Meh: Hawks 3 - Cats 3 (Panthers Win TiddlyWinks Competition 2-1)

by SamFels on Oct 2, 2009 3:31 PM CDT Comment 51 comments

It's all over people! We don't have a prayer! Right, now that that's out of the way, we can continue. And apologies for not being able to find the picture of the good Reverend running through the Springfield streets, but you get the idea.

Anyway, the first one is in the books, and it comes with only a point. There was some good things, some bad things to take from this one. So, to start off, the first period was complete garbage. Both teams played like I chase girls at a bar, scrambled with no plan and always getting there too late. I'm not sure either team completed more than two consecutive passes in the first frame. The only good to come out of it was that Huet made some big time saves, and Greg Campbell put up the first nominee for Miss of The Season. Other than that, there isn't too much else to say.

Once the second period started, the Hawks calmed down, and pretty much proceeded to maul Florida. Kane finally made it count by catching a clearance coming out of the box, and when we all thought the chance had gone after a brief slip with the puck, those devil-laden hands came to the rescue and he put Vokoun in the corner and went backhand. This kid is going to have a stupid good year. Florida later tied it when the Hawks failed to pick up the late man in Frolik (a continuing theme) and after receiving a nifty pass from Steven Reinprecht, buried it from 10-15 feet. Not sure what Huet could do about a prime chance alone in the slot, but feel free to bitch.

The 3rd period was the 2nd period exaggerated. 24 motherfuckin' shots. To 7. Sadly, the two times the Panthers got a foothold in our zone, they scored. Buff was able to score off a Kane rebound, and I think Denis Seidenberg is going to needs some serious amounts of lager to get over dealing with Buff. But that was undone after a too-many men penalty, a bugaboo from last year rearing it's ugly head, and the Hawks losing a late man again, this time Koistinen. Sharp gave us what looked like the winner later, but this time Bolland went a little goofy in his own end, and Booth made no mistake. This was the only goal you can pin on Huet if you want -- he was screened on the second -- but David Booth lasers pucks past a lot of goalies.

You know how I feel about shootouts, it's pretty random, so whatever. Good: Hammer was a stud all game long. Huet made some nice saves in the first, and Kane was everywhere. Toews actually appeared on the PK. Bad: Huet's glove hand, especially considering he didn't have much to do in the last two periods, Coach Q waited all of a period to play Line-a-palooza, Sopel looked like a drunken wildebeast. Turnovers aplenty and dumb penalties as well.

Whatever, just the first game, and we said 3 of 4 points was acceptable. The Hawks get 55 shots most nights, should be all right, no? Talk tomorrow.

Player Of The Game

Well, it really should be Vokoun, who was all kinds of awesome. But if we have to pick a Hawk, and we do, I'm inclined to say Super Nintendo Hjalmars, as he was solid all game, but I won't. It's 20-cent

Patrick_20cent_kane_medium

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interesting lines on the PK

the first PK unit was
Toews/Brouwer up front

then
Buf/ Bolland? didn’t see as the PK lasted about 3 seconds after Hjammer sprung 20-Cent

and the 3rd was
Madden/Fraser

wouldn’t mind seeing Sharp with Madden but whatever.

by Crease Monkey on Oct 2, 2009 3:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ya I know its only one game and you can hate on this all you want

but Huet is not going to lead this team to a cup, plan and simple. Hawks OUTSHOOT Florida 55-24 and still lose. If anything this game should be 3-1 Hawks. Its usually a problem when you have to cringe every time someone is winding up for a shot on him. This team is fine offensively, above average defensively and is a legitimate cup contender outside of goal. If Huet shits the bed early which is a very realistic possibility, Bowman and co are going to have to have some sort of plan to fix this situation because we have seen this play out before. It wont be long before the whole league is going high glove on Huet every chance they get and that will lead to a lot of lost points for the Hawks.

As far as positives go out of this one, I really liked what Madden brought, fundamentally sound player, excellent work on the PK. Kane looked outstanding, he will have a huge year. Hammer played well defensively and Buff looked to be in postseason form from last year. I feel we will see a better effort out of the team tomorrow and come home with 2 points

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Oct 2, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Calm Down

Look at the goalies from your last two cup winners, and be at ease.

www.secondcityhockey.com

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a goddamn shame.

by McClure on Oct 2, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thank-you.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Oct 2, 2009 7:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huet....

is awful. He isn’t going to help us win anything this year.

by pedro316 on Oct 2, 2009 4:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why stop at one guy being awful?

