The Deepest Shade of Mushroom Blue - Jackets 4, Hawks 2
by McClure on Mar 28, 2010 9:58 PM CDT
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PrintIt took me a while to determine how I wanted to attack this wrap after having witnessed what we just did. I've decided I'm going to skip the linear narrative, and just give a Felsian rant.
While it's not time to panic (yet), color me officially fucking concerned. Pretty much every motivator has been broken out to this point, and nothing seems to be getting the job done. Players-only meetings, tirades from the coaching staff, jumbling of lines, playing time reduction, lineup changes...nothing yet seems to be getting through to these guys that there are now eight games left in the season, and they're in anything but a playoff mode. Only in the last three minutes did the Hawks put forth any sustained pressure or get any prime chances in front of the net, and it was too little too late. The passing for the entire game was abhorrent, which I'm starting to think is a result of Quenneville's constant line tinkering. The forwards aren't getting any sort of continuity, and the results are obvious. It's starting to border on comical, as these are the actions of a coach trying to save his own ass and claw into the playoffs, not a conference front runner that should be rounding into form as the playoffs start. As Sam pointed out in the Indian tonight, these could be the reasons we're seeing that for all the praise he receives, Q does have his weaknesses, and there's a reason that he's yet to have his name on the chalice as head coach.
Furthermore, the lack of effort from the players is unacceptable. I'm issuing a moratorium for myself on claiming "fatigue" or "doldrums" or "conserving energy" on this issue, and I think others should be advised to do the same. While I understand that injuries are forcing players to play in roles they're unaccustomed to and log heavier minutes, good teams fucking roll with it. Every team deals with injuries, it's a part of the game, and it's not a crutch to be leaned on when things don't go well. Having Jonathan Toews and John Madden on this team was supposed to create a baseline of energy and intensity for everyone to follow, but they're even showing signs of it too. At what point is someone going to step up and declare with their actions on the ice, rather than everywhere else, that enough is e-goddamn-nough of this dicking around, and perform the way this team is capable of?
Now, with all of that being said, I have zero doubt in my mind that this team is in fact capable of doing so. But they'd better get it figured out really fucking quick before all hell breaks loose.
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Sharks Fan Here
I feel your pain.
"Skillet, we just spent $64,000 in that bar. So we're gonna have to get jobs to cover up the fact that we rob banks" -Mouse Fitzgerald
Thanks
I think you guys have come closer to righting your ship though.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
i dint watch the game but from what i read it sounded terrible.
plus side were almost out of death march were the hawks seem to play there worst hockey.
look its a bird no its a plane no wait its Patrick Kane!
They can start by
never playing in these third jerseys again and going back to red or white. Screw the fancy stuff…and fancy passing…already. It’s just not working. Try practicing w/ some high school kids or something, ANYTHING, and get back to fundamentals. It sucks when NO ONE IN A BLACK SWEATER scored tonight.
Let me go on record...
I hate the new 3rd Jerseys…
And more so, their won – loss record whilst wearing them! (and add the Wrigley game to that!)
"My Father's name is Jack, and my mother's name is Daniels..."
Not a pose you like to see from a guy who wears an "A" on his chest
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 28, 2010 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
He did when Toews was hurt...
but not now…
"My Father's name is Jack, and my mother's name is Daniels..."
and he wore the "A" for the last 5 years in NJ before he came here
I always forget he’s not a permanent alternate too. It’s a shame because next to Toews, Madden seems like a natural leader.
I'm not anti-social; I'm just not user friendly
8 games is still a lot of time...
Not worried about the team’s ability to get out of this funk by playoff time, but I am concerned about Q’s ability to prolong it.
Seems like Q is freaking out more than the players. One of the best aspects of this team is their character IMO. If he would let them play, I think they’d progress. But they’re also young, and like a kid if you send mixed messages, they just end up confused. And this team looks exactly that, CONFUSED.
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 28, 2010 10:15 PM CDT reply actions
I am very concerned "Q" is losing his grip on this team...
and wondering if he has “mindfucked” Huet into oblivion…
I heard his radio interview after the game, the interviewer asked several questions about goaltending… Q never acknowledged Huet even existed. Mentioned Niemi by name several times, but never Huet.
Would they have the audacity to bring in Scotty??? (As in “beam me up”?)
"My Father's name is Jack, and my mother's name is Daniels..."
