KO Murdersaurus

Caught these gems while watching the Hawks/Kings game on my DVR.

A+ plus to you sir!

And for your enjoyment, Scott/Westgarth Round 1. (Caution, if you don't like blood don't watch)



Scott/Westgarth Round 2. You go Kevin Westgarth! Claps for not ending the fight as a blood donor this time.

Blind faith only gets you so far.

I'm pretty sure the only way to classify this game is by calling it a train wreck.

Matt Duchene made sure he and Stastny could do their "Bang" dance post game by potting two goals, one of which was the game winning goal. And as always he looked like a little kid scoring his first ever goal. Who am I to get mad at him for that? Plus he just took advantage of an utterly awful defensive showing by the Blackhawks.

Brent Seabrook had a nightmare of a game, maybe his worst ever, it was definitely the worst I've seen. His turnover at the end of the game directly led to Duchene's goal. Honestly thinking about it at the beginning of the year I felt confident with the Blackhawks retaining their top 4 defensemen would leave them in good position. That hasn't been the case though. I've been more fearful at times of the pairing of Keith & Seabrook than others, which is saying a lot with Cullimore playing. Both Keith & Seabrook ended the night at a -4, team worst.

This is first and foremost NOT a goalie issue. Did the defense play like crap when Turco was in? Yup. Did it get better and then fall apart again with Crawford in net? Yup.

Don't put the utter lack of defense on the goalies. Could Turco could have played better? Of course he could have but Crawford was just as helpless when left out to dry by the defense and took the loss. No goalie can perform well with no defense.

If anything the defense might just feel better with the fact that Crawford will be able to cover their failings better than Turco. But the bottom line is the team's defensive game is what is losing games. Giving up goals seconds after scoring and not being able to clear the zone is on the five guys in front of the goalie.

What does the team need to fix this? Is it a trade? Maybe but something has to give. This might be the Blackhawks of 2010-2011 but 82 games is a long season. Maybe this game will be the wake up call.

In any case there's no way anyone in that locker room is satisfied with the way things have gone and it's clear from their post-game quotes.

"I feel bad for Marty. I think every one of us owes him an apology." - Brian Campbell on Marty Turco (I would have to agree with this statement) (source)

"Devastating, embarrassing, humiliating. I don't know what word you want to use, but it's not a good one." - Jonathan Toews (source)

Here's to a fired up squad wanting revenge on Wednesday or at least a better defensive effort.

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)

Daily Dose of Adorable.

Meet Joey the Junior Reporter!

He asks pressing questions like how much money the tooth fairy gave Duncan Keith & what he did with the money & who the biggest turkey on the Blackhawks is.

Joey displays some of his knowledge about the Blackhawks as well.



"How old are you first off?"
"Five."
"How long have you been a Blackhawks fan?"
"For six years."
"That's incredible."

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"How much did you get from the tooth fairy?"

"Hey Brian, who's the biggest turkey on the team?"

"Who's the biggest turkey on the team?"

"Who wears number 10 for the Blackhawks?"
"You!"

"What number is Corey Crawford?"

"Fifty"

"Wow, that's pretty good. That's impressive."

"Alright, gimme some. Right here."

Stick tap for the GIFs to Subtle Like Seabrook.

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.

Not wasting my breath.

7-2 loss to the Flames. Jerome Iginla with a hat trick.

Awful. Terrible. Shameful. Humiliating. Embarassing. Disgraceful. Etc.

Hope the Blackhawks plan on showing up in Vancouver because if they don't there could be a huge snowball effect with San Jose, Anaheim & LA coming up.

There's no way in hell any Hawk should be showing their face in Las Vegas anytime soon.

If this isn't a wake up call, I don't know what is.

They say it's your birthday.

Happy 22nd birthday to Patrick Kane!

Hopefully he can get the 250th point of his regular season tonight against the Flames. It would make him the 2nd youngest Blackhawk to ever do so behind Denis Savard.

Tonight the Blackhawks keep on rolling with the same lineup as they used in Calgary. Hendry & Scott as the two scratches.
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Not so Super: Team WHL lost 5-2 to Team Russia in the final game of the Subway Super Series. Team WHL lost both games to Team Russia with losing in a shootout Wednesday night in Kamloops and then the 5-2 loss Thursday in Prince George. With the win Team Russia won the series with a record of 4-1-1, the first time this has happened in the 8 years of the event.
Team OHL was the only league of the WHL & QMJHL to win both games against Team Russia. Before this year Team Russia had only won 6 games of 42.

