How’d you get this up so fast?

Classic

seemed pleased by the way the ’Hawks played this game, despite the result. They credited the effort in coming back to tie twice, and the fact that they basically swarmed Ward all night. Which I agree with, but no one mentioned the defensive lapses that we all pointed out.

I didn’t get a chance to listen to the call-ins, though, so maybe a listener brought it up, but given the intelligence of most radio callers (sportsgal not included), it’s pretty unlikely.

Anyway, they said it was a highly successful road trip given the traveling conditions and opponents faced—everyone’s probably in agreement on this point—but the ‘Hawks also looked off for most of it. The games at Ottawa and Vancouver were two of the worst they’ve played this season, and there were several others that they seemed to coast through. Hopefully the three days’ rest will help rejuvenate them (especially Seabrook, my god, someone just knock him out for the next two days), as well as returning to Madison Ave.

MIN 2

is Huet. Can’t blame him for the loss anymore than I can blame him for his salary. His agent did his job getting him that kind of money, because he’s an average goalie at best. But I do grow a little tired of “nothing Huet could’ve done about this goal… or that goal.” Stats speak for themselves, especially over time… and if he isn’t even in the top 30 in the league for SV%, then he’s either not having a good year or he’s not a good goalie. So be it. It’s our one weakness and it’s been hidden by our prolific offense.

Over his last 10 games, his SV% is .875 and his GAA is 2.99. That is shit, plain and simple. But we have survived with him and I think we can win it all with him in net. It’s just going to be ugly some nights.

I wish Q would give Niemi 3 starts in a row just to see, but that probably won’t happen. Oh well.

First, Huet was not good tonight and has been shaky all month, stats bear that out. Second, what the hell was he doing in goal tonight anyway? He should have been on the bench taking a rest after playing several games in a row on a long road trip exaggerated by a long cross country flight after a late game on the west coast on Thursday. I put that on the coaching staff. I am not one for excuses but I am sure Huet was not feeling 100% tonight. As you all know, I do not have much faith in Huet, but tonight is not all on him. There were some bad defensive plays tonight and some bad bounces.

Just because people on here question our goalie’s competence does not make any of us bad fans. There is nothing wrong in pointing out what we think is a weakness on the team. It doesn’t mean we don’t want him to do well or are not 100% committed to the team. Fans in all sports question players all the time. That is part of being a fan. Being a fan doesn’t mean you out on blinders and don’t discuss these issues. I guarantee you that all you Huet apologists criticize other athletes on Chicago teams, just listen to sports radio around here. People bitch about stars in this town all the time. Why do so many people here prppose that we should never say a bad thing about him because he is “our guy”? That is ridiculous. Finally, for those of you who say that fans booing him occasionally at the UC or writing bad things about affect his performance, GET REAL! if you really think he is that sensitive then he really has no mental toughness and composure. A pro athlete should not be affected by that and if he is he should find a new profession.

http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2010/1/31/1285472/road-trip-comparison-lots-of

a look at the Journey into Mordor (as compared to the Mines of Moria). aw, shit, I broke out the Tolkien references, time for a quaalude. or six.

I take full responsibility for that loss. Hawks have never lost when I watch the game and am on the thread at the same time….last night I went out drinking. Apologies.

This could be the headline for at least half a dozen games this year.

And it’s usually accompanied by explanations of goals that “couldn’t be helped.” Weird, when you look at any individual goal, you gotta agree. But when this happens with mind-numbing regularity you gotta wonder if the Hawks are cursed or if maybe something else is going on.

Last night, the Hawks had a bazillion opporuntiites (Hossa all night, Kane with a full second alone in front, Toews wrap-around, Brouwer point-blank redirect into open net.) If they had scored on these opporutnities, you couldn’t blame Ward. But he made SEVERAL great saves in important situations and was the difference last night.

How nice it would be, just once in a while, to be able to say that about a Hawks goalie. I’ll take the lousy games- they happen. But the Hawks have had only one great game in net this year (Niemi in Vancouver.)

Anyway, I think Huey’s pretty much a known quantity at this point- let’s give the kid a chance to see if he can do better.

Last night’s effort was oustanding- extraordinary for the eighth game of a road trip. The boys deserved better, but regardless, it says a lot about the character of this team.

Sharp in particular was on fire all night. Maybe he and Hossa can work together.

Several crunching hits from Buff (maybe he can be a 3rd liner) and Seebs. Keith musta hit four perfect head man passes that led to great opportunities that led to nothing.

Frustrating night, but I fucking love this team!

Calgary gets
Hagman
Stajan
J.Mayers
Ian White

Toronto gets
Phadouche
Sjostrom
prospect

Toronto also allegedly on the verge on acquiring J.Giguere.

I give up, but it is posted on SBnations NHL homepage…

Almost looks like he might have a thumb up babcocks ass…..

They are having a great season. I love watching them.
All this consternation regarding whatever the fuck you all (maybe not all) think of next is mind numbing insanity.

Later.

The ‘Hawks came in like a lion, leaving a trail of destruction in their path, and went out like a lamb, playing some of their worst defensive efforts this season. All in all, a 10-4-1 record for a month that had an 8-game road trip at the end of it (10 in total for the month). There are some things I’m unhappy with but just looking at the record it’s hard to be too critical.

February’s schedule looks pretty good so hopefully the ’Hawks are licking their chops instead of their wounds.

According to that bastion of journalism, todays trades were only part 1…

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Burke-not-done-at-all-Part-2-About-to-Commence/1/25914

What can I say? It’s entertaining…

Jokinen and Prust to NYRangers for Kotalik and Higgins.

Mark Cullen didn’t have his stick tied up by Keith and he was able to tip in another fine goal.

It’s MATT CULLEN. You never know…Matty Ice may end up a Hawk. You may want to study up.

Crabby Patty,

Summarizing the road trip, Chris Kuc quote:

Joel Quenneville’s best move: Sticking with Cristobal Huet as the starting goaltender for the last three games of the trip. The veteran played well enough to quiet most of the critics calling for Antti Niemi to get the bulk of starts.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-spt-0201-blackhawks-chicago—20100131,0,6333751.story