They can't do that, it'd mindfuck Niemi too.
"Erin go Braugh". What the fuck does that mean?
It's Irish for "you're fucked".
Paging ....Mr. Bowman.......Paging Mr. Bowman....the coaching seat awaits you
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
No way. Not unless catastrophe happens
"Erin go Braugh". What the fuck does that mean?
It's Irish for "you're fucked".
This is sorta starting to look like one
The whacking of Ftorek (replaced with Robinson, with 8 games left in the regular season) scenario is looking less far-featched
Confusion will be my epitaph.
Is there any chance at all
that Q is fucking with the lines just to get ideas for the playoffs?
I know that’s far-fetched, but it my own little world of happiness it eases my mind.
2009 SCH Post Whore
2010 Troll Collector
SCH's Resident Mom
The sun never sets on a badass
I've been thinking the same thing
With the long term injuries to Hossa, Bolland and yes even Burish, There has been a lot of shifting of lines throughout the season. Now with Campbell out, Q might be trying to find the best lines to cover for his absence.
I don’t know if all of this is true or not but it’s what works for me to keep my peace of mind.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
Exactly
I’m not worrying. I’m unhappy, sure. But I’m not even gonna check the sky until April.
2009 SCH Post Whore
2010 Troll Collector
SCH's Resident Mom
The sun never sets on a badass
Not to alarm you but
April is in 3 days
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
my answer......No
If Eager being out on a line with Toews, or Kane being out on a line with Madden is an “idea” for the playoffs, Q should be fired on the spot. He isn’t dumb enough to think any of that is going to stick. It is a temporary thing that he does to get a spark. Unfortunately, it appears that it may be Q’s only philosophy on righting the ship.
When he jumbles up guys on the first 2 forward lines, you could argue he is trying to see if something will fit, but when you start throwing in 4th liners and checking line guys in the mix, there is little strategy.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
Next thing you know
he’ll have Buff playing forward. Sheesh…
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I spoke too soon!
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Get Up Offa That Thing
Kinda feel like being on the bench with Q would be like playing with James Brown. Just vamp along waiting for the bandmaster to shout your name and then you better go like holy hell!
EXCEPT, in the Hawks case, it is disastrous!
The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
maybe he's shifting lines
to get ideas for next season?
oh shit oh shit oh shit
Why... Why are you never funny?
I disagree to some extent
I thought they dominated after the first period. It certainly wasn’t their best or cleanest game, granted, but this looked to me like a total 180 from the other night’s fiasco in terms of effort. Even the power play had a couple of good chances.
I think they played well enough to win, and then some. That they didn’t win is highly annoying, but I just didn’t see the fiasco out there tonight that everyone else seems to be seeing.
Improvement over the last game
is not exactly “good” per se…..just a different degree of bad.
by puppetmasterp on Mar 28, 2010 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I see where you're coming from
but it’s a cumulation of things, a trend, and not just from this game alone.
That's sort of my point
I think we’re getting carried away because of how things have been the last couple weeks. But tonight didn’t point to any problems in particular. If a couple of bounces had gone a different way, they would have won, and we wouldn’t be sitting here talking about a lack of effort. We’d be talking about how they righted the ship for now, but the effort, per se, would have been exactly the same.
really?
we should come up with some kind of term for it
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
It's beyond Clown Shoes
maybe Clown Ass.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
Without a doubt
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
Barnum and Bailey, the Greatest Show on Earth
Hawks Power Play, The Iratest Show of Mirth (merriment)
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah, but
we’ve also been saying that if just a few more bounces had gone their way here, or a call or two there, or a desperate save at this moment, all would have made this game a big fat W for quite some time now. It’s time to stop laying it on the bounces and lay it on the players and coach. This whole team needs to get it together, and they can, the question is just when.
Agree
We used up that excuse even before the Olympic break – and the whole “the other goalie stood on their head” excuse too. Time to start making their own breaks.
I'm not anti-social; I'm just not user friendly
But these "excuses" are true...
…last night was like a lot of losses this year (and unlike the debacle the other night.) It seems to me that the Hawks record could be a lot better, but not a lot worse, and dammit, they have a tidy sum coming their way from the Bank of Karma.
They clearly outplatyed Columbus, Mason was very, very good, Niemi was meh, another 29 minutes of Dunc for nought, and a d-man knocks the net off the post as he’s falling into the net just before the puck croses the line (look at the replay from behind the net, the f-ing puck was in.) Familiat tough luck story, seems to me.
