Everything Else

High On The Hog: Fighting Fading In Rockford?

By 1968

The Rockford IceHogs have had their share of brawlers in the franchise’s eight-plus seasons as the Hawks AHL affiliate. As professional hockey has seen fighting on the decline, however, the Hogs have followed suit.

Jake Dowell took on Joel Edmundsen in Rockford’s loss to Chicago Saturday night. It was the 17th fighting major assessed to the IceHogs, who picked up three of four points this weekend to stay on top of the Central Division, in 28 games this season. It’s also the second-lowest total for this stage of a season for the franchise.

This got me to thinking; at its current pace, how would Rockford wind up compared to past seasons? Which IceHogs gloves have hit the ice most often? How often do the Hogs scrap, and how do they fare in games when they dance?

If these questions have been keeping you up at night, here’s some food for thought. If you detest fighting and don’t want to know about the dark side of the IceHogs, tough luck. You’ll have to close your eyes until you scroll to the recaps.

Everything Else

Won’t You Ride My White Horse?: Sharks 3 – Hawks 3 (Hawks Win Sketchfest)

By 1301

Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

They’re certainly racking up the goalie wins. After a very even first period that ended a deserved 2-2, and a quite simply dull 2nd period that ever so slowly turned to the Sharks, capped off by Pavelski’s goal where their top line got to run around the merry-go-round that is the Hawks’ 3rd pairing, Corey Crawford held his team in the 3rd period where they were outshot 11-5, out-attempted 21-10, and basically simply outplayed. But thanks to Crow, they had time for Shaw to make Paul Martin look like a clown for the second time in the game, forcing both teams into the bull-riding show where one bad change let Kane and Toews in. That basically only ever has one ending.

The performances this weekend, and for most of the season, haven’t matched the results. But in the Suicide Squad Central Division the Hawks won’t care because they’ll need all the points they can get. There will be time enough to improve the roster and hence the performances, and to have it on a higher platform would be beneficial.

On to it.

Everything Else

Rat Tailed Jimmy is a Second Hand Hood: Blackhawks 2, Sabres 2 (Hawks win tickle fight 1-0)

By 1308

Box Score

Event Summary

War on Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Ah, yes. The old Saturday matinee. Much like the Thursday Night NFL matchup, you never really know what you’re going to get. In this afternoon’s matchup, it was a 56 minute snoozefest where even the mouthpieces of the Blackhawks brand (the broadcast booth) took turns saying how boring the game was.

Once Ryan O’Reilly scored his obligatory goal against the Hawks with less than 4 minutes in regulation, it seemed like the pace of play was a little more focused. The Hawks drew three straight penalties and then Patrick Kane scored his obligatory goal in Buffalo.

It’s almost like we’ve seen all this before.

Everything Else

I See You’ve Constructed A New Light Sabre: Hawks at Sabres Preview/Cantina Fight

By 1159

250px-Ozymandias vs. image-sabre_medium

PUCK DROP: High Noon Central

TV/RADIO: WGN for both, SportsNet up dere in da Nort

BUFFALO? WHY DON’T YOU JUST SLEEP IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?: Die By The Blade

Sabres Stats

Sabres War On Ice

Isn’t it too early in the year for a noon start? I guess it doesn’t matter, as that’s when they’re going to drop the puck.

Anyway, the Hawks will get their first look at one of the two Wonder Kids of this year’s draft. They won’t see McJesus until next season now due to his busted collarbone, but barring injury they’ll get to see Jack Eichel over the next few weeks.

Everything Else

Haunting, Familiar Yet, Can’t Seem To Place It: Oilers 0 – Hawks 4

By 1111

Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

The top line. There it is. I knew it was around here somewhere.

The Hawks finally got an explosion from Hossa-Toews-Teravainen, and they were the difference in what was otherwise a pretty even contest. Both goalies played well, though Talbot eventually blinked and Crawford didn’t. The Hawks didn’t even need a power play goal this time, getting all four at evens to skip away from an interesting yet deeply flawed (and deeply depleted) Oilers team. With the wonky Sabres and Sharks next, the Hawks certainly have a chance to wash away the taste of yet another loss to the Avs in a hurry.

No reason to wait around, let’s get to it.

Everything Else

‘Elo Kiddies – Oilers vs Hawks Preview, Encounter On Ord Mantell

By 1278

oil plainview vs evil empire

Game Time: 7:30PM
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Tikkanese Interpreters: Oilers Nation, Copper ‘n’ Blue

With all of the talks of streaks around these parts recently, one that flew under the radar is the six game winning streak tonight’s vistors the Edmonton Oilers only had snapped on Tuesday at MSG. And in an absolute kitty-litter-covering-kindergartner-vomit-on-astroturf-carpeting Pacific Division, that’s been enough to actually have the Oilers in the playoff conversation. And all without their most recent franchise cornerstone Conor McDavid.