Phoenix 1 - Chicago 1: Cahyotes Win Russian Roulette

by Matthew Dirt on Feb 6, 2010 2:30 AM CST in Recaps Comment 19 comments

Well we'll try something new here. This will be a recap written by a guy who only actually watched the first period of this game before spending time being a boyfriend and taking my girl out before spending time with all you schmucks drinking, eating and hockey watching in St. Louis (and just in case she reads this, I had a great time) . Sam and McClure both told me via text messages that I'd be able to write the best recap seeing as how they decided to go out and get shitty... which is probably quite astute.

To make things even worse for this recap though - I actually missed the Hawks lone goal. I listened to the game on the radio driving downtown, got out to walk to the bar and by the time I got there I saw the face-off after Colin Fraser's second goal of the year. Of course I saw it on replays, and it was great to see Fraser grab a goal after being a healthy scratch the last game. The goal was equal parts skating hard to the net, being in the right spot and lets face it, a lot of luck. Mario knocked the puck off LaBamba's shoulder and it found it's way into the net. Kane aims for that space, Fraser just closes his eyes and hopes for the best in this situation.

As of yet, I have no idea how the Coyotes scored their goal. I see on the box score that it came on the tail end of a Coyotes power play and of course it comes after the always annoying too many men penalty. Throwing salt into the wound, it had to be Radim Vrbata...

Even worse, ESPN tells me Adrian Aucoin was the first star of the game? The fuck? This game existed to do nothing but kick us in the junk. Lets hope for something better tomorrow or it's going to be quite ugly.

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slump

First 3-game losing streak of the year. We’ve lost 5 of our last 8. It’s kind of depressing, but I’ve become so spoiled. I still look forward to watching the boys play.

Oh well. Maybe we need the Olympic break.

1961 is a long time ago.

by HawkJaw on Feb 6, 2010 2:38 AM CST reply actions

Yeah.

Too bad Kane, Toews, Hossa, Keith, and Seabs (and I guess Kopecky) will be playing in the Olympics. So much for a break.

by Ban on Feb 6, 2010 3:09 AM CST up reply actions

Mike Keenan was spotted in Chicago recently.

by Ghost of Bill Wirtz on Feb 6, 2010 4:10 AM CST reply actions

not seeing this one wouls have been better

it was painful to watch

by krome on Feb 6, 2010 8:02 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I hate John Jaeckel

or whatever his name is…that dude at hockeybuzz……guy is a tool…..they lost 3 games in a row,the sky isn’t falling…..the Capitals who are the hottest team in the nhl now at one point lost 4 in a row this season,and the SJ sharks at one point lost 5 in a row….its called a slump,and every team goes through one….its impossible not to in an 82 game season…..Is the Hawks play of late good?no,not at all,but better now than in april and may…..last seasons team went through a much much worse rough patch during the middle of the season,but they caught fire at the end of the season,and made it to the WCF….lts just hope that the team makes the fixes it needs to in time to keep the second seed or maybe even get the first seed,and play well in the playoffs

by csm on Feb 6, 2010 8:51 AM CST reply actions

This post affirms my agreement.

www.mjt.org

by ChicoMaki on Feb 6, 2010 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

He's usually decent but today's post is subpar.

What I’ve seen the past couple of games is a Hawks team that’s sort of in disarray as a result of Bolland’s return and the shift in lines. The guys are simply out of sorts. It reminds me very much of what happened last season when Pahlsson arrived. They’ll get it together but this says to me that if the Hawks are going to make some kind of deal before the trade deadline, they need to do it sooner rather than later so they can get it together — completely together — before the playoffs.

Nope, the sky is most definitely not falling and the guys will get out of this funk. The D looked much better, especially on the PK. IMO, it’s simply a matter of getting used to the new lines (whatever they end up being!).

by flahawkfan on Feb 6, 2010 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec'd

Exactly my thoughts as well on the line jumble.

"Youuuu Suck, Mayyyyers!!"

by Tiocfaidh ar La on Feb 6, 2010 10:37 AM CST up reply actions

No Sky Fail

I really didn’t think Jaeckel was that harsh at all, I think he is just stating simple fact. When it comes to defensive minded teams (especially ones with less talent) the Hawks have struggled all year. When the Hawks are allowed to play an open game versus a trap, the difference is night and day. Without a doubt, the return of Bolland and line juggling coupled with an unavoidable, some point in the year slump, is factoring in here. Still, I feel like they have lost to the same game plan all year. This team has enough of everything it needs to win, I firmly believe that, but not unless they can win grind for sixty minutes games.

by NKLHD on Feb 6, 2010 10:40 AM CST up reply actions

The thing i dont like

about Jaeckel is when the Hawks were winning,and dismantling teams he was all" This team could easily be hoisting the Cup at the end of the season…..and when ever they lose 2 or in this case 3 in a row its : I told you guys,the blackhawks cant win like this,they are a team with deficiencies yadda yadda yadda…..he is sooooo vague….No shit,if a team plays good D and attracks the net they can win in the playoffs and play in the finals….no shit,if a team gets dumb with turnovers and doesn’t do the little things they’ll get knocked out in the first round duuuh?!Thats what i dont like about him…..I beg to differ that the Blackhawks dont play good against good D teams,San Jose plays good D and they filled em up with goals,NJ plays good D and as i remember that finished 5-1,and yeah they had some tough games against the Canucks where they lost,but Nashville is another team that plays good tough D and i believe the season series was 6-2 blackhawks…..

