Everything Else

You Can't Escape Big Brother

By 1206 0

Quick reactions to the semifinals today. We’ll start with the bigger game to us, and that’s the battle of the 49th. Those of us here in the land of guns and poor public education love to big up our chances and talk a big game, but every hockey fan knows in their heart that Canada will always ice a better roster than the US, and better than everyone. You know in that one game things can go right, a bounce or a call here or there or one spectacular goalie performance (which the US got and that’s the only reason this didn’t end up 4-0 at least) or one pants-shitting can swing the result. But if both teams play their game, you know where it’s going. And that’s where it went.

Shall we get to the bullets? We shall:

Everything Else

And Now We're Done And We Can Go Home: Hawks 0 – Yotes 2

By 1165 0

I’m kind of anxious to get onto the break so I’m just going to hammer this out in the aftermath instead of waiting a bit to reflect as usual. I’m sure you all understand. Let’s get right to it.

-I don’t think the Hawks weren’t interested tonight. The effort was there, which I feared it might not be. What they weren’t was interested in the right ways. What you can’t do against the Coyotes when they’re on their game is fancy-pants your way through the neutral zone and you certainly can’t put your dump-ins where Mike Smith can get it. It’s hard to do, and it takes a fuckton of patience, but you have to chip pucks into the corners or go cross-corner with your dump-ins. The Hawks didn’t do much of either. If you don’t, Smith is going to smother your forecheck by himself.

Secondly, the Coyotes while blocking off the middle of the ice were also determined to outnumber the Hawks in every board battle in their zone. Two guys vs. one, or three guys vs. two. And the Hawks were reluctant to even match them in manpower. They Hawks aren’t blessed with guys who can outwork a numerical disadvantage along the wall. They have Hossa and… well, Hossa. They needed to be a more aggressive in matching the numbers on the wall tonight.

Everything Else

Tonight We're Gonna Rock It Tonight: Hawks 5 – Camucks 2

By 1152 0

Boxscore

Event Summary

Extra Skater

If you’ll allow me to carry out this metaphor another day, that is. While I’ve said the Hawks have resembled a Spinal Tap show lately, just one or two things going enough wrong to make the whole thing something of a joke, they’re still capable of having Derek Smalls hammer a bass line, David St. Hubbins belting out the lyrics and rhythm guitar, not have the drummer spontaneously combust, and Nigel Tufnel rejoin them on stage to shred a solo.

Ok, I’ve carried that out far enough.

I don’t know that the Hawks game was perfect tonight, but it certainly got better in the last 40 than it’s been for a while. Sure, in the 1st the Hawks were still stretchy-passy happy, but I feel like that calmed down in the 2nd and 3rd. But even in the 1st, the Hawks’ zip returned. They smothered puck-carriers and created turnovers and were quick with the puck and feet. That’s all it takes for the Hawks.

It’s late, let’s get to it.

Everything Else

I've Seen That Road Before: Blackhawks 1 – Jets 3

By 1049 0

Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater

When the Hawks went into the third period only up a single goal despite outshooting the Jets 27 to 6, there was simply a feeling that this one was going to slip away from them. When Brandon Bollig is the only one who can find the back of the net, things just aren’t really going your way. And so it was – for the second straight game the Hawks looks punchless as they entered the zone and despite the outrageous shot totals, they weren’t really dominating the pace of the game. Too often the chances were one and done without sustained pressure. Sure, Montoya was great and made some fantastic saves, but the Hawks didn’t have the same swagger they had in the previous matches.

Everything Else

Sometimes I Don't Mind – Hawks at Scum Preview, Pregame Thread, Renewed Acquaintences

By 1260 0

oldschool @ scum hatchet

Game Time: 7:00PM CDT
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN2, WGN-AM 720
I Wanna Be Your Dog: Winging It In Motown, Abel to Yzerman

It’s been nearly eight months since the Hawks last saw the Detroit Red Wings, giving them the finest farewell from the conference and division possible in the form of a Game 7 OT winner courtesy of Brent Seabrook. After which Scum at last got their wish of moving to the eastern conference so that their sleep deprived fans could at least see them at a reasonable hour. How fitting then that tonight the proceedings with their one-time rival won’t even kick off until 8:00PM local time to accomodate the viewership here in Chicago even on home ice. The indignities never cease, do they?

