Blackhawks at PhoenixSHUTOUT Loss Recap

"Harvesters of Sorrow"



The thing about a slide like the one the Hawks are riding is that it's bittersweet for us blog writers. When they are playing back, it gives us MUCH more material, but we want nothing more but for them to win. Screwy, I know. Anyhow, the Hawks are o-fer their last 7 and they are just simply making far too many mistakes. This trip could very well be the end of the Hawks hopes for a rebound season. We just don't know, but it's not looking good at all. After giving Crawford another shot, against the Sharks, Razor was back in net. The rest of the lineup was almost the same as the one that Quenneville trotted out against San Jose, with only Frolik being scratched for Morrison.

The Hawks simply didn't show up for the first period, they were only out shot 12-10, but they couldn't have seemed less interested and it could have easily been 4-0 early on. The second frame was much like the second the night before, with the Hawks out shooting the Yotes 12-5 but not scoring a goal, while giving another one up. While the Hawks came out shooting in the third period as well, but couldn't solve he Phoenix goalie, to send the Hawks away with an eighth loss in a row.

The Good

• Nice to see Deuce throw a big hit, but I have to play devils advocate. Wasn't that hit extremely similar to the one that got Carcillo suspended? Eerily similar, but Keith won't be hearing from Shanaban.
• For a team that was shut out, they had plenty of shots on net. The problem is that most of them were from the perimeter. Is this hitting rock bottom? The answer is YES.

The Bad

• Some things just never change, apparently. Former Hawk Radim Vrbata scored the first goal of the game, banking a shot off Sami Lepisto and into the net. If the Hawks didn't have bad luck, they wouldn't have any at all. It looked as though Razor has been watching too many Corey Crawford plays, because he was caught being too aggressive, and wasn't able to get back to the far post before the Vrbata bank shot.
• The Coyotes went up 2-0 with just 6 minutes gone in the game. Boyd Gordon found a dribbling puck in the crease and helped it across the goal line. There was just too much wrong to even begin to describe on this play. Play like you give a shit, Gents!
• Shaw decided it was a good idea to light a flame under his teammates with a fight early on, but all it did was light a flame under the Coyotes asses. MegaMayers looks like the only Hawks player that understand when the right time for a fight is.
• Dylan Olsen showed why he's an AHL defenseman as Kyle Chipchura to head in on a break-a-way. Olsen made Chipchura look like Mike Gartner just letting him skate right by, and in on Emery. The case of windburn he acquired on that play must be awfully painful. 3-0 Yotes.
• Brendan Morrison only saw just over 8 minutes of ice time and only saw 2 shifts in the third period. So much for THAT brilliant trade.
• The prodigal defensive son, Olsen for those who are dense, was minus 2 on the night with the third goal of the game hung solely on his hook.

The Ugly

• I still can't figure out why Dr. Lineblender even bothers to do things like move Stalberg to the fourth line, when everyone knows damn well that when things go shitty, he'll be moved up. What does this fucking accomplish? Enough with the childish games. Either he's a first liner or a fourth liner. Make a decision!
• I'm sorry, but I see nothing in Lepisto's play that tells me he should be sitting in the press box for 15 straight games. I've just about had enough of these silly personel moves, because the excuse of "Well, it's working" isn't valid anymore. "It" is NOT working. He's not Bobby Orr, but he is not a terrible fill in and certainly no worse than John Scott.
• I can't even find the words to describe the Hawks powerplay, anymore. They can't even manage the most basic of tasks, like simply entering the zone. They DO realize that a powerplay means they are only facing 4 opposing player, right?
• In case you were wondering, Adrian Aucoin still has the "Boy Named Sue" syndrome, and he is still a complete fucking clown. Life ain't easy for a boy named Adrian.

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks vs. Coyotes - SO Loss Recap

"Never Enough"



Round two for the Blackhawks and Coyotes. After a pretty successful weekend, the Hawks had all but forgotten about the last time they saw the Coyotes. Too bad the Coyotes hadn't forgotten. It looks like Phoenix is going to become the new thorn in the Hawks side. Since last game the Coyotes haven't exactly lit the world on fire, but when they come in the UC, they look like the Devils of the early 2000's.

