Who Stole The Soul? Blackhawks 1 - Ducks 2
by Killion on Jan 2, 2011 10:47 PM CST
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And just like that... the Blackhawks are once again at the basement of the Central with all teams ahead holding games in hand. There have been a few times so far this season where we feel like we should remind you all that it's not quite panic time... but tomorrow's game against the Kings officially marks the halfway point of the season and the Hawks are now in a position where they have to make up a fair amount of ground in an insanely crowded Western Conference. So if it's not panic time yet, it's quickly approaching. They can't fall too much further behind.. hopefully the return of Toews tomorrow provides the spark that's so desperately needed.
Oh yeah, this is a game wrap. So I guess I should talk a little about what we just saw.. even if I'm not totally sure what exactly it was. The Hawks controlled the game for long stretches of tonight's match. The corsi numbers are just ugly. The simple answer is that Jonas Hiller stood on his head, when the Hawks weren't deflecting pucks directly off it that is. The deeper answer is that the Hawks chances, though plentiful, weren't optimal. Hiller didn't give many rebounds but the Hawks weren't there to pick them up and didn't get solid pressure until the third when the Ducks had gone into lockdown mode.
To the bridge:
- Kane was absolutely invisible tonight except for his turnover and trip of Selanne, which led to the missed penalty shot. While the Hawks amassed 40 shots, Kaner had only 2 of them. If he was able to have a solid defensive game like Hossa (who also only had two shots) it wouldn't sting as much but the Hawks need players like Kane if they're going to make up the ground needed. Since his return, Kane has had only one point and is a -5. Consider me in the camp that worries his ankle is still hurting him. The turnover to Selanne wasn't something we're used to seeing from 88.
- If anyone, absolutely anyone, is able to explain to me while Jake Dowell was benched for the entire third period, I will buy you a beer of your choice. That especially goes for you Q. Dowell-Skille-Stalberg were the only forwards that seemed to give a shit for most of the first half of the game. While they didn't get any points to show for it, they at least seemed closer than most. Dowell wasn't holding Skille or Stalberg back, even if he doesn't have anywhere near the speed of those two. Is Q expecting to see more from Dowell? I don't get it...
- At least the penalty kill was perfect?
- The Hawks had more shots in the third period than the Ducks did all game... ouch.
- As bad as this game was, at least it doesn't compare to the pure awfulness of this Rams/Seahawks game I just turned on... oof.
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How did the shots look?
I listened to the 3rd period while on the bus back from the airport, and all I heard was “into a Duck’s shin pads” and “hits Hiller in the chest.” That said, I’m happy about the return of the ridiculous ’Hawks shot differentials and I feel like only good things can come of it if they can keep that up…
Hiller is a big dude.
Either get people in front of him, or crash the net and get a dirty one. Neither happened tonight.
I'm not superstitious. I'm just a little stitious.
by AirTrafficAJ on Jan 2, 2011 11:34 PM CST up reply actions
First two periods weren't like the third
Only 10 SOGs in the 1st, 11 in the 2nd. Not a lot were high quality. If they’d played three 3rd periods, though, I gotta imagine the outcome would have been different.
Anaheim is usually a pretty good hitting team
And we’ve been soft as hell this season. I can count the hard checks we’ve delivered on one hand. Hammer has been downright pansy-ish ever since his “suspension-worthy” hit during the Sabres game and the rest of the team seems to have followed suit.
I agree, Hammer hasn't been the same since incident....which was not as severe as
some of the hits the Hawks have received
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
by ccm on Jan 3, 2011 7:21 AM CST up reply actions
Not sure what you are trying to imply...
…so you’re saying Hjammer should hospitalize someone and inspire his team?
I do agree that you can’t really point to any one guy on the roster and say, that guy is going to lay a big hit on someone tonight (or even has CONSISTENTLY made some solid hits).
This, right here, is exactly why we miss Laddy and Eager.
by dangles we can believe in on Jan 3, 2011 8:26 AM CST up reply actions
I think Hjammer has been
a little more tentative/cautious since that hit in Buffalo. He might be worried about being suspended and/or maiming someone.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me 'Sir' without adding, 'You're making a scene."
