Local H: Lucky Time [Live - 12-31-04 - New Years Eve, Chicago] (via live2cd)

The Blackhawks are out, losing to the Phoenix Coyotes in six games. You're most likely confused and hurt, and most definitely inebriated. You're cursing Brendan Morrison for his inability to lift the puck, wondering how Johnny Oduya turned back into Johnny Oduya so quickly, and praying some GM who has never heard of the term "sample size" takes Michael Frolik. (On the plus side, your reflexes are still quicker than Corey Crawford's).

I'm upset as well, but also strangely calm. Why? Local H. Humor me after the jump.

Pack Up the Cats, released in 1998 on Island Records, tells the tale of some unnamed singer who decides to sell out for stardom. He fails miserably, and Cats' songs track his troubles and mishaps. For those who love Nirvana but need more sarcasm and self-loathing, you'll love this album.

I always enjoy creating a silly narrative as if the Hawks were the subject of this album. They picked up some damaged goods in the offseason (Andrew Brunette, Daniel Carcillo, Ray Emery), went skidding up the standings in December, even though the goaltending was atrocious (although the team thought everything was fine and good). And then the bottom dropped out--the interminable nine game losing streak where the Hawks couldn't put together a complete game (save the third Nashville game). In the middle of that mess was the second Edmonton asswhooping. )While the score of the first one may have been much worse, the timing of this game fits the story much better, so stop thinking so hard.)

Nevertheless, our heroes fought through this shitty time, pulled it together to get into the playoffs, and then proceeded to play five straight overtime games. If you were at a packed bar for any of those games, your memories of that night's events may be cloudy. I hope your pets are alright.

And now, here we are, staring back at the remains of this failed season. But listen to Scott Lucas in the video at the top of the post, having "moved on". There's still a modicum of hope left in his voice, despite losing everything. The Hawks are bringing back the core (assuming Hossa's not dead). Andrew Shaw and Marcus Kruger were nice surprises, and more talent (Brandon Saad, Jeremy Morin) still remains in Rockford.

So let's take a page from Pack Up the Cats--think of all the great possibilities that lie ahead, and be optimistic for now. The Hawks' 2011-2012 season may be over, but there's still next year. It is such a lucky time, with everything to prove.