Everything Else

High On The Hog: Spreading Out The Scoring

By 1884

The Rockford IceHogs have an offense by committee this season. It’s a familiar situation for the Blackhawks AHL affiliate-as well as a successful one.

The Hogs split this weekend’s two games, breaking a four-game skid on Sunday and remaining on top of the AHL’s Central Division standings. As of Monday morning, Rockford could also boast the highest point percentage (.677) in the Western Conference.

The IceHogs are doing this without a top-ten point scorer…or a top-forty point scorer…Or a top-100 point scorer…

Everything Else

Third Time’s The Charm: Ducks at Hawks Preview/Keepy-Uppy

By 1197

donald-duck-dunn-620x413 vs. Hawk Wrestler

FACEOFF: 7:30pm Central

TV/RADIO: WGN, NHL-N, WGN Radio

RABBIT SEASON: Anaheim Calling

Ducks Stats

Ducks War On Ice

The Hawks will try and break what constitutes a losing streak for them, all of two games, with their third straight home game against an automatic Western Conference playoff spot holder (there’s a title) in the Anaheim Ducks. Both the Sharks and Stars were able to walk out of the UC with regulation wins which is only the second time all season the Hawks have dropped consecutive home decisions (and the first both have been in regulation). In order to snap the streak, they’ll have to do it against an Anaheim team that is no longer the comedy outfit they were in the season’s first half.

Everything Else

Lines Form on My Face and My Hands: Stars 4, Blackhawks 2

By 1284

Box Score

Event Summary

War on Ice

Natural Stat Trick

It’s somewhat strange to have regular season games that come with an air of anticipation. The past two regular seasons, particularly through this part of the calendar, have become a painful test of endurance for fans and players alike with the Hawks pretty much locked into their playoff seed.

This season, not so much. With the Hawks and Stars both striving for the Central Division crown, there is definitely an odd feeling of excitement to watch the standings nightly. Add in the return of an iconic Blackhawk in an opposing sweater for the first time and it almost felt like an important playoff game tonight.

Almost.

Everything Else

Hail, Hail – Stars vs Hawks Preview, Homecoming Parade

By 1367

carls jr star vs evil empire

Game Time: 7:30PM
TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet Pacific, WGN-AM 720
Jim Nill’s Liberator: Defending Big D

While tonight would be a premiere matchup between the conference’s top two teams jostling for inside position for the division, and both playing a high-octane brand of hockey, none of that is receiving top billing. Even Johnny Oduya’s return to the building after being a key role player on two Stanley Cup teams is a footnote.

Because tonight is Patrick Sharp’s first regular season game in the United Center as a visitor in over ten years.

Everything Else

ZZ Top Was Only Half Right

By 1203

It has been over 10 years since Patrick Sharp played his first game at the United Center as a Blackhawk, and it has been over 7 years since this column first ran in the print edition on Sunday, January 4th, 2009.

Tonight will be Patrick Sharp’s first regular season game in the United Center as a visitor in a decade.