No...
…absolutely 100% positive that isn’t the case. If you play hockey at ANY level worried you are going to get suspended / hurt someone… it just doesn’t work. That isn’t even in Hjammer’s head.
Hjammer has never really delivered HUGE hits on anywhere near a consistent basis, he CAN do it, but doesn’t every night because those hits are more about positioning than size/speed/or even Hjammer looking to light someone up. The bottom line is, Hjammer’s positioning is his meal ticket. The guy is unspectacularly solid defensively, kind of like Lidstrom, whose offensive skill set he lacks. If Hjammer breaks this and plays aggressively trying to body everyone in sight, the guy is not going to keep his place in the lineup unless another part of his game suddenly develops overnight.
by dangles we can believe in on Jan 3, 2011 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
Now i was looking too hard...
i wasnt really looking too hard at the end there but i do recall foley or edzo saying something in the third about Dowell not being on the bench or him being in the dressing room. now he might have came out after that but i’m not sure.
if i’m right do i still get the beer?
Jahns said
Q said he’s fine. I’m pretty sure he hit on Q’s mom at intermission. It’s the only explanation for the ridiculousness that is Joel Quenneville’s decision making.
by Katherine215 on Jan 2, 2011 11:54 PM CST up reply actions
cabal?
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
I've never been a part of a secret society before
It’s very exciting…
Crap, we shouldn’t have said anything about that, should we?
"the ridiculousness that is Joel Quenneville’s decision making"
This is the issue of late. I can accept some of the odd roster decisions since we don’t see practice and the coaches do. But IN GAME benchings are getting insane. For all his line changing bingo he did last year, I could still put up with it since the results showed in the win column and he seemed to give up on a bad line combo if it wasn’t working. But there’s simply no way to justify some of his choices this season. Sam had his big letter post to Q the other day, but perhaps our drunken trio should have taken the press passes after all and they could have asked Q some real questions. This is getting tiresome from the Stache.
"Dave was there!"
"Dave's a killer!"
"Dave's a mess."
The benching last season didn't bother me so much as we had a ton of good players ready to step up.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
He used to sit down Versteeg for periods of a time fairly regularly if I recall...
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
for a period or two at a time*
Not in the playoffs obviously.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
i can't figure what Dowell isn't showing that Kopecky is showing
it is a puzzlement to me
Confusion will be my epitaph.
The Cup is ours until someone takes it from us.
It needs more cowbell.
I still don't think Dowell is 2nd line material but a benching was not warranted in any way.
The 20-28-25 line got some pressure last night. Shame that it was broken up.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
Well, Kop takes an offensive zone penalty a game, so that must be it. :|
The leeway Q is giving Kop but not 20, 28, and 25 is ridiculous.
yeah, you're right about poor Steeger.
That was usually for a particular reason, like not dumping the puck or turning it over at the blue line or something though. Dowell’s is a mystery.
Yeah plus they helped keep that ego in check.
I have no idea why Dowell is sitting however.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
Q's explanation: Dowell stole the strawberries
Ah, but the strawberries! That’s, that’s where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes, but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt, and with, with geometric logic, that, that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox did exist.
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
Damn good old flick!
Aboard my ship, excellent performance is standard, standard performance is sub-standard, and sub-standard performance is not permitted to exist – that, I warn you.
Take this quarter, go downtown, and have a rat gnaw that thing off your face!
by thepuckstopshere31 on Jan 3, 2011 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
I did kind of feel like I imagined the whole thing...
“What the hell was that?”
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
Got to give it to Kills for the PE tip
Nothing like angry music for being angry.
Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land; Man got to tell himself he understand.
So...
The roundup: Kane sucked. Stals sucked. Keith sucked. Kop sucked (as usual, and Skille is better fyi). Dowell being benched blew my mind. Q is a moron. Bickell keeps impressing. Glad we have him signed for a bit longer.
2 quick questions:
1) Toews is coming back tomorrow? Are they rushing him back or is he legitimately healthy?
2) Is anybody else thinking Q’s at risk of losing his coaching job? Ever since last game with the odd roster choices and having Kop take the last draw, I’ve been thinking about it and to be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if it happened. I’m not sure if I’d be too sad if it happened either.
