It's only an Island if you look at it from the water: Islanders @ Hawks Preview
by Matthew Dirt on Mar 15, 2009 11:04 AM CDT
in Game Threads
95 comments
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GAME TIME: 2:00 CST
OPPOSITION BLOG: Lighthouse Hockey
TV: WGN RADIO: WGN 720AM
DON’T FORGET: YOUR SPG PICKS - remember the New Rule too
These sunday afternoon will probably be the death us here.
The Islanders this year have reached unbeliveable levels of bad. At 23-38-8, the Islanders have only 54 points which is 6 less than any other team in the NHL. The Islanders have the 3rd worst goals per game average and 4th worst goals against average.
One surprising aspect of this team - they have the 10th best PK squad... yeah.. 10th best. Who knew?
I won't bother telling you more about the Islanders - they're bad and they're in full tank for Tavares mode.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot now. They're 4-5-1 in the last 10 and playing pretty uninspired hockey in general. They're pretty much a lock to make the playoffs but are looking at a quick first round exit if they don't pick up the play.
First of all - Welcome back Khabby
We're all glad to see Khabby come back today but he hasn't played a game in over a month so it'll be interesting to see if he's rusty. Word is that Q was thinking of sending him to Rockford to get a warm-up game but realized starting him against the Islanders was just as good.
Marty, Kane and Bolland all missed practice yesterday which means the Hawks streak of injuries disturbingly continues. Kane missed practice after colliding with Toews in Friday's game (Toews - "Be late to another player's only meeting again and see what happens, bitch"). Kaner chipped a few teeth and was probably just given the day off. The Hawks are looking into creating some sort of device to guard Kane's mouth but so far are stumped. Whatever they create I'm sure Kane will enjoy chewing on it.
Bolland and Havlat are also "expected" to be back today but I haven't seen anything official. Marty looked like he was in a lot of pain getting off the ice in the final seconds of the last game. If he needs some rest, this is a game I wouldn't mind seeing him skip. I'm not sure what's wrong with Bolland. Bolland played a normal shifts up until the end of the game but still missed practice.
With the Canucks and now the Blue Jackets right on their heels, this is a game the Hawks can't afford to lose if they still want the 4th seed. Though with being 6-4-0 in the last 10 road games and 4-5-1 in the last 10 at home there are worse things that could happen.
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What's the effort going to be like?
Are the Hawks going to come out firing on all cylinders, be aggressive on the forecheck, take an early lead where they are 25-5-3 when they do or are they going to sit back, be lethargic, and let the Isles dictate the pace of the game all the while giving them the early advantage where they are 17-11-1? All can agree to disagree on the importance of that 1st goal and how much of an impact it has on the game but given the fact that only Detroit has a winning record 12-11-5 when conceding the first goal it has proven to be noteworthy.
Hopefully Khabby comes up with a few big saves in the beginning and the Hawks score first and all ends up with a much-needed 2 point effort. LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
by hawks61 on Mar 15, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Your gametime video feed and beer
A video feed: http://www.justin.tv/jtvsports3
A beer:
Smithwick’s
I’m not even a huge fan of this beer, but it’s cheap, not disgusting, and, most importantly, Irish. You can probably guess what’s coming on Tuesday, but for now we’ll go with Smithwick’s. Put on your green vests and bright orange wigs; it’s almost St. Paddy’s Day. Oh, and you can make yourself ten times cooler by pronouncing Smithwick’s like the Irish do — it’s NOT “Smith-Wick’s,” it’s Smiddick’s.
Let’s hope the ‘Hawks are in the St. Paddy’s Day spirit and do what they should today. They have a 37-0-0 record when scoring more goals than their opponents compared to the 23-0-0 record of the Islanders, so let’s hope that when the time runs out, there are more goals for the Blackhawks than the Islanders. If they can manage to do that, they’ll probably win the game.
See ya in the comments, you sons of bitches.
Go Hawks!
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 11:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, that feed's not working...
working on finding a replacement.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's actually a free trial of nhl.com today
That’s what I’m watching. Only takes a couple seconds to sign up, and it’s legal!
http://gamecenter.nhl.com/nhlgc/console.jsp
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beware the Ides of March
Although I don’t think that this is what Shakespeare had in mind…
These guys seem to pop up at the 4th of July festival of one town or another every year. I saw them in Mount Prospect or Arlington Heights once.
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 12:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Are you from the NW 'burbs?
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup. Des Plaines
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Irish Ale?
To be a TRUE hockey fan it is an almost a must to drink Molson Canadian or any Canadian beer for this is CANADA’S GAME and don’t ANYONE forget it!!! This is OUR GAME it always has been and ALWAYS WILL BE!!!
by hawks61 on Mar 15, 2009 1:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather drink my own piss than drink a Canadian macro brew.
Then again, American macros are equally as bad.