The Coyotes picked up where they left off a week ago, taking it to the Hawks in all areas, including outshooting and outscoring the Hawks in the first period. It's not going to be easy to win against a team like Phoenix when you're already in a hole 2-0. The second period was a whole different story. It was the Hawks turn to dominate the period in both shots and goals. After giving up an early goal, they came out with a purpose and brought the game back to a 3-3 tie. The third period was of playoff style. Tight checking and no scoring. Both teams had chances but the Hawks clearly had more. Neither team could break the tie and the game headed into OT, which was dominated again by the Hawks. This game was decided in the shootout, as the Yotes were able to win the shootout 2-0. Certainly disappointing, and clearly the soft first period cost them dearly.

The Good

• The Hawks finally put a goal on the board with three minutes gone in the second. Toews picked up a blocked Pat Kane pass and ripped it past Mike Smith to bring the Hawks within 2 goals. 3-1 Yotes.
• The Hawks struck again on the powerplay, as Captain Big Balls tipped a Deuce slapshot past Smith the bring the Hawks within one goal, half way through the second period. At this point, the Hawks had ALL the momentum, and were skating circles around the Coyotes. They had been dominating Phoenix for about 5 minutes previous which led to the penalty, and the Hawks made it count. Queue momentum shift.
• I'm slowly, but surely, becoming a big fan of the Dream Warrior (Sorry, Second City Hockey, the name is just TOO perfect), Marcus Kruger. He plays solid in his own end, and has learned to play really big with the puck in the offensive zone, despite his small stature. He's won me over.
• Kaner tied the game up with 6 minutes to go in the second period on a Yotes turnover, which led to a Toews/Kane 2-on-1. Captain Big Balls outraced the Yotes players and held on to the puck until the perfect moment when Kaner cleared the defender, and hit him with a perfect backdoor pass, that he buried past Smith. NOW we have a game! All tied up at treys, and the Hawks were in a zone, all of a sudden.
• That Jonathan Kane connection is looking pretty good, isn't it? Thank you, Dream Warrior, for allowing this to happen. People need to start sweating, because the league is in trouble. The Bromance is back.
• Outshooting the Yotes 35-27 is right about in the Hawk wheelhouse, but they need to be better in the saves category.
• Bolly was the only Hawks center under 50% in the faceoff circle, for the game. Bolly is hurting, we just don't know how much. With the emergence of Dream Warrior, do the Hawks give him some down time to allow him to heel? Brandon Pirri is absolutely lighting up the AHL, so maybe NOW is the time to get Bolly healthy, because he has basically reverted back to Invisi-Bolly.

The Bad

• The first Yotes goal of the game was a result of a Frank the Tank blow out at the Phoenix blue line. Tank tried to dive and knock the puck past Raffi Torres, but couldn't. This led to a 2-on-1 against Lurch, who really didn't stand a chance. He chose to pressure the puck and Boedker dumped it off to Torres, who just directed it into a wide open net. 1-0 Yotes
• The second Phoenix goal of the game was as a result of a giveaway deep in the Hawks zone, by Deuce, who just threw the fucking puck away into his own corner. Ray Whitney got to it, and fed the puck out to Radim Vrbata who drew Crawford out of the net, after he grossly overcommitted, and tucked it in behind him. I really can't say I remember any Phoenix goals, this year, against the Hawks that weren't ugly, and this one certainly fits. 2-0 Yotes
• Just over a minute into the second period Keith Yandle put an end to Corey Crawford's nighy, sending a long shot through a Pyatt screen and into the net. Crawford really didn't have much of a chance, with Leddy letting Pyatt pitch a fucking tent in front, but sometimes you have to bail your team out. 3-0 Yotes.
• Frank the Tank really had two bad turnovers to begin the game. He looked like he was just in a haze out there, but eventually shook it off.
• Vik Stalberg once again passed up a glorious chance from no more than 15 feet from the net, and turned the puck over with a godawful pass. I love his speed, but you have to shoot the fucking puck, kiddo! He missed at LEAST 3 other chances in the game, and I'm talking "5 feet in front of the net with no defenders between you and the goalie" chances, including one in OT.
• Kaner pulled his little fancy pants spin-o-rama passes, AGAIN, to Car Bomb who was just a few seconds too slow to beat Smith.
• Looks like Ben Smith has come back down to earth, again. This is what you're going to get out of him. He's a third liner that could fill in from time to time on the top line, but you're not going to get major points out of him. I'm perfectly happy with Smith playing out there ahead of One-Trick-Bick even though him and Frodo were minus 2 on the night, because he brings more to the table.

