Testify
by Matthew Dirt on Apr 27, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
39 comments
It's game day:
Maybe I'm just a sucker for Rage - but that video kicks ass. I love that they added J.H.C.'s OT goal to the end of it too.
Due to the fact that I'm busy at work this is likely the last post before the preview. I'll try to get the preview up early though so we can get our game day beer in on time.
This is as good a time as any to talk about superstitions though. I have to write the preview though seeing as how I'm batting a perfect 1.000% in the playoffs - I also have to find time to go for a 3-mile run after work because that seems to work too. Then of course there's the jersey I have to wear and the JHC shirt to bring with me to the bar.. I'm more superstitious about watching sports than I ever was when playing them competitively.
I can't remember anything I'd do before a big game when I was young but I have tons of things I can or cannot do on game days now when the Hawks play, especially for big games. I still play softball in a beer league but anyone who really gets to into that is just annoying. I know you all have to have rituals too - what are they?
Speaking of superstitions, for those of you waiting to hear about a viewing party - you might have to hold off on making definite plans. We're sporting a losing record on those and don't want to tempt fate. More on that for the preview though.
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My superstitions
mainly include where I sit and what I wear. I’m 3-0 wearing the pair of jeans that I have on. I’m also 3-0 when not heavily posting on here during the game (won game 2 where I posted here very lightly).
I’m starting finals week so the stress level is pretty high. Between work, tests, and the hawks, I will most likely have a heart attack, develop high blood pressure, and fall into a destructive mental disorder.
You and I are gonna live forever
Living in Madison...
I had to watch the first four games alone (wife was nice enough to watch what she wanted in our bedroom and give me our nice LCD in the living room) which can suck, especially during big games…that’s why I LOVE this site: Quasi-watching the game with fellow Hawk fans.
But, I was able to get to my ol’ stomping grounds this past weekend for the game, and watched it with a couple of buddies, and other Hawks fans, at Stadium Club on Western. And since you can’t smoke in the bars, nor do I smoke in our house, I take an “Intermission Cig…brought to you by our friends at Parliament” during the 1st and 2nd intermission. So, I maintained, while at Stadium Club Saturday night, I will only go out to destroy my lungs during the intermissions.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
Which brings on this thought...
For those of us out-of-market Hawk fans…
Since some of us, unfortunately, can’t get to your guys’ viewing parties (i.e. at Whirlaway) There should be suggestions posted for Hawks fans in other cities who may want to get together at a local establishment (that would carry the game of course) by them. Show up wearing Hawk gear, so you can be recognized, and let the drunken cheering/belly-aching commence.
For instance, I live in Madison, as I’m sure there have to be other Hawk fans in this metro-area…let’s set-up a viewing party somewhere?
Just throwing the idea out there…
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
I like that idea, but I'm not sure the readership is large enough to organize such events.
For one, I’m probably the only asshole in Iowa City who comments here, let alone reads the blog. It’d be nice to organize a viewing party — but hey, isn’t that what gamethreads are? Digital viewing parties?
The company of the comments in a gamethread is the next-best thing to actually watching the game with people. And the best part about gamethreads it that, for the most part, people know what the hell they’re talking about. I’ve watched all but one of the ‘Hawks playoff games with my girlfriend, but I’m constantly explaining things to her instead of discussing — although, to her credit, she is actually interested in listening to me talk about hockey, and she has also made some very astute observations, such as saying “We’re playing really flat, we need to put pressure on them” during Game 3 or 4.
Anyway— There are probably more readers of this blog in Madison in Iowa City, but even if you don’t set up a viewing get-together, what’s wrong with the comments section?
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
Another Iowa City area a-hole
Hey mjthor, I live in the area and really don’t know of a good place to gather for the games. I hate the idea of driving out ot the downtown area after more than one alcoholic beverage, and there are a lot of beatings taking place down there lately (unfortunately they’re not Detroit fans). I kinda hate the idea of leaving my 50-inch plasma and HD to be around a bunch of drunk college-age douches.
I live right downtown... just above Joseph's Steakhouse.
And I’m a bit out of touch since I’m student teaching in Cedar Rapids, but yes, I hate the drunk college-age douches too (even though I’m a college-age douche who is occasionally drunk).
I haven’t been paying attention to IC news lately, but I have a hard time believing that drunk college students getting their asses kicked by “those people” from “Chicago” is entirely unprovoked. In spite of the media scare tactics, it’s entirely understandable not to want to walk around IC at night. Call me crazy, but I’m not a huge fan of drunken, unpredictable crowds of frat-boy d-bags and 19-year-old girls crying about the most inconsequential bullshit imaginable.
I’d imagine quite a few bars downtown would show ’Hawks games, but I doubt any of them have a dedicated ’Hawks fan population. Personally, I watch them in my apartment, comfy on my couch with store-bought, good beer, Hi-def, my laptop and my girlfriend.
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
I won’t be joining the game thread tonight myself. I feel like I have to have completely focus on the game, almost as if I’m pretending to mimic the players’ own levels of concentration … you know, except on my couch with beer.
This team has the mental edge to win big games. If they focus on their own play and nothing else, they have a legitimately better chance than the Flames of pulling out a win. You can bet this team wants a road win BAD to inaugurate the 2nd round.
The puck is theirs, plain and simple. They know they have it in them to deal a death blow. It doesn’t matter what Calgary wants, makes no difference at all; if the Hawks play with that in them every shift, they’ll come away with a road win and a series.
For watching games I always put my Chinese Toews jersey on about 5 minutes in
I’m always busy cooking dinner or something right up until game time, and the jersey is large and cumbersome, so I don’t put it on right away. It’s less of a superstition than something that just happens, but I always remember to put it on a few minutes into the game.
Other than that, nothing really. I run almost every day anyway, so that’s not really a superstition (I usually double your weak-ass 3-mile run, though, Matt).
Playing sports? Gotta take a shit before a game.
And you better get that damn preview up. I don’t know if I can use that as an excuse for failing to do my self-appointed duty again…
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
Superstition Deliema...
i like to wear my JHC jersey for all the games, and i wore it to game 1 and wore it during game 2 (both of which i was not in my dorm for) However i watched games 3 and 4 from my dorm, and wore the JHC jersey, and we all know what happened in those games. I was back at home again for game 5, and, wore the jersey. So now that im back at school, and in my dorm room, i dont know what to do. I feel like it might be the room that is cursed, but between finals and this game, i cant wrap my head around what to do. any suggestions are greatly appreciated. (I’m not going to re-read what I just wrote so I’m sure it sounds very confusing)
The best move
is to have a couple beers, watch it where you have the best seat, and play the Testify video really loud like 22 times
by ChargingMajor on Apr 27, 2009 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Finals, eh?
Where are you going to school? All my friends at state schools are amazed that I have finals already and that I’m coming home for summer on Sunday. I’ve finished 2 of my 5. Got another one in the morning so it looks like I’ll be up all night studying for that one after the game. Then I have my last 2 of Friday and Saturday afternoon.
Is it possible for the hawks to play on Saturday night? My roommate and I are getting a nice amount of beer in the afternoon when our finals are done. I need to make sure I’ll be coherent for the game.
You and I are gonna live forever
by Original Six on Apr 27, 2009 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions
i go to ISU...
Finals week is actually scheduled for next week, but the way my schedule worked out i have a portfolio and group presentation to do this week. Im tempted to get some beers for tonights game but i know either way im going to end up drinking too much and not getting any work done. But hey, its playoffs right?
The sacrifices we make...
I ended up going to a game in December instead of studying for a final. This led to an adderall fueled all nighter. One of the best decisions ever. Tonights all nighter will be fueled by coffee though.
I have a few friends who are freshmen who go there. I think most of them live in Watterson somewhere.
You and I are gonna live forever
by Original Six on Apr 27, 2009 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions
No Phaneuf for Game 6
According to the latest Calgary Herald blog from just a short time ago, no Dion tonight.
Just read the article
And that is exactly what it says. No Phadouche, and Ericsson most likely dressing in his place.
Also found this little bit of gold from another artilce on their site:
As good as the young Blackhawks are, they’d be infinitely better had GM Dale Tallon not squandered almost $13 million a year in salary to nab free agents Cristobal Huet (four years, $22 million) and Brian Campbell (five years, $35.7 million). One is a backup goalie and the other a soft powerplay specialist who essentially amount to unnecessary spare parts this year. That money could have been spent so much better. Word is both were signed following a misguided directive from Hawks owner Rocky Wirtz.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 27, 2009 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions
A little revisionist history I'd say
While Campbell and Huet haven’t lived up to expectations, I’d hardly call their signings misguided. The Hawks were sorely lacking a PP quarterback and puck moving defenseman last year and Campbell seemed to fit that bill perfectly. Who knew he’d be sub-par and you’d see such incredible advancement by Keith, Seabs, and to a lesser extent, Barker.
As for Huet, Khabbi was left for dead and Huet was coming off a great season finish.
I’m not saying we exactly got our money’s worth on either of them and certainly in retrospect it would be nice to have that cap room back, but to say I wasn’t excited by those signings at the time would be lying.
Huet’s going to have to play a big part next year and Khabbi frees up almost 7 mil that hopefully will go toward re-signing JHC and leaving cap room for the hellacious raises coming for 2, 19, and 88.
by stickhandler on Apr 27, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions
History is, by its very nature, revisionist.
I think you’re looking for a cliche along the lines of: “Hindsight is 20/20.”
NOW STOP IT RIGHT HERE
The Campbell signing was worth getting excited for, he has several years of decent production with 3 solid 30+ assist seasons prior to the signing. No one could have predicted his disapearance the last 2 months. I do still think the Hawks overpaid for him.
