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 ;)

Same song, different day.

So maybe this blog was a bad idea..
Since I started it the Hawks are 2-5.

In the current two game losing streak the Hawks are on they have let 2 goals in a span of 14 & 35 seconds to lose a 1 goal lead.

18 games.
8 wins.
10 losses.
17 points.

Most games played in the NHL and a record of under .500.

The numbers are just as ugly as the play on the ice after the Blackhawks give up a goal.

Outside of Jack Skille actually crashing the net and trying his darnest to put one in and Turco/Crawford keeping the boys in the game, there aren't many positives.
Duncan Keith, last year's Norris Trophy winner, was benched at one point during the game for his less than stellar play. I barely noticed Hossa out there.
How does a team with Hossa, Kane, Toews, Sharp, etc.. struggle so much to score?

Is is time for a trade? Is it time to start benching people? Is it time to start pulling up guys from Rockford?
Honestly, I think it could be any that but I am no expert (insert Andy Sutton joke here).

It's not that I expect everything to be like last season, cause I didn't but I at very least expected a team that would compete like they want it for 60 minutes.

Last season was great but that's just it, it was last season.

The Hawks had a solid first period but suffered another costly meltdown by letting in two goals in 35 seconds. It has to be 60 full minutes.

After watching Jack Skille's post game interview with WGN from last night he keeps talking about how the Hawks just need to send bodies & pucks to the net. That the Blackhawks need to play gritty, hard nosed, team hockey.
I wholeheartedly agree with him. I honestly can't remember the Hawks got a gritty, dirty, hardworking goal.
That could be exactly what the Hawks need though to get back on track.

Like Skille mentioned they don't ask how, they ask how many.


I won't be around for the Hawks/Predators game as I'll be taking in a live hockey game of my own between the Chiefs and Americans, who hopefully play a good game. And college basketball season is about to be in full swing for my school team this weekend, so I'll be at a game Sunday but should be back in time for the Hawks/Oilers though due to recent history I don't know if that's a good thing.

Let's hope the Hawks get it together, sooner rather than later.