My answers
1- Yes they said Toews is coming back against the Kings. From what I’ve read they said he’s good to go and feeling a lot better. Now they said the same with Kane so it has me a bit worried but I think Toews is a different monster than Kane.
2- Q is not going anywhere. With the roster he was given and just coming off a cup win, hawks management wouldn’t of signed him to an extension just to fire him. Granted I don’t always agree with him and it’s like any coach we don’t always agree with their moves but it would do more harm than good. Q is a good coach and the Hawks will find a way to remove the head up their ass. (positive thinking)
QA
1 – From everything I’ve heard there is no way he is “legitimately” healthy but you have to take 2 things in consideration, A) Toews is an absolute warrior, and B) Toews at 50% and even playing half his minutes is better than every other option at his position and even if he sits a few shifts on the bench and just gets other people going, it is better than nothing. Toews playing in LA means this team has officially hit the panic switch and knows it needs to start generating some W’s.
2 – I don’t think there are many coaches in the league, if any, that can ever say, “my job is safe no matter what”. Yes, he won the cup. Yes, he is a solid coach, inside and out and can get the best out of his players. HOWEVER, this doesn’t give him a free pass. He is ultimately responsible for the numbers in the standings, so if this team completely falls apart in an epic fashion and knocks itself out of contention at ANY point during the second half of the season, he will be done. If the team finishes sub .500 he will be done. And most importantly, if this team fails to make the playoffs he will be done. You have to take into consideration the raised level of expectations for this team in the last few years. Yeah, the players are at fault too, he doesn’t have nearly as much to work with this year as he did last year, and some may argue, even 2 years ago, but if Stan’s goals aren’t met, he has to answer to someone who doesn’t give a crap about the intangibles, and Q has to answer to Stan.
by dangles we can believe in on Jan 3, 2011 8:46 AM CST up reply actions
Stals sucked?
Are you serious? I know I’m a big Stals fan, but I honestly thought he had a pretty good game. I thought the shifts he and Skille had were some of our best shifts. Hell, if Bolland hadn’t tipped it, Stalberg would have scored the tying goal. He also had a great shift going when Kop took his usual offensive-zone penalty.
I thought the same when i read that
Stals was the only one who looked like he WASN’T skating in slow-motion last night. And would have tied the game in the final minutes but for Dave Bolland. And I won’t even say I’m a big Stals fan, but you have to give him his due.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
Viksberg
still gets pushed out of position too often for his size. He needs to play stronger and he’ll be fine. I do agree that he had an overall better game last night than many I’ve seen from him, but also failed to hold his ground a couple of times where he should have.
Our Cup.
I've been thinking he needs to strengthen his core.
He should look into yoga or pilates. :)
by Katherine215 on Jan 3, 2011 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
Blinded by the lightttttttttt....
I'm not superstitious. I'm just a little stitious.
by AirTrafficAJ on Jan 3, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions
This is more along the lines of what I meant
He’s quick and creates chances, but he’s soft and loses puck battles far too often for my liking. He’s got a great frame so if he isn’t going to become a scorer (what is it…16…17 in a row now without a goal?) then use what you have at your disposal and work with it.
by Ban on Jan 3, 2011 3:35 PM CST up reply actions
Re: Toews
It feels to me that they’re rushing him. I think he’d be sitting at least a few games longer if the team looked like they had a clue/gave a shit without him.
Tremendously tremendous!
Beautius J. Beautius!
by allyouyounghockeyplayersoutthere on Jan 3, 2011 12:31 AM CST reply actions
Dah, reply fail.
Meant to reply to Ban’s comment.
Tremendously tremendous!
Beautius J. Beautius!
by allyouyounghockeyplayersoutthere on Jan 3, 2011 12:32 AM CST up reply actions
yeah, i think they are rushing him
and they rushed Kane back too. The first period tonight should tell us a lot about how Toews is feeling.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
Does rushing these guys back say anything about the brain trust's faith in this hockey team?