Plus, I’ve been waiting for 20 cent to hit a dry patch for a while. He really is a kid, and, with the Olympics, he’s already got a full season under his belt.
I thought I was the only one who noticed that
Looks like they saw Bryzgalov do it and were like hey, let’s do that to the Hawks, nobody will notice!
I think you’re right about the Bank of Karma, and I think our good fortune is sputtering to life… just look at the first goal yesterday. More should be on its way and in more important games. That said though, I think gogohawks got it right with “making their own breaks” — luck isn’t going to singlehandedly win games.
Mason was not
very very good.
He was good, and definitely made a handful of nice saves. But for the most part we didn’t really make it that hard for him. An awful lot of shots from long range and nobody in between to make it tricky. And many of those were right into the center of his chest. Peewee goalies can stop shots fired right into their chest. Yes, occasionally you’ll get a rebound, but for that to matter, you actually have to get somebody moving towards the net to pound that rebound home.
I’m tired of giving the other guy credit just because we took a lot of shots and he had a high save percentage. Our quality level has been piss poor of late.
I saw about 5 minutes of actual effort out there. The last 4 minutes of the game, and a stretch in the middle of the third when Toews and particularly Hossa just flat took over on the PK and played a full minute 2 on 5 in the BJ zone. This is what’s frustrating: they have the damn talent. Where’s the sustained dedication?
teaching respect for the Indian, one Red Wing fan at a time.
You hit the nail on the head
While some of the goalies we have faced have stood on their head, the quality of shots (or lack of) inflates these goalies save percentage. I’ve been getting a bit aggravated with Foley constantly saying what great games these goalies are having when they’re basically having an average night.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
The problem with the inflated SV% / standing on their head theories for opposing goalies...
Season average for goalies in games against Hawks is in the bottom 1/3 of the league at 90.8%. I would have expected that stat to be much higher, especially with the number of shots/game the Hawks take. Doesn’t add up for me, unless someone has a better theory…
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Watch the 2nd period...
…and tell me Mason didn’t make some big saves. 15 shots, 15 saves.
There isn’t a goalie in the NHL who wouldn’t be very happy with Mason’s performance last night.
I didn’t say he stood on his head or was great…just very, very good.
by cliffkoroll on Mar 29, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
By the way
It’s nice to see Seabrook playing well again.
Agreed.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Mar 29, 2010 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions
I wouldn't call it 180 degrees
Maybe 90 degrees… they stopped the bleeding after the first, but couldn’t get things really clicking until the second half of the third…
Back to basics.
If they play fundamentally sound hockey, as a team, they can best any team, with or without Campbell.
But therein lies the issue – mental lapses, positioning, and the unwillingness to just get the puck to the net. Its all led to this mess we’ve seen over the past month.
I’m still optimistic but it sure seems like they’re running on fumes.
Hopefully a midweek meeting with the Blue balls will lead to a huge release.
by Dunkdropsa2 on Mar 28, 2010 10:18 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I hope...
That there is a fucking Road House like brawl in that game. I’m not talking just talking about Eags or Burr either. I want an all hands on deck barn-burner. Maybe that’ll light a fire under this team.
"Erin go Braugh". What the fuck does that mean?
It's Irish for "you're fucked".
+1 for road house reference
Second City Hockey
by Battery on Mar 29, 2010 1:38 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I know you called a moratorium, but...
the Hawks DO look tired to me. I suppose we can blame the Olympics, but that covers 6 players—why do the rest look so slow?
The BJ’s coach said that perhaps the doubts about the goaltending have made the Hawks lose a bit of their identity. They’re playing a bit unsure in front of the net. Don’t know if that’s it, but it’s as good as any reason right now. SOMETHING is wrong, and no one seems to know how to fix it.
Obviously, they’re having trouble getting the puck out with momentum due to the injuries to Soup and Johns, but they were having trouble before those guys went down.
I’m moving from concerned to worried. The sky is still up there, but I keep looking up to make sure.
Come on - with a name like that how can you lose the faith?
