Here is to Hoping the Blackhawks Won’t be Singing the BLUES tonight at the UC

Well it has come to be that Jonathan Toews will not play tonight against the St. Louis Blues; he is still not cleared by the Blackhawks medical staff and trainers for contact. He did skate on Friday Morning and again on Saturday and Sunday. Yesterday was an off day for the Blackhawks as they had a team event where they had lunch and were handing out scholarships in Oak Brook for Blackhawk charities. It was announced at this event to the media that Daniel Carcillo was signed for a two year contract at $825K a year. Carcillo said he was one of the happiest men in Chicago because he felt some security knowing that the Blackhawks Organization wanted him to stay and play after he is healed from him ACL surgery. Carcillo said he is sure by summer he will be 100% and ready for the 2012-2013 Season. When asked what he has felt watching his team play as of lately he stated “There were a few times that I have yelled at the TV.” Wonder what he was yelling, he was asked to which he said he did not wish to repeat. His teammate Marion Hossa, said that Carcillo was missed on the ice and in the locker room where his energy was very always welcome.

Getting ready to plan the Blues was something that was being discussed around the tables as lunch was being served. “We are looking forward to playing them; “we are looking forward to bringing our A Game and taking what we have recently learned about ourselves as a team and apply it out there on the ice.” When I asked what they felt that had mostly recently learned they simply stated, “Some Hard duty Team Work.” With Toews out, and the power play not being what they want it to be, it will be a struggle. The playoffs are on their minds already and they are talking about and thinking of ways to make them what they want them to be. “We know there are things we need to focus on, we know there are people out there demanding trades and thinking they know what is best for our team, we have faith in the Blackhawks management and at times we do feel like we our letting our fans down. It is hard on us as a team to see a win being taken away from us, we are re-building from the inside out and working on doing what we can do best which is playing Hockey.”

The St. Louis Blues are first in the Easter Division and in the Western Conference, and the League. That is a lot of firsts. They are usually a good team to play and the rivalry is always there. They play hard and very competitive. The Blues get out on the ice and shoot the puck from the beginning of the game to the final horn, they play rough and they take penalties kills to their advantage. The Blackhawks have to hit the ice and play defensive from the start. There are two types of defensive players, there are offensive defensive players who protect the net but play the puck, and then there are defensive defense players who protect the net and the players. The Blackhawks have more of the offensive defensive player; they play the puck and pass it. There is nothing wrong with that kind of player but when push comes to shove they have to be able to play both types. They have to play in front of the net, giving Emery or Crawford view of the puck and not be afraid to get into the middle of things and get the puck out of their zone. The offensive play is great when they are ahead but the defensive play needs to step up and stop letting the opponent score within the first few plays of the game. In Sunday night’s game against the Los Angeles Kings it was like playing catch up continuously and it was great seeing Emery save some of the hardest hits goals I’ve witnessed in a long time. The shoot out that lasted six rounds was just mind boggling and questions were raised would it be different if Toews was healthy and playing. It may have been but, I think they played with hearts and really were doing everything they could have done to get the Win. A point is a point and it is better than no point at all. For tomorrow night’s game against the Blues I will be sitting with some of the Blackhawk staff and I plan on keeping my ears open so I can report back on their take on the game. I heard a rumor that Toews and some of the injured players may also be in the same area as me. I know these guys as acquaintances, but have never watched a hockey game with them because they are usually playing. It will surely be interesting and a great experience.

GO BLACKHAWKS!!

• Hawkeye Girl

Just in : Toews did not skate again today, has been suffering headaches, being re-valuated and hopes to return to the Ice very soon. Montador was on the ice but will not play still not cleared for contact. No time line given.

Hawks Take Out The Leafs

Well the Toronto Maple Leafs are sure glad to see the 'Leap' month of February go away as they ended it on a losing note once again, falling to the Chicago Black Hawks 5-4.

It is a shame to see what we all thought was going to be a good team in the young Leafs fall from a playoff spot in January and then going 1-8-1 in the last 10 games to drop out of the race for the playoffs and even having the possibility of finishing in 12th or 13th place in their conference..... man does that hurt!