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
sure
it tells me they don’t trust their younger players enough yet (which a bunch of other signs, like the benchings, tell us as well anyway). and it tells me they’re kinda already in panic mode, even while they’re telling us fans not to panic yet.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
I just don't understand how the new guys are supposed to get any confidence out there
when the most innocuous shit gets their asses stapled to the bench. (Meanwhile, Kop and Boynton have a free pass)
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
"even while they're telling us fans not to panic yet"
Bingo. It’s scary. Remember when Scottie Bowman was captured on videotape yelling at Dale Tallon during the Red Wings series in 08-09?Ill bet the internal meetings look something like that these days.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
Captain
was interviewed during the 2nd intermission and said he was feeling a lot better.
My guess is the issue was more swelling and inflammation than actual injury and once that went down and he got back on the ice he realized it wasn’t as bad as initially thought.
Our Cup.
Since "QO - gate", Tallon's firing, etc., you could tell something stunk in the fridge...
Maybe it’s about to boil over – There was definitely a gag order last year – nobody dared to even say Tallon’s name until Florida hired him. (These are grown ass men, that was weird!)
This looks like a dispute between Stan Bo and Q, and you know who will win that one, right?
My Father's name is Jack, and my Mother's name is Daniels...
not a great game
Hiller made some pretty saves, but mostly we had very, VERY little sustained pressure (except in the 3rd period). I was at the game with a friend who’s a hockey n00b and she was asking why my team wasn’t trying very hard. Pretty embarrassing.
it's entirely possible this isn't sarcasm
I was there
It sucked. I would’ve rather watched it on TV so I could’ve changed the channel. I don’t know what it looked like on the tube, but Kopecky can kiss my ass. Kane was meh, except when he tossed a puck to my wife in the warm-up. That was the highlight. Fucking joke. Hiller is a bitch. They’re all bitches. Fuck a duck.
I'm without a home.
Kop sucks
He’s been like that all season and it was even more evident tonight. I don’t get why he’s still playing center. Toss him on the 3rd/4th and he’s effective enough, but he’s far from top 6 material.
And Kane is sooooooft. If the Hawks end up having to trade one of their stars anytime within the next few seasons, I can see Kane being one of the first to go.
by Ban on Jan 3, 2011 2:09 AM CST up reply actions
I keep waiting to see if Kane wants to be Datsyuk
I keep hoping. He’s got fire, but it’s not always there (kind of like Buff). Sometimes he amazes me when he fights off defenders. I think winning the Cup that young could hurt him and take some of that desire from him. His skill level with the puck is unmatched on this team, but his effort without the puck sucks in general… always cherry-picking, body leaning toward the offensive zone. The jury is still out for my as to whether he will be a world class 2-way player. I hope. I hope. I hope. But it’s way too soon to consider trading him this early.
I'm without a home.
Was he ever touted as a world class 2-way player? No.
Kane brings the offense with a vengeance but he has always been suspect in his own zone. Last nights giveaway was horrible but the benefit of the doubt is in order here. Hes probably not 100% healthy.
Toews is your Datsyuk. Not Kane.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
Kane's defense
will never be physically dominating, clearly. But he has the potential to backcheck, and backcheck well (Olympics, anyone?). He just needs to more consistently.
That being said, I think he’s still hurt. And it’s not even his lack of production that tells me so. When i compare how’s he’s moving to how stalberg is moving on the ice — since both are known for speed — Kane seems about as slow as John Scott. There’s still something wrong with his ankle.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:11 AM CST up reply actions
In the last game before the Ducks I think
he sped down the ice to backcheck when a play was developing into a 2 on 1 (I think Keith was the dman) to the Hawks goal, and it seemed like he slowed down after that (he wasn’t too fast to begin with beyond that burst of speed).
Basically I agree with you. And skating on it everyday isn’t helping. He used to be able to fly through defenders and avoid the big checks, and he can’t anymore, which is affecting his ability to make plays. A lot of the times when he has the puck and is against the board he just gets squashed.
by justforkicks on Jan 3, 2011 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
just a thought
Maybe skating on it IS helping. Ankles are weird, and perhaps they’ve found that at this point in his recovery, skating on it could be the best therapy for strengthening it? Granted, I’m sure if he were to twist it again, that would be obviously bad and would cause a setback, so there’s some risk associated with him playing in games. But, I’m sure they tape the shit out of that ankle for extra protection, which could really be hindering his mobility. Plus, it probably does still hurt like hell.
