Everything Else

Fireside Chat

By 1243

And here we go again.

It’s no secret that hockey culture is weird, bad and stupid. Amazingly, though, it’s actually improved by leaps and bounds since we took to the internet to air our grievances. (2008 if you’re keeping score at home) Have you realized we are living in a world where fighting all but seems to have disappeared and the rats aren’t taking over? So bizarre that Joel Quenneville is quoted in a story like that, right?

There haven’t been any #hottakes decrying the lack of tradition or fear mongering over all the dirty hits that “may” occur. Nope. The fact that we’ve nary heard a peep is what makes it all so refreshing.

So there’s that.

Everything Else

Live From The Five Hole – Station (Of Base)

By 1247

While the Hawks are presumably getting their fun in now in Vegas before the league begins its newly announced cocaine testing program, we we were actually productive in assessing the first half of this trip, but also turning an eye to California. To assist us in that, Sharks contributor @stace_ofbase took time to join us. Enjoy.

 

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Everything Else

High On The Hog: Bunched Up In The Central Division

By 1482

The Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks AHL affiliate in Winnebago County, have found themselves in a pretty competitive Central Division so far in 2015-16. If the first two months of the season are any indication, finishing at the top of the eight-team division may be a tall order.

Rockford’s 10-4-1-2 record and .676 points percentage would be good enough for second or third in any of the AHL’s other three divisions. In the Central, however, the IceHogs mark is only good enough for fourth.

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They Keep Calling Me: Canucks 6, Blackhawks 3

By 1222

Box Score

Event Summary

War on Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Coming off a game where the Hawks gained a point in a game where they had no business doing so, it’s only fitting that the next night the Hawks played well enough to earn two points and instead got nothing.

When the Hawks tied the game with 7 minutes left, it seemed like at least another point was a given. But then the Hawks let the one Canucks line you can’t let score do so multiple times. Corey Crawford didn’t help his own cause and what was a very close game tilted in favor of the Hawks looked like a Canucks blowout at the end.

HOCKEY.

Everything Else

End of Phase 1: Hawks at Canucks Preview/Pajama Party

By 1201

250px-Ozymandias vs. All_canucks_logos

PUCK DROP: 9pm Central

TV/RADIO: WGN, CBC, Sportsnet, WGN Radio 720

GARBAGE THROWERS: Nucks Misconduct

However it might have looked, most teams will take three of four points on the road and call it job done. While it came against two of the worst teams in the West, and the performances were borderline abject, the haul was not. The degree of difficulty gets turned up starting tonight. I mean I guess it does. The standings say it does, except I can’t figure out what it is the Canucks do well.

Everything Else

I’m Looking Through You: Hawks 1 – Flames 1 (Flames Win Game Of Chicken)

By 1290

Box Score

Event Summary

War On Ice

Natural Stat Trick

Two nights after getting pretty outplayed by one of the worst teams the West has to offer but having Crawford and the second line keep them afloat enough to pick it off in overtime, the Hawks tried the trick again but this time it was Darling who got to keep their putrid effort afloat long enough for a point. But this time they couldn’t grab the extra point in the carnival ride, as Johnny Gaudreau toyed with them for a minute before hornswoggling Seabrook for the winner.

The Hawks can make sure Crow and Darling get the most comfortable chairs on the plane to Vancouver tonight, and get the nicest suites when they stop in Vegas after the game. Because they’re the only two reasons they have three points they almost certainly don’t deserve all of. There’s no way to sugarcoat that in two games against the 25th and 28th ranked possession teams in the NHL, the Hawks have a 43% share. They’ve basically been clocked by the two Alberta teams who probably won’t sniff the playoffs (though don’t rule anything out in that mess of a division). And they can’t claim injuries as a problem.