I guess we could say it is a 'growing pain' for a young team or we could blame management or coaching for not directing these young players in the right direction. We even could declare that the management hasn't brought in the right mix of players to be a top 8 place team but all this does is show that we are pointing fingers at each other. And my Head Coach (MY DAD!) always said" be careful of pointing fingers as you point one at someone, you have 4 pointing back at you!" Meaning it is time for the players, coaches and management to stop, look into the mirror and re-exam what they have and maybe admit that they have gone off course and start getting back to the problem on hand!

Well I digress (as sometimes I do).

I was worried about the way this game was going to start off as I watch warm ups. Leafs goalie, Gustavsson skated out from the corner to take his turn in net for some shots and actually tripped over the goal post as he entered the crease. I thought to myself, boy this is going to be a long night...again.

But the game last night looked to be a barn burner as both teams came out flying, hitting and getting scoring chances. The Leafs had talked about their slow starts and they came out with a start that every team wants to have. By the end of the first period the Leafs were up 3-1 with goals coming from Tyler Bozak, Joffery Lupul and Clark MacArthur who had built the 3-1 lead but only to see it slip half way through the 2nd period.

With goals for the Hawks coming in bunches ( Shaw, Kruger, Kane, Hossa) by the end of the second period the Hawks were up 4-3 and looking to close the door on the Leafs with help from Ray Emery who had come into the 1st period taking over from starting goalie Crawford.

The third was a entertaining period as the Leafs out shot the Hawks 17-12 and threw everything at Emery but Ray 'Sugar' Emery stoned the Leafs with save after save.


Marian Hossa picked up his second of the evening at 19:44 of the third to keep the Leafs at bay and with the  Leafs net empty, an extra attacker, the Leafs put one more in from Mike Brown, but as the say a little to late for that.

Game Notes.

Chicago was also on a little skid of their own dropping the last 3 games and not getting production from Kane and Hossa. Thanks for the Leafs coming to the 'Windy City' and looking after that!

Gustavsson had 30 shots and allowed 5 goals and looked shaky at times. Maybe it is time the Leafs look at the Goalie Coach and see where a change can happen there?

Matthew Lombardi was a healthy scratch for the 1st time this year, he is a -13 the teams worst on that category.

Best Hockey Player name right now? BlackHawks Johnny Oduya (O-do-ya)

Leafs stay on the road and are in Montreal for this Sat 3rd taking on the Canadians at 7pm. Should be a entertaining game as it is always between this two clubs.

Until next time,

Se You After the Game,

Coach Nye

Breaking Down Deadline Day

The 2012 NHL trade deadline passed at 3pm eastern, and it was a relatively quiet day. Deals were made on a hockey basis and the usual dumping of salary did not happen. Some interesting moves were made as both Stanley Cup finalists from last year made deals and Nashville was clearly a buyer.

Starting with the Vancouver Canucks, who made the most interesting deal with the Buffalo Sabres. The Canucks sent Cody Hodgson and prospect Alexander Sulzer to Buffalo in exchange for Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani. This deal has the potential to be good for both sides. Hodgson is having a good year with 16 goals and 33 points in 63 games and is the #1 or #2 center the Sabres so desperately need. Hodgson was stuck behind Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler on the depth chart and he is not a checking center. The Canucks received a big winger in Kassian, who was one of Buffalo's top prospects. Kassian plays with an edge and has good hands. With skill and the willingness to be physical, Kassian will mix it up and even drop the gloves once in awhile. Vancouver didn't have a player in their system with those unique attributes.

The Canucks also picked up Sami Pahlsson from Columbus for a prospect and a couple picks. Pahlsson makes sense now that Cody Hodgson has been traded and he is a typical 3rd line checking center. Everyone remembers the job Pahlsson did in the playoffs of 07 for Anaheim, if he can get close to that level for the Canucks, they became the favorite to win the cup.

The Boston Bruins picked up some blue line depth by acquiring Greg Zanon From Minnesota for Steven Kampfer, as well as Mike Mottau and forward Brian Rolston from the Islanders for a couple of minor leaguer's. It never hurts to have blue line depth in the playoffs and GM Peter Chiarelli commented that he wanted 8 NHL caliber defenders going into the playoffs.