Wow, that was an ugly paragraph on my part. What I really wanted to say was:
Maybe playing Kane is the best thing for the team AND the best thing for his recovery.
‽ ⅋ ‽
I guess? I've never twisted or sprained an ankle so I don't really know
I do know when he first started skating he obviously wasn’t ready since he couldn’t complete any practices, and caused a “minor” setback. I worry that its a bigger setback then we thought, but he’s out there because he and the team both wanted and needed him to play. His first game back he mentioned there was still pain and he was basically just pushing through it, so I imagined extended amounts of skating would just aggravate it further.
by justforkicks on Jan 3, 2011 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think Kane is soft.
I think Kane is still injured. He looks like he did in January 2009 when he hurt his other ankle and played through it.
Where are the complaints about Hossa? Except for one shift on the PK, he was largely invisible last night, too. If anyone was going to carry the team while Toews was out and Kane was playing hurt, it was supposed to be him.
the way you described Hossa game last night
is how he’s been for much of his time in Chicago. If you ignore the first few weeks of the season when he was absolutely on fire, he’s been a great defensive player, a great forechecker but his offensive production has always come in rather steady but quiet spurts.
I would not count on Hossa to be the guy who steps up and carry the team. If anything, we’ll need to see more from Sharp, Bolland and Brouwer.
I'd like to see all the guys step up a little bit more
its like everyone has stepped back in what they can produce since Toews went out. I hate to bring up last years team since it doesn’t exist anymore, but during the playoffs when the big guns weren’t scoring, a lot of different players really went wild – bolly, buff, etc…I’d love to see that kind of fire from everyone this year. That’s not to say I don’t think some of the players are leaving it all on the ice each night, but there’s something lacking.
On the other hand I don’t think Q’s benching and random lines really help in team/player morale or in “chemistry” for lack of better word. For example, the reason I think Sharp – Kane, Kane – Toews works so well is because they each know what they need to do on the ice, and basically always know where the other guy is going to be. I can’t imagine you can develop that kind of on ice relationship if you are constantly playing with some other teammate.
Lets not get dramatic here
I highly doubt Kane is going to be the “first to go,” and given his size he’s generally a seriously tough little shit. His speed isn’t there, he’s probably still in pain, which is why he’s probably been playing so conservatively.
He may be the first to go.....years and years from now.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
If Kopecky's still around
his ass better be gone. And Bolland frankly, who is part of the “core” right? Is Ban the same person who wanted Campbell gone?
Yup.
Get a megamillions lottery ticket, you have a better chance of winning that than seeing Kane get traded at any point in the near future.
by dangles we can believe in on Jan 3, 2011 10:05 AM CST up reply actions
Soooooo
you’re saying i’m gonna win the lotto? YES!
I'm not superstitious. I'm just a little stitious.
by AirTrafficAJ on Jan 3, 2011 12:16 PM CST up reply actions
Not being dramatic.
Why would Kane be the first of the stars to go? Glad you asked.
Here are our options up front, players who are considered stars. We have Toews, Hossa, Sharp, and Kane. Toews is staying. Solid 2-way center, amazing at the dot, amazing on the PK, amazing on the PP, and can single-handedly carry the team to victory. He does it all. Hossa is a bargain for the type of player he is. Similar to Toews in many ways (PP/PK, solid 2-way forward, can undress other teams’ defenses). Sharp isn’t as defensively responsible as Toews or Hossa, but is versatile and for a team lacking depth down the middle, he’s a highly valuable asset.
Then we come to Kane. He’s purely offensive. Not a defensive bone in his body. Small and easy to push away from the puck (unless he actually wants to play). Only plays 5 on 5 and PP. Only plays wing.