Hawks prospect & Everett Silvertips Kent Simpson played in net for Team WHL on Thursday in the 7-6 shootout loss. Fellow Hawks prospect Byron Froese & Simpson's teammate with the Tips Ryan Murray also played Thursday. The Chiefs Jared Cowen was Team WHL captain on Thursday.

I remember in years past that people had complained that the series was pointless in that the CHL teams were blowing out Team Russia who wouldn't send over their best prospects to play in the series.

Guess you can't complain about it now with Team Russia turning the tables on the CHL teams this year. To be honest I'm a bit upset with Team WHL's less than stellar results but hey what can you do?

Link to the Super Series site if you want to learn more here.
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On a more serious note, rest in peace Pat Burns who passed away after battling cancer at age 58.

He won a Stanley Cup in 2003 with the Devils. Also he won 3 Jack Adams awards the first NHL coach ever to do so.
Here are the links to the NHL & CBC's reports.

Though I really never watched Pat Burns coach, the outpouring of love by the hockey community shows just how much Burns meant to hockey and speaks to the type of person he was.

My heartfelt condolences to the Burns family.

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.

A win, is a win, is a win.

Well, after a disappointing shootout loss to the Predators just the night before the Blackhawks bounced back with a 3-2 OT win over the streaking Anaheim Ducks. It wasn't a feel good fuzzy win but it was just that, a win.

Both goals came on the PP from Patrick Kane (yes you read that right) & Marian Hossa.

However with the Hawks up 2-1 the Ducks Corey Perry, who had both Duck goals tonight, tied it up not even 4 minutes into the 3rd. Every Hawks fan groaned as yet again we lost a one goal lead. Even worse that it was on an awful Duncan Keith turnover.

Every Hawks fan banged their head against a wall when Kopecky took a late game penalty. The Hawks however killed the penalty with a decent rush even led by Hossa with Toews (favorite forward PK pair ever).

And then just as everyone thought the game was going to end in a shootout with 28 seconds left in a flash (of Swedish beauty) Viktor Stalberg was able to tip in Duncan Keith's point shot for the win! Leafs GM Brian Burke was in attendance at the game to see the player he traded away score the OT winner as Versteeg is slumping.

This Toews quote basically sums up how I felt after the end of this game:
"It would be fun to open the game wide open and not have to fight for that one in the third or OT. But we know that’ll come." (source)

With that the Blackhawks leave the UC with a win as they embark on their annual circus trip.

Starting Wednesday the Blackhawks trip starts as they'll take on the Oilers (oh joy!), Flames (on Patrick Kane's 22nd birthday), Canucks, Sharks, Ducks & Kings. (Along with a jaunt to Las Vegas in there)

We all know the shenanigans that happened in Vancouver last year but hey.. if that's what Kaner needs to have a great season like he did last year? Feel free buddy, just as long as the Hawks are stringing together wins.

I'm not going to make any predictions about the Circus trip, cause who knows what'll happen with this team. This trip could define the rest of the season and if anything else, help them bond together.

Hopefully, Duncan Keith's Norris trophy form will be found again as well.. It's been missing for far too long.

Let's have a solid rest of the November Hawks.

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Dub it up: (I'm going to run out of cheesy titles soon)

The Spokane Chiefs went 2 for 2 this weekend by taking down the Tri-City Americans 5-0 in a game that included Cheerstix as a giveaway (read worst giveaway ever). This extends their win streak to 3.
James Reid recorded the shut out stopping all 20 shots he faced. There were 5 different goal scorers including a breakaway beauty by Blake Gal. If he doesn't get signed by an NHL team, I'll be surprised. He scores pretty goals.
The Chiefs now have 3 games in 3 nights next weekend as the take on Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans and Portland Winterhawks all on the road.

The Silvertips lost tonight 3-1 to the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops but managed a 3-2 OT win over the Chilliwack Bruins last night to secure a 2-1 record in their weekend of 3 games in 3 nights.
The Tips travel to Seattle & Tri-Cities for 2 games next weekend.


Hope everyone has a good start to their week, cause ending the weekend with a win ain't so bad no matter what way you get it.

Oh you, got what I need.

It's been over 3 weeks since I've been to a live hockey game. That may not seem a long time to some. I, however made the mistake this season of starting myself out on 4 games and going to games 3 straight weeks.

However like all WHL teams the Chiefs left town for about 2 weeks on a trip to the opposite conference, in this case to western central Canada. This in turn left me with 3 live hockey-less weeks for me.

It's funny that a former friend once said to me that college would make me go to less hockey games than I did in high school.. but that definitely hasn't been the case.