The Nashville Predators added a couple of forwards for draft picks. The first trade of the day was acquiring Adrei Kostitsyn from Montreal for a 2nd round pick in 2013. This reunites the 2 Kostitsyn brothers and if Andrei can improve like Sergei did when he left Montreal, he could turn out to be a 30 goal scorer in this league. Paul Gaustad was also picked up from Buffalo for a 1st round pick in this summers draft. The Predators are clearly sending a message to defenceman Ryan Suter and Shea Weber that they are serious about contending and want to resign Suter (UFA) and Weber (RFA) to contract extensions before July 1st.

The only other trade worth mentioning is the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring defenceman Johnny Oduya from Winnipeg for a 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2013. This gives the Hawks a little more depth on their blueline, however their playoff chances lie with the injured Jonathan Toews and when he can return to the line up.

In all 15 trades were completed, the lowest number since the lockout, involving 31 players and 11 draft picks. The fact that Rick Nash is still a Columbus Blue Jacket, and GM Scott Howson threw him under the bus after the deadline passed, will be an interesting saga between now and the NHL entry draft. Scott Howson told the media in a press conference that Rick Nash asked for the Jackets to explore trade options. Howson said he would try to accommodate the request only if he could get cornerstone pieces in return that will help the club win a championship. There rest of the season was already going to be a bit of a distraction in Columbus and now it will be a little worse after Howson's comments.

- Mike Lord

Winnipeg Jets @ The Deadline

The first trade deadline where the Winnipeg Jets 2.0 would participate in. Many Winnipegers had high expectations of the Jets going into the deadline. People wanted a top 6 forward, preferably a number 1 center. Well, the deadline has passed and the Jets did not acquire a single forward today. They made only one move. The Jets traded Defenseman Johnny Oduya to the Chicago Blackhawks for a 2^nd and 3^rd round pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. Many view this as a positive trade for the Winnipeg Jets. Oduya was a free agent after this current season, and was not likely going to resign with the Jets. He was earning $3,500,000 this season and was in the third and final year of a 3 year, $10,500,000 deal which he originally signed with the New Jersey Devils. Johnny Oduya had played 3.5 years with the New Jersey Devils until being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers on February 4^th, 2010 in a deal involving Ilya Kovalchuk going back the other way to the Devils.

Many teams needed a defenseman at the trade deadline, and standards were extremely high. The Nick Grossman trade set the tone for future deals. Grossman was traded from Dallas to Philadelphia for a 2012 2^nd round pick, and a 2013 3^rd round pick; exactly what the Jets got for Johnny Oduya. Many Jets fans view this as a positive trade for the Jets, and may think that the Blackhawks paid to high for the veteran Swedish defenseman. Once I had texted one of my friends about the trade, he was shocked and thought that Oduya was worth a 4^th round draft pick. We got into an argument about this because we completely disagreed on Johnny Oduya’s value. I think that the Oduya for 2^nd and 3^rd round picks is a fair trade for both teams considering the small availability of veteran defenseman that were available at the deadline.

I had met Johnny Oduya at Safeway two days before the October 9^th home opener against the Montreal Canadians. He was waiting in line to pay and I went up to him and said, “Mr. Oduya, I am a huge Jets fan. Can I get a picture with you?” He responded totally shocked and said sure. He definitely did not expect this, because he had just came from playing for the Atlanta Thrashers. No one knew or cared who he was in Atlanta. It was not a hockey state. Putting a NHL team back in Winnipeg is the best thing that has ever happened to this city. The players love it here. So much passion for team. Everyone in Winnipeg always talks about the Jets. Everyone loves the Jets. Johnny Oduya was a fan favourite here in Winnipeg, and everyone surely will miss him. Good luck to you Johnny.

Shortly before the Oduya trade, the Jets picked up Grant Clitsome of waivers from the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is in the first year of a 2 year deal worth $2,500,000. He is a bargain for a price of $1,250,000 per year. In my opinion, good pickup by the Jets to replace Johnny Oduya on the third defense line with Ron Hainsey.

