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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Khabibulin Looked MISERABLE

It didn't start out that way. He started out making really nice saves in the first period. Then with 59 seconds to go (again, a last minute goal given up by the Hawks), Khabibulin gave up his first goal. Then in the second period, he was beaten like a rented mule and gave up 3 goals which gave Ottawa the lead 4-2 with 8:46 to go in the 2nd period. Crawford came in and was splendid. He gave up one goal  and boasted a Sv% of .933 (as opposed to Khabi's .818)

The 40 year old looked every bit his age. In fact, he hasn't really looked splendid this season. You could see the entire outlook change on the bench as soon as Crow took over. The fans were cheering as soon as Crawford replaced Khabibulin. The Hawks simply don't have any confidence in Khabibulin and you could see it in Coach Q's short comments: "We gotta be better".

This could mean the beginning of the end for the Bulin Wall. The Wall's been down for many years. Same with Khabibulin's goaltending abilities. Meanwhile in Rockford, Antti Raanta has been tearing it up lately. Raanta could be up sooner than next year if the Hawks goaltending woes continue.

Welcome back to Chicago Khabi.....Now get out!

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Blackhawks- IceHogs Carousel

The Hawks success this year is to carousel their talent from their AHL affiliate the Rockford Icehogs.
With the re-introduction of an 82 game schedule + Olympics + Playoff schedule, their is a possibility of 115-120 games played.

1) Joakim Nordstrom : He played 8 games and his main reasoning for making the team was to keep the PK at the top.....well, folks they sit 30/30...didn't work.

2) Jimmy Hayes: His 3rd and 4th line status is still there, but the Hawks were seriously lacking scoring, and Jimmy wasn't consistent enough and didn't bring any scoring. So, down he went.

3) Ben Smith: Has played 6 games and has been a healthy scratch for half of the season already. Doesn't look too good for Benny right now. Especially since Brad Mills has been brought up and he's been a healthy scratch the past 3 games.

4) Brandon Pirri: He's been up 7 games and has 5 points already (2G,5A). He is getting his chance to play 2nd line center and is succeeding.....I told you he would do well!!!!!

5) Jeremy Morin: He is playing his 3rd game this season, and is playing well. Hasn't scored yet, but he has played hard. He needs to find that net soon, or it will give the Hawks a a reason to send him back down.

6) Brad Mills: What? Why?.....He's supposed to be a PK guy. He is a big guy. But, the past 2 games he hasn't impressed me one bit. I think he gets 8-9 games max then back he'll go.

7) Michael Kostka: Right now he's on the IR. He was a healthy scratch much of the season. When he's seen ice time, he's actually done well.

Who is next on this carrousel?

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hawks Looked Completely Out Of Sorts Wild Win 5-3

From the very get-go, the Hawks looked bad. Passes were bad, heads weren't up, It appears whenever the Hawks  have their annual Mother-Sons or Father-Sons trip, they tend to fall apart. What are they doing on these trips? Having a great time?.......ANSWER? Yes.  For it takes them a few days, and sometimes a week to get their heads back to normal. The only players that looked focused were Niklas Hjalmarsson and Rookie Jeremy Morin.  The stars were ...let me see if I can use a good word for their game....hmmm....how about?......pthththththththththth. That is the best word I could come up with.

Let's hope their heads are back in the rematch against the Wild in their home and home series for tonight this game was PAINFUL to watch.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Jeremy Morin FINALLY Get's His Chance

I was browsing today on the Icehogs website, and low-and-behold...what do you think I found?


BLACKHAWKS RECALL MORIN AND AGREE TO TERMS WITH MILLS

Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Jeremy Morin and signed Brad Mills to an NHL contract and recalled him to the NHL club.

Read More

BLACKHAWKS RECALL MORIN AND AGREE TO TERMS WITH MILLS

Chicago, Ill.-The Chicago Blackhawks have recalled Jeremy Morin and signed Brad Mills to an NHL contract and recalled him to the NHL club.

Read More



    Now,...Imagine how happy I was. I have been preaching that Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri deserved to make the squad over others that made the team. After the Blackhawks gave me a call and apologized for their lack of insight, then they brought up Pirri and and Morin.......Okay,....part of that last statement was false. I may have stretched the truth a little bit....But, nevertheless, I'm STOKED!!!!

    Now I can bother Tracey Meyers all year long because she will get to see the error words. (actually,...her words pissed me off a bit, to tell you the truth). Her,....'No big loss...IMO' tweet has already started to spread around (thanks to me), and those catching on to the J-Mo and B.P. spirit, are now joining in on the "Shut the fuck up Tracey" bandwagon. Okay....maybe I don't want Tracey to STFU...but, I would love it if she realized that she was EXTREMELY wrong in her assessment of both Morin and Pirri.

    IMO......,(This one is mine, not Tracey's....hehehehehe), I believe J-Mo and B.P. to be the face of the Hawks for a long time. I believe if the Hawks don't screw this up, that those two will become future All-Stars in this league......What date is it? Oh,..yeah,...be rest assured I will point out this date and time and article when they become stars.

