I’ll be blogging live, and whoever’s not doing their job is free to join in.
1:12. Just in time for the anthems.
1:14: Swiss arena pumpin’ out some metal!
1:15 Game starts, no announcers, won’t this be a treat?
1:17 The face off dots are highlighted in purple, giving them the appearance of a bruised nipple.
1:20 Brent Sopel on an international size surface. I keep thinking aneurysm.
1:22 Play picking up now, Sharp had a chance, as did Skille. Niemi makes a good save on the other end.
1:26 And it’s John Madden taking our usual, lazy, offensive zone penalty.
1:27 Shorty for Brouwer, see what happens when Toews is on the kill? Oh look, we’ve brought our goal song across the pond, further complicating US diplomacy.
1:30 I know, we’re all in shock that Brouwer finished a chance, but maybe the secret all along was to give him ones he couldn’t possibly miss.
1:32 Automatic icing, and Don Cherry nods in appreciation. Then belches.
1:35 Soupy gets a soft one, through the five-hole. Hawks starting to dominate now. Chelsea dagger plays again, the Swiss consider declaring war upon us.
1:40 Lesson for Davos, don’t let Kane just stand behind the net, and he scores on the rebound of the chance he created. Chelsea dagger plays for a third time, Swiss prime minister asks for launch codes.
1:42 Obviously, this game is for the bottom-roster guys, but I don’t know how much you can learn watching the play against sub-NHL competition.
1:45 End of the 1st, 3-0 Four Feathers. God it’s wonderful not having a real job, isn’t it?
1:49 If the NHL played on the Int’l surface, I think the Hawks would win the President’s Trophy.
2:03 Killion (Dirt) here now – I’m taking over for Sam to give him a little break before the third period. So far.. umm.. nothing really to report
2:05 Lazy clear leads to an odd number rush for the Hawks.. but Davos turn it right around on the Hawks. No Goals for either team though
2:07 What’s everyone’s thoughts on the singing/chanting? I’ve always loved it for soccer games but not sure if I like it so much in hockey where the pace is much much faster..
2:08 The announcers finally kicked in for me..interesting. Just in time to see Patrick Sharp go off for high-sticking
2:10 Some good cycling of the puck and then two great cross-ice passes on the powerplay leads to Davos getting a wide open shot. Widing gets the goal for Davos 3-1 Hawks.
2:11 The lazy dumb penalties we saw for a while last year evidently haven’t been corrected. Hammer #2 goes off for interference.
2:14 Back at even strength and the Hawks get a good rush up ice – Bickle takes it hard to the net and gets it off the post. Brophey follows him in and gets the easy rebound goal 4-1 Hawks
2:18 The Hawks had some good work with the puck down low and draw the penalty. Davos’ Stoop sits 2 for holding. Is this the Hawks first PP?
2:19 Hawks also use the stoppage to switch up goalies – Crawford in. Looks like Davos picked up another penalty so we’re 5 on 3
2:21 Some great pressure from the Hawks but the Davos’ killers do a great job blocking lanes and getting some luck so we’re back at even strength. Both Kaner and Sharp missed solid chances.
2:22 Pressure continues and the Hawks are changing with the puck in offensive zone..
2:24 Bickle flies off the bench towards the net and gets a great chance but the Davos’ goalie comes up with a big pad save.. tough break there.
2:25 Sharp gets in alone one on one off a great feed from Skille and doesn’t miss. Nice backhander lifted over the leg. About 5 minutes left in the second
2:27 Two on one for Davos but Crawford keeps up with the play getting a pad out and blocking the shot.
2:28 Brophy goes off for a hook which means we get to see some more fun ideas from Q on the PK.
2:30 Some guy named Mahra goes off for a hook which means we’ll see about a 1 minute PP for the Hawks in about 30 seconds
2:33 The power play takes a while to get going but nothing happening til Davos’ keeper covers up and Toews gives a little push which results in some words being exchanged… I wonder how universal “fuck you” is..
2:34 That’ll end the second – I think we’re opening up a new thread for the 3rd period and Sam is coming back to take us home. 5-1 Hawks.