Basically, when you weigh it all out, Kane is the least valuable of the players. Don’t get me wrong, he’s good offensively and can be clutch, but I don’t believe he’d stay over the rest, with the exception of Sharp possibly but only because his contract will be up shortly.
by Ban on Jan 3, 2011 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
I agree that Toews, Hossa, and Sharp are valuable players
I think there are other players considered part of the core that should be the first to go over Kane, by which I mean Bolland and other players not part of the core we could stand to lose. And I disagree with what you say about Kane. His problem isn’t that he has no defensive skills whatsoever, its that he does not use those skills consistently. Also, yes he’s small but generally when he has the puck, its glued to his stick and doesn’t leave unless he wants it to. I’m considering the games he’s been back an anomaly similar to last time he injured his ankle. So basically comes back too early, still in pain, ineffectual on ice for a stretch of time. He still has time to grow as a player and he’s only going to get better. I think its way to early to write him off as someone who the Hawks can stand to lose. Too often the arguement becomes – he’s always lazy or doesn’t give a shit – I just don’t think that’s true. We’re probably not going to agree on this =)
Trade Q
He’s looking more like a scatter brain instead of the line genius he thinks he is. His line combinations never won the Cup, it’s because Buff & Rat finally decided to give a fuck for some games during the playoffs.
Kane…needs to grow the fuck up.
Bottom line is, whether we like it or not, Kop plays BECAUSE HOSSA SAYS SO.
by radguy213 on Jan 3, 2011 6:55 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I get it!!!!
If you bust your ass you will benched. If you loaf on your skates, you will be rewarded.
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
Actually, I liked that line up last night.
would love to see the team stick to that line-up for the future. Kopecky sits when Toews comes back?
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
by ccm on Jan 3, 2011 7:18 AM CST up reply actions
With how Q has been this year
Dowell will be scratched and Scott will be centering the fourth line when Toews returns.
I say that jokingly, but I would not be surprised in any way if Q actually really did that.
returning Hendry to the blue line was called for, coach Joel Quenneville said. "His quickness and his anticipation is something that we can use," Quenneville said. "We’re looking forward to getting him back on the back end and letting him play a bit."
who was stoppong you before….? StanJr.?
"Trying is the first step towards failure" Homer Simpson
I sort of wondered about that
“Then why weren’t you using him there BEFORE?”
by spokeinthebandwagon on Jan 3, 2011 7:38 AM CST up reply actions
WOW.
What are the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s?!
by dangles we can believe in on Jan 3, 2011 10:08 AM CST up reply actions
So last night was that game every year where Hiller just decides he's going to win
and there’s nothing anyone else can do about it.
The good news? Skillz and Stalz is still a combination that clicks. We’ve known for a while that the all-rookie line works well, I’m not sure why Q doesn’t go to that more often. Hossa looked fairly awesome, despite the low shot total. Crow was not-sick and did a stand-up job between the posts, which makes me sad that he got a loss on his record despite the fact that he played well.
Toews was adorable with his mom in the second intermission interview.
by spokeinthebandwagon on Jan 3, 2011 7:43 AM CST reply actions
that, and as gmh would point out
we kept shooting glove-side. on a left-handed goalie. which we suck at and little success with.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:13 AM CST up reply actions
Male it stop!
Coach Q is asking to be fired. There is no other logical explanation for bengkulu stalberg.
Someone tell Hossa the wrap around isn’t working, try another move.
This team reminds me of too many teams in the past. They are good on paper nut spend too much time running around in their own zone and passing around the perimeter on offense. Never a clean lane to shot.
by theycannevertake2010fromus on Jan 3, 2011 7:52 AM CST via mobile reply actions
wrap around
Perhaps it’s just me and my inexperience but it seems to me that the entire team is a little too high on the wrap around attempt. I feel like I see way too much of that whenever the Hawks play. When I catch other teams I hardly see it.
This could all just be my bad perception; I mean I was initially surprised at how Capocalypse played out so I’m clearly lacking brain cells.
$$$
Willing to relocate to Atlanta.
by View from the Luxury Box on Jan 3, 2011 11:54 AM CST up reply actions
bleh
we should’ve taken two points from that. the ducks seemed like a sub par team (outside of hiller) and it looked like we played down to that level until the third. who put the hex on stalberg? bolland was like, “PSYCH! you thought you had that one, didn’t you? ill just deflect that from the open net and continue the curse.”
but seriously, skille dowell stalberg line needs to stay intact. they are the only ones providing energy and chances. kop is just looking bad out there. as predicted on this site, kane sucks for weeks after returning from injury.
please, johnny, come back and save us!
