Everything Else

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

By 1128 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:

Everything Else

All Aboard The Rockford Shuttle

By Sam Fels 1456 0

It came a little sooner than I expected it, but I think we all saw it coming once Brandon Pirri was kicked off the second line as soon as Handzus was removed from his iron lung. Today he was sent down, along with Mike Kostka who will be on a conditioning assignment. In their place Joakim Nordstrom was called up, as was Jeremy Morin.

The call-up of Morin is curious, as this was a player we’d all pretty much figured Q had written off and was never going to warm up to. It’s obvious Morin is too good for the AHL but he may not be good enough yet for a serious Cup contender in the Hawks (though I think he will be one day). Nordstrom has already gotten a few cartoon hearts to float of Q’s chest in preseason, and has played very well in Rock Vegas.

How this shakes out on the roster? I’m not sure I can tell you.

Everything Else

Comin’ Home – Stars vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Secret Santa Drawing

By Matt McClure 1515 0

dallas-stars-l-green05 vs AltLogo

Game Time: 7:00PM
TV/Radio: CSN, NBCSN (Yanks), TSN2 (Hosers), WGN-AM 72
Texan Book Of The Dead: Defending Big D

After what can be considered a successful stretch by all non-meatball, bloodlust accounts, the Blackhawks will return home after a 6-1 Circus Trip, with the only blemish coming in the opener away from home against the deplorable Avalanche. Tonight they’ll kick off a month wherein 9 of the next 14 games will be on home ice, starting tonight with the Stars. Who says you can’t ever really come home for the holidays?

Everything Else

Comin' Home – Stars vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Secret Santa Drawing

By 1158 0

dallas-stars-l-green05 vs AltLogo

Game Time: 7:00PM
TV/Radio: CSN, NBCSN (Yanks), TSN2 (Hosers), WGN-AM 72
Texan Book Of The Dead: Defending Big D

After what can be considered a successful stretch by all non-meatball, bloodlust accounts, the Blackhawks will return home after a 6-1 Circus Trip, with the only blemish coming in the opener away from home against the deplorable Avalanche. Tonight they’ll kick off a month wherein 9 of the next 14 games will be on home ice, starting tonight with the Stars. Who says you can’t ever really come home for the holidays?

Everything Else

And His Hair was Perfect: Blackhawks 5, Coyotes 2

By Fifth Feather 1329 0

It’s funny that in previous years when the Blackhawks went out west during the Circus trip and we talked about the Hawks leaving a trail of scorched Earth in their path. Yet after the most successful Circus trip in franchise history, this just doesn’t hold the same gravitas or excitement as those previous trips. Maybe it’s because we all know what waits at the end of the rainbow is the real treasure. Or maybe its because the Hawks are such efficient killers now that the beatings aren’t nearly as sexy as they once were.

Either way, the trip ends with Hawks winning 6 of 7 and actually increasing their lead in the ever-competitive Central Division.

Everything Else

Cover It With Gas And Set It On Fire – Hawks at Flames Preview, Pregame Thread, Costco Trip

By Matt McClure 1319 0

AltLogo at The Flame

Game Time: 9:00PM Central
TV/Radio: WGN Ch. 9, TSN, WGN-AM 720
The Rotten Head of Harvey Hound: Flames Nation, Matchsticks and Gasoline

The dreaded Circus Trip now rounds the turn and begins what will be the final stretch of 7 games away from West Madison, now heading ironically southbound to Calgary. When these two teams last faced off, the Flames walked away from the United Center with their first win in 10 tries. But things have remained predictably bad for Alberta’s other basement dweller.

Everything Else

On Deadly Ground – Hawks at Oilers Preview, Pregame Thread, Image Retouching

By Matt McClure 1214 0

AltLogo at team_photo3421

Game Time: 8:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Keystone XL Pipeline: Copper & Blue

Tonight in the northern most professional sporting arena on the continent, the Hawks will reach the median point of their annual Circus Trip, having taken four of a possible six points so far. Naturally, they’ll catch the hosting Oilers in the midst of their most competent stretch of the year to this point, as if this team didn’t already give the Hawks issues.

Everything Else

New Gold Standard – Blues vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Bloodletting

By Matt McClure 1199 0

bluestrumpet_jersey vs oldschool

Game Time: 7:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM
Baseball’s Greatest Fans: St. Louis GameTime

For the second time in just over a week, the Hawks and Blues will square off in what many are already billing as the preeminent rivalry of the new iteration of the Central Division, and last week’s game down in the Meth Capital of the Midwest certainly didn’t disappoint, with the Hawks coming out on the short end of things in the last minute. Since then, Joel Quenneville has remarked that he still has a bad taste in his mouth about the end of the game, and tonight his squad will have an opportunity to correct that on home ice.

Everything Else

Strikeouts Are Fascist, Ground Balls Are Democratic: Hawks at Canes Preview/Pregame Thread/Fancy Book Learnin'

By 1163 0

Hawk Wrestler vs. Hurricane Carter

FACEOFF: 6pm Central
TV/RADIO: CSN, WGN 720am
MUD WITH THE CAPTAIN: Canes Country

The Hawks continue their tour through the Eastern Conference (with only brief stops to play the Blues, apparently), but this time take it on the road and head down to Tobacco Road where the residents are killing time before Coach K yells at children.

It’s been an uneven start for the Caniacs, as they’ve filled out the dance card equally at 2-2-2. Their most recent effort saw them get fairly well clocked at home by the Coyotes, which is not something they hand out merit badges for.

Everything Else

Strikeouts Are Fascist, Ground Balls Are Democratic: Hawks at Canes Preview/Pregame Thread/Fancy Book Learnin’

By Sam Fels 1138 0

Hawk Wrestler vs. Hurricane Carter

FACEOFF: 6pm Central
TV/RADIO: CSN, WGN 720am
MUD WITH THE CAPTAIN: Canes Country

The Hawks continue their tour through the Eastern Conference (with only brief stops to play the Blues, apparently), but this time take it on the road and head down to Tobacco Road where the residents are killing time before Coach K yells at children.

It’s been an uneven start for the Caniacs, as they’ve filled out the dance card equally at 2-2-2. Their most recent effort saw them get fairly well clocked at home by the Coyotes, which is not something they hand out merit badges for.