The Ugly

• Jesus fucking CHRIST, Captain Obvious, aka Pierre McGuire, is the creepiest and most annoying announcer in sports, bar none. Will SOMEONE please give him a job that keeps him off the television? PLEASE!
• The Hawks powerplay has really become "Feast or Famine". Either they are running the puck around like the Globetrotters, or they can't even get the puck into the zone. There is no in-between.
• Hossa missing the shorthanded chance halfway through the third is a MUST SCORE. You just HAVE to put that mistake in the net. Roof it on the long side. That goal would have put the Coyotes to bed, because an ugly shorthanded goal like that, on the road, would take all wind out of their sails. This one turned out to be HUGE!
• I'm not screaming goalie controversy, here, but Razor has earned a back-to-back start or two. Obviously, continuing to throw Crawford out to the wolves is NOT working. Let him work through his issues and give Razor some more starts.

The Shootout

• Ekman-Larsson beat Razor
• Tazer was stopped by Smith
• Vrbata beat Razor
• Hossa was stopped by Smith

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks vs. Coyotes - Loss Recap

"I'm On My Way, Home Sweet Home"

"You, sir, sucked tonight"

Tuesday night's tilt with the Phoenix Coyotes is a welcome one for Hawks fans. They had been without a home game in three weeks, and were surly looking for some home cooking. The Blackhawks were coming off a "ho-hum" road trip where they embarrassed hated rivals Vancouver on their home ice, but were blown off the ice in two Alberta games. The Coy-otes were only 4 points behind the Hawks, despite all the ownership turmoil. Goalie Mike Smith was quickly becoming a cult hero in the desert with the usually posse of no namers just keep piling up points, and that's exactly what they did.

Even though the first period was no glorious effort, the Hawks were about even in scoring chances, and shots, but gave Phoenix the lead on a very soft goal. The second period was pretty much the same story, but Coyotes ramped up their defense to more of a Berlin wall style, and managed another fairly weak goal. The third period was just a formality, as the Hawks came out and gave up two goals to put this game far out of their reach. They managed a very late goal, but it was absolutely pointless. Yotes win 4-1 and, apparently, I picked a hell of a game to actually attend.

The Good

• Car Bomb looked like he had a little attitude to his game early, laying some big hits early, and he had a nice pass to Pat Kane on 3-on-2 in the first period for tip on net, which ended up being one of the Hawks best chances.
• Pick-to-Click Vik had a real nice chance in the first period, as he hesitated and blew the doors off Ekman-Larsson and drove hard to the net, but it was saved by Smith. PURE speed there, but why-you-no-finish?
• Pat Kane made a nice move to the net in the closing minutes of the first period that left the Phoenix defender laying flat on his gut but, AGAIN, why-you-no-finish?
• Everyone but Kaner (30%) was good at the dot.
• That's really all I can salvage from this mess.

