but an awful song.

Without that hit, that’s a totally different game, and a much closer game at that. So props to him for destroying Bourque, and adding an assist, and playing his usual calm, controlled game. This kid is just impressing me more and more every time I watch him play.

It was Versteeg, by the way. Although Huet came up with some monster saves as well. I would give Hjalmarsson a sentimental vote though, because Borque is going to feel that one for a few days. And not in a good way.

and noticed both of Versteeg!’s goals came as a result of a no-look pass (by Kaner and Keith, respectively) and BOTH while on the PP. Definitely the way these guys had to start this trip.

Also, to quote the call on Eager’s goal, courtesy of the TSN feed, “There’s another”. Hilarious.

Is Bickell driving back and forth to Rockford on this road trip? Best game in awhile for the Bufferoo—sooo much potential-he needs a lesson in nastiness from the Hammer. Huet was exceptionally good-but doesn’t it scare you after a save he is lookin behind himself for the puck?
and finally Sopel ,he is such an oddity on team that goes 100 mph he seems to have found snergy by going only 30 mph-maybe 15mph—he is effectively slow

had an amazing night, when the only goal you let in is off of a power play, in my opinion that is almost as good as a shutout, since usually the goals most forgiven are those that score on a powerplay or a bad turnover that just gives the other team a gift. Hammer’s destruction of some guy not fit to wear the greatest logo in sports was awesome, but Huet kept the came from being close with the clutch saves he needs to make.

Catch Borque’s soul actually leaving his body after Hjalmersson’s hit? I’m pretty sure that shit would have shown up on “Paranormal Activity”.

or at least, that’s what this is telling me.

I picked Hammer because that hit opened the floodgates.

(Maybe Fraz was trying to impress Uncle Brent Sutter.)

this game would have been seriously uphill. I love that he is helping making the Flames the ‘Hawks’ prison bitches.

That diving save on Bouwmeester changed the whole game since it kept it from getting tied. If not give it to Ham Sandwich for putting Ms. Rene on her ass.

That’s a paddlin’. Pick a fight while wearing a visor? That’s a paddlin’.

Dammit that game was fun to watch last night! I was ready for yet another one-goal game, especially after the first, but I rather enjoy the laughers. I hope they keep up the steam through this road trip. It’d be fantastic to see them beamin’ with confidence when they get back from the trip and open up a ridiculous lead in the central thereafter.

The hit to me looked clean..looked more shoulder to shoulder not a head shot..so I don’t think will warrant time off. The league should make a rule that if you wear a visor and your in a fight you have to take your helmet OFF!!! that is like football players fighting with helmets on what is the point. It happened last night and the fight the other night that Fraser got into the guy had a shield on as well

Did anyone else hear Torchetti refer to Hjalmarsson as “The Hammer”? during the pre-3rd interview? It doesn’t surprise me though, Nik’s resemblance to Fred Williamson is striking.

from the game highlights:

Watch between 00:59 to 1:13.

Seabrook on a PP opp takes a shot, hits the post, and the Blackhawks regroup. Barker passes the puck back to Seabs, who takes another shot, and VERSTEEG! tips it in for the 2nd PPG of the night.

Watch again, though, because VERSTEEG! wasn’t even by the net in the first shot— in fact, he gets a stick on the rebound off the first shot, passes it over to Kane, who passes it to Barker who sends it to Seabs— and by the time Seabs takes his shot, VERSTEEG! has managed to skate behind the net into position for the tip in.

As he would say, “What a beauty.”

I went with Keith because he was just all over the ice, though none of the guys are undeserving. As cool as it was to see ‘em run Calgary out of their own building, I kind of wish this game could have been at the UC so the Flames had to listen to Chelsea Dagger seven times. As if the Hawks aren’t in their heads enough…
Oh yeah, and long-time reader, first post. Great site, and thanks to everyone who cracks me up while I’m at work and makes me look like an idiot.

who aren’t dumbasses.

I guess Calgary saw the Hawks A-team lasr night. I pity the fools.

Nice summary, Matt.

Calgary came out hard and hitting and I thought Kipper was pretty sharp early (the Hawks didn’t roll over a flat or lousy team last night), but Toews, along with Kane, Sharp, and Buff, we’re really flying from the git-go.

Kane appears on the cusp of superstardom (except for his laziness). He’ll come back to earth at some point (maybe), but what a treat. Even when he sticks his nose in, it’s hard to get a good shot on a sturdy fire hydrant.

Toews was a relentless monster, dominating behind both nets. He brought it every shift. I was a bit worried he was almost reckless, like in his rookie season. Didn’t take any big hits, but a wee bit of caution might be best long-term.

Dunc- well, dog bites man. No story here. He enjoyed a rest (only 23:52), which accounts for him looking especially spry and refreshed late.

Question for the aficionados: for most of the year, the Hawks have played keep away, dominating time of posession and shot differential.

Last night, it seemed they played differently. More aggressive, more about pushing the puck up ice, clearing the zone rather than the sometimes too-cute own zone passing- in short, more of a field position game.

I can see uses for both styles at times, and it’s scary to see how easily the Hawks can switch styles.

Am I imagingng this? I don’t know the time of posession stats, but the shots on goal bear it out. The Hawks were outshot , but Calgary had generally lower quality shots, and the Hawks dominated every aspect of the game.

I’ll generally root for the underdog who gets fed shit-sandwiches for showing they’re merely human. I refuse to revisit the start of his season, which now seems like a distant rotten dream, but that was fairly well a clinic last night. I was happy like a muppet to see the survey results. Obviously a fantastic all around effort, but gonna go with Huet.

In my own sad little hockey world brain, I’d like to give an honorable mention to Captain Tazer too, who was once again forcing the enemy to stare into the eye of his shit hurricane while remaining off the scoresheet altogether. Fuck I love this team. 13 players with points? Something has awoken the fire-breathing (or in this case, fire-eating) beast we have become.

The Bottom Lounge for a road watch? Don’t get me wrong, I like the place a lot, but it just doesn’t strike me as one of the usual Chad-infested bro bars they usually pick for these events. Maybe it’s because it’s an afternoon game on a weekday (albeit Black Friday) that they figure there will be enough professional alcoholics there anyway independent of it being a Hawks event that it will make it seem as though it was well-attended.

Interesting nickname for Hammer over at Matchsticks and Gasoline… “Hjardtospell”

I like it.

—Bourque is out against the Kings on Saturday

http://flames.nhl.com/club/preview.htm?id=2009020313&navid=DL|CGY|home

Way to go, Niklas! :D

I know this is usually the trip that’s rough on our boys, but has anyone else noticed the mid-January trip?

Same 2 weeks, but 8 games instead of 6 and from 1 end of the continent to the other twice. That trip scares the shit out of me.

CHuet