Hawks Hockey Hoiden

All morning, the local hockeyverse has been batting around this little gem, “Hockey etiquette for the new Blackhawks fan” from Jay Zawaski of AM 670’s “The Score.”  Apparently folks think it’s quite clever, so I thought I’d add my two cents.  While some of the recommendations for fans at the United Center are good ones, like #1’s “Wait for a whistle,” others are a bit elitist.  Perhaps Mr. Zawaski could remember that not everyone has been raised on hockey since they were a fetus; some of us need a little help.  (more…)

Wow, I take back everything I said about Colin Fraser not being a good choice for enforcer.  Fraser made it quite obvious in two scraps that he is more than equipped to be team agitator in tonight’s Hawks/Avalanche match-up (which resulted in a 3-2 Blackhawks win in OT, of course).  I renew my irritation, however, at the overpenalizing of fighting.  A 5-minute major penalty for a little roughing that doesn’t even draw blood is excessive. (more…)

In today’s blog post, Don Ehrenhaft of HockeyInsight.com takes a stab at the critics of the Blackhawks’ goal-tending — whether Huet or Niemi — arguing that they should get some perspective.  He admonishes:

It is always easy to point out a weak goal and base judgment on that particular event, but I would like to compare the Chicago goalies to the other so-called stars this season…

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Last night’s game?  Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it.  All I have to say is what the hell happened to our power-play unit???

Sports Illustrated may not spend as much space talking about hockey players as NBA, NFL, and MLB players, but when they do cover hockey, it’s usually spot on.  The October 26, 2009, issue features the article “Captain Serious” which takes an objective look (for once) at Jonathan Toews.  Seems Toews is either ignored by the media, or put in some ridiculous promo not befitting his staid personality.  Even if Toews hasn’t morphed into the media darling that Patrick Kane seems to be, he is so reliable you could set your watch to his performance; that alone is worth 100 Kaners. (more…)

Karma (or whatever you want to call it) can be a tricky thing.  Look at the Curse of the Bambino.  It would be 86 years (1918-2004) until the Red Sox won another World Series, supposedly thanks to the sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees.  Similarly, look at the Curse of the Billygoat.  The Cubs haven’t been to the World Series since 1945 allegedly thanks to Billy Sianis’ smelly goat (and it ain’t lookin’ like they’ll be returning any time soon).  Could it be that the misfortune-plagued Blackhawks have also cursed themselves for the goings on in the off season?  (more…)