The Bad

• Nick Leddy had some happy feet, early in the game. He decided to try and be a hero, only to turn the puck over at the Yotes blue line and leave Hammer to defend a 2-on-1 coming back the wrong way. Luckily it never ended up materializing.
• Frolik must have been the "pick your forward" in Q's doghouse, at least to START the night. He opened up on the 4th line, and looked lost.
• MegaMayers led a rush into the Coyotes zone in the first period, and made an absolutely terrible pass in Frodo's direction, or at least we can assume it was to Frodo, because he was the only Blackhawk in that area code. Chance averted.
• The second period opened up horribly for the Hawks. They couldn't even manage to get the puck to the RED LINE, much less into the Phoenix zone. They didn't manage a actual shot on net until, just about, the 10 minute mark.
• Once the Hawks finally managed some pressure, Hoss led a rush towards the Phoenix net and had a fairly good look, but decided to drop the puck Car Bomb, who was a good 7-10 feet behind him and never got a shot off. Great job passing up good looks, Hoss.
• In the second period we got the pleasure of watching another Blackhawks circle jerk, literally. They proceeded to cycle the low circle over and over, and over, until they simply just turned it over. The cycle only works when you're working towards actually getting a scoring chance. When they look like they are just doing it because it's the "in thing" and they are just waiting for an opportunity to turn it over, the whole operation really defeats the purpose.
• Trying to keep up with the line combinations in this one was POINTLESS, because they rarely seemed the same for two consecutive shifts. In the third Q had a line of Kane/Kruger/Hossa out there, and Frolik may have played on 4 different lines over the course of the night. It really didn't matter, because no amount of Quenneville's mad scientist line juggling made a blip on the radar.
• This was one of the first games where we really saw the Car Bomb Jeckyl/Hyde change during one game. In the third period, he came out of the locker room BRAINLESS. He simply forgot it in the locker room. That's the only explanation. As good as he might have seemed in the first, he was that BAD in the third. He went absolutely apeshit following the Coyotes waved off goal, and negated a potential powerplay with a stupid retaliation penalty. Not to be outdone, he came out the box, and seemed to immediately take a dumb slashing call. That's the stupidity that will either land you back on the 4th line or back in the press box, my man.
• The Hawks goal was pointless. They deserved to be shut out, at home, the way they played. I've heard blatherings about how it's rough to come home after a 3 week road trip, bla, bla, bla. Didn't we just hear the other night how nice it was going to be to finally play at home? Shut the fuck up; seriously! They had 2 days to get their shit together and make an effort, and they failed miserably. There were very few points where they looked like they should be on the same ice as the Coyotes.
• Officially, we have a goaltending "concern". I'm not sure how the game looked on TV, but in person, it's obvious that Crawford is fighting the puck. He's not absorbing shots, he's waving at them like Huet use to do. Almost like there is one pesky gnat flying around in front of him. He doesn't look confident at all. I was just writing this off as a wrinkle in the schedule, but it's now officially becoming a "concern".

The Ugly

• The first Coyotes goal was absolutely ATROCIOUS. Barely five minutes into the game and the Hawks actually had some pressure, but the Coyotes caught the Hawks trying to sneak in a change. Hammer started towards the bench with Leddy and realized that the troops were a headin his way. He got caught trying to take the blue line and was spun in some odd position. Langkow got in behind Hammer and then worked a "tic-tac-toe" with Doan, Whitney between Ron Burgundy and Hammer. This actually really left Langkow in a tight spot to shoot from, to Crawford's left, but he threw it at the net, anyway. Somehow; someway, It ended up in behind Crawford and dribbled in the net. Commencing momentum shift.
• The second Coyotes goal was another bad one. The Hawks were established in the Phoenix zone, and Leddy tried to take a big shot towards the net, that just happened to blast Stalberg in the foot. Of course, Vik would have been the highest forward/first back but the shot stung him, and he had to try and drag his dead leg back to the bench. This left the Yotes coming back 4-on-2 against Hammer and Leddy. Boedker took it up the right side and dropped it off to Doan at the top of the circle, who just let'r fly. Crawford had a good look, and seemed to just miss it. 2-0 Yotes.
• Just as I had uttered the words, "As bad as they have played, they are only down 2-0", and merely over a minute into the third, Deuce tried to pull off one of those fancy pants little drop plays to Kaner at the Hawks blue line. Kaner then proceeded to have his pocket picked by Vrbata who sent it behind the Hawks net. It's anyone's guess what Crawford was looking at, but he ended up down on his knees, at the wrong post. Kaner then felt it was better float away from the action, toward the Phoenix end looking for that easy breakout than pick up the now wide open Vrbata. That breakout never happened. All it took was a quick second for Vrbata to grab the puck and backhand it past a lost Crawford. 3-0 Phoenix and the boo birds were heard throughout the UC.
• The forth Coyote goal looked like a carbon copy of the third. The Hawks failed to get the puck out, and seemed to all get caught chasing the puck around like puppies. Hanzel ended up with the puck behind the net and was probably surprised to see Whitney sitting there, virtually wide open. He was wide open because all Leddy could manage to do is poke at Vrbata like you poke roadkill with a stick to see if it'll move, and cover the invisible guy in front of the net. Of course, Crawford was down at the wrong post YET AGAIN, so once Hanzel fed Whitney, it was a slam dunk. Quenneville pulled Crawford, but it really didn't matter, at this point. 4-0 and the boo birds were not only out, but a third of the crowd picked up their jackets and walked out.
• 6:41 of ice time for Bryan Bickell. Ouch, man. Very Ouch! There is apparently VERY little room left in that Quenneville doghouse, as of late. If it's a dog eat dog world, Bick is wearing a Milkbone jockstrap.
• Hammer responded to my thorough ripping by conveniently skating like Bambi on ice, and putting up a -3. Thanks for supporting my argument, kiddo! Keep absorbing those hits. There is a reason that every time the camera is on him, he looks like he's in serious pain. HE IS IN PAIN, from getting his ass beat nightly.
• I can't wait to listen to three days of "we needed more Ben Smith and John Scott". If you are a person that even entertains that thought, you need to be euthanized, although once they start printing those #28 Smith shirtsies up, I'm certain Jesse Rogers will be the first in line to get one; or outfit his whole wardrobe. Could someone please remind him that this doesn't stand for "Smith".