I was a bit disappointed that the Jets didn’t pick up any forwards on deadline day. They need a true number one center. In a couple years, it will be Bryan Little, Alex Burmistrov or Mark Scheifele; but that’s in the future and still 3-5 years away. The asking price for a number one center was high. For the Jets to get a number one centre they would’ve had to give up a 1^st round pick or give up some future assets. I understand that the Jets don’t want to do that and I completely agree with them and that we shouldn’t mortgage the future for short term success.

I am overall happy with the Jets roster after the trade deadline and I think this team could do some damage in the playoffs.

Will Levy

Twitter: NHLManitoba

Bruins and Blackhawks Run into a Wall - Even the best stumble at times

This NHL has been full of surprises this year.  We have seen the Sabres and Habs implode.  We have also watched the Ducks and Capitals go from excellence to mediocrity. Parity is the name of the game in 2011-2012.  Good teams can become bad overnight and the bottom feeders can look like Cup contenders when they want to.

That trend continued recently with the implosion (or semi-implosion) of the Bruins and Blackhawks. Both these teams are built to win and their recent loses have the league humming.

The Bruins fell to the last place Carolina Hurricanes this week and got booed off the ice. This loss to the Penguins has only made issues worse.  

http://boston.sbnation.com/boston-bruins/2012/2/4/2771372/bruins-vs-penguins-pittsburgh-holds-on-for-2-1-win/in/2534673

Expectations are high in Beantown.  The Bruins are expected to repeat and nothing else would be good enough for the fans of the Black and Gold. Between November and January, Boston looked unstoppable.

http://getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2011/12/bruins-should-be-new-spelling-for.html

Chicago's issues are more serious than Boston's.  Their loss to Edmonton this week was epic.  Sam Gagner became the talk of league as he scored 4 and assisted on 4 as the Oilers destroyed the Hawks.

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/sports/nhl/blackhawks/chicago-blackhawks-destroyed-in-edmonton-oilers-reality-check-time-20120203

Chicago has some of the best forwards in the NHL and we should see a turnaround fast enough.

http://getrealhockey.blogspot.com/2011/12/chicago-blackhawks-have-best-forwards.html

We think that Bruins and Hawks fans have nothing serious to worry about.  Any continued weakness for either the Bruins or Hawks will initiate quick actions by the GMs of those teams as the trade deadline approaches.  Both these teams are winners because they have been well managed and good management does not sit on their laurels.

NHL Round Up - Highlighted by the Winter Classic

The big game of the afternoon was of course the 2012 Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.The Flyers played host to the New York Rangers infront of a crowd of almost 47,000. With only 2 points separating the teams at the top of the Atlantic division and a fierce rivalry between them there was more at stake here than people might have thought. This wasn’t just a showcase game, both teams wanted the points and the bragging rights over their rivals.

It was a fast and furious 1^st period without either team getting off the mark. Lundqvist was playing exceptionally well in the Rangers net and it took until 12.26 of the 2^nd period before the Flyers finally got the opening goal of the game.

It was Brayden Schenn’s 1^st NHL goal and what a game to get it in as he picked up a rebound in the crease off a Matt Carle shot and slammed it into the gaping net.

It was quickly 2-0 as Claude Giroux was sent through by Maxime Talbot and he went forehand to backhand to beat Lundqvist high over his blocker shoulder.

The Rangers took only 30 seconds though to get the score back to 2-1 as Mike Rupp snapped a shot from between the circles low past Bobrovsky who was screened by Meszaros. Rupp celebrated with a Jagr style salute which seemed to upset some of the Flyers players on the ice.

Ironically, Jaromir Jagr had seemed to pick up some sort of injury towards the end of the 1st which had limited him to only 7.06 of ice time. Most of that was through the 1^st period as he was seen very little in the 2^nd and not at all in the 3^rd.

It was the 3^rd period where things really hotted up as Mike Rupp got his 2^nd of the game at 2.41. He squeezed a puck stick side on Bobrovsky where there really didn’t seem any room to do so.

Brad Richards gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead at 5.21 of the period as he received the puck at the top of the crease on a smart pass from Dubinsky and buried the puck into the back of the net.

