Three is a magic number

The Blackhawks returned to the UC and kept the winning streak going beating the TJ Oshie-less St. Louis Blues 7-5.

With a 5-1 lead at one point, the Hawks dominated, let up and then had to hold on as the Blues tried to fight their way back into the game.

With Marian Hossa out the Blackhawks once again called up Jeremy Morin from Rockford. Morin was impressive in his 11:38 TOI. He earned his first ever NHL point, an assist, on a crazy bounce off the boards that ended up perfectly placed in front of Troy Brouwer for a tap in on an empty net as Conklin was out waiting for the puck behind the night. He also got into a fight with Chris Porter which resulted in him needing 4 stitches. He ended the night as a +2, one of just 5 plus Blackhawks players. Link to Morin's post game interview here.

(picture from the Blackhawks' Facebook page)

I'm curious as to what is going to happen with Morin. He has 10 games until his contract kicks in and has played 3 games already. I wonder if the Blackhawks will let that happen. Given the way Morin played tonight, if he can continues to play that way it'd be a mystery if he's sent back to Rockford.

Personally, I think Morin should stay up with the big club. He was out there making things happen and bringing energy which the Blackhawks definitely need on a consistent basis.


Jonathan Toews & Patrick Kane both had a solid nights as well. Both putting up 3 points of the 2 goal and 1 assist variety with both Toews' goals coming on the power play.

Tomas Kopecky, who hasn't been the most popular Hawk with fans put up a solid night with 1 goal, 3 assists and a plus 3 in 16:51 TOI. Impressive considering he's not playing sidekick to Hossa.

Patrick Sharp, however just keeps chugging away on his All-Star game ballot spurned, handsome scoring train. He had a goal and assist tonight and has now scored a goal in 5 straight games. With 16 goals in 26 games he ranks 4th in the league and is ranked 6th in the league in points with 29.


Sometimes you just can't win: Nick Boynton isn't having such a great week.
He was involved in an accident during Blackhawks practice Monday in which he collided with Marian Hossa. The collision resulted in Hossa landing on IR for 2-3 weeks with a lower body injury.

Then as a result of his play tonight he ended up with his own hashtag, #BlameBoynton. Yikes.

And because a certain some requested it a picture of Jack Skille.

Hope Crash lights the lamp against the Canucks Friday! (picture again from the Blackhawks' Facebook page)

I'm going to apologize in advance if blog posts seem sporadic, it's getting to the always busy end of the semester and school is my number one priority.

Here's to making it four on Friday! Plus a win is always better over the Canucks ;)

Not for the faint of heart

Been disconnected for a few days & missed a few Hawks games spending Thanksgiving with family. But I'm back now!

Blackhawks finished the Circus Trip on a good note with a 2-1 win over the LA Kings.

Let me just say, this has been one of the most solid efforts that I've seen from the Hawks all year. There were no huge defensive break downs or giving up of goals within 30 seconds after scoring.

Patrick Sharp finished a 2 on 1 play on a pass from Patrick Kane for the first goal (Patrick power!). And Kaner had the other goal deflect in off his torso or glove, I'm not entirely sure, for the 2nd goal.

Corey Crawford played absolutely solid in net making some HUGE saves at key times. His only goal against was on a 5 on 3 kill. During which Cullimore picked up his first penalty of the season. (Shocking right?)

As far as a goaltending controversy, Crawford did end up getting 3 of the 4 wins on the Circus Trip. Really, I don't like these controversies but I do have to say, go with the hot hand and right now Crawford has it.

Other highlights? Viktor Stalberg was getting roughed up by the Kings and then finally took exception a questionably timed hit by the captain, Dustin Brown.

Who stood up for his teammate? None other than the Hawks captain himself, Jonathan Toews. He ended up receiving a double minor for roughing out of the fray. I personally was thinking WHAT ARE YOU DOING YOU CAN'T FIGHT TAZER but it's nice to see the boys stick up for one another.. while Patrick Kane stood watching it all go down. But we all know it's better that way.

And the moment you've all been waiting for, John Scott's fight with victim Kevin Westgarth. (If you don't like blood don't watch)

Scott describes his fighting style: "I have long arms, kind of like a monkey-armed baboon swinging away." (source)



Poor choice Westgarth. As Pat Foley said he was thunderstruck!

This game really reminded me of the Blackhawks of before, a good 60 minutes, one in which I was stressed to watch but we pulled it out. I hope these Blackhawks stick around. The one thing I really want to see from this team is consistency.

Overall, a 4-2 record on the Circus Trip is something I will take especially when it ends on a 2 game winning streak. (That is music to my ears) Let's hope it keeps going as the Hawks return to the UC. Every win is definitely needed with the Hawks leading the NHL in games played. All the Hawks can control is how many points they pick up.


Keep an eye out later this week for recaps of what's been going on with the WHL & my experience at the game in Portland plus thoughts on the Circus Trip, after I make it back to school. (Wish me luck having to go over a mountain pass & having to deal with snow)

Reunited and it feels SO good!

Well, after the horrors in the Saddledome by getting it handed to them 7-2 by Calgary & single handedly doubling Jerome Iginla's season total of goals, the Blackhawks bounced back a major way.

In their first return to the now renamed Rogers Arena (meh, I'm still calling it GM Place that's what I grew up with) since knocking out the Canucks from the playoffs, the Blackhawks made sure the Canucks remembered what a good time it is when they play each other.

The Blackhawks put up 7 goals after giving up 7 just the night before. Jonathan Toews, Troy Brouwer (with his parents in attendance), Brent Seabrook (with a blast), Patrick Sharp, Fernando(oooooo)Pisani twice & Patrick Kane all scored. Niklas Hjalmarsson also recorded his first point of the year.

After giving up 4 goals, Roberto Luongo was pulled in favor of Cory Schneider. Seems like Luongo has a bit of an issue with playing the Hawks.

While down at the other end Corey Crawford played solid only giving up one goal after the game was well in hand in the 3rd. Goaltending has been the most solid aspect of the Hawks so far.

Did the Hawks run up the score? Who knows. But it's not like that I expect if the Canucks (or any other team for that matter) are up big on the Hawks to just stop going for it. Plus, the Hawks don't have another game until Wednesday in San Jose.

From Vancouver, the Hawks are headed to Vegas. I'm fine with it as long there are no incidents along the lines of what Brett Sutter did and there's a solid game played in San Jose.

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Rivalry weekend: Keeping up with the rivalry theme there were two rival match ups in the US Division.

The Chiefs traveled to play the Americans and lost 8-3. Revenge is sweet for the Ams as the last time the Chiefs and Ams played, the Chiefs pitched a 5-0 shut out. Tyler Johnson tallied for the Chiefs and was a -3. Brenden Kichton & Jared Cowen joined Johnson with a -3 rating. As expected Darren Kramer fought an Am, this time taking on David Conrad and there were numerous roughing penalties.

James Reid gave up 5 goals on 18 shots before being pulled in favor of Mac Engel who gave up 3 goals of his own on 9 shots.

The Tips traveled down to play Seattle in the I-5 rivalry and pulled out a 3-1 win. Tyler Maxwell scored twice and added an assist, while Josh Winquist had a goal and assist of his own. Maxwell, Winquist & Kellan Tochkin, who had two assists, all had +3 ratings.

Hawks prospect Kent Simpson stopped 29 of 31 for the win.

Meanwhile the Portland Winterhawks are just chugging along as arguably the best team in the WHL & CHL winning 14 of their last 15 by beating the Kamloops Blazers 6-4. The Winterhawks did have a 10 game win streak going before losing to the Saskatoon Blades but now have a new win streak going on at 4.

Toews & Turco for the win.

Jonathan Toews, he's undeniable. (sung to the tune of California Gurls)

By himself the game would have been Jonathan Toews 3 - Edmonton Oilers 0. But with a Sharpy SHAWTY! and a blast from Bickell the Blackhawks beat the Oilers 5-0.

Marty Turco with his first ever shutout as a Blackhawk. And boy has he ever deserved one.

Thankfully Captain Serious led the charge of the "We're Sorry Turco" campaign.

This was the type of game I had missed from the Blackhawks. A dominating win.

The first Toews goal was the type of goals that I thought the Blackhawks need, a dirty, hard working goal. The 2nd goal was a lucky one, but it doesn't matter how you get it, it just matters how many and Toews wasn't satisfied with 2 though so he went out and got a 3rd to complete the natural hattie.

After Dowell rang one off the post, Sharpy made sure and got a shawty (always shawty never shorty guys).

Add the cherry on top of the Bickell goal and you've got yourself a Blackhawks win sundae.

That was the right way to kick off the Circus trip. Next up the Calgary Flames & Patrick Kane's 22nd birthday on Friday. I think there's only one way for PK to properly celebrate his birthday but I'm not going to say it.. Let's just say I think him and J.Toews need to match up.

Here are the Hawks, the Mighty Blackhawks. Have I ever missed you guys.

Let me show you just how much you missed me

Everybody still with me? You are? Good, I was a little concerned.

What a game. Seriously a roller coaster. But thank goodness a win 5-4 shootout win.
Wins make it worth it.

• Well, we seemed to have found Patrick Kane & Jonathan Toews. Thank goodness for that.
  
• Kaner with 3 points (2 goals & 1 assist)
  
• Tazer with his first ever 4 point night in the regular season (2 goals & 2 assists) plus a sick shootout move that knocked Pavelec's water bottle off the top of the net.
• Turco, I love you but man you're testing my sanity with leaving the net & going halfway up the ice.
• Jeremy Morin is a trooper. Took a shot block to the back of the knee & tried to play through it but couldn't. Points for trying. Hope he's not hurt too bad.
  
• The power play is looking solid, but in the hell has happened to the penalty kill?
  
• Viktor Stalberg with some beautiful moves to score the shootout winner & Turco held down the fort with some nice saves.
• Marian Hossa is coming back tomorrow for the game against the Oilers! (source)
• Everybody watch out, if Jack Skille scores. The world/Twitter might explode. I wait for the day this happens.
  
• Saying hat trick before it happens, it like saying shutout before it happens. Just saying.
• Man, do I miss the former Hawks but it's nice to get the win over them. Broke my heart with that shootout goal Ladd did.

This about sums it up, Jonathan Toews on getting the title belt, "I forgot what it feels like. It feels pretty good, though."

Here's to 2 points & 2 more tomorrow! Rest up & prepare yourselves.