Here are your video highlights:

Blackhawks at Phoenix - WIN Recap

"Coyote Ugly"



No one is really sure how, but the Coyotes keep doing it. They put a competitive team out on the ice each year, even after losing MANY key players. This season is no different. The Coyotes came in 2-1-1, just like the Hawks. Captain Coy-Ote, Shane Doan, is kicking his usual amount of ass with 7 points and needed one goal for 300, coming in. The tandem of Smith/LaBarbera, or "Hanna/LaBarbera", in net are holding the fort down, so far. Considering this team had one foot on the plane to Winnipeg, they have held things together pretty well, but that could come to a screeching halt. The Hawks came in after a disappointing and emotional SO loss to the defending champs. Ya mad? Show us, boys!

The first period really didn't have much of note, with the Hawks scoring on a powerplay they should have score on, and being generously credited with 15 shots to the Yotes 4. The second period was another story. Each team scored two goals, with the Hawks scoring theirs on 12 shots, and the Yotes on a measly 5 shots. In the third, Phoenix threatened, but the Hawks quickly blew the game wide open, finishing with a convincing 5-2 win.

The Good

• Hossa played last night, and generally didn't look all that hurt. That line was still the best Hawks line on the ice, in the offensive zone. He scored the first goal of the game on a 5-on-3, which was a pretty straight forward one timer. It really SHOULD be a shooting gallery on a 5-on-3, and it was.
• Just a few short minutes after the Yotes got a fairly easy rebound goal, the Hawks got one of their own. Bruno threw a puck at the net and Tazer poked the rebound in, when LaBarbera half-asses an attempt to cover the rebound. We'll take it.
• Again, the Hawks answered a bad goal with a goal of their own. MegaMayers tipped a Duncan Keith point shot past LaBarbera. Nothing fancy. Shot, tip, goal. Flesh and taters goal.
• In what I'll call the play of the night, Davey Bolland stripped Radim Vrbata while shorthanded at the Phoenix blue line, skated a few strides and beat LaBarbera with a cannon of a slapshot, to put the Hawks up 4-2. He's gone from "Invisi-Bolly", last year, to "Incredi-Bolly" from the playoffs on into this season.
• Ladies and Gents, lets welcome One-Trick Bick to this landslide. He was given about 3 and a half days to tee up that wicked wrist shot by Derek Morris and he took full advantage. All you hockey young players watching at home, don't let a guy with a lethal wrist shot get a clean one off within 20 feet of your own net. Just an idea there.
• Making smart defensive plays, taking "smart" penalties while defending, big clean hits, passing well, composure...just who IS this Carcillo kid? We're all just waiting for Mr. Hyde and we haven't seen him. None of us thought it was possible, and we haven't even seen him tenderize any faces, yet.
• Fallacy or not, out shooting a team 35-16 in their home rink is worth noting.
• Funny how Banana-hands Torres had no hits, and was invisible all night. Much different story when you're not yapping from behind a team full of studs, isn't it you gutless ginger weasel?

