Faxes from Uncle Dale

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  • They Keep Calling Me: Canucks 6, Blackhawks 3

    They Keep Calling Me: Canucks 6, Blackhawks 3

    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.

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

    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.

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

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

    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.

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  • What It Is To Burn – Hawks at Flames Preview, Sidewalk Salting

    evil empire at eternal flame

    Game Time: 8:00PM Central
    TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
    Brian Burke’s Fightin’ Barn: Matchsticks & Gasoline, Flames Nation

    For the second time in three games, the Hawks will take on the Calgary Flames, this time in Cow Town amid the red clad ranchers at the SaddleDome for the second stop of the Circus Trip.

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  • Morning Links 11/20/15

    Morning Links 11/20/15

    Back in the saddle: Blackhawks

    TVR growing: CSN

    Dano not as much: CST

    Hey Stan: IEHN

    #8 = #1: PHT

    More back to backs?: PD

  • Formula 81 – Hawks 3 – Oilers 3 (Hawks win go-kart race)

    Formula 81 – Hawks 3 – Oilers 3 (Hawks win go-kart race)

    Box Score

    Event Summary

    War On Ice

    Natural Stat Trick

    Well you know this story by heart if you’ve followed the Hawks this season. The second line does most of the work to either get the Hawks one or two points, Corey Crawford holds them in when they were seriously under pressure, the penalty kill gets all the kills required, and then the Hawks goof a goal in overtime to get both points (and 3-on-3 every goal is basically a goof, that’s not a knock). The variable this time was getting one miraculous save from Crawford in OT, and the Hawks got an even-strength goal from the third line, which isn’t the first of the year but man does it feel like it.

    Still, while gaining the two points when you don’t play well is a positive sign for a team we’re all sure is going to figure out its problems at some point, being severely clocked at times by the Oilers without McJesus is not going to have people printing up t-shirts.

    Let’s do it.

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  • Morning Links 11.18.2015

    Morning Links 11.18.2015

    He is good at hockey:TSN

    OT Winner:BH

    Probably because he is too small:LGH

    Crow being Crow:CBS

    Change:SN

  • The Fun Happens Late – Hawks at Oilers Preview, Request For Quote

    evil empire at edmonton_eskimos20logo

    Game Time: 8:30Pm
    TV/Radio: CSN, SportsNet 1, WGN-AM 720
    Lost’n For Auston: Copper & Blue, Oilers Nation

    No matter how hard they try to convince themselves, their fans, and the rest of the league, the Edmonton Oilers just can’t seem to stop tripping over their own collective dick. As of last night with John Torotrella’s Columbus Blue Jackets defeating the Blues on home ice, the Oilers are once again dead last in the NHL, and now welcome in the Blackhawks to Rexall as they begin their annual November road trip.

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  • Morning Links 11/18/15

    Morning Links 11/18/15

    Tonight: Blackhawks

    Look who is back to back: CSN

    Circus circus: CST

    Kane on a run: DH

    3-3 ASG: PD

  • Toews, TVR, Trevor, Other Ts

    Toews, TVR, Trevor, Other Ts

    For what feels like the first time this season, things have died down a bit with the Hawks news-wise. No injuries, no roster decisions, no turmoil-inducing losses, and just heading off on a roadtrip. Probably also helps calm things down now that the Bears are at least somewhat interesting, shifting attention (even if they’re not actually good). With two weeks on the road, a couple things to look for and watch.

    -First, while no one on the main beat ever wants to say it, we haven’t shied from pointing out that some of the Hawks even-strength woes are a result of Jonathan Toews’s “struggles.” The Hawks are still a negative team overall at 5-on-5, which is a weird thing to say about them even at this point in the season. And then you realize the Hawks’ power play has been bailing them out at time and you nearly pass out.

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