I'm even on pace this year to blow by last year's mark of 10 games over the regular season & playoffs here (with at least 3 while at home) since tonight's game will make 5 in the first 2 months of the WHL season. It doesn't hurt that I've hooked one of my closest friends on hockey & she wants to go to games as much as I do.

As I'm getting older I've been realizing that my passion for hockey keeps growing as well.

I dislike rival teams more.
I've pretty well settled in with my NHL fandom.
I've learned to love and appreciate the WHL hockey I get to see a lot more.
I've realized how much I love a freezing cold rink & the not so subtle hockey stank after the offseason.
And most of all I've found how awesome the people are that love hockey are, thank you Twitter.
I am just so glad that my 12 year old self decided to pick up hockey.

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Today the Blackhawks will take on Central division foe, the Nashville Predators.

The Blackhawks problems have been well voiced by not only the media but Hawks fans on Twitter as well.

Dave Bolland returns to the Hawks line up which once again plays with scrambled lines. With Bolland's return the Hawks have a fully healthy line up.

If this will change the trend of Hawks losses though, remains to be seen.


What the Dub:
The Silvertips broke their losing streak by taking down the Americans 5-2. Former Minnesota Golden Gopher, Josh Birkholz had a hat trick (with an empty net goal). The win pulled the Tips record to .500. Goalie Kent Simpson, a Blackhawks prospect did not play. The Tips have Chilliwack Bruins at home tonight as the middle game of 3 games in 3 nights before heading to play the Blazers on Sunday.

The Chiefs however kept the Tips in the basement of the US Division by winning 4-3 over the Oil Kings. Local boy Tyler Johnson potted 2 goals, including an unassisted shorty. They take on their rivals the Americans tonight.

The Wheat Kings beat the Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Scott Glennie (1G, 1A), Shane Wiebe (2G) & David Toews (2A) all had 2 points.

The WHL powerhouse Portland Winterhawks, 10 game win streak came to a close last night with a 4-3 loss to Saskatoon. A game at which Shannon Tweed & Gene Simmonds were in attendance for & Simmons even donned some goalie pads! (scroll down for photos)

If your curious as to why they were in Saskatoon here's an article to explain.

Shannon Tweed drops the puck at the Winterhawks/Blades game.

Gene Simmons suited up in goal again PBR Bull Rider, Aaron Roy.

Close up of Gene Simmons & his mask.

All photos via @TheWHL's twitter.

Well, that's all folks! I won't be able to watch the Blackhawks/Predators game so feel free to leave your thoughts in a comment or just to say hi because I'm starting to feel like I'm just talking to myself here..

Said hey, what's going on?

So there's a Blackhawks game tonight, the infamous Paul BizNasty & the Coyotes are in town. The Coyotes currently sit at 14th in the Western Conference while the Blackhawks sit in 6th. (Does that surprise anyone else..?)
However the Blackhawks have played 17 games which is at least 2 more games than any other NHL team.

According to multiple sources on Twitter, Seabrook and Keith are going to be split up (but we'll see how long that lasts..) and Patrick Kane will be trying out the left wing on a line with Kopecky and Hossa.
I'm not really digging any of these changes since Seabrook and Keith playing with anyone but each other seems odd to me and to a lesser extent Kane and Toews.
I was a big fan of the Stalberg-Toews-Kane line but we all know as much as lines are juggled pregame, it can happens as much in game.

Really, I don't want to think about the game much until it happens. Personally I just want to see a full 60 minute effort.


I've been feeling like I've been neglecting talking about my junior hockey loves but I guess that's what happens when the team in town goes on their Eastern Conference road trip and I haven't gone to a live hockey game in 3 weeks. (Yes, I'm in SEVERE hockey withdrawal)

The Silvertips are currently on a 3 game losing streak and just 2-6-0-2 in their last 10 games. The two most recent losses both have been shutouts at the hands of Vancouver and Red Deer, where former Tip & Blackhawks Byron Froese was traded in exchange for Landon Ferraro.
They're currently below .500 with a 6-7-1-3 sitting in the basement of the U.S. Division.

The Chiefs though after their 6 game eastern road trip in which they went 3-2-1-0 have gotten their record back to .500 and are in 4th place in the U.S. Division just above the Tips.
The Chiefs have a 2 game home stand this weekend taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings and their hated rival Tri-City Americans. (a game at which I'll be at!)