    So,....Now, I am going to go take a nap,....and I'll sleep like a baby. Awe......happy days are here.
    So happy to be a Blackhawks fan...........Night, night.




    Sunday, October 20, 2013

    The Joakim Nordstrom Project Is FInished...For Now (More about BP and J-Mo...Why Not?!!!)

    I've been begging God ,......"God please send Joakim Nordstrom back down to Rockford,...and please bring back Jeremy Morin. Thank you,...in case I don't get to thank you later."

    Well, half of my prayers are answered. Firstly,...Joakim Nordstrom has been sent down. The other prayer hasn't been answered yet,...but we shall see.

    I didn't let you guys know that I also asked that Brandon Pirri be brought up to the Hawks.

    IF THIS HAPPENS,...then all is right in the world.

    Surprisingly, let me just inform you how LITTLE some of our Blackhawks reporters know. Tracey Meyers answered a tweet of mine last week, when I asked if she was informed or even heard about disgruntled Pirri and J-Mo.....Her response:

    1. Hearing BOTH Pirri and Morin want OUT. Any follow up news?



    So to let her know how I felt about her Brandon Pirri comments...when Brandon Pirri came back up and in 2 games has 2 goals (1 of which is a PP) and 1 A.... I had to rub it in........as gently as I could. (Hence my follow up sentence).


    by the end of the year, I'll make you EAT those words. GO B-Pirri. (I'm sure you won't mind)

    ..........NO Re-tweet.....no surprise at all. Although, Tracey did ask Brandon about whether there was disgruntled players being sent down to Rockford. (Glad I could help, Tracey).



    NOW,....let's look at the reality...The kids from Rockford who I said would be studs......ARE!!!! Here's the start of the season's stats. Just take a gander who the top 2 names are? Hmmmm,..........TIME TO BRING J-MO BACK!!!!



    NamePosGPGAPTS+/-PIMPPGSHGPt/GPIMPGSOG
    2Adam ClendeningD6268+26101.331.0010
    19Jeremy MorinLW6347+17101.171.1729
    *14Drew LeBlancRW6235-30000.830.007
    *25Alex BroadhurstC6145+20000.830.005
    *28Mark McNeillC6224+22000.670.3311
    16Brad MillsC622406100.671.0011
    37Terry BroadhurstLW5134+20000.800.0014
    *18Phillip DanaultC6134+34000.670.677



































    Saturday, October 19, 2013

    This Season Isn't Any Different....Really!

    As the Hawks again try to recapture the Stanley Cup, they have small goals they look to accomplish.
    First of all as the bandwagoners flee over to Colorado and St. Louis and scream about how the Hawks aren't at the top of their division after only 6-7 games, let us look at what has to be accomplished before worrying about their 2014 cup run.

    1) Their team has to gel : I know there are only a few members of this team that aren't from last years team. Pirri, Smith, Kostka, J.Hayes (now back in Rockford), Nordstrom and even Khabibulin. However, that is still enough guys to throw off the balance.

    2) No cup hangover, but need to build that momentum:  You don't start out the season 4-1-2 if their is a cup hangover. However, they need to figure out as a unit how to work cohesively as a team. Their defense has actually been quite good (even with that last 21 second loss...a mortal slip up against their first matchup game in St. Louis).

    3. Line 'tinkering': Q is at it again. Rightfully so. The Hawks are not even averaging 3 goals a game. They need to be able to light that lamp a bit more often.

    Todays' 1st line after practice: Saad-Toews-Hossa

    Today's 2nd line after practice: Sharp-Handzus-Kane

    As we see: Saad, Bickell have been in and out of the top 6 forwards quite a bit this season. What works in the post season, doesn't necessarily work in the regular season. Bickell hasn't seemed to gel anywhere yet. I'm sure it's frustrating him for he want's to prove his worth after that hefty new contract he just signed for....or he WILL be held accountable by not only the brass,...but the fans, as well.

    4. Getting their feet wet: Hey,...Bollig, Nordstrom and Pirri just this season scored their first NHL goals.

    5. Keeping the lines rotating for healthy players come post season: THIS is probably the most important of them all. With an expected 115-120 games total this year for much of the team (82 game regular season, 15 games and warm up games: Olympics, ~20-25 playoff games to the cup finals), the Hawks need to constantly switch players in and out of the line-up. This will eventually include their superstars.
    It will have to or they will be 'burnt out'.

    6. It's not only how well you start, but how you progress and maintain: Hawks started out okay, but their is a progression of clarity coming from this team practice by practice, game by game.

    7. Keeping them motivated: There will always be a little 'lag' in their efforts from playoffs to the start of the season, but Q's job is to keep this team fresh and motivated. He's doing that as much as possible and keeping the young guys extremely motivated by flipping them in and out of the lineup and back and forth from Rockford.

    So,...in other words, let's watch the chess match that Q is putting his team through on the way to another cup run.