Everything Else

What Is Eddie O's Agenda?

By 1251 0

Today I’d like to move discussion off-ice, as we haven’t done that in a while. If you’ve read this blog for more than a day, you know that we like to have our fun and take our shots at the Hawks’ broadcast. At least the television side of it, as the radio broadcast really couldn’t be more top-notch. Though I haven’t sampled a large array of radio play-by-play men, I can’t imagine there could be anyone better than John Wiedeman. Troy Murray has become a very astute analyst after a rocky start to his broadcasting career, and host Judd Sirott is as passionate as they get (and if you can hear him talk off-air, you’d know exactly what I mean. I’m still scarred from a rant he went on in front of me when I was about 13 on Adam Creighton).

But the TV broadcast has entered the bewildering zone.

Everything Else

Give 'Em Enough Rope – Oilers vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Red Carpet Interview

By 1156 0

oil plainview vs oldschool

Game Time: 6:00PM
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Exxon Valdez: Copper and Blue, Oilers Nation

So this is what the midseason doldrums look like. Ironically, with the Hawks’ high octane offense sputtering, and not with the previously questionable defense pulling its best matador act. Since the calendar flipped to 2014 (and even counting December 30th), the Hawks have scored more than two goals exactly once. It’s not a shock then that the Hawks have gone 2-1-3 in that stretch. Fortunately for them, the Oilers are once again in town.

Everything Else

'Cross The Breeze – Rangers vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, TPS Report

By 1355 0

powerRangers vs AltLogo

Game Time: 7:00 PM Central
TV/Radio: NBCSN, TSN2, WGN-AM 720
Hell’s Kitchen: Scotty Hockey, Blueshirt Banter

With all of the buzz the last couple of days being over the Olympic Team selections and of course the horrendous weather that’s put the entire nation in its frigid grip, it’s easy to forget that the Blackhawks were last seen on Sunday night blowing another third period lead and ultimately falling in the skills competition to the Sharks. They’ll get a chance to correct that tonight once again on United Center ice, this time against the visiting Rangers, who are basically a mess, and that’s being complimentary.

Everything Else

Like A Doll's Eyes: Sharks 2 – Blackhawks 2 (Sharks Win Dance Marathon)

By 1148 0

Box Score
Event Summary
Extra Skater

For the fourth time in a row, the Blackhawks have dropped a game that goes all the way to a shootout. If that really upsets you, sorry. I still just can’t get too worked up about it. The only detriment to this game is that it ruins an otherwise solid performance from Crawford. In the second game of his return to the team, Crow put up a 40 save performance but wasn’t able to stop either shooter in the skills competition. So it goes on this frigid night.

Everything Else

Must've Needed More Gatorade: Hawks 2 – Islanders 3 (OT)

By 1140 0

Extra Skater

Box Score

Event Summary

Guess the NYE hangover hadn’t quite cleared.

The Hawks were pretty much where they needed to be in the first, smothering most Islander threats and outshooting them 12-5. Sure, a silly pass from Johnny Oduya to a covered Bryan Bickell at the red line and Bickell being forced into a turnover while Bangkok Dangerous marched off into the sea of green let Casey Cizikas in to give Long Island the lead. But the Hawks could feel good about how they played.

But for the last 40, the Hawks were all over and left far too much space for an Isles squad that isn’t bereft of weapons. The two goals they gave up from there came to the top line, which is exactly what you can’t do against this team. Sure, they fought back to tie it but were always asking for trouble in just being all over in their own zone. Not shocking the game ended when Patrick Sharp came too far over to deal with John Tavares, and left US-snub All-Star Kyle Okposo to rifle one home. That’s how the Hawks had been in their zone all night.

To the notes: