And I was “this close” to forgetting what it’s really like to have grown up a Chicago sports fan. What happened Sunday seemed to dominate our sports scene here for decades at a time. It was hard to to take the defeatest attiude during the late 2nd and 3rd periods on Sunday and think that “hey, at least they made it this far” but that’s exactly what I found myself doing. Talk about a wasted three hours of my life.

It’s a new day, though, and just think if the Hawks can post a W in Scumtown in game 5….then who knows…its back to the UC and no way can they provide another circus act that was Sunday’s game.

Class shmlash. Class is something to worry about after a game or series- accept the win/loss, pay kudos to your opponent, avoid making excuses (if you lost) and move on.

If I wanted class on the ice, I wouldn’t be a Blackhawks fan….or a hockey fan at that. Yesterday’s antics represent the boys’ frustration & disdain for losing, which I don’t have a problem seeing. They’re hungry and expect better. The problem is, it started too early in the game for a team that has the tools to bounce back from big deficits. I’m afraid it’s due to lack of confidence in Huet.

This is where experience comes into play- composure in the face of adversity. Starts with Q and Bowman identifying our own weaknesses and making the key adjustments. If Huet’s our guy, then a more defensive approach may be required (I hate the trap, but if it gets us to the finals….trap away!) Or at least keep a forward high in the o-zone, as the Scum’s fastbreak is just killing us.

Shake it off and move on. Take it one game at a time and once Khabby returns so will the confidence in droves!

PS- 1st post. Love the Blog and the insightful commentary. Sorry for the rant- just couldn’t keep it bottled up anymore. C’mon you Hawks!!!

This team has been good at learning lessons this year for the most part. So I hope they let the Kronwall hit go and focus on doing the things that win games. I thought the team looked like they were still in bed during the first period. No jump at all as far as I could tell. The lack of composure was tough to watch as it reminded me of the old days with Manson, Peluso and Grimson losing their minds on occasion. Only problem with that is, no one was being beaten or crushed in the manner that those three were capable of and sorry but Kris Versteeg isn’t nearly as big as any of them. Or as entertaining to watch in the physical department. My hope is that they come out with tons of energy and finish their checks with authority on the way to a win. We know they can play better, hopefully we’ll see it in Game 5. The lack of focus only played into the strengths of the Wings as they seem to be very good at reading the play before it develops and being in the right place. The Hawks were way out of position most of the game and the lack of focus was hard to watch. Let’s get the next one and go from there!

One word to describe the Blackhawks play on Sunday. Or easily substitute these others:

dominated, outplayed, outcoached, classless, undisciplined, stupid, immature, lethargic, disgraceful, owned.

They were boys amongst Men. Detroit made them look ridiculous. On Sunday, it was clearly evident the Hawks are the youngest team in the NHL.

16 penalties (most stupid) and 56 penalty minutes. 56. In Game 4 of a Conference Finals series and the most important singular game for the franchise in 15 years. WTF? Did they all collectively loose their minds? I thought I had watching that game. They nary resembled the team we’ve watched all season.

Quenneville better lay down the lumber to get these guys’ heads out of their asses for Game 5. His comment about the “worst call in sports history” was childish. As the coach, he needs to set the tone and lead by example and get his team focused on execution of hockey fundamentals. Great example – whining about the referees. A call went against you? Deal with it.

If they can’t win, they need to lose with dignity and not like a whiny pre-pubescent teenager.

Got home from Indy, turned on the tape of the game . . . and discovered the VCR hadn’t worked. We rooted around and found a replay of the game; it was the middle of the 3rd. Once I saw the score, I was just as glad we hadn’t sat through what must have been a terrible, awful, not very good game. Seeing a team put forth a great effort and lose is painful, but seeing a team put forth what sounds like a heinously bad effort and lose is too depressing.

OTOH, it’s been a great run so far, and a lot of fun. Here’s hoping it lasts a little longer . . .