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
I haven't lost the faith
I’m just getting worried. Losing the faith would mean I’ve given up. I haven’t. And I know the Hawks haven’t either.
by Preacher000 on Mar 28, 2010 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions
The smell of hospitals in winter
That is all
by OMFS88 on Mar 28, 2010 10:33 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
The power play is still f**king clown shoes
Everybody...HIT SOMEBODY! ~ the Chicago Rush are back in April 2010
Not yet panicked, but fucking concerned.
exactly McClure.
but I’m bordering on panic…I’m not content just accepting this team is gonna turn this shit around, I need to see it…hopefully very soon…I mean SJ seems to have gotten their shit together, so C’MON…FUCK!
"...commit to the Indian." -Denis Savard
And the Sharks
are two hours behind us!
teaching respect for the Indian, one Red Wing fan at a time.
On the verge of panic mode. Gotta get it together...quick.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." -- Alvin Dark
At least the BJs didn't lose
to the Atlantic Division last place NY Islanders before beating us again in the second game of their back to back…oh, wait…
Don't have to worry about them going into playoffs being overconfident
They sure didn’t look like they took that team serious. How may times do they have to get caught with 1 Dman back. Now Q’s messing with the D pairings too. Now’s the time for him to show his steady hand.
apparently there was a new scoreboard video...
I want someone to show it to the Hawks…remind them that they played like this earlier in the year, and they can still play like that now, damnit.
Bright Side: since the Hawks play to the level of their opponents
and play down to bad teams, we should be glad not to see the BJs and Islanders in the playoffs?
That's a fair point
When you think about it, the only good games this month have been against good teams. Ok, so we beat the Oilers, but then we beat the Kings twice, the Scum of Canada (Canucks), and Coyotes. Even the losses to the Flyers, Caps, Scum, and Coyotes were hard fought, close games
The real shit games have been against the BJs, Ducks, and Islanders.
It’s a reason to hope. We’ll see how they play against the upcoming schedule, which gets tougher in April
"Erin go Braugh". What the fuck does that mean?
It's Irish for "you're fucked".
Thank you
that made the doubt disappear just a tad. Really.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Mar 29, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
I hope to god I'm wrong but I'm starting to think that..
…a first round exit in the playoffs is a real possibility. This team just seems completely out of sync. If you ask me, they haven’t been the same since they choked away the big lead against Minnesota back in January. It’s what happens when a team has little or no confidence in their goalie’s ability to protect leads-everybody tightens up.
Not bringing in a stud goalie at the deadline is going to haunt Bowman for a long time.
If the Blackhawks are Charlie Brown ...
then who is Lucy pulling the football away?
I think Reggie said it best:
“I wanna win that championship tonight, but I wanna win it clean. Old-time hockey, like when I got started, you know? Jeez. Toe Blake, Dit Clapper, Eddie Shore, those guys were the greats. I don’t know what to say. Christ, it’s up to you.”
by Billy Charlesbois on Mar 29, 2010 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Lucy in Slapshot?
She wasn’t the one with the disturbingly prominent nipples, was she? I had thought that was Dee Wallace.
Confusion will be my epitaph.
by krome on Mar 29, 2010 6:59 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
at this point... a ass-kicking leader is what we are missing
…..we should have came out on fire yesterday……..we were a corpse
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
Hi, I'm Bob LeDonne
You did not have this, did you? That was all a big lie to make us feel better and/or garner laughs.
Why... Why are you never funny?
My God, they just looked lifeless tonight
Right from the jump, you had this feeling that it wasn’t going to happen.
Look — three games on the road. They positively have to win at least one of them. Have to.
Wish I had more insight, but right now I’m too mad.
WAIT FOR THE WHISTLE!
by Sec 326 Bureau Chief on Mar 29, 2010 12:53 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
remember when
we wanted more than a .500 record when the Hawks went on road trips? Now we’re asking for just .333? How times have changed.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions
99 points
they’ve crashed and now we’re just hoping they cross the finish line any way possible. Kind of reminds me of this.
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions
hahahaha yep, that's exactly it
I remember when Mike Kiley put up that piece a few weeks back about how the Hawks were going to get 50 wins in a season at last, and now we’re stuck at win #46.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
Looking more and more
like the ’05 Sox every day.
Ozzie Guillen - Crazy like a fox.
As long as the end result is the same,
I can live with this.
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
True, they limped into the postseason
and then simply dominated the playoffs.
I would be very happy if that is the case here.
well, I was excited about going to Minneapolis
and I still am, since I hear a lot of great things about the Xcel Energy Center, but the team looks like it could use some Xcel right now, since the ComEd thing clearly isn’t working.
