Hawks Hockey Hoiden

Editor’s note: Luckily I taped this game so that I was able to rewind and play the goal in the first period that was at first credited to Kris Versteeg, but which was actually tipped in by Jonathan Toews. Seems Toews was too modest to tell Versteeg that Versteeg had the assist, not the goal.

Going to the United Center is always interesting. Getting there during rush hour (which if you’re not familiar with Chicago is from about 3:30-7:30 p.m. or later in bad weather), especially in weather below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, is a hassle. But once you’re there, it’s like magic. And, it was Patrick Sharp bobblehead night, which placated all the fancicles that streamed into the UC (including yours truly). They were nice bobbleheads too, not the cheap kind. And who doesn’t love bobbleheads? And who doesn’t love taking in a game between Original Six teams? (more…)

Admittedly, between seasons I was a little upset that the Blackhawks let Patrick Lalime go.  After Cristobal Huet’s somewhat lackluster performance at the beginning of this season, I was certain the Blackhawks had made a costly mistake in signing Huet.  (more…)

The Hawks got robbed tonight on that first goal when Avalanche winger Ryan Smyth kicked (i.e. a distinct forward motion with his foot) the puck into the goal. How the War Room in Toronto did not let the no-goal call on the ice stand is beyond me.

And let’s not forget the disaster with Patrick Sharp arriving late for that face-off in the 3rd period (or did it seem like the linesman counted a very quick 5 seconds after he blew the whistle?) which led to the questionable hooking call against Matt Walker.

…The only good thing about games like this one is that they end.

When asked about Patrick Sharp’s missed face-off in the 3rd period, Coach Quenneville told the Daily Herald “You can’t justify that play they made to get the power play…That’s totally unacceptable. It was a homer drop. I haven’t seen that in four years.” A ‘homer drop’ is a drop of the puck that favors the home team, not a bumbling puck drop the likes of which you might expect from Homer Simpson. Still, d’oh!

Adam Burish has just been so impressive on and off the ice this season. Perhaps that’s why he is one of the most blogged about players on this site. People say of his play that he’s too small to be an enforcer. Really? Well, nobody told him! And it’s a good thing too, because nobody else can stick up for his teammates, rally the boys when they’re losing, and get the crowd worked up quite like Bur can. Indeed, in Burish’s recent absence while on IR, it took a handful of the boys to fill his skates as enforcer, which is a tribute to Burish’s dedication to his teammates; his willingness to put team over self. (more…)