Both teams then continued to create chances but none better than the Flyers chance to level the game with just under 20 seconds left as they were awarded a penalty shot with Ryan McDonagh adjudged to have covered the puck with his hand in the crease. The responsibility fell to Danny Briere but Lundqvist had been outstanding all game and was once again as he saved the shot and denied us all an extra 5 minutes of this wonderful event.

The Rangers came away with the 3-2 win, extending their lead in the Atlantic Division to 4 points whilst making it a 3-0 record against the Flyers this season.

In Vancouver, the Canucks hosted the San Jose Sharks and this game needed a shoot out to decide it. Jannik Hansen gave Vancouver the lead with just under 5 minutes left in the 1^st period. He lead a 3 on 1 break out for the Canucks and although it looked like he had made a mess of it he somehow still managed to slide the puck on net and in off the San Jose defender Dan McGill who was diving in front of the net.

Vancouver edged the 1^st period without creating any clear cut chances despite having 3 powerplay opportunities.

Ben Ferriero levelled the game 94 seconds into the 2^nd period as he swept in the puck right on the doorstep as Bieksa had blocked one shot with his foot and stayed down by the side of the net.

San Jose started to create some momentum after the equaliser and Luongo fended off 6 shots on a Sharks powerplay soon after including a fantastic glove save from Thornton as the forward fired from point blank range.

Patrick Marleau gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead midway through the game. The Sharks pressure paid off as he picked up on a rebound from a Braun shot and back handed it past Luongo.

Thornton had a great chance to make it 3-1 but Luongo pulled off a pad save as the Sharks captain skated behind the Canucks defence and in on the netminder.

Hodgson then had a great chance for the Canucks as Joe Thornton gave the puck away on his own blue line and Hodgson went 1 on 1 with Niemi. The netminder managed to deflect the puck over with his arm as Hodgson tried to go high gloveside.

Vancouver had over a minute 5 on 3 at the start of the 3^rd period as Burns and DeMurs sat for 2 minutes each but despite putting 4 shots on net they couldn’t find an equaliser at that point.

They finally got the equaliser with 8.25 left as Hodgson scored on the Canucks 6^th powerplay of the game. Hamhuis got the puck out of the corner to Hodgson and he fired a one timer lower across Niemi and into the corner. Bieksa picked up the 2^nd assist on the goal to extend his point scoring streak to 16 games.

The game stayed at 2-2 as both Luongo and Niemi fended off everything thrown at them for the remainder of the period. A 5 minute OT period couldn’t separate the teams either and it was decided on penalty shots. 

Burrows went 1^st and missed as Niemi poke checked the puck away as he approached the net and then Luongo saved from Clowe as he tried to go stick side.

Hodgson went to his back hand side but Niemi saved with his blocker then Pavelski was shut out as he tried to go five hole on Luongo.

Kesler went right down the centre on Niemi and had the Sharks netminder backing into his net only to wrist the puck against the inside of the post which left Handzus with the chance to win it for San Jose. He did just that as he deked backhand to forehand and shot the puck past Luongo stick side.

In Ottawa the Senators staged a 3^rd period comeback against the New Jersey Devils to tie up the game 2-2 before taking it 3-2 in Overtime.

The Devils built a 2-0 2^nd period lead as Zubrus forced home a puck after Anderson had made a pad save on a Sykora attempt and then Clarkson tapped in a puck that Zajac had forced in behind the Senators netminder.

Spezza halved the advantaged a minute and a half into the 3^rd period as he found some speed going in on Brodeur to fire the puck past him with ease.

It was Erik Condra who tied the game on a short handed play with just over 6 minutes of the game left as he fired from the wing and the puck somehow found a way through Brodeur.

That left it to Captain Daniel Alfredsson to win it 4 minutes into the overtime period as he fired the puck high stick side from the face off circle and into the net. It was a powerplay goal as Clarkson was serving a 2 minute hooking call and the Senators picked up the extra point.

In Chicago the Blackhawks were looking for some sort of revenge on the Edmonton Oilers after being battered 9-2 in their previous meeting in Edmonton. Things didn’t go to plan though and the Oilers took the 2 points with a 4-3 win.

