TGDT: 4/3 Lightning @ Blackhawks 6:00PM WGN

[LordKOTL]

Agreed, Acco. Part of me doesn't like it that Brou has taken a backseat to Stalberg (who has done nothing to warrant him being place on the 1st line), but on the other hand, he should be hitting everything that moves and chirping much much more.



Bickell is playing way too soft for his size--kinda like Byfuglien without the monster slapshot.



Kopecky, ya know, for his price, I'd like to keep him. He may never be a true top-6, but he's been doing the little things like chirping, going to the dirty areas, and screening the goalie--at least moreso than the other 3rd/4th liners.

 

[R K]

Tim Peel's record with Hawks this season (Not including yesterday's game)*



4 Games

9 Penalties For

9 Penalties Against

5.7 Penalties/Game

2.2 Power Plays/Game

2.2 Penalty Kills/Game

Record: 2-1-1



*Courtesy "The Committed Indian"

Pretty good Jim.



So it's .500. And are those penalties he's called or the ccrew in general...



Last night there was no excuse for not calling Roughing on Seabrook by Downey for a Clean hit. Nor was there no reason they didn't call Johnson getting jacked in the offensive zone. That's not the major reason they lost though.



I also thought Brouwer had a pretty good game last night. He was one of the few I thought did. Hard for him to be productive on the 4th line.

 

[genefoley]

You didn't heat it from me, but Toews is nowhere near 100% healthy.

upper or lower body?

 

[GoBucky]

upper or lower body?

Upper

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Pretty good Jim.



So it's .500. And are those penalties he's called or the ccrew in general...



Last night there was no excuse for not calling Roughing on Seabrook by Downey for a Clean hit. Nor was there no reason they didn't call Johnson getting jacked in the offensive zone. That's not the major reason they lost though.



I also thought Brouwer had a pretty good game last night. He was one of the few I thought did. Hard for him to be productive on the 4th line.

I do have to say. I was at out last night at a comfirmation dinner, so luckly Ton and I snuck out every so often to catch a glimps of it. I did see a penalty go against us, I couldn't tell what period they called it but I remember it was a Lighting 3 on two and someone from our team, again sorry couldn't see who it was got it, but I have never seen a horse call in my life. Our player basically bumped shoulders with the lighting skater that had the puck and was going torwards the net took him off his route then got called. I don't know if anyone can shed light on that play and tell me if it was a lagit call. because from the replay I was like are you fucking kidding me! plus not being able to hear Pat and Eddie, I couldn't tell what was being said.

 

[Larmer83]

plus not being able to hear Pat and Eddie, I couldn't tell what was being said.

Eddie was not doing the call last night. No doubt he was preparing his Versus notes on how Tampa's defense is not strong enough to make a run in the playoffs. Foley was probably too busy trying to **** up the out of town schedule for the Ducks/Stars game.

 

[R K]

Ok I laughed at that. Shoot me.



I don't know their defense played well or our offense sucked. Both maybe? They were missing a couple of guys too. Hawks got no bounces last night, but they didn't create any either. They did how ever hit two posts and then two cross bars in the final 5 minutes of the game. So close, yet so far away.



16th loss at him this year. Twice the amount as last year.

 

[Maiden]

Boys look out of gas. First game I've seen in person in over a month (and a Tbird sighting too; good to see the lad is doing OK). I think Toews is out of gas. Wrong time of the year for that. Made this comment last night to a coach i was with. From last years finalists 8 of 12 forwards weren't dressed:



Eager, Burish, Fraser, Buff, Versteeg, Ladd (new team)

Bolland, Sharp (injured)



Kinda reminds you of 2 or 3 years ago with 19 and 88 being rookies.

 

[genefoley]

5 Reasons the Hawks Are Set For Another Stanley Cup Run

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

5 Reasons the Hawks Are Set For Another Stanley Cup Run

These are all good points but all obvious too. This also is true with many other teams as well. I would like to see this report from other sources rather then our very own chicago media. But its a good lift when you are down, I guess.

 

[genefoley]

These are all good points but all obvious too. This also is true with many other teams as well. I would like to see this report from other sources rather then our very own chicago media. But its a good lift when you are down, I guess.

Yeah I thought it was a good lift which was why I posted it.



And I don't really agree with #'s 1 and 5. I don't see how playing detroit or Vancouver is "winnable". Just because the Hawks are 3-1 against detroit in the regular season with 2 to play(which they could easily lose against them) doesn't mean it's a winnable series in the play offs. And I also don't see this "great coaching" that they speak of. When your head coach costs you as many games as Q has this season, I don't consider that "great".



Uplifting nonetheless.

 

[IceHogsFan]

The espirit de corps seems to be missing as of late. Pucks not bouncing our way, injuries, new players in our system and let's not forget that as much winning the Cup was great for us it also makes us the team with the target on their back. Every team wants to beat us and comes to play accordingly. The fact that we are close to not making the post season is like the smell of blood to other teams.

 

[Ashor-redtribe]

Yeah I thought it was a good lift which was why I posted it.



