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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Funny Chicago Blackhawks Tweets.

You know, every so often, we fans have to pull ourselves away from the scrutiny of wondering how many games it's going to be before the Hawks lose. Or the self induced stress we have wondering who is playing on what line, who hasn't scored in so many games, how well the PP is doing,...or whatever....blah, blah, blah.

Yawn...., and yes, quite stressful. So fans, let us put aside for a day our self deprecation and enjoy some good laughs. Sure, tomorrow.....or shortly thereafter, we can go back to our pessimistic ways and worry ourselves into what is known as a "Chicago heart-attack" (self induced heart attacks by worrying about our favorite Chicago sports franchise. Many Chicagoans feel this stress year long).

Here are some hilarious tweets I have read lately. I hope you find them as hilarious.

1)hockeydrunk Hockey Drunk™
2)prettystoned Saturday:)


3)mmaroasted MMA Roasted

4)proteautype Adam Proteau

5)alexquigley Alex Quigley
(Not funny,...but I liked the tweet. I didn't realize that.)

6)alexquigley Alex Quigley

(wow didn't know that!!!)

7) mattsebek Matt Sebek
 @Cubs Any thought to gutting this year's roster and staffing it solely with Blackhawks players?

8)feuxbettman I Should Be Fired

9)jasunlee Jasun

10)giuliaaa25 Giulia

11)heatherfligger Heather

12)bluenatics St. Bluenatics

and more tweets........just because they were fun to read.


bruce_arthur Bruce Arthur


proteautype Adam Proteau

Sunday, February 24, 2013

First 17 games were great,...now to catch Philly's 35

The Chicago Blackhawks accomplished a goal this past Friday that has never been accomplished in the history of the NHL. They notched at least 1 point in their first 17 games. (14-0-3).

At the end of the game another stat popped up. Continuous point streak. The Hawks currently are at 23 (since this also includes the last 6 games of last year). The record is held by the Philadelphia Flyers at 35. As the Hawks continue to try and find motivation, this is another way for them to continue a streak (thereby breaking their own record with each game) in order to try and reach the unfathomable 35 game point streak. That would be 29 games this hockey season to tie it,...and 30 games with at least one point to own the record outright. WOW! It's hard to say that is impossible until they lose. However, this feat would definitely be strikingly amazing.

So,...as the guy who loves to be a true Chicago fan,...that would make me a bit of a pessimist,.... let's put that dream right there.....AS A DREAM. In the meantime, let's look at what will keep the Hawks ahead of the ever-surging Anaheim Ducks.

1) Strong Penalty Killing: Currently they are tied for 2nd with an 88.7%. (Ottawa also at 88.7% and Boston leads the league with an astounding 94.4%). With strong play from players like Kruger, Shaw, Saad, Hjalmarrson, Oduya, the penalty kill has kept them in so many games this year. It is definitely the #1 reason they are on top.

2) Strong Net minding: Reason this is second, is because without a strong defense or a strong PK, the net minding would not have been as strong.

3) Continually forgetting about the last game and focusing on the game at hand: This has been a team concept, and with this type of camaraderie, the Hawks will continue to be in (almost) every game.

4) Drive for the prize: Understanding the real goal isn't these short term streaks, but the goal is  the Playoffs> positioning> winning each round> winning the cup. They keep that drive alive,.....this could be a magical year. That is why this 35 game point streak could be fun for them. It could give them a little more incentive. Something else to try and attain. Sure, it's more fun for the media and the fans,...especially since they've been asked about it almost every night, I'm sure they are sick of hearing about it,.....however, you know they do talk about it and want to be that best team ever. So,...here's to you boys!!!! Go get 'em!




LAST GAME VS. SHARKS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2013
FINAL 1 - 2
FINAL123T
SHARKS1001
BLACKHAWKS0112
This was the final score of the 17th game of the season therefore giving the Blackhawks the best overall start to a season at 14-0-3 (31 points).



Saturday, February 16, 2013

Blackhawks continue to show what it takes...

Blackhawks win again tonight with a 4-1 victory over the visiting S.J. Sharks. The Hawks boast an 11-0-3 record, (14 games without a regulation loss),....the Record being 16 held by the Anaheim Ducks. However, what seems to be more amazing, is how Coach Q has kept this team humble.

Put the last game behind you, and move on to the next game. I've heard this sentiment by several of the players.

Never being satisfied with their present game. I've heard "areas for improvement" by several of the players when asked where the weaknesses are on this team.

So, what is making the difference this year? Why do the Hawks appear to be heading for cup #2 in the last 4 years?

1) Players came in to camp focused. Many of the players played overseas, and those that didn't were practicing and were physically ready to play right off the bat. I brought up the point that Captain Jonathan Toews had several practices that present and former players attended. The weight lifting and dedication to being ready once the lockout was over appeared to be a top priority for the Hawks.

2) Focusing on SPECIAL TEAMS: The Power Play has vastly improved, and the Penalty Kill has been amazing.  There was definitely a new focus on this part of the game by the new regime.

3) Camaraderie : I have also heard this several times. The team "genuinely" like each other. This is important. No bad blood. People willing to fight for each other. The last 2 years, there was NOT that camaraderie. There were players who were replacements,.....and they acted like it. Simply happy to make the team,...but don't expect much more. (e.g. Fernando Pisani, Brendan Morrison, Sami Lepisto, Jake Dowell, Jack Skille, Nick Boynton, Ryan Johnson, Jordan Hendry, John Scott).........ahh, those were the days I wanted to slit my wrists with boredom.

4) Not being complacent or satisfied. This point can go hand in hand with being focused. However, it was more than being focused. It is the fact that the whole team is there to pick each other up. The Jamal Mayers fight on Raffi Torres picked up the entire team. Jonathan Toews rare fight against Joe Thornton. Duncan Keith, and Andrew Shaw and even Brandon Bollig  following suit. You can come in to camp focused,....but it takes an entire team effort to keep that focus. THIS is how the Hawks differ.

5) Patrick Kane's will to be a TOP forward: This is what the Hawks and the Hawks fans have been hoping for. We have not been disappointed with Patrick's play in the past. We just never put him on the same level as the Stamkos', Malkins', Crosby's, Ovechkin's of the world......until NOW.  He only has ONE game all year (Detroit game) where he didn't register a point. WOW!!!!!  he is on the pace for ~75 point season (in 48 games).

6) Crawford and Emery: both are playing like #1 goaltenders.



GOALIES
#GOALIEGPIGSMINGAAWLOTSOSAGASV%GAPIM
50COREY CRAWFORD10106191.65703126217.935000
30RAY EMERY442442.2140001289.930000









Look at those impressive goaltending stats eh?
Ray is 4-0-0 with a 2.21 GAA and an equally impressive .930 Sv%.
Corey is 7-0-3 (all shoot out losses) with a 1.65 GAA also boasts a Sv% of .935.

7) Coaching : The coaches are balancing rest and practice magnificently. During a strike shortened season where almost every game feels like a playoff game, the coaches have instilled that urgency early.  'You can't win a season in the first month,....but, you can certainly lose it'.


So, this is what it takes......They aren't over cocky or arrogant. They need to continue on this path of forgetting about yesterday and focusing on today. They continue like this and they WILL win the pennant. So, let us sit back and watch each game wondering whether or not this is going to be a special year.