Live From The Five Hole

It's Baaaaaaaaaaack – Live From The Five Hole 2.0 – Episode 1

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Like a mangy dog looking for scraps in the alleyway, we’ve finally come around to recording another one of these things. For some reason there was a bit of a clamor for it, even though it seemed like no one listened to them the first go around. In any event, we’re all back for all of your podcasting delights. Or at least Sam and I are in this episode.

We’re also working on a slightly new format, one that’s a little more guest-intensive, because no one wants to listen to either of us yammer on to each other for an hour straight and not be a paid member of Chicago’s bartending service industry. So this episode will feature:

  • Chris Block of The Third Man In discussing Rockford politics at length.
  • Derek from Fear The Fin on the Sharks’ chances in the West.
  • And Chris Gift of St. Louis Game Time (the publication) gracing Sam with 8 minutes of his attention between innings of a Cardinals spring training game.

We’ll work on getting it back up into iTunes and such, but that requires a bit of vetting and we’ve got to start all over again since we’ve moved down the block. But for now, you can download it here.

 

Everything Else

Introduce Yourself – Sharks vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Flash Flood Warning

By Matt McClure 1532 0

sharkticons vs oldschool

Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: WGN Ch. 9, WGN-AM 720
Pirates of Silicon Valley: Fear The Fin

It’s become somewhat of an annual occurrence over the last 5 or so seasons, where the first meeting of the year between the Blackhawksand Sharks, normally around this time in November, is viewed as a barometer of one another’s success and potential in advancing through the Western Conference. Both have been conference Finalists at least twice in that time, and based on the early returns this season, there’s no reason why it couldn’t happen again for either squad.

Everything Else

History Now, Footnote Later: Sharks 1 – Hawks 2

By Sam Fels 1228 0

So there it is. The Hawks officially have the longest points-streak (or unbeaten streak) to start a season in NHL history. This one isn’t even tainted by the NHL’s new-ish format (mostly), as the Hawks haven’t lost in OT even. Under the old system — y’know, one that made sense — the Hawks would just have three ties to go with their 14 wins.

It’s cool to say now. I guess I’m glad it happened. But in a few months, it’ll either be a nugget that goes along with something we’ll remember much more fondly and distinctly, or it’ll be a marker for what could and probably should have been. It’s a record that is designed to be buried by what comes after it. After all, can you name who has the most wins to start an MLB season? You can’t. It’s the ’82 Braves and ’87 Brewers. And I had to look that up, because neither went on to win anything.

Everything Else

Not You Again – Sharks vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Lenten Supper

By Matt McClure 1496 0

vs
Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHL Network (US), WGN-AM 720
Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers: Fear The Fin, Battle of California

For the third time in seventeen days and the second in a week, the Hawks and Sharks will square off, once again on suspect United Center ice. In this abbreviated season, this will close out the season series with the Teal in relatively brief fashion. And ordinarily one would think that it still isn’t ending nearly soon enough for the Sharks given how the first two games have gone. But tonight they have an opportunity to be the proverbial turd in the punchbowl while still clawing their way back into contention for a division once again no one but Anaheim seems particularly interested in winning.

Everything Else

Cleaned And Gutted: Sharks 1 – Hawks 4

By Sam Fels 1428 0

You know how I get. It’s not the blowouts or the last second wins that get me excited about the long term prospects of this team. Though I do enjoy the exhilaration of those, or the immediate release of jubilation, it’s the games where you exhibit a superiority that portend to what you might do in the future. At least in my eyes it is.

Tonight was one of those nights. Though the Sharks are probably no longer a conference power, they are not a conference also-ran either. And the Hawks simply outclassed them tonight. Out. Classed. It’s a term we haven’t been able to use very much the past two seasons, if at all. But outclassing means that at no point did you think San Jose could get the best of the Hawks with everything being equal. Every time the Hawks threw out a line or unit, it was better than what they faced. And tonight, it was.

Sure, this Sharks team is in a tailspin, but they never looked a threat. And the Hawks coasted. Let’s see why.

Everything Else

Strange Cousins From The West – Sharks vs Hawks Preview, Pregame Thread, Happy Hour

By Matt McClure 1450 0

vs

Game Time: 7:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHL Network (US), WGN-AM720
Del Davis Tree Farm: Fear The Fin, Battle of California

What a difference a week can make. Last Tuesday in this same space, much was made of the Hawks visiting the Sharks and it being a milepost for both teams 10 games into a 48 game campaign. After the Hawks emerged on top on what was a raucous affair, the clubs have very divergent trajectories.

Everything Else

Grinds My Gears

By Matt McClure 1463 0

In the wake of the most controversial aspect of last night’s game, Andrew Desjardin’s hit on Jamal Mayers and Duncan Keith’s subsequent response, I’d like to offer a long form dissenting opinion to Sam’s approval of the actions taken.

Everything Else

We Have A Marker Down: Hawks 5 – Sharks 3

By Sam Fels 1531 0

It’s been a while since it felt like the Hawks were playing a regular season game that was central to the hockey world. Saw a bunch of tweets and columns today from non-Sharks or Hawks affiliated people today. I don’t think anyone would say they were disappointed in the entertainment provided.

There really is no such thing as a “statement game.” It’s fun to think there is, and it feels better when you win one to think there is, but it’s kind of a myth. Who knows how we’ll regard this result in a month or two. But other than getting a win in San Jose for the first time in three seasons, beating your closest competitor, and now guaranteeing the minimum amount of points we all agreed was necessary for a successful road trip, we learned a couple things. Possibly. Though I wonder if any of them will be the overriding theme.

Everything Else

The Family And The Fishing Net – Hawks at Sharks Preview, Pregame Thread, Satellite Uplink

By Matt McClure 1360 0

at

Game Time: 9:30PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, NHL Net (Canada), WGN AM 720
Cage In The Water: Fear The Fin

While ten games into a season might be too soon for a “measuring stick” game in any other year, for this shortened campaign, that’s equal to over 20% of the entire season. Given that circumstance, it’s entirely appropriate for these two teams to use tonight to judge where they’re going for the rest of the year. Tonight features a matchup of the two best teams in the conference, with a grand total of 5 points lost between the two out of a possible combined 36, and a single solitary regulation loss.