/terrible joke, I’m tired and I have to wake up in 3 hours to catch Megabus, sorry
I can't seem to drink enough
to kill the pain. So get your shit together. Pronto, please.
"Call Detroit, tell dem... BULLSHIT!"
There is a reason that the coach didn't have a job before he was hired here.
BUT I want him to win. I want him to stop fucking with these guys. It’s like Ditkas last 10 years. Same old BS from the same old guy.
Make your lines. Put them out there for the last 8 games or so. Let them play. They are arguably the most talented team in the league. Don’t you know this?
Come on! We are all here, wanting what you want. If you don’t like Q, do it to spite him!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
"All questions must be submitted in writing"
One more thing
Goalies are not the problem. Never were. Team play and coaching.
"All questions must be submitted in writing"
Including MN loss (remember?)
15 wins
15 losses
4 so wins
3 so losses
1/3 of games went to OT
Hawks a .500 team for 30 games? Fuck. It’s not a trend.
"All questions must be submitted in writing"
It is a trend.
.
Ozzie Guillen - Crazy like a fox.
I've been hesitant to hop on the "what the hell is Q doing?" bandwagon, but....
What the hell is Q doing?
Why Sopel and Dunc, why? Sopel should be getting third pairing minutes, he was completely useless on those first two goals (not that I’m absolving Dunc).
The Captain is in a bit of a funk. You know what doesn’t get top forwards out of a funk?…….putting Ben Eager on their line. I’m getting to the point (like many of us) where I think that if Q continues to mess with the lines right up until the 1st round, he may end up screwing this team. Put four lines out there and just let them be.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
I'm pretty sure
Q went all out wild last night, and even made Asst Equipment Manager Clint take Torchetti’s usual place as PP coach. Torch was last seen with Haviland’s jolly grin, and Havi was in the back making sure Sopel’s shoelaces were tied.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I would like to see the "Quenneville gone wild" video
I’ll bet there is a “mustache cam”
"All questions must be submitted in writing"
That was a visual I could have lived without today.
I went to a fight the other night and a hockey game broke out.
- Rodney Dangerfield
agree
and just let them be
There will be an answer, let it be
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions
when I saw Sopel out there with Buf (briefly) I was thrown
would there be a slower footed pairing possible?
Confusion will be my epitaph.
It seems like everyone is rightfully concerned
I think that when Q finally gets his line combinations set this team will start playing the way we all know they are capable of playing. Does anyone know the return status of Kim Johnsson to the team?
Victim was found murdered by a Chelsea Dagger.
Eight games left in the regular season and we're still talking about...
…getting line combinations set? Doesn’t exactly fill me with confidence going into the playoffs.
by bluekoolaide on Mar 29, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Does anyone know the return status of Kim Johnsson to the team?
nope.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions
It has to be a concussion, right?
Has anyone seen the hit that apparently scrambled his brains worse than Wiz’s did to Seabrook?
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
almost positive it is
Johnsson hasn’t skated and the way Q talks about it (“we’ll see how he presents”, etc) makes it sound like it really is a concussion. And I don’t have tape of the game so I can’t tell you either, but I guess if you’ve had a couple of concussions in the past the effects are longer later on. Some people just take longer too, so who knows.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Philly
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Panic, shmanick- This is a good thing.
Sure, I’d like to see them build some momentum and be on a 6 game winning streak, no question about it. But remember: The only way to see how this team handles adversity, is to see how they handle adversity.
They don’t put the “C” on your sweater so you can show your teammates how to celebrate goals or argue calls with the refs. They put that “C” on your sweater because you’re a leader and because it’s a long ass season full of ups and downs and you need to have a Captain- a guy in the locker room who can kick a little ass when it needs to be kicked. To help right the ship.
We’ve got 8 games left, and when we do right this ship- and we will- we’ll be stronger and tougher because of it. Keep the faith.
"Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can’t even imagine, or maybe I just don’t want to. Five hundred yards… that’s the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile. Andy Dufresne – who crawled through a river of shit and came out clean on the other side. "
by Skags on Mar 29, 2010 9:50 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
"The only way to see how this team handles adversity, is to see how they handle adversity."
Wasn’t that what Foley and Eddie O were saying after the Minnesota game? And are we still waiting to see how the team responds to it?