Ducks
have essentially same points total as Hawks going into the game (though I’ll concede that the Hawks seem like a sub par team, too — if that’s your message), and a stud goalie who stood on his head. How do you figure “we should’ve taken two points”?
Our Cup.
I love Craw and Turco...but Hiller has become one of favorite goalies in the league.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
Ugh
Kopecky fucking sucks… Someone please bench him, wtf, dowell does nothing wrong aside from having little offensive talent and sits and Kopecky continually shits the puck away. I don’t get it and this needs to be explained, in small words that I can understand.
Kane and Hossa can start scoring any time now. Are you kidding me. 11 million dollars worth of 1 back checker who doesnt score (1 for last 18 now) and one guy who skates around like Kirk Hinrich used to dribble the around in circles. Turble.
On Toews if he just separated his shoulder he should be fine unless he gets hella jarred again in the next few weeks.
Doughty is going to be aiming for Tazer tonight...you can take that to the bank
If he pulls any shit there had dam well better be retribution with extreme fucking prejudice.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
agreed
the list of teams I don’t want to see when one of our stars is playing injured: St. Louis, Nashville, Philadelphia, Detroit….and Los Angeles.
Doughty already has little bull-eyes drawn over Tazer’s face in pics in their locker room, i’ll bet.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions
Actually for all my hatred of Detroit I can't think of any of their guys taking a run at a guy who is returning from injury.
St. Louis absolutely. Nashville has some pests. L.A. has Doughty.
He seemed to know about the Stalberg injury/ softness meme. I’m sure he has an idea of where to hit Tazer to make it hurt.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
I'm hoping Toews
lines him up early just to send the message that “I’m not as vulnerable as you think I am.”
Our Cup.
"this needs to be explained"
This is key. Apparently, the post game interview with Q was cut short before the beat writers could get much more information about Dowell’s benching (like, WHY?). He needs to start answering for some of his shit. I want someone asking why Kop is taking consecutive offensive zone penalties and that’s ok.
by Katherine215 on Jan 3, 2011 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
maybe this is something
we should start twittering about en masse?
Dear Reporters Who Actualy Give a Shit,
Please ask the follwing questions post-game today: [insert list of intelligent SCH-generated questions]………
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
We do seem to have
a shocking amount of influence, don’t we?
by Katherine215 on Jan 3, 2011 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
we all just take one question
and tweet it at every beat writer
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
That might work
but we’d have to settle on the most important issue. How do we do that? Fanpost with voting?
Because a blog of alcoholics just isn't complete without a Scot.
idk I was just commenting off the cuff
actual organization is beyond me.
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
we could do it
especially when a bunch of us are sitting in a room with sufficient quantities of alcohol. In those situations, we are a genius brain-trust of sorts.
happy ninja may seem happy, but may have to kick your ass if you don't get it in gear.
by puppetmasterp on Jan 3, 2011 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
our powers combined!
San Francisco Giants: your 2010 WORLD SERIES CHAMPS.
Chicago Blackhawks: 2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPS.
best. year. ever.
We think some of us
actually triggered the spate of tweeting the beat writers went through about Dowell after we asked them where he was in the 3rd.
I think we can all agree to ask them wtf Kop has on Q to warrant so many chances after so many abysmal fails.
by Katherine215 on Jan 3, 2011 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
How about a nice catch-all Q like
“Why do Kop/Boynton get so many free passes when Dowell/Skille/Stalberg don’t?”
(stolen from someone higher up on the page, can’t remember who)
Because a blog of alcoholics just isn't complete without a Scot.
But this has the problem that
“free passes” are subjective and so Q could refute that. Hm…
Because a blog of alcoholics just isn't complete without a Scot.
Hossa's starting to drive me crazy
I mean, I don’t expect anything out of Kop so I’m never disappointed and, occasionally, surprised.