    Friday, October 18, 2013

    Hawks Look To Clean Up 3rd Period Woes Against St. Louis

    The Blackhawks, believe it or not, haven't played that poorly.....through 2 periods. However, it's that nail biting 3rd period that has cost the Hawks 3 points this year (1 point Tampa Bay, 2 points St. Louis), and allowed other teams to crawl back into the game and even grab a point.

    The Hawks are talking about scoring more,....and to be honest, I'm okay with 3-2 or 2-1 games. The reason I am, is because I realize teams are coming at the Hawks much more aggressively than other teams just because they are the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions. So, the Hawks have to play great defense.

    Corey Crawford has already gotten his GAA down to 2.33 and if he continues this trend, he should hope to get his average down toward 2.00 before the years end, to again put him within the top 5 goaltenders in the league.

    The first part of the year (first 10 games in particular) is to get that mesh, the camaraderie near the level it was last year. With the addition of Kostka, Nordstrom, Smith, and Hayes/Pirri, these guys have to blend in well. Interestingly enough, the one who wasn't even on the preseason radar of making the team: Joakim Nordstrom, is the only one that hasn't been a healthy scratch. He's the one who appears to be blending in the best, with Ben Smith shortly behind.

    After watching Pirri with Smith, it is apparent those two "click" well together. They are bringing their AHL team friendship and chemistry up to the NHL level. This is extremely important for Pirri as he has struggled like crazy to stick on to the roster. He needs any chemistry he can find.

    The players to me that have struggled so far are actually some of our better players. Seabrook came in too deep and allowed that 3-1 break for St. Louis which cost us the game. Hossa has had several turn overs in the Neutral Zone which have turned into direct goals. These players I am not worried about just because of "work ethic" by both those players.

    Hawks will look to continue their defensive ways with their habits turning toward quick center ice feeds for that quick 2-1 or 3-2 allowing great scoring opportunities. In addition, the Hawks will look to clamp down in the 3rd period. This will be important especially against great teams like St. Louis. Expect another tight game tonight.

    Saturday, October 12, 2013

    Great Day For Blackhawks Prospect...Brandon Pirri

    Only a few days after the rumor mills were running rampant on whether Brandon Pirri will even consider signing with the Blackhawks organization after he failed to make the roster out of camp, he finally gets his shot.  (Jimmy Hayes gets sent back down).

    Today, I specifically watched Joakim Nordstrom. He wasn't the first line out on the PK, but he did get his opportunity with Kruger and he did well. He also was moved up during the game to the 3rd line and he also netted his first NHL goal....guess he'll be sticking around for a while. There is an apparent like for this kid by his teammates and NOTHING beats great camaraderie.

    Hawks still have a few things to work on. The biggest one is playing a full 60 minutes. The Hawks were up 2-0 on NY Isles when they gave up 2 goals in the final minute of the period. Grrrrrrr. Frustrating. They must have talked about it, for it was on all their lips in post game interviews. What is also apparent, is that this team is FAR FROM panicking because their record is 2-1-1.  They will work on what needs to be worked on, and this time they'll add one of my Rockford Icehog favorites in the deserving Brandon Pirri.

    Good luck Brandon, I'll definitely be watching your progress.

    Thursday, October 10, 2013

    Hawks Didn't Fight For 1 Point

    Hawks tied 2-2 deep in the Blues zone, turn the puck over with the defensemen too deep in the Blues zone. 3-1 breakaway score. Hawks lose with 21.1 seconds to go. Really?
    Hawks PK sucks giving up 5 goals in 3 games. Hawks PP is 4-11. Something's amiss here.
    The reason the Hawks were so good last year was they fought for every single point they could. Played loose and it cost them. This game was 21 seconds from the Hawks gaining at least 1 point. They didn't fight in the 3rd period against Tampa, and they didn't fight to keep this game. Chemistry isn't there early this season. Talent is there,........but, they better wake up fast. 1-1-1 after 3 games. UNIMPRESSED!!!!

    Morin and Pirri Pissed Off...Have EVERY Right!

    The latest out of Rockford is that Brandon Pirri and Jeremy Morin were pissed off with their re-assignment to the Blackhawks AHL affiliate the Rockford IceHogs. Guess what? They have every right to be pissed off. Morin, Pirri and Stanton were the top three prospects heading into camp. Stanton was going to be sent back down, but got swiped by Vancouver before clearing waivers. Pirri should have made the team and NO way should Joakim Nordstrom have made the roster instead of J-Mo. J-Mo is better on one skate, blindfolded, than Nordstrom. All day, ANY day. Hawks are in a position to lose ALL 3 guys. Pirri and Morin's contract ends this year, and guaranteed they won't re-sign with the Blackhawks. They want their opportunity, and deservedly should have gotten their shot on the roster. As much as J.Hayes and B. Smith deserved their spot,... Morin and Pirri are better than both of those guys, also.

    This would be one of the biggest wastes in prospect talent to lose Pirri and Morin. The Blackhawks MUST bring both of those guys up throughout this year and have them BOTH crack the playoff roster as starters before this year ends or THEY'RE GONE!!!!



    Twitter news:

    Morin and Pirri obviously disappointed with playing in Rockford. Pirri had some interesting comments on his future. Story coming shortly.