Not that I’m trying to incite everyone to panic here, of course, but I’ve got a gut feeling that maybe the team’s just not getting up to play against sub-par competition. I said last year this was a team of procrastinators, and I do think the team’s youth (part arrogance, part complacency) is playing some part here. I don’t know if, even now, they think they need to worry.
Sure, guys like Keith and Madden are thinking “Holy crap, we can’t play like this anymore” but if—and I’m not throwing him under the bus or anything, because I’m fairly sure he isn’t the only one who thinks that—there’s still a line of thinking in the locker room that’s like Versteeg’s (ie, they’re not worried and they’re still confident because it was a game that had a couple of bad bounces and could have gone either way) then I don’t know if we’ll see the team that played lights out hockey until closer to when it matters. Or maybe not until it does.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's the youth of the team too
if I’m getting what you’re saying. It does seem like there’s a sense of entitlement about this team, like they think that since Hossa is on the team and he’s been to the Finals the last 2 years, it’s a given they’ll be there this year.
I don’t see any fear of failure from anyone, just an attitude of “we deserve this”
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
by Johnny Lava on Mar 29, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm not sure I completely agree that the complacency is brought about by Hossa's presence
and I’m not sure about the sense of entitlement either. I get more a lack of urgency from them, because they’re already in the playoffs and they’ve more or less clinched Central, and it’s very much like— if anyone’s ever had to write a paper for school on a topic you know inside and out, and you know where to get your references and you have an idea about how the paper’s gonna look like and you know what you want to say, but you put off writing it until 3 hours before it’s due anyway because you just don’t think you need to start writing it out earlier than that.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
...and then your computer unexpectantly crashes
despite all of your careful planning.
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions
so really, it all comes down to their answer to one question:
Do they feel lucky?
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Punks
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Hossa thing is just one example
of what I think I’m seeing. Everything you said seems spot on too. It seems like they have been kinda coasting because they’ve been in control all year and things are wrapping up now. But that lack of focus/professionalism is what’s always worrisome about young teams. This could become a sharp lesson for them.
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
by Johnny Lava on Mar 29, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
It could be worrying
because while last year they had the youthful ignorance of not knowing how far they can go so they kept pushing to see, now they may be thinking “well, we did it last year” without remembering exactly how they got so far.
We’ll see, at any rate.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
yep
and it’s still 8 games left. I’d like to see them playing the last 3 like it’s the playoffs and go into the 1st game with a “we’re going to crush you” attitude.
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
by Johnny Lava on Mar 29, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Everyone step back from the ledge
Take a deep breath and calm yourselves.
Let’s not get all Chicagoie (senseless panic after getting a taste of success that prompted unreasonable expectations) on this team.
At least we’re not fighting to make the playoffs right? It could be worse…
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
Like the term "Chicagoie" but disagree with part of its definition as it applies to this team
I don’t think the expectations for the hawks are unreasonable given the talent level compared to other teams.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
And the dominating metrics they were putting up in the first half of the year
with the talent level. They weren’t just winning, they were winning with huge goal/shot differentials, good PP, great PK, etc.
I don’t think the season is over. I already feel remorse for throwing my TV out the window last night, but my confidence that the Hawks are really in position to best last year’s run has taken a major hit.
Sure, they could still turn it around, but its becoming increasingly likely that they will not.
Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts
Like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft
over-all goal not unreasonable
I meant more like the “they should win every game” mentality
SCH Resident Idiot
The only Cup we can win is this years
by Johnny Lava on Mar 29, 2010 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Are you trying to tell us
“It’s only a flesh wound?”
teaching respect for the Indian, one Red Wing fan at a time.
Stan's sitting at his desk head in hands
What the hell can I do now to light a fire under this team?
We’ve been playing .500 hockey for almost half the season.
We aren’t playing up to our potential.
I can’’t get a goalie now.
I can’t get any player from another team.
Q’s made some mistakes handling our team.
Q’s shown he tends to fade about now.
What can I do within these constraints?
I have the guy I consider the greatest coach of all time as my father in our organization.
What do I do?
another comment on the line juggling, come on guy....
no but seriously, the more I think about it, the more annoying it becomes.
