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Game Time: 7:30PM
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Anti-Manifesto: Arctic Ice Hockey
For the second time in five days, the Winnipeg Jets will visit the United Center to take on the Hawks on the heels of a back to back. Only this time, the Hawks will be coming off a playing a game last night as well, and that term is used loosely.
Sorry for the delayed wrap. Because both the Hawks and Jets played last night and then again tonight, I had to get to work on the program for today pretty immediately after the game and everyone else had commitments. Not that I can add much to that full body dry heave the Hawks put forth last night.
While the broadcast tried to bend over backwards to claim the 3rd period was somehow redeemable in that the Hawks threatened a team sitting on a three-goal lead and then a two-goal lead which became a three-goal lead again, nothing will make up for the complete no-show that was the 1st. And fans and teams can dismiss it as just a bad day at the office, but it’s not like the Hawks haven’t made this a habit this season. They have been simply overrun in periods quite regularly. Off the top of my head, by Minnesota, by Ottawa, by Anaheim, arguably L.A., certainly in Edmonton and Calgary, and that’s basically just in the past month. It’s no secret how, and it started on the first shift last night. Get the puck behind TVR and Seabrook, pressure them, and they’re going to have an awfully hard time getting out. Same story for the third pairing. And when any line but SuperPAK isn’t starting in the offensive zone, they aren’t creating much. Any decent coach can figure this out.
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PUCK DROP: 7pm
TV/RADIO: CSN, WGN Radio
GIMME GIMME GIMME THE HONKY TONK BLUES: On The Forecheck
The ol’ home and home. This used to be a staple of the NHL schedule when you had to play everyone in your division 12 times or whatever it was back in the day. They were usually on Saturday and Sunday nights, and the Sunday nights at the Old Stadium against either the North Stars or Leafs generally became something our Lord Jim Ross would describe as “Looks like a Saturday night on a payday weekend in Muskogee!” Why yes, I do have a requirement of how many times I use that phrase per season. And yes, I did go the long way round to get to it today. And I don’t care!
Instant Impact:Boston Herald
Early Returns:BR
Ballard retires:Star Tribune
Lets see how long it lasts:ESPN
I would assume a phone call will be given to 1901 W. Madison:PD
Still on course for Raleigh:TSN
The continued fall from grace:Sportsnet.ca
Well they have the best coffee in the States:Franchising
I didn’t have time to get to it yesterday, but this lawsuit from Steve Montador’s family against the NHL should make for interesting viewing, particularly here in Chicago. That is if it were every to get to a courtroom, which I simply can’t fathom it ever will, and neither will the much larger class-action one that 80+ former players are a part of. There’s no way the NHL could have this kind of testimony or evidence out there. The NHL could not absorb a massive award like the NFL can, and the NFL hasn’t even found theirs quite yet.
But what if the Hawks’ medical team, or even coaches, had to testify? Or what if we could see the depositions they might have to give? I would be very curious indeed.
One or two more and this could a habit! Anyway, sorry for the delayed wrap. A flat tire cost me the urge to do it last night. I need that Bond auto-inflate tire from Tomorrow Never Dies. Or all of them. All those cars probably had that feature. Anyway…
The Hawks once again got a win with their do-it-all second line merely adding an empty-netter, though they were the best on line on the ice for either team most of the night. Unlike Sunday’s win though, this one is thoroughly pinned on Corey Crawford, who might have had his best game of the year. And not only that, he made it look easy at times. Without him, this probably looks a lot different.
The Hawks got goals from other lines as well, if you can believe that, to keep the spiraling Preds… well, in a spiral. Downwards. Though it is possible to spiral upwards. But we rarely use that term for that motion. Whatever. Let’s get to it:
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Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM720
Still Waiting For ALL THE FACTS on Mike Ribeiro: On The Forecheck
In between games with the Jets bookending this week, the Hawks get a home-and-home with the typically competent Predators, starting tonight on United Center ice.
Day to Day:NBC
Happy to be home:Daily Herald
Interesting stories in Rockford:NHL
Can’t say I disagree:ChicagoNow
No vote yet:TS
The Rockford IceHogs opened this past week with a tough stretch of games in Texas ahead of them. With three of those four contests in the books, a four-game Lone Star sweep is within the reach of the IceHogs.
In what may be its most impressive stretch of the season, Rockford posted 15 goals in three victories. After winning a track meet against the Texas Stars Wednesday, the Hogs scored two wins over the San Antonio Rampage over the weekend. Rockford improved its season mark to 15-5-1-2 and sit at the top of the Central Division.
With several of last year’s leading scorers on the shelf, Rockford looked to be in need of some offensive punch against some good offensive teams.
Who provided a good portion of that punch? The above picture should spill the beans.