Everyone sucks. Duncan Keith, he blows. John Madden, he lost a couple face-offs, what a waste. Troy Brouwer, he still can’t score, buy his ass out. Brent Seabrook, did you see him trip over the blue line, what a waste of a roster spot. Jonathan Toews, punk didn’t even get on the scoresheet, send him to Rockford. Kris Versteeg, he obviously doesn’t the fire to win in Chicago, get him upstairs and get him out of here. Cam Barker, he mis-fired a pass in the second period, obviously the wrong draft pick in ’05.

Did I miss anyone?

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Oct 2, 2009 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well..

Campbell didn’t even have one spin-o-rama, Kane didn’t punch any old men and Q didn’t drink anyone’s milkshake…

Also, lets blame Obama and Oprah for Chicago not getting the games too while we’re at it?

Second City Hockey

by Matthew Dirt on Oct 2, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Patrick Kane is horrible.

Who does this kid think he is? Where the hell is the hat trick? What a waste.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Oct 2, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw he didn't backcheck hard on one shift

someone needs to grab by the helmet and scream at him. That will motivate him.

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Oct 2, 2009 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's such a whiny cry baby

after the break away-goal…..sulk
after hitting the cross bar….sulk
after Buff’s goal….sulk (b/c he couldn’t pad stats)

he should be benched forever. bring in jason allison. he has heart, passion and breaks helmets

by alpo on Oct 2, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hjalmarsson sucks Swedish goat farts

Anyone could see him blindly rifle the puck toward the far end in a lame-assed clearing attempt and it just took the goofiest line onto 20-cent’s tape making the zero look like some kinda champ. Loser. Should be sucking GT’s with Mats on a trans-atlantic flight to the spa right now. Can ’im.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Oct 2, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mike Haviland is always smiling

He should be yelling and screaming at them kids like da coach did. He has no fire and passion. Dat guy isn’t Chicago tough.

The past is for cowards and fools....

by mdiddy on Oct 2, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not happy with Huet but....

not happy with our blueliners on the three goals either.

FLA 1st goal – There is no way that pass should get through Hammer. Hammer had position but didn’t smother his man. And what the hell was Campbell doing with the fall down kick save failure anyway?!

2nd goal – Dunc probably should have been able to block that long wrister

3rd goal – Seabs defensive zone giveaway leads to the goal.

I’m not making excuses for Huet, but there were mistakes that lead to those goals. I understand the arguement that most goals are the product of defensive zone blunders and that it is ultimately Huet’s job to keep the puck out of the net.

On the plus side, Kane’s hands. I know I shouldn’t be surprised anymore, but his goal and his move on Buff goal, flat out ridiculous.

"If you're scared, go buy a dog" - Stacey King

by hackerar on Oct 2, 2009 4:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

really, t's unbelievable

These are the same clowns that bitched about Jay Cutler sucking after the Green Bay game and clamoring for Angelo’s head for making such a horrible trade. Huet is an above-average goalie, and he will show it over the course of the 60-65 games he will play this year. For the love of God calm down. We lost because their goalie stood on his head. Take the point, move on, and win tomorrow. It’s not DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMSDAY yet, kids.

As an aside, if Buff and Kane play like this all year, watch out for that line.

by illinikc33 on Oct 2, 2009 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Vokun

Was the slightest bit off his game, Kane would’ve had a hat trick.

Good to see Buff picking up where he left off last season.

Hate to lose with 55 SOG, but taking a point isn’t the end of the world.

by Hawks82 on Oct 2, 2009 5:04 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Huet

is most definitely a big problem

Da Bulls, Da Hawks

by wrhc59 on Oct 2, 2009 5:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You don't overreact if you WANT to see someone succeed...

In my opinion, a strong section of Blackhawk “fans” are not giving Huet a chance to succeed at all. The poor guy hasn’t shouldered a full season’s work for this club, and already he is being written off as a problem?

I say, give this club time to gel a bit and get used to playing in their own end with a new goaltender, and you will see the rewards. I mean, would you complain if the Hawks even averaged 40 shots a night during the course of the season? How about just managing 40 against the Sharks or Dead Wings? Nobody would be criticizing this team then, because they would likely be on the road to a President’s Trophy with those totals!

Let’s at least wait 6-8 more games before we write Cris off as a fraud and before we think this team has ANY serious problems, OK?

by TheNextCubsVoice on Oct 2, 2009 5:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed. huet wasn’t great today…but shit man…it’s one game. he’s coming off playing a couple preseason games. give him a month before we freak out.

by riverdale stomp! on Oct 2, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Reach for

the jug of chill pills. Game one folks, give Huet a chance to really fuck up. It’s a long season.

Matthew, I respctfully request “Hey big spender” to be updated.

You have to ask me nicely!

by thepuckstopshere on Oct 2, 2009 5:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

done

Second City Hockey

by Matthew Dirt on Oct 2, 2009 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fail

It already HAS fallen. Duh.

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Oct 2, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

not panicking yet, but...

…im sure most agree, the hawks defense is suspect.

by EdisonParkVinnie on Oct 2, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Super Nintendo Hjalmars

LOL
ralpie was hilarious

Pain is a good reminder you are alive

by Bad Ass Burish on Oct 2, 2009 5:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have mixed emotions about not being able to post this anymore...

They’re mostly dominated by joy, but a small part of me liked posting this picture.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Oct 3, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

my suggestion

Sopel has already claimed the replacement title for Matt Walker. Can you stick that head on his body?

by Sportsgal on Oct 3, 2009 8:23 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

Just read something interesting...

…Al Cimaglia over @ hockeyindependent thinks our antti gets the start tomorrow.

by EdisonParkVinnie on Oct 2, 2009 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Relax Hawks Nation, Relax.

It’s only the first game of the season and granted Huet didn’t look very good on any of the goals but seriously there were a lot of positives that came from this game. If the Hawks continuously outshoot and outplay their opponents on a consistant basis this team will once again find itself in a playoff position, no matter how bad Huet plays.

55 shots is incredible especially given that the opposition was a 93 point team last year and not to mention that Vokoun is an all-star calibre goaltender and today was just his day tomorrow it might not be and the Hawks may light him up Luongo style-7 goals.

Believe it or not I was impressed with Brouwer’s game today for he is showing strides in his game by being more physical and his skating has improved immensely. With Hossa out, if Brouwer continues to perform like this it will be a hard decision for Q to keep him out of the line-up. He needs to stonger positionally in the defensive zone (as was the case on the first 2 Panthers goals, the puck went over his stick) but all in all a vast improvement from Brouwer for his line with Ladd and Madden is going to be important throughout the season should he stick.

Kane was exceptional and the line of Toews,Sharp and Versteeg created a lot of chances as well and Campbell was steady with no turnovers which is a pleasant suprise and hopefully it continues, but his post-game reason why the Hawks lost could be classed as weak.

“We played in an Olympic-size rink in Switzerland, and this now felt narrow even if we have played in smaller rinks our whole lives,” Campbell said. “Maybe travelling took something from us. Florida possibly had an advantage as they had been in Finland longer.”

Overall great game by the Hawks but the Panthers goaltender Vokoun stole the show and in an 82-game season that happens to even the best of them, including the Red Wings today against the Blues so with that we are 1-point ahead of the Wings 1 game in – a silver lining if there even was one.

It's never about the eventual destination, but rather the long journey and its challenging obstacles that are presented and what it takes to overcome them, that makes the taste of success all the more worthwhile!!!

by hawks61 on Oct 2, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mostly agreed!

Surprised to see you as one of the first or few to point out what a great game Brouwer had. I was ready to say good bye due to our F depth. Buff started a little slow but actually showed some skills. If he continues to play big, I’m thinking 30+ goals.

Now, I disagree about Huet. Too many bitchers. Maybe the 3rd goal he shoud have had. Maybe I was a goalie and am a little blind. I think he will be fine. The key is the fire drill in our own zone. The last 2 goals were pretty good shots. That’s a pretty good team over there that may have improved themselves this year.

Vokoun won the game. It happens. 35 shots tomorrow? I would put my money on the Hawks.

by Gbubbs on Oct 2, 2009 9:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ended up with 33

nice call

Second City Hockey

by Matthew Dirt on Oct 3, 2009 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Versteeg needs to stop figure skating

I swear every time Versteeg touches the puck, he thinks he is kristy yamoguchi, trying to dancing around the other team only to get drilled in the boards.

by joedirt on Oct 2, 2009 6:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I must've watched a different game

Granted, I fell asleep after the 2nd (nap time, not due to boredom), all happy inside.

I thought Huet played very well, had some great moves and great saves.

If there’s a problem, I’m sure he’ll have time to work on it.

OK, and I’m still just amazed at Buff! I was not expecting this out of him.

I’m still trying to remember numbers, and it’s harder to see since I’m using a smaller TV than before so I can’t comment on a lot. Except for the time when I saw Sharpie on D, and got terribly confused, wondering if I’d again messed up numbers, only to realize it was supposed to be Campbell.

It was a short summer, how could I forget so much?

If I can't be a good example, I'll just be a horrible warning

by Trixietrx on Oct 2, 2009 7:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Buff showed up. You could pretty much see the heart attack coming in his skating effort trying to keep up with his period one line mates. It appears someone finally pounded into him that his 257 lb. arse belongs in the opponents crease. Always. Period.

The Huet haters are already far, far, far more irritating than his performance today. Shots on net in the first would be more accurately viewed under quality of shots on net. I’d put it at about 7 knuckle-biting near misses after defensive breakdowns for the Kittens vs. 2 or 3 efforts by us and the rest were kitty litter fodder. Just re-watch the first period and tell me we shouldn’t have been down about 5-0 if Huet hadn’t done what he did. Put a Swedish meatball in it already ya naysayers.

Vokoun stole it. My $ says Huet’s day is coming too.

"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"

by Hungryhawk on Oct 2, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen Brother

Huet isn’t that bad. Why do we always have to have someone to hate on our teams? Milton Bradley, fine. Dwayne Wise, not his fault. My god, I am a Vikings fan and I find the Cutler hate disgusting in this town. Let it go folks and enjoy yourselves.

Go Hawks

by Gbubbs on Oct 2, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone calm down. It's one game.

- People jumped on Cutler after the Pack game
- Let’s see Huet for a while before we go crazy
- The defense looked bad but its the first game
- Game 2, lets go!

Derrick Rose will lead us back to the promise land.

In Vinny We Trust!

by DRose#1 on Oct 2, 2009 10:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

These folks bitching about Huet

Spent all but the last year of Habby’s time here pissing and moaning just the same. Save it for the Bears. We’ve all seen Hawks teams recently with wayyyy less chance of making the playoffs. I’m very happy I’m watching an improved team. Perfect? Not yet. I’ll expect that in Saturday’s game.

"Youuuu Suck, Mayyyyers!!"

by Tiocfaidh ar La on Oct 2, 2009 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The Hawks didn't look that bad at all

Huet is going to allow goals. Get over it. Fact is we’re going to win far more than we lose when we put 55 shots on goal. Vokoun was just a damn wall.

Chicagoan in the Lou.

by Mike Martin on Oct 3, 2009 12:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is the kind of shit that bothers me

“We played in an Olympic-size rink in Switzerland, and this now felt narrow even if we have played in smaller rinks our whole lives,” Campbell said. “Maybe traveling took something from us. Florida possibly had an advantage as they had been in Finland longer.”

No excuses, Soup. Your team took 55 shots and only 3 went in. Nothing you can do when you face a goalie that hot. From many accounts the Hawks outplayed the Panthers for most of the game anyway.

It frustrates me to see the excuses start already, especially at a time when they aren’t really needed. I don’t want to be hearing “Oh we’re tired from playing in Finland” later on in the season, or nonsense about the Olympics, or any other bullshit. Anybody else bothered by the excuses?

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Oct 3, 2009 1:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Source?

My guess is that’s not the only thing he said.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Oct 3, 2009 7:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ask and ye shall receive

Link

Of course, he also left out his final quote :

‘‘It was a little disadvantage for us, playing on an Olympic-size rink in Switzerland,’’ defenseman Brian Campbell said, ‘‘because after practicing there, this was really totally different for us. Plus, we had lots of travel and [the Panthers] were [training in Helsinki]. But that shouldn’t have affected anything.’’

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Oct 3, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

Here ya go—

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/1803807,blackhawks-notes-100309.article

FifthFeather.com

by El Duque's Raft on Oct 3, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL not suprising...

…that TSN.ca (that’s where I got my source) would leave that last quote out “But that shouldn’t have affected anything.” Sometimes that site just posts what they want to hear and not what’s being said, hopefully this is the end of this.

by hawks61 on Oct 3, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My source was espn.com, though I think they just used an AP article. I didn’t leave anything out, that’s exactly what they had posted.

http://accordingtwomey.blogspot.com

by hawksfan21 on Oct 3, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The blame lies with ESPN, then.

go figure.

NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE

by mjthor on Oct 3, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm wondering...

Why isn’t the hate directed at Sopel? Even Foley remarked on how Sopel was playing.

SHOOOOOOOT IT!!!! Anon

by burpchelischili on Oct 3, 2009 4:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Cristobal Huet isn't going to be good enough

The Blackhawks are soon going to realize the need to acquire a primetime goaltender. Simply put, the goaltending on this team right now isn’t good enough if this team is to have legitimate playoff hopes.

Kris Versteeg is going to be on the trading block for a goalie the nanosecond Marian Hossa shows signs he is ready to return soon.

"Cubs will win 79 to 83 games." BLou (7/21/09)

by BLou on Oct 3, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs