Open Thread: Blackhawks @ Blues, 7:30 PM CT

by SCH on Oct 18, 2008 9:00 AM CDT in Game Threads

Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues, Oct 18, 2008 7:30 PM CDT

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Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-1) @ St. Louis Blues (3-1-0)

Chicago TV: CSN (HD)
Chicago Radio: WGN (720 AM)

Tonight we see the debut of Joel Quenneville behind the bench for the Hawks and, wouldn't you know it, it'll be against the team he formerly coached for eight seasons. It should be interesting to see what kind of system the Hawks will be playing under Quenneville, and how they will respond to a rather surprising coaching change.

I would have to think we will see Nikolai Khabibulin in goal after the stellar performance he turned in against Phoenix. It would be nice to have an encouring performance tonight to calm those who may think this coaching change was a big mistake. We shall see how it all works out.

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Go Hawks!

by dkateeb on Oct 18, 2008 6:28 PM CDT reply actions

Good to see Kane picking up the garbage there for the goal.

I’m sure Q is liking that start too, whether or not he knew who scored and who shot the puck on the net or not since he’s only had a couple days.

"You just don't know understand how frustrating this is"- Kevin Borseth

by TkGoUWGB on Oct 18, 2008 8:01 PM CDT reply actions

Why in the world did Tallon think it was necessary to extend Sopel for 3 years

this clown has been on the ice for about 80% of the opposition’s goals, get him out of here. Secondly, Veersteeg shouldnt be used with a chance to bury the Blues on the shootout, at least go to someone like Sharp who has the experience. Another frustrating loss.

"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.

by CubsBall2202 on Oct 18, 2008 10:25 PM CDT reply actions

Prepare to witness lots of ‘playing not to lose’ under Joel Quenneville. He’ll sit on a 1 goal lead halfway through the first period, but I’m not bitter…

Colorado Avalanche: Gellin' and Propellin'!!!

by Mike @ MHH on Oct 19, 2008 7:37 PM CDT reply actions

Seen that before

Sorry for commenting on this late — I come in peace waves — but the note about sitting on 1-goal leads struck a nerve. Because although I blog the Islanders, I’m based in St. Louis, and I saw that Coach Q act for eight years.

As coincidence would have it, I attended Coach Q’s debut for the Hawks — as part of a bachelor party for my friend, a Blues fan who just happens to hate Q’s coaching. Said this groom before the game: “I love it! Quenneville returns just in time! I hope they get the lead and blow it, in accordance with the scripture.”

While that’s not exactly how this game was lost, there were some eerie similarities. With the Blues, Q was great at getting overachievement out of lesser players. He obviously was a solid coach. But once the club got him some real horses, he didn’t seem to know how to let them loose. The system that got him leads early in games went out the window when it came time to keep or extend them. As a result, you could see otherwise assertive players sitting back, afraid to lose, trying to withstand waves of attack rather than going for the jugular.

Although I have Blues leanings in me, for Chicago’s sake, and for all the young Hawks stars’ sake, I hope this has changed. I hope Q has adapted a little, and I hope in the non-clutch-and-grab NHL he has better ideas about how to finish teams off.

SBN now has a NY Islanders blog at LighthouseHockey.com.

by Dominik on Oct 22, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions