Just give me something to punch

2 times we've played the Oilers & 2 times we've lost. I didn't see the first one but this second loss was awful.

14 seconds. That was all it took for the Blackhawks to throw away a one goal lead after deciding to play "How many 3rd period penalties can we take before they score?" game with the Oilers.

After monster games from Kane & Toews in Atlanta, only Fernando Pisani was able to put one past former Hawk, Nikolai Khabibulin. The Bulin Wall did play exceptionally, which didn't help an already frustrating game from the Hawks.

Honestly, I'm about ready to bag skate the ENTIRE team, Miracle style. But really it's just my frustration.

The lone bright spot was John Scott (who broke 3 sticks) finally showing us his fists & handing it to Zach Stortini.

Blah, blah, blah, we've played the most games in the league, we've had players hurt, etc.

I don't care. I really don't.

The Blackhawks are under .500 & the Central Division this year is good, like losing these points to teams we should win is going to leave the Hawks on the outside looking in at the end of the day.

Yeah the Hawks topped the Thrashers but it was in a shootout, which really isn't good enough.

What concerns me most? This is not a goaltending issue, you really can't put this on Turco or Crawford for how they've played. They've given the team a chance almost every night.

It's the team as a whole. The cohesive unit we became so accustomed to seeing last season is no longer here. This team doesn't have that spark that was there. There's no team identity. Yet.

But, I refuse to think that a team with Jonathan Toews leading them is going to continue to play like this.

Marian Hossa nails it by saying, “As a championship team we have to respond better.”
(source)

Now, that I've had a good vent. It's time to regroup & get it together for Phoenix on Wednesday.

17 games out of 82. We've got a long way to go.

It's easy to forget how the highs & lows of the regular season can be after such a high of a post-season but it's all part of the ride.

And 82 games is a long and bumpy ride. See you all Wednesday.