Chicago had taken a 1^st period lead as Toews beat Dubynk with a soft wrist shot that went straight through the Oilers goalie but 2 powerplay goals at the mid point of the 2^nd saw the Oilers turn the game around. It was a 5 minute major penalty on Daniel Carcillo for boarding that saw the Blackhawks man thrown out and the Oilers get the powerplay chances.

First it was Ryan Smyth who put in the puck after a goal mouth scramble and then Taylor Hall fired in from an acute angle to give the Oilers a lead.

Andrew Brunette levelled the game at 12.39 of the 2^nd as he tipped in a Hjalmarsson shot infront of Dubynk but Andy Sutton scored the Oilers 3^rd before the end of the period as he found himself alone infront of the Blackhawks net to fire past Corey Crawford.

Ben Eager made it 4-2 at 8.17 of the 3^rd as he swept a back handed shot across Crawford and in at the far post. This would prove to be the game winning goal and make some amends for his performance against Minnesota in the previous game.

Jimmy Hayes made it 4-3 with 4 minutes left to give the Oilers a scare towards the end but an equaliser could not be found. However, it was a 1^st NHL goal for Hayes in only his 2^nd game.

It was a low scoring affair between the LA Kings and the Colorado Avalanche as the Avs took a 2-1 win after a shoot out.

LA had taken a 2^nd period lead through a Dustin Brown goal, the forward picking up a pass from behind the net from Kopitar and backhanding through Varlamov in the Avalanche net.

Ryan O’Reilly scored his 10^th of the season to level the game in the 3^rd period as he snapped the puck in off the far post with just over 5 minutes left.

It finished 1-1 after the overtime period and Milan Hejduk was the only one to stick his penalty shot inbetween the pipes and he took the extra point for Colorado.

- Adam Yates

2012 NHL Predictions

Sidney Crosby will not play a game till the 2012-2013 season

That being said the Penguins will still win the Stanley Cup.

Nashville will lose both Shea Weber and Ryan Suter to Free Agency. Reason being Weber feels jilted and Suter shines this year and gets a huge payday. However sense I love seeing hockey flourish in non-traditional markets I hope not.

There will be a new CBA signed, but not right away. I don't see it being as bad as the NFL or the NBA but it won't get done September 15^th.

There will be a major rule change to try and curb concussions. It maybe re-instituting the red line but hopefully it will be shortening the ice surface by 10 feet.

God Forbid without another incident, but with pressure from other governing bodies the NHL will institute hybrid icing.

Donald Fehr will become the most hated man in Hockey, but only because 85 percent of hockey fans don't realize his genius.

Phoenix will move to either Quebec City or Kansas City.

The Florida Panthers will sign a big free agent because attendance will blossom. Proving winning not geography trumps all.

Nick Lidstrom won't hang 'em up and continue to be top-blue liner for the Detroit Red Wings.

Guy Boucher will be the new coach of the Montreal Canadiens.

At least one former American Superstar will attempt a comeback and fail.

God Willing The Chicago Blackhawks change “Chelsea Dagger” as their goal song and “SandStorm" as their powerplay song.

Gary Bettman will have a very special announcement live from the 50 yard line at Michigan Stadium with Rocky Wirtz, Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews, Mike Ilitch, Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk. 2013 Winter Classic live from the Big House

This last prediction is more of a wish...Dear NHLPA, please approve all players using softcap shoulder and elbow pads at ASAP!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

 - Joe DeTolve

An educated Blackhawks fan’s guide to chirping the opposing team.

Let’s be honest if you walked into an arena in the opposing team’s sweater you are going to get harassed. Which for the most part is fine, you deserve it because you decided to put your team ahead of your feelings and in some cases your safety.[1]  In many cases they are educated and have great hockey sense especially if they are wearing the colors of an original six team or in most cases a team from Canada. After an incident I saw last night, I think some people need a refresher on who, what and when its ok to make fun of other fans or teams.

1.       If you are drunk, automatically you sound like you have suffered major head trauma and your argument has not one shred of credibility.

2.       Don’t chirp the defending champion during the regular season, no matter what your opinion is, for at least one year they have the brass ring.