While both teams are struggling, one team that is far away the best in the U.S. Division and in my mind the WHL, the Portland Winterhawks are on a 9 game win streak as they travel through the Eastern Division. The Winterhawks boast a 15-2-0-1 record through 18 games played.
They are just behind the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors (who have an identical record) of the OHL for the top spot in the CHL rankings.
An already stellar lineup filled with NHL prospects was also recently boosted by the Islanders return of Nino Niederreiter, they're loaded.

Just going to come out and say it now. The Portland Winterhawks are my pick for Memorial Cup champions and at very least WHL champions.

We'll be seeing you again soon?: Based on comments by the LA Kings head coach Terry Murray, Brayden Schenn could be reunited with Scott Glennie and the Wheat Kings soon. (source)
My Schenn, Wheaties shirsey might be a lot more relevant..

Hogs Wild!: The Rockford IceHogs had quite the game last night beating the Peoria Rivermen 4-1 in a game that had 8 fights and 4 ejections.
Kyle Beach had a goal, 2 assists & 2 fights to easily round out a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Jeremy Morin had a goal but was kicked out from the game after his fight at the end of the 1st period.
Nick Leddy, Shawn Lalonde(2), Igor Makarov and Brandon Pirri all had assists.
Ben Smith had a goal of his own, as did Ryan Potulny who also had 2 assists.

I wouldn't mind watching one of those games with the way the big club has been doing..


And that was your whirlwind tour of all my hockey interests.
Here's to a better Blackhawks game tonight than we've recently seen!

When the past comes back.. to bite you

And the moment you've all been waiting for... The Blackhawks take on the Atlanta Thrashers.

It's the inevitable faceoff between the Hawks & the team that was more than willing to take all the cap casualties the Blackhawks were willing to give them.

I'll be the first to admit it, I miss all of the Blackhawks that we lost. Some more for hockey reasons and some more for their personalities that we were so lucky to see because of Blackhawks TV. Either way, I'll miss all the former Hawks since the the 2009-2010 Blackhawks team will always be my favorite. (Can you blame me? First sports team I ever loved to win me a Championship!)

How valuable these depth players were though is starting to become more and more apparent as the Hawks struggle to find a flow in the young NHL season.

Essentially the Blackhawks had the same team for the most part of the previous two seasons until the salary cap made keeping the team together no longer an option.

Guess that's what happens when you have a solid core of young players who are all looking for what they're due.

I'm not bemoaning the salary cap and all the players we lost. It's over and done with and there's nothing that's going to change it. (I'm really not upset about losing Niemi now like I was during the summer.)

But tonight when the Blackhawks take on the Thrashers, I'll be watching Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien and Brent Sopel thinking they look better in red and black.

And hopefully seeing their old teammates will motivate the Blackhawks to show the boys they're doing just fine without them.

Gimme Mor(in): While the Blackhawks did lose a lot of their depth in offseason trades, one key pieces that they got in return was Jeremy Morin.

While Kyle Beach was the prospect most Hawks fans had their eyes on, Jeremy Morin stole the spotlight with some impressive moves in training camp & preseason games. (Which inspired the creation of the Jeremy Morin Fan Club, of which I'm a member.)

When Morin was sent down to Rockford, I was a bit surprised but made sense for his development to get minutes and I'm sure salary cap wise. (this seems to be a reoccurring theme.)

Well with the Hawks needs something, anything at this point to spark an offense that is looking lost on remembering how to score. Morin has been called up and hopefully provides that spark since he's expected to get decent minutes on the 2nd or 3rd line.

And of course, it doesn't hurt that he's about to make his NHL debut against the team that traded him away. Show 'em what you got kid. (He's older than I am, but oh well.)


Let's hope the battle drills, a long practice & getting kicked off the ice by Q during morning skate woke up the Hawks & shows some positive results tonight.

Personally, I'm waiting for J.Toews to get seriously pissed off & dominate like we know he can.

Pucks & a loss in your face

• Soupy’s back thank God, I feel like slowly but surely the defense is going to find it self & the overall team defense will get better.
  
• The 1st period was good, however after giving up a goal in the last minute it was kind of all downhill from there.
• Hjalmarsson & Potulny took pucks in the face, I think Duncan Keith just sat and laughed about it. "Feels good, don't it boys?" *grin*
  
• Patrick Kane scored (THANK GOODNESS), he's temporarily in my good graces unless this becomes a regular thing then he's good.. which it should.
  
• The happiness over that goal lasted all of 30 seconds, because the Rangers scored pretty much right after.
• This was the one and only meeting of the Hawks/Rangers all year.
• UGH, that’s all.

I wait for the day, when the ENTIRE Blackhawks team is healthy.

I hope this day comes soon.