If you are going to mess with the lines, why not try some combinations that we haven’t seen (that make at least a little sense), ideas
Brouwer-Bolland-Kane
Sharp-Madden-Ladd
Versteeg-Toews-Hossa (which we’ve seen, but versteeg is playing better now)
or give this one a shot
Versteeg-Bolland-Hossa (which McClure once dubbed the “fresh paper line” when we were tossing out ideas before the season started)
All that being said, I’m still a big fan of Kane-Toews-Brouwer.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
by Hack on Mar 29, 2010 10:27 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
They'd be very respectable combos to try - more so than many we've seen to date
Confusion will be my epitaph.
I'm not actually as bothered about Q's line juggling
If he didn’t juggle lines so much, we wouldn’t have discovered Havlat-Bolland-Ladd, or Sharp with Eager and Burish wouldn’t have wreaked as much damage as they did in the Vancouver series. Fifth Feather also pointed out that it was his D-men line-a-palooza around this time last year that produced Hammer-Soupy. We’re quick to criticize when the lines produced are ineffective, and to an extent maybe Q doesn’t always have the best handle on when to switch lines up, but just reminding everyone that it’s not all blood-and-tears-inducing.
Comment not actually directed to hackerar, just an addition to it, really. I’ve been waiting for the Versteeg-Bolland-Hossa line all season too, but Q seems pretty set on Hosbolladd. It was the only line that didn’t get switched up last night.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions
while your comment wasn't directed completely at me, I have some thoughts
Before I get into it……as we know, Q juggles lines, he’s done it for other teams he’s coached, he’ll continue to do it here, I get that.
Did Hammer-Soupy come into being because of late season Dman flip flopping? Yes, but why? Hammer was a mid to late season call up, and the juggling allowed the coaches to see where he’d stick, and it worked with Soup. I don’t see how this compares to now. Q doesn’t actually plan on pairing Sopel and Dunc for the playoffs. A comparison to now would maybe be trying hendry out at some different spots and maybe we’ll get a Hammer situation where something works out, except Hendry played 7 minutes last night, Sopel played 18. No thanks.
Q found Havlat-Bolland-Ladd. True, but that line was formed once Q took over for Savard. Q was getting his bearings with his forwards and found some decent combinations. Q has seen plenty of this team to know what should work by now. I’m not saying he should never ever mix things up, but the Stache panics with this stuff. We even saw it when the hawks were going well……..one stale period with line combos that had been solid and just like that, juggling.
I don’t mean to make Q’s line-a-palooza sound like the only issue for this team. I just think, as McClure said, there is something to continuity, especially going into the playoffs.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
Disagree with your first example, comletely agree with the rest
Hammer was a mid to late season call up… …I don’t see how this compares to now
Soupy out, Johnsson out, Buff to defense, Boynton up, Hendry up. Seems very comparable and even more reason than last year to juggle the D lines.
Q juggling the forward lines is often congruent to putting your offensive tackle at QB and the QB at tackle. Sure, they’re both offensive positions, but the results shouldn’t surprise you – no matter how many times you try it.
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Wasn't Hammer called up after the trade deadline
when Wiz was traded? I don’t remember what the D pairings were at that time, but I thought he came up because of that. Was Wiz partnering with Soupy or was Barker? I think I recall Q using this time to try to find a match with Soupy, but I could be wrong. And I’m not sure it matters anyway.
Sopel has been great this year for his role, but he’s not cut out for a top 2 pairing at this point in his career. What about
4-24 and 5-6 or, to appease Mrs. Hendry, 4-6 and 5-24. I’m not a fan of Buff on defense. I hope he proves me wrong since Q seems determined to stick with him….
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
pairings last year
If I remember correctly, Campbell was paired with Wiz once and a while, but Soup spent the bulk of the year paired with Matt Walker, which was a complete disaster and was a contributing factor in Campbell’s somewhat rough regular season.
Then Walker was with Barker once Hammer-Campbell became a pairing.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
huh
I remembered the pairings after the trade just not before. Remembering this, it doesn’t surprise me Q comes out with the line combinations he does.
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I understand that the defense is in disarray right now
but my point is that Q wasn’t trying anything realistic with the D pairings last night. It is going to be tough to get the pairings settled until Johnsson comes back, and I understand not wanting to put Buff with Sopel. I just think until Johnsson is healthy, Q needs to go with the pairings that can work. Seabs-Keith, Hammer-Buff, Hendry-Sopel.
"In an ideal world I would have all 10 fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching."