3.       If you are under 25, wearing a green Patrick Kane jersey with a flat billed hat keep your mouth shut. Especially if you are talking to a 60 year old Canadiens fan. They have seen between 10-15 Stanley Cups you have seen 1. They are the second most storied franchise in sports. Your team was almost driven into the ground by an owner reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge. Respect your elders Jerkface!

4.       Never start an argument with “If I was on the ice”

5.       Never start an argument with (our fighter) can kick (Your fighter’s) ass.

6.       Never refer to an opposing player that is out with an injury as a wuss or worse, unless that player has a history of faking.

7.       For Chicago Fans…Don’t yell “Detroit Sucks” when Detroit is not even in the building.

So I hope this guide can be a map for becoming a better fan, there is nothing wrong with going crazy, and making fun of the opposing team. But please at least sound educated when you do it, because if you don’t, it just makes you and your fanbase look ignorant. Also for God Sakes, stop yelling “Shoot!” when your team is on the Powerplay!

Happy Holidays/Joyeuses Fêtes

Joe DeTolve

Goodintheroom

---

[1] Under no circumstance should you engage an opposing fan physically unless they spill your 10 dollar beer or harass your girlfriend/wife

Blackhawks Defender Goes Down - That had to hurt

Well yesterday was quite a bad day for Chicago sports fans on the injury front. First Bears Wide Receiver Johnnie Knox literally gets folded up like an accordion and laid motionless on the Soldier Field turf for 10 minutes. He would be carted off and had to have emergency surgery to stabilized a vertebra, the good news is, he never lost feeling in his extremities and apparently will be able to play football again next year.

Fast forward to about Six O' Clock and BlackHawks D-man Brent Seabrook gets absolutely flattened against the corner boards by Calgary's Rene Bourque. The hit caused Seab's head to go directly into the glass and then he crumpled to the ice and appeared to be briefly knocked out. Seabrook was attempting to play a puck which was rimmed around the end boards. However the puck and Seabrook got tangled up with Referee Stephane Auger.  The 30 year old Bourque was subsequently suspended two games by NHL Discipline Czar Brendan Shanahan.

I am probably the only person in Chicago right now that has no problem with the length of this suspension.  Contrary to the opinion of the NHL, it does in-fact appear to me that Referee Stephane Auger, did in some capacity either slow or change the direction of Seabrook.  It really seems that Bourque foolishly assumed Seabrook's position would be closer to the boards.. It was an incredibly stupid and dangerous hit, however I think it lacked malice.

Per the Blackhawks, PR staff, Brent Seabrook did accompany the team to Pittsburgh for tomorrow's tilt with the Penguins. It appears he is going to play since the Hawks are right back at the United Center the following night. If he wasn't then why make the trip?  Due to the history of Brent Seabrook's injuries, most significantly the blatant head hunting done by James Wisniewski during the 2010 season, one now has to worry, it has been said once a player gets a concussion they are easier to get in the future. For the record this has not been stated he got a concussion following last night's game. But he definitely hit his head pretty darn hard. I certainly hope that is not the case for a guy like Seabrook that in a lot of ways still the most physical player on the Blackhawks. I would hate to think he would have to change his style or be more cautious. It appears that the Blackhawks and Brent Seabrook avoided what could have been a really bad situation.

Nuggets and Tidbits

ñ  Coach Joel Quennville became only the 10^th coach to record 600 wins in the NHL as he did last night with the 4-2 win over the Calgary Flames. Only 844 more wins to reach one of your bosses, Scotty Bowman who hold the record with 1244. Don't worry all you need to do is coach till your 80 and you'll get there!

ñ  Marian Hossa isn’t human right now. BEASTMODE

ñ  Ray Emery improved to 9-1-2 and looks a hell more confident than Corey Crowford...So once again a goaltending controversy in Chicago. Man this is almost as common as Bears Quarterback controversies. However at least the Red Wings never had someone like Brett Favre, then that dude left and then here comes Aaron Rogers.....Lets just say the vibe in the Chi today is Thank God for the Hawks and Bulls.

ñ  Three of the top ten scorers right now are wearing the Indian Head..A trend which will fall off at some point but I still believe Patrick Kane will end up with the most on the team and his very first 100 point season. I smell an Art Ross

Joe DeTolve

Chicago, Illinois

Goodintheroom.blogspot.com