Huet was a bad signing all around as he was coming off one good season and his numbers career wise have never been number one goalie consistent. He is a solid backup or platoon goalie who got number one money from the Hawks.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 27, 2009 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Correct me if I'm wrong
But Didn’t Huet only have a good last 3 months and a decent playoff run? I din’t think he even peiced together a good full season
Something like that
He got traded from Montreal to Washington and went on a hot streak that took the Caps into the playoffs after they were pretty much out of it. Very similar to what Chris Mason did with the Blues this season although obviously that wasn’t through a trade.
I could go either way on Huet. Without bringing him in, would Khabbi have been motivated to have the season he had? Could Huet have taken the Hawks to a similar record if he were the clear #1? The test is really going to be next season. If he fails, we have to hope that Crawford or Niemi can pick up the slack and take over. It’s not like something very similar didn’t happen for several other teams this year (Rinne, S. Mason, HIller, etc.)
On Campbell, the Hawks definitely overpaid, but they had to do it to get him to come to Chicago. I’m trying hard not to defend him too strongly, but other than the inflated contract, I still don’t think the signing was horrible. Complaining about his defense is like complaining about winter around here. We knew what to expect going in. I think with a handful more goals and a dozen or so assists, we’d probably be more forgiving.
Without Campbell, the defense looks like:
Keith-Seabrook (sweet)
Barker-Sopel (ummmm…)
Walker-Johnson (shudders)
Mix in a little Hjalmarsson or Hendry, but that’s still a little scary although I could have lived with Barker-Hammer knowing what we know now and saved my nightmares for pair #3.
I guess my main hope is that these boat anchor contracts don’t cause some big problems come next year that lead to losing one of the big 3.
by stickhandler on Apr 27, 2009 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
nice Campbell analogy
“Complaining about his defense is like complaining about winter around here. We knew what to expect going in.”
That made me chuckle. Also very true.
yeah
he went from a 2.55 GAA / .916 S% / 53% win% in 39 games with MTL to a 1.63 GAA / .936 S% / 84% win% in 13 games with WSH
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 27, 2009 4:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Chelios is still better than what they got in return
Even at 73 and with bad knees, Cheli is better than Eriksson. I got to see the return package play about 35 games in Quad Cities this season. I believe he was -2 in the only playoff game he’s played in this series.
I thought
you were going to hunt down a rainout like a lion. What are the odds you can sell those on craigslist by game time?
You and I are gonna live forever
by Original Six on Apr 27, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm going to guess another cold rainy April night
on half price Mondays will be a tough sell.
I’m guessing they’ll have the game on in the concourse, but i’d rather not pay 6.50 for miller lites as i’m watching the game on television.
Got more soul than a sock with a hole.
Not sure. Friend has the tickets. All I remember
is lower level along the lines in the outfield. Not sure if its right or left.
Got more soul than a sock with a hole.
Come on rain...
My buddy and I are letting our tickets go to waste. Good seats too, but its still April baseball vs playoff hockey
by ChargingMajor on Apr 27, 2009 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Congrats on the rainout.
You and I are gonna live forever
by Original Six on Apr 27, 2009 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah, suburbia
The thought of moms from Park Ridge, or Schaumburp, or anywhere in the DuPagian Republic, taking their kids and bopping around to Testify. Irony so thick you could cut it with a knife. (Doubly so if they think that security cameras should be placed everywhere.)
WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE!
by Sec 326 Bureau Chief on Apr 27, 2009 3:55 PM CDT reply actions
IN OTHER NEWS
Donald Brashear gets six games for KTFOing Blair Betts in Game 6 at MSG yesterday. That, of course, was a cheap shot par excellence — with which Brashear has obviously had some past experience.
(We now return to regularly-scheduled worrying.)
WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE!
by Sec 326 Bureau Chief on Apr 27, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions
he got 5 games for that hit, and 1 for the crosscheck he put on another player during warm ups. They deemed it to separate suspensions that will be served back to back.
by runningquicklynowhere on Apr 27, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions
RrrraaaAAAaagge!!!
Wicked beyond belief! Rage against the machine is one of the best bands from the 90’s that is for sure with “People of the Sun” and “Bulls on Parade”.
Props to the Hawks P.R. staff for their montage of great moments of the Hawks season including Havlat’s Game 1 OT winner which has truly TESTIFIED that the Hawks are back as one of the league’s Elite teams.
LET’S GO HAWKS!!!
Rage!
A friend of mine told me one time that he didn’t need heavy metal to get him UP for a hockey game. This isn’t just a hockey game, this is the playoffs and if you aren’t screaming like a freak the whole game you are in the wrong place. Besides, Rage Against The Machine aren’t really heavy metal (they are some kind of political, rap, heavy,heavy-rock, with weird-ass skronky guitar solos from Tom Morello), and they don’t just get you UP, they b*tch-slap you upside your head with a hard dose of reality… a reality that us Hawk fans Testified to in the 1st round. A reality that all other hockey fans around the nation will have to Testify to if the Hawks can do it again in the 2nd round. Control the present now… Control the future…
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