game. Offensively the Yotes are right in the middle of the pack in basically every category, and give up basically as many shots as they take (29.3 to taking 29.6), so the opportunities for the Hawks to fire away should be there. Led, as usual, by Captain Underrated Shane Doan with 43 points, it's clear that it's offense by committee. The most ridiculous statistic from a Hawks fan's perspective: Radim Vrbata (Radim FUCKING Vrbata?!) is pacing the Coyotes with a team-best +13. Seriously? The Yotes roll into town tonight winning their last five, and eight of their last 10, so no one should expect these dogs to roll over as they have the past couple years.
Conversely, our Men of Four feathers have lost 4 of their last 7, and are looking tonight to still remain the only team in the league without a 3-game losing skid. Coach Q is once again looking to play Dr. Moreau with his unholy hybrid lines, this time with Patrick Sharp now centering Kris Versteeg and Big Buff, and Dave Bolland getting his shot with old linemate Andrew Ladd, as well as keys to the Ferrari with Marian Hossa now on his right. While this move seems like punishment for Sharp who has reshaped his game well at center and couldn't wait for Bolland to return so he could go back to a wing, it seems like more of an effort to jump start the invisible Versteeg and the once again disinterested Byfuglien. All of this leaves John Madden on the fourth line, but between who is anyone's guess, as Quenneville has stated that Colin Fraser will play, but has not stated who will be scratched. And this is Quenneville we're talking about, so all of this could be out the window by the first intermission, and hopefully it takes longer than that for Madden to go all kali ma on Ben Eager for taking a boneheaded penalty. Of bigger concern is the defensive zone coverage, particularly from the Olympic duo of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Perhaps the increased workload and compressed schedule have caught up to them, but their decision making in their own end has been severely out of character for both. Whatever is causing it, it needs to be corrected in short order, as no goalie can be asked to make every save with some of the quality chances that they've yielded. Here's hoping it starts tonight. Let's go Hawks.
UPDATE: Jason LaBarbera will start in net for the Coyotes tonight. Thanks to SharpKane for the update. Also, Kopecky is sitting. Thanks to modnar.
Reminder- For everyone going on the St. Louis trip tomorrow, we will be meeting at Maggie Obrien's, 2000 Market St. in St. Louis. We will be there from about 4pm on.
359 comments | 0 recs |
Kovalchuk to the Devils
Well, so much for the angst/fantasy of him coming here. Clearly, that's a package the Hawks could have matched, though Bergfors and Oduya are very nice players. Can only conclude the Hawks weren't interested, which is fine. Anyway, I'm relieved he's in the East, and not on Kopitar's or Zetterberg's wing. Not yet anyway.
4 days ago
SamFels
93 comments
0 recs
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Blackhawks Schedule
Next 5 Games
Dallas
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Tue 02/09 | 7:30 PM CST |
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Atlanta
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Sat 02/13 | 7:30 PM CST |
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Columbus
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Sun 02/14 | 4:00 PM CST |
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New York Islanders
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Tue 03/02 | 6:00 PM CST |
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Edmonton
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Wed 03/03 | 7:30 PM CST |
Last 5 Games
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St. Louis
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Sat 02/06 | W 2 - 1 |
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Phoenix
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Fri 02/05 | SO - L 1 - 2 |
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St. Louis
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Wed 02/03 | L 2 - 3 |
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Carolina
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Sat 01/30 | L 2 - 4 |
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San Jose
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Thu 01/28 | OT - W 4 - 3 |
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Most Commented
If We Don't Return, Avenge Our Deaths: Blackhawks @ Blues Preview, Game Thread, ROAD TRIP!
by Matthew Dirt 2 days ago
841 comments | 0 recs
Mean Talkin' Blues: Blues At Blackhawks Preview, Game Thread, Demolition Derby
by Matthew Dirt 5 days ago
624 comments | 0 recs
Dog Disco - Hawks vs. Coyotes Preview, Game Thread, Lasik Surgery
by McClure 3 days ago
359 comments | 0 recs
Blues @ Blackhawks Third Period - Just Score Goals Please
by Matthew Dirt 5 days ago
359 comments | 0 recs
Coyotes @ Hawks - THIRD PERIOD THREAD
by hackerar 3 days ago
270 comments | 0 recs