As far as Canuckistan beers go, give me something from Unibroue or Brasserie Dieu Du Ciel and then we’re talking. In fact, I may just go pick up a bottle of Trois Pistoles later tonight.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
mj, ever taste some of the micros from out east? Halifax has some phenomenal brews, primarily Garrison and Propeller.
Propeller’s Porter is one of the better ones I’ve ever had. There’s a bias there, naturally, but I’m sure it’d stand up to anyone’s test. One of their bitters and their India Pale Ale were Gold Medal Winners at the Chicago World Beer Championships, so I’m guessing one or two stores might carry them.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll have to look for those next time I'm home
which will be next weekend. I’d be hard to impress with an IPA right now, as I’ve had some of the most incredible examples lately (most notably, Three Floyds Dreadnaught)… but I do love a good IPA.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mentioned the IPA specifically because of all your recent posts. It won’t disappoint if you can find it.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you're kind of a beer geek, check out
BeerAdvocate — really great website with community rankings and reviews of beers. Since the overall rating is an average of dozens (sometimes hundreds or thousands) of reviews, I pretty much trust the collective opinion of the community.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only 19 reviews for Propeller on BA
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
heh, thanks, i already have it bookmarked. With the travelling I do (3 months out of the year), I want a reliable single site so that when I go to certain cities I can get the better beers without a ton of hassle. Not nearly as good, but also helpful is http://beertravelers.com/
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check out the Beerfly link on BA
Reviews of breweries, brewpubs, pubs and restaurants. It’s pretty awesome.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
By the way, what's the best beer city you've been to?
I’d imagine, if you’ve been out there, that somewhere in California (maybe San Diego) would be awesome, if only for the high concentration of high-end craft breweries.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I won’t say it’s an easy win, but San Francisco is pretty great. I don’t go all over the country, though, so I’d give a skewed list. The places I go to most often, and longest, are San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta, and Boston. I’m embarrassed to say that I never saw the Beerfly link … I’ll be rummaging through it very closely.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, if you click the "reply" button underneath a post, you can reply to that specific post instead of the original thread.
It keeps things nice and organized, and then we can tell who you’re replying to.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aww take it easy on him...
He doesn’t know any better, he’s Canadian.
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was meant to be a geniunely helpful post.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What a crappy loss today.
Seemed like we had the majority of the scoring chances…
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m Canadian. Molson Canadian is piss; it is actually piss. It is water with the waste that makes piss. Please tell me, as well, that you’re intentionally trying to be an asshole, because your exclamation points and all-caps don’t necessarily give it away, considering that’s your normal style of writing.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rocky's up in the cheap seats.
Gotta love it.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Khabby's in net.
Havlat’s on the ice. These are good signs.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
what the hell
is that penalty call?!?
horrendous. now buff will have an excuse when he doesn’t hit people.
what the shit was that.
by GreenLantern411 on Mar 15, 2009 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep. I'm sure he'll hibernate the rest of the game now.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we'll in our hunt for verifiable statistical evidence
to back up our theories I would like to see Buff’s hits by period. At least half his hits in the game are in the first period. He seems to tire easily (FAT.)
"Oh, that's easy. White Sox. I'm not one of these fair-weather fans. You go to Wrigley Field, you have a beer; beautiful people up there. People aren't watching the game. It's not serious. White Sox, that's baseball. South Side." -O'Bama
by Hawk is God on Mar 15, 2009 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't find a period breakdown
but Buff is smoking the rest of the forwards in Hits
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Islanders are leaving some pretty big passing lanes
open on this PK. We get a few more PP, and this game is over.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Some big hits this first period.
That’s about it, though.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That wasn't supposed to be a reply to myself.
But I’m bored.
And lonely.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd keep ya company
but I’m trying to get some work done. Sundays are NOT fun days for me.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This just seems like one of those games where things are about to go wrong after a semi-dominant first half.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I dunno
I got a good feeling about this game. they are getting their chances, eventually one of those is going to get in.
White Sox: Trying to roll a hard six.
by vince_ on Mar 15, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. The Hawks just have way too
much time and space today. I know they love playing down to their competition, but I think they’ll break through sooner or later.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next time Foley says "Loosey Goosey"
I’m changing the channel.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 3:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eager went on walkabout there
White Sox: Trying to roll a hard six.
by vince_ on Mar 15, 2009 3:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why was Eager out there in the first place?
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He just came out of the box
White Sox: Trying to roll a hard six.
by vince_ on Mar 15, 2009 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ahhh … things you lose track of listening on the radio
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aw piss.
I’m listening to WGN — what happened?
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Eager out of the box
Wandered too far to the other side of the ice leaving Streit open, so Streit had a ton of space to move toward the top of the circle and put a slapshot past Khabby (who was screened).
White Sox: Trying to roll a hard six.
by vince_ on Mar 15, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Really, is Kane just using one hand on his breakaways? He’s had a ton over the last while and hasn’t hit net on any but the shootout the other night.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
at least that's what WGN is saying.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
and my son of a bitch brother had to text message me with "VERSTEEG!"