Its a long season,you’ll have ups and downs….thats all i am sayin,no need to panick….it would be nice to clear some cap space and get another tough D man,or maybe a better goalie,but last night i thought Huet did his job…..The last 3 games could have easily been won just as easy as they were lost,but according to JJ the sky is falling and the Blackhawks can’t beat good Defensive teams,yeah ok buddy,bite me and the rest of us here at secondcityhockey

by csm on Feb 6, 2010 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

Fair nuf

I have no investment in any blogger, I just thought he made a reasonable point. I’ve believed in the Hawks all year and still do, but I still agree with him. SJ is not a good example of your point. In only one game did the Hawks really take it to them and in general, the Sharks are not winning games with their defense. NJ to me was one of the best games the Hawks played this year. From the very first puck drop they dumped it in, they forechecked their ass off and flat out shut NJ down. I also believed NJ played a more open game than is typical for them, but that’s a debatable point. Against the other teams you mentioned, I don’t think they gave anywhere near that effort of nearly man on man, non stop forecheck, finish all checks, etc. It sucks for the Hawks that other teams only have to bring that energy sucking game once to beat a great team, while for the Hawks to win that way it’s a brutal nightly grind. Come playoff time, I hope I’m just a blind douche like Jaeckel and that what I think I’m seeing is completely wrong.

by NKLHD on Feb 6, 2010 4:37 PM CST up reply actions

IMO

SJ is a good defensive team……u are right about inishing their checks and so forth,but generally they have found a way to score against good Defensive teams,and not only score but win also………….cmon hwks beat the blues…….fix the PP

by csm on Feb 6, 2010 8:55 PM CST up reply actions

Watched the game out here

and thought the Hawks had energy, just seemed to bomb away all night from the perimeter. Obviously, the ‘Yotes basically stuffed our top lines and what’s his name between the pipes played strong, even when he continually gave big rebounds.

The further this game went on, the more I thought we would lose. The ice was tilted towards the Coyotes end all night had and nothing to show for it. We really didn’t get that many close in chances.

I don’t watch too many Phoenix games out here because of work, but this is not Gretzky’s team anymore. They play 60 minutes and don’t get their asses handed to them anymore. Will be going to the March 20 tilt out here, can’t wait!

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 6, 2010 9:50 AM CST reply actions

Is the sky falling yet?

by Scott13 on Feb 6, 2010 10:32 AM CST reply actions

Complacency?

With a massive 13 point lead in the division the ‘Hawks seem to be a little complacent right now, how else can you explain Colin Fraser being the only one to dent the twine last night against Hanna LaBarbera. Let’s face it, it was only a matter of time before the ‘Hawks eventually got stuck in one of these (losing streaks) and now is better time than any. Trust me Sharks, Capitals, and Senators will all go through one of these before the season’s out.

Hossa – I think everyone now knows that your breakaway move it to low shootblocker side so you may want to try something different next time. Overall I’m extremely happy with “the Boss” Hossa’s dominating play although he does deserve more ice-time.

Stan Bowman- If he has any trade up his sleeve it might be better to pull the trigger sooner than later because Versteeg has clearly checked out and left the building. It’s clearly obvious that the trade rumours involving him have affected his play and serves little use to the ’Hawks right now.

Still a 13-point lead in the division and this was bound to happen, so with that FUCK ST. LOUIS!

"Negative energy is better than no energy at all"- "Iron" Mike Keenan

by hawks61 on Feb 6, 2010 10:35 AM CST reply actions

Hossa’s ice time is the same as Kane’s. Toews has about 50 seconds more, but he’s out for face-offs. If Hossa were a winger with Toews he might get half-a-minute more, I guess. How much more than 19 minutes do you think he should be getting?

www.mjt.org

by ChicoMaki on Feb 6, 2010 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

A player like Hossa should be getting anywhere from 20 to 22 minutes a game given he can play the PP and kill penalties. Maybe once the season progresses and the games become more important he’ll be receiving more and more ice-time.

"Negative energy is better than no energy at all"- "Iron" Mike Keenan

by hawks61 on Feb 6, 2010 5:11 PM CST up reply actions

Also as a sidenote...

For those who are on twitter and want the best coverage of the NHL, especially trade rumours, go to this site and check out one of the best in the business in Nick Kypreos.

"Negative energy is better than no energy at all"- "Iron" Mike Keenan

by hawks61 on Feb 6, 2010 10:41 AM CST reply actions