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My Heart Says No But My Head Says Stay: Bruins 2 – Hawks 1 OT (Series ties 1-1)

By Sam Fels 1310 0

Well, this isn’t any fun at all. And I think both sides would agree.

There’s so much on either side to indicate either just a shrugging this off as one game and the Hawks were always going to need to take on in the Hub, and also time to engender genuine worry. I guess what that means is that this series is exactly where most everyone thought it would. On a knife edge, between two so perfectly matched teams that barely an inch or a bounce will separate them. It isn’t going to be over any time soon, is it?

But there are warning signs. And now the Hawks face a true hornets’ nest waiting for them on Causeway St.

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Friday Notes And Bobs And Such

By Sam Fels 1780 0

Just a couple quick notes before we all jettison for the weekend, or at least until tomorrow.

-If you believe that the practice lines is how it will shake out in Game 2, and even if it starts this way the blender is going to get hit pretty quickly just as in Game 1, then Q is starting with what he ended with on Wednesday. That’s:

Saad-Toews-Hossa

Sharp-Handzus-Kane

Bickell-Bolland-Shaw

Bollig-Kruger-Frolik

But look for what happened in Game 1. Bickell will get shifts with Toews and Hanzus. Sharp will skate with Bolland at points, and take some of his draws as well. Kane will get some looks with Toews. It’s going to be all over once Bollig gets stapled to the bench.

-Speaking of which, I thought Bollig was quite all right in Game 1. Part of that was because Frolik and Kruger were so active he had only about 10 square feet to cover. But he was in o the forecheck but didn’t get out of line to chase hits, and didn’t commit any dumb penalties. That’s about all I’m asking. Though if Horton is out, the B’s 4th line really shouldn’t be that much to overcome.

-Keith played 48 minutes on Wednesday. Though he’s a physical freak as we all know, let’s keep an eye on how he comes back. Similarly, Chara had 45 minutes and though he’s in just about the same shape as Keith, he is 33 and that’s a lot more to drag around. Though Chara doesn’t have to bail out Seabrook’s dead ass all the time.

-Horton remains day-to-day, but I’m going to be surprised if he makes it to the post for Game 2. If it was bad enough to miss overtime(s) and Julien admits that he couldn’t have played yesterday or today, it’s not the kind of thing that’s just going to get better. As you may have seen, his shoulder has been popping in and out since an April fight with Iginla, and it has to be agony. Maybe he can get shot up to give it a go, but how many hits can he take?

If Horton doesn’t go, Seguin moves to the top line where he looked pretty damn swift in Game 1. He’s a different type of threat, and it’s one that Keith is more equipped to handle, but it won’t make that line suddenly toothless. However, it’ll erode whatever flair they had on their bottom six unless Paille or Peverley or Kelly can emerge from The Phantom Tollbooth, which they haven’t all spring. It’s a definite advantage for the Hawks for sure.

-As for the whole Cubby Tees thing, I think the whole thing is silly and stupid. The adoption of “Boston Strong” is a farce in itself as I wrote about in The Indian’s editorial for Game 1. Anything that references Lance Armstrong needs to be done away with. The bullying of the Chicago Stronger t-shirt was silly too. The fact that we’re back to making fun of each other probably means we’ve moved on and are pretty much healed from the Marathon mayhem. Whatever. It’s not a big deal, but as someone who constantly is toeing the line of decent and insulting, I’m always miffed when someone gets reamed for being edgy.

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Beard (BY CRACKEE!) Of The Day – June 14 – Terry Boers

By Sam Fels 3193 0

It’s rare that I get to step in and do one of these. It’s McClure’s and Killion’s domain. But I step into the breach today, and go with the rare beard (BY CRACKEE) of the day that one of us actually knows and has been a friend for somewhere around 20 years now.

As some of you know, I was a regular caller to the old Afternoon Show on The Score, back when they were 820am, from about the age of 12. That’s why when I email now it’s as “Once Young Sam” because back then it was just “Young Sam.”

Everything Else

Let The Good Times Roll: Game 3 Roadwatch at Bottom Lounge

By Sam Fels 1412 0

It’s too tense of a time for you to watch alone. There is strength in numbers. Let’s use it.

We’ll be out and about for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final at our West Loop home, The Bottom Lounge (1375 W. Lake, and the upstairs room). The game’s a little after 7, so it’s a perfect way to end the worst day of the week by joining us after work instead of going home to your annoying kids. Have a couple pops, hit Killion with a fish, and then by the time you get home your annoying kids will be asleep.

See you there.

Everything Else

Bright Light Fright: The Boston Bruins Blue Line

By Sam Fels 2060 0

Thar be monsters here.

While we highlighted the Kings unpleasant nature on defense, the Bruins bring that and more. This is a group of men who look like they belong in a bar brawl somewhere and try to turn their zone into one. But they also come with some of the warts that the Kings had as well, just not as large.

There’s no point in going any further without talking about the 6-9-sized problem on the top pairing, and that’s Zdeno Chara. This could be the biggest difference (ha ha) between what the Hawks just saw and what they’re about to see. While the Kings’ #1 d-man Drew Doughty is a great player, he can be erratic and wild and reckless at times. The Hawks got to take advantage of that. They will get no such breaks with Chara on the ice.

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Anything Goes Tonight: Kings 3 – Hawks 4 2OT (Hawks win series 4-1)

By Sam Fels 1297 0

Or last night. Depends on your definition. Whatever.

There are many things to complain about tonight, but in the end it comes down to, “Survive and advance.” After the first 20 minutes, the Hawks were the second best team on the ice. They probably stole this one. But it doesn’t matter. You get where you can, and the Hawks did so. The historians won’t note that the Kings were the better team tonight. And that’s all that matters.