And I don't really agree with #'s 1 and 5. I don't see how playing detroit or Vancouver is "winnable". Just because the Hawks are 3-1 against detroit in the regular season with 2 to play(which they could easily lose against them) doesn't mean it's a winnable series in the play offs. And I also don't see this "great coaching" that they speak of. When your head coach costs you as many games as Q has this season, I don't consider that "great".



Uplifting nonetheless.

I agree with you on those points as well. I mean regardless on how we play Detriot in the season, Playoffs are a different animal. I said it before, Vancouver scars the shit out me, I don't care what we did to them the past two season. We had depth those two years, this year not soo much. I think we have a better chance against Nashville or the Kings of the sitution they are in. But I'm telling yeah Vancouver looks like no joke this year. They are out for a revenge.

 

[R K]

Boys look out of gas. First game I've seen in person in over a month (and a Tbird sighting too; good to see the lad is doing OK). I think Toews is out of gas. Wrong time of the year for that. Made this comment last night to a coach i was with. From last years finalists 8 of 12 forwards weren't dressed:



Eager, Burish, Fraser, Buff, Versteeg, Ladd (new team)

Bolland, Sharp (injured)



Kinda reminds you of 2 or 3 years ago with 19 and 88 being rookies.

We were talking about that exact same point last night. Scooter is going to have some work ahead of him. He's going to need to find some 3rd and 4th line players with basically more talent than those here now. And hope the ones staying will improve year over year like those on that team did.



Tbird was there? No way! oh and Tommy stop looking at my tits. The GIRL on his right is available!

 

[genefoley]

Yeah as far as Van goes, I wake up one day thinking the Hawks would beat them and the next vice versa. I wouldn't wanna face Nash based. I'd rather face det than nash. Again, the past means nothing when it comes to the playoffs. So, I'm just gonna ride that notion until then.

 

[thanson1990]

The article makes a couple decent points, but I think its more just your typical homer media business. However, I've been thinking about the team the past few days. To me, it seems like the Hawks are a good team, that can be very very very scary good at times. They're a team loaded with great talent, but I don't think the team as constructed now could be called a great team. That being said, I wouldn't trade the cup win last year for success this year. I would argue that Stan still did a very good job of getting out of the cap situation, and got some good talent back. I just think that with another offseason, and a little more cap space to do some tinkering, it wouldn't be a stretch to see another great Hawks team taking the ice as soon as next season.

 

[PatrickShart]

Of course....the optomist here. I think if the Hawks play like they did yesterday - they'll win most series/wont get shut out often. TB blocked a shitload of shots and thats pretty frustrating as a player....but the Hawks pretty much dominated the game - other than the scoreboard.



And before I hear the..."Well, the score/2pts is all that matters" at this point...then isnt the same to be said about the CLB game - the Hawks got the 2pts?



As far as next year goes....I don't think its going to be too much work needed on this roster as some think. Kruger (being here to replace Bolland....and sometimes Sharp)...does look pretty smart as far as a player, and this experience can be huge for him. Frolik...having a full off season....can be a bigger impact player.



I'd love to see them keep Campoli. He's the biggest RFA to keep, IMO....but keping that group coming in next year would be good. The forwards?

Sharp - Toews - Kane

Frolik - Kruger - Hossa

Bickell - Bolland - ????

Stalberg - Dowell - Kopecky



I think Brouwer is playing himself out of CHI. They can look to move him for a pick. I dont see Stalberg making more than his rookie contract of 850K...same with Frolik. Kopecky should be cap friendly to stay in CHI. This team isnt built to be a big, physical team the way some want - DET never was that way and like it or not, thats the mold they want to be in. Puck possession and quick transition. It's going to pay huge dividends not having to make 8-9 moves. Kane and Toews will both even get better (at the ripe age of 23). Sharp be able to play wing with them for 82gms, and just the overall ability to have 1 full season under their belts.



I think RK mentioned their record from JAN on matching last years and alot has to do with chemistry.



A few tweaks more than anything (Bolland's health or what they do with him if he cant go) will be the biggest question mark, IMO.

 

[genefoley]

Great post yet again pmxc.



I think a lot of those blocked shots were just horrible shot selections on the Hawks' part.

 

[PatrickShart]

I think its hard to tell the selection from TV...to what they see on the ice.



There are plenty of head scratchers on why a guy waits (Keith) or misses by a foot (Campbell) from the points...but you really cant see the lanes that they do, so you almost just need to trust what they see/did at the time....as frustrating as it was.



I think TB just did a really good job. I think I heard that including yesterday, they've only given up 6goals in the last 5 games.

 

[genefoley]

Very fair point but I'm talking about more than just point shots from 2 and 51. Not that Kane had a bad game but he likes to take a lot of sharp angle shots coming down the wing with a defender's stick right in front of his release. Bickell did that several times last night too. Keith has been doing it all year from the point. He IS a Norris winner and a professional ice hockey player so it's hard to question someone like that but it seems like literally every single game he takes the takes when there is clearly a forward standing right in front of him. I've only been to a few games this year and he does it live at the games too haha.