Panda, on the other hand, has a tendency to disappear for long stretches-something that is simply unacceptable for a guy with his talent. With Tazer out, we really needed him to step up and it isn’t happening.
Sometimes I think that we’re in love more with the IDEA of Hossa rather than the reality.
Dat Horsa guy
Yea though as Dave Morris pointed out in his most recent write-up, he never has been the focal point of any team.
Ottawa was stacked when he was there. In Hot-Lanta he had Kovy, when with Pitt and Scum that’s pretty self explanatory. Here you had Toews (a god amongst mere mortals) Kaner, Sharp and an ass ton of not non-gifted goal scorers last year. Now, not so much. He is a human wrecking ball when someone else is there to open the ice but otherwise… You just get a 5 million dollar back checker. Put him with Bolly and you have 8.5 million dollars worth of shut down, woot!
And Kane and Hossa cant co-exist on the ice at the same time in case anyone else had seen those moments yesterday. That kind of disturbed me.
Not that I miss Havlat and his creativity even with the garbage he skates with in Minnesota…
Anyone for a pool to see who gets benched in the 3rd tonight? I would say its Stalbergs turn since Dowell and Skille took the last Q-Stache smack down .
What is it about Kane and Hossa
that they just can’t play together? Putting on the same line seems like a great idea in theory and when it actually happens, it never works out.
They're both right wingers
and they both want the puck. I think they play a very similar game so one is not sure what to do when the other is playing what is usually his role.
It’s like putting Bickell and Brouwer or Brouwer and Kop on the same power play unit. They both are supposed to fill the front of the net type role, so when one does it, the other is not sure what to do with himself.
gotcha
like i said below, i was thinking of when kaner did play LW at the beginning of the year and it failed, but it makes sense that no matter the position they’d both want the puck and the confusion (for lack of better word) that would stem from their style of play.
Kop on the PP unit, always a fun time.
One of them is always going to be on their off wing
since they’re both right wingers.
I don’t think it works with Kane on the left wing and Hoss on the right, now if you flip flop them and put Kane on the right, I think it could work.
Second City Hockey
I'm Abe Froman, and I approve this message.
I thought Kaner has or started out playing left wing
and feels relatively comfortable there? I feel like he said that when he played that position earlier this year, but it didn’t work out obviously.
I'm not saying it would definitely work
but Kane is the better playmaker, and he’s more effective when he doesn’t have to make passes across his body. Look at a couple of his turnovers last night in which he was skating along the blueline and was forced off the puck when he had it on his backhand, (he usually maintains control if that’s on his forehand).
As many dirty goals as Hoss scores, I would think he could still get his on the other wing.
Second City Hockey
I'm Abe Froman, and I approve this message.
Yeah, they shouldn't be playing together.
They both play right wing. If they’re playing together, then one is always playing on his off-side, which, yes, leads to bad things.
by spokeinthebandwagon on Jan 3, 2011 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
I guess I'm thinking
kaner has played left wing, so I’m wondering if he’s relatively comfortable there, the two can’t mesh. I guess in a lot of ways their purpose on the ice is the same so its a matter of who does what.
Kaner doesn't play left wing often, and I wouldn't go so far as to say he's comfy there.
His puck-handling is weaker on his off-side, and he loses the puck more often. For a smaller player who counts on his puck dexterity rather than his size to keep him in the game, that’s sort of a big deal. His passing isn’t as clean from his off-side as well, which hurts because Kaner’s whole thing for the Hawks is that he’s a playmaker. He doesn’t just take shots, he opens space and lines up other players to get good shots, which involves clean passing and sure puckhandling. He doesn’t do either as well when he plays on the off-wing.
by spokeinthebandwagon on Jan 3, 2011 2:07 PM CST up reply actions
I heard Patrick Kane once scored a pretty important goal coming off the left wing boards.
"When I look at the net I don't see a goalie." - Pavel Bure
"When I look at the net I see 2 or 3 goalies." - Radek Dvorak.
I think that was an answer he gave the press
when asked how he felt about the transition. What else is he going to say, right? He hates it and is incredibly uncomfortable and doesn’t want to take one for the team? What he says and what he produces there are probably pretty different.
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