In a game facing a goalie starting in his first NHL game, the Hawks certainly did their best to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at him. They put 18 shots on him in the first and finished out with 44 total, the most of the year thus far. It seems to be a common theme that a back up goalie comes up huge against the Hawks and comes out with a win. It seems that trend holds true for rookie debuts. While Reto Berra didn’t have to make too many spectacular saves, he was solid in his first start while the Hawks showed some tired legs. It still ends up with 3 points in back to backs… I’m not pissed.
Oh hey. Looks like this thing is working again. I guess we might as well talk about the unexpected goal extravaganza we witnessed last night, yeah?
With 11 goals scored – I’m going to skip the usual breakdown of the periods. Last time the Hawks played the Bolts, it was a goalie battle as the Hawks outshot the Lightning by around 74 but Bishop was able to stand on his head and only let two past him. This time the Hawks were able to solve him… even his own team found a way to slip one past him. A disappointing loss, maybe, but it’s still a point on the road. Whatever. The game was such a weird affair that our picture service didn’t even bother to cover it.
Let’s just get to the bullets, shall we?
Sucking on pollution like a rattle in your mouth
You’re a big fucker kid, you don’t know what you’re about
Go to the left, go to the right
Your mind is going to keep you up all night
You twist in your sleep, grabbing the sheets
Sweating to death
Back and forth, between the good and the bad
It’s indecision time
You’re so natural, you’re so free
So don’t decide what’s best for me
@ 
Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CBC, NHLN, WGN/WGN720
46 Years And Counting: Pension Plan Puppets, Down Goes Brown (kinda)
Well clearly, the biggest story coming into this game is the return of our old friend, Fabulous Weapon and potential psychopath himself, Dave Bolland. Drafted 32nd overall in the 2004 draft by the Hawks, Bolland was an integral part of the 2010 team, coming alive in the playoffs to become a major shutdown force and overall annoying pest to the Sedins and exhibitionist in waiting Joe Thornton. After a disappointing season last year capped off with the incredible game winner in Game 6, it came as no shock to see the rat shipped out of town. He landed in Toronto where he seems to have settled in pretty well. He’s got 6 points in three games, mostly skating on the Leafs third line.
And somehow, the Leafs actually find themselves in damn good standings so early into this season. They’re tied with Detroit for first place in their division and trail only Pitt and San Jose for the overall NHL lead. How is this possible? Fuck if I know.
We’ve grown accustomed to seeing the Blackhawks come out and roll over opponents from the start. Usually, when we see the third line work over opponents like they’re playing a bunch of peewees and the Hawks come out of the opening twenty up two, we start eyeballing DLR in the bullpen.
And sometimes that comes right back to bite us in the ass.
Nikolai HarveyBirdman’s return to the red sweater’s was just about what we expected from these two teams, except I didn’t realize he was sitting at 332 wins, meaning we were forced to listen to the “tree-turty-tree” nonsense before the game even started. The Hawks and the Isles traded the north and south game they both prefer to play. While the action swung from one end to the other with quick transitions and counterstrikes, it was clearly dominated by Chicago for much of the period. When the Hawks got on a roll, there seemed to be nothing the Isles could do but wait for the inevitable goal.
Got a new technique – money lets the pieces fit where they fall.
Privilege – it sanctions everything.
Security – a net under it all.
The threat of everything is when it becomes nothing at all
Fingers reaching, trophy swelling
That’s when desire trips me up.