My thought
Was that with the injuries, he has to see how he can split up the best talent to make the best defensive combos in a worst case scenario. Sopel/Keith may not be anything close to Keith/Seabs, but to pack all your best D’s to one pairing is going to put them at ridiculous ice times, and leave you hanging elsewhere.
Til Soupy and Johnsson come back, I can understand mixing it up.
2009 SCH Post Whore
2010 Troll Collector
SCH's Resident Mom
The sun never sets on a badass
I'd like to see a return
of Kane-Toews-Hossa, at least for a brief time. I know it’s not perfect and it fucks with the other lines. But that’s the maximum puck-possession line and at the very least we can count on them establishing themselves in the offensive zone.
So-
Kane-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-Bolland-Versteeg
Brouwer-Madden-Ladd
Random fourth line
I think that’s how I’d roll for right now.
I stated the same thing the other day
I would enjoy seeing this too. Makes a lot more sense to me than some of the combos that have been out there. I know we lose the “balance” of other line pairings, but it’s not like we’ve been putting up big numbers on anyone lately and the 2nd and 3rd lines are still very strong. Many people see the problem with this configuration as being lines 1 and 2 lack a big net presence type guy.
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
IF this was NHL 2010 and I were running the show...
Sharp- Toews- Kane
Versteeg- Bolland- Hossa
Brouwer- Madden- Ladd
Dumbass- Frasier- Kop
I'd be for that too
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Mar 29, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
or any combo of
Dumbass-Fraser-Dumbass-Dumbass
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
I prefer Brouwer on Line 1
Sharp on Line 2
Versteeg on Line 3
Kopecky in the press box (altough he has looked less horrible of late)
Confusion will be my epitaph.
You know what else I'd like to see?
New PP idea.
Instead of blasting a shot from the point that gets blocked or misses the net, try this- see how long you can play keep away in the other teams offensive zone. Don’t shoot until you’ve made 25 passes- wear the other team out. Make them chase the puck. We’re way too damn talented to have the piece of shit PP we have and I think it’s because the blueliners just shoot the puck whenever they feel like it- lanes be damned.
Hold the puck for 1 minutes. Slow down. Make 25 passes- THEN look for an opening.
Insane? Maybe. But it’s better then these fucking clown shoes.
This will send the "SHOOOT" people at the UC over the edge.
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
so this strategy might be effective
on multiple levels?
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions
Sort of
It will also result in me getting removed from the UC when I go stark raving mad and scream at people to shut up.
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
but they'll be scream "Shooot!" as they fall off the balconeys
unless of course you think their disfigured corpses will still be yelling “Hit somebody!!!”
That is very possible…
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not possible, it's LIKELY,
but I meant I would go screaming crazy before they fell over the edge.
by Katherine215 on Mar 29, 2010 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
25 passes around the perimeter while everyone stands still is worthless
A lot of passes with movement, with some sort of cross ice or backdoor pass for an easy tap in is good
Confusion will be my epitaph.
Bring back Yaremchuk
and just let him skate circles around the defense, not passing, not shooting, and then turn it over…
Well, folks, I want to thank you for being here for the recording of my live comedy album. Funny material and laughter will be dubbed in later.
by ChicagoNativeSon on Mar 29, 2010 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
He use to drive me
absolutely insane.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene.
Why is everyone moving Brouwer to "their" 3rd line?
From what I have witnessed he is one of the few forwards busting his ass. He should be one the first or second line. Everyone is failing to mention that fact we rarely had ANYONE in front of Mason.
Since Seabs got maimed by Wiz he has been playing damn good in my opinion, one of the few guys making decent passes and playing solid D.
I really think the line juggling is starting to mess with the team. That being said, I am barely holding onto my faith in this team. Must be the Cubs fan in me.
When in Rome we shall do as the Romans, when in Hell we do shots at the bar.
by HolyBlackhawksBatman on Mar 29, 2010 11:13 AM CDT reply actions
Remembering Cam Barker
He came to mind last night – for the first time since the trade really – as I watched the powerplay flounder (again). PP aside, it’d be kinda nice to see him out on D these days, thought I.
Did a quick check and found it interesting that since the trade both MIN and Hawks have identical 7-6-2 records. Not counting shootout goals, MIN has 36 GF and 46 GA. Hawks are 50 GF and 52 GA.
Just one of those things that make you go “hmm”.
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