… 60 seconds before my internet feed let me know he scored.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Versteeg's had a great game.
He’ll be passing Kane if the Golden Boy doesn’t start converting on some of these breakaways.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate it when I use this word, but he seems to have more mojo of late
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jesus.
Its increasingly looking like I underestimated this team’s ability to play like absolute shit when playing an absolute shit team.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 3:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m really beginning to understand, in this final stretch to the playoffs, what it means to be a really young team. I’m sure they KNOW what they’re doing, they just seem to get emotionally wrapped up.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Doesn’t bode well for round 1, though.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. Just like Friday, as soon as the team ties it up,
they let up.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at the bright side, at least we’re not playing Colorado, the second-worst team in the entire league.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ugh
I’ve been saying that too much lately.
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 4:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The 'Hawks will lose this game if they don't have more goals than the Islanders when the clock runs out.
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 4:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
You only feel safe saying that now because we’re half-way through the third.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As the time on the clock decreases, the Blackhawks will have less opportunities to score goals.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 4:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you trying to be the John Madden of hockey?
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was watching Will Ferrell's George W. impression on HBO last night...
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bright side … even if Columbus and Vancouver win today, it’ll still be a week before they can overtake us.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Another bright side...
maybe this team is better off without home ice advantage. They’ve been pretty brutal the past few weeks as they “March to the Playoffs”.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 4:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was just hunting for some positives, and was thinking of just that. They seem a more focused team on the road the last half. Through the first half they were unbelievably solid at home, and it’s almost like they’ve taken it for granted that the wins are the probable outcome if they just show up.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the Hawks should wear the white jerseys and pretend they’re on the road for the rest of the season.
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anybody pick Mannino beforehand for player of the game?
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Come on Hawks, you've got the big advantage here
SCORE A FREAKING GOAL!
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I painted their asses blue and spanked them with a turkey leg!
by HappyHuman on Mar 15, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So what did they talk about in that players meeting, again?
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 4:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
They were just taking bets on who they’d be hosting in the first round. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, all … I’m going to get some grub and swear. Fuck.
by ChicoMaki on Mar 15, 2009 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets keep it all in perspective.
1st game back in the net after a month being off. We actually dominated most of the game, just ran into a wall of a goaltender. We will be fine :)
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another SSS member joining the blog...
I like.
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah I am a huge Hawk fan who
boycotted the team and vowed not to return until dollar Bill died. I think the Doug Gimore over Brett Hull signing was the final straw.
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
My boycott began
with the trade of Chelios.
It was the masterstroke of a man who wanted to cut out the heart of the team. I know they say you’re not supposed to speak ill of the dead, but I say that matters on the ill they committed while they lived. Fuck dollar Bill. If I’m a dick (why am I saying “if?”) I expect people to tell my family and friends all about it, should they not already know.
by russellguldin on Mar 15, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, they'll be fine in a
settling into a mid-tier status kind of way. There was a time this year when it looked like this team was ready to join the NHL elite. As the year’s progressed, they’ve shown they are not quite there.
So sure, they’ll be fine. They’ll make the playoffs, and might be able to win the first round. But that’s about all I’m expecting at this point.
by chrome on Mar 15, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, you can't expect consistency with a young team.
The only “elite” team they have yet to obliterate is Detroit. Now they need to get healthy and get their goal tending back in order and we got a chance at the cup.
So, if I am reading the two options correctly . . .
we can either a) keep dye or b) trade dye . . . is that you Phil Rogers?
by jc2313 on Dec 11, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply recommended Unrec 1
by Where Triples Go to Die on Mar 15, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am hoping that they learn from this.
This team does not deal with adversity very well, which is really going to affect them in the playoffs. Someone goes down to injury, the ’Hawks fall for the next few games. Someone gets traded or fired, and they drop several games. they are very young in too many ways; hopefully Sammi can help them out with that. But this team must find some balance and some stability. We have all enjoyed the pros of a young team; now we must face the cons.
by russellguldin on Mar 15, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Despite the scoreline, how did Khabby look?
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I was at the game, 2 goals came on screens, one was kind of a soft goal in front of the net
other one was a bad bounce, had some nice saves though
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Mar 15, 2009 5:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, every goalie always has SOME nice saves...
how were his reactions, rebounds, etc?
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by mjthor on Mar 15, 2009 5:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Didn't give up many nice rebounds, kind of tough luck shots through screens that beat him
more as a result of poor defensive coverage rather than his play
Lets Go Hawks!
by CubsBall2202 on Mar 15, 2009 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mirror, Mirror
It seems to me that the boys have an uncanny knack for matching the teams they play. When a team sucks, they suck. When they’re against a top team, they play very well, so long as we ignore Boston.
by russellguldin on Mar 15, 2009 6:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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