The Bad

• Watching the early powerplays of both teams, was like watching the Special Olympics. They were doing good things, but not up to the usual standards.
• Less that a minute into the second period and Taylor Pyatt got position on Hjalmarsson and Seabrook, or was basically left alone, and poked a rebound past Crawford. It all started when the Hawks couldn't get the puck out of their zone. What do you know? It ends up in the back of their net. To the tele-strator, Eddie!
• Three hits for Car Bomb, and 7 for Biznasty. Why didn't these two put on a show for the fans?
• Toews was at 81% on faceoffs and the rest were at roughly 50%. Meh.

The Ugly

• In what's becoming a frustrating occurrence, the Hawks gave up yet ANOTHER ugly shorthanded chance against. If Daymond Langkow could get ANY shot off at all, would have been tied up the game. This shit needs to stop EEEEE-MEDIATLY
• Duncan Keith continued with his painfully comical fuckery, tripping over an armadillo hyde and leaving the puck on a silver platter for Ray Whitney, who faked a shot, hesitated for a moment, and then released an eephus shot past an already committed Crawford.

Here are your video highlights:

Road Warriors

"These are not the droids you're looking for"


Last night's game was yet ANOTHER crucial game. It was against a conference rival that is in the playoff race. The Hawks needed to gain 2 points, but yield none to the Yotes, which was no easy task. Sunday, it was announced that Ben Smith had been recalled from Rockberia. This would make sense, because of the roster debacle the other night in Dallas, but then Smith was a healthy scratch for the game, and sent back to Rockberia immediately following the game. That did a whole world of good. ANYWAY, there was a game played last night, and lets get on to it!

The first period was pretty slow paced, to say the least, but the Hawks still managed a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, they had to start the second period minus one of their most important players, Patrick Sharp. That injury could be a deal breaker, so lets hope it's nothing. The second period was just about as boring and slow as the first period, but this time it was the Yotes that scored in the closing minutes of the period to tie the game up at 1. All the Hawks needed was one late third period power play goal to get the Blackhawks a 2-1 win. It was a solid team win, and something they needed to accomplish.

The Good

• Due to the rearranged lines, the Hawks looked like they were a little off with their passes, early on in the game, even with the nice chances they had.
  
• The Defensive lines were back to something that resembled reasonable. Duece and Seabrook were back together, Hammer played with Kid Leddy, and Scott played with Stromboli, when Scott snuck off the bench and actually touched ice.
  
• Deuce took an open pass from Leddy, simply turned, and buried a shoot 5-hole on Bryzgalov, on the powerplay that followed the Sharp injury. After a slow first with few chances, that was a great way to go into the first break.
  
• For the second game in a row, Vik Stalberg showed off his blazing speed, by just chipping the puck ahead and putting on the afterburners. Bryzgalov beat him to the puck, but people notice that that kind of play. In the third period he was the recipient of some meaningful playing time with the top line, and was all OVER the rink.
  
• The powerplay came up huge once again, on a gorgeous feed from El Capitán to Stromoli. Stromboli one timed the pass into a gaping net. Once again, when the game is on the line El Capitán flexes his enormous coconuts.
  
• Frodo just seems to have better and better games, since being acquired in early February. He has been extremely solid on both ends of the ice, making big plays on the back check, forechecking and setting up big plays in the offensive ends. He is certainly not perfect, but for his size, he digs and skates hard.
  
• Crawford was nothing, if not spectacular. The only goal he gave up was a shot that was going well wide of the net and hit his own player. NO goalie can be expected to save that. His two huge saves on Ray Whitney were as clutch as you can get. First star of the game, for sure.
  
• The faceoff stats weren't all that shabby, as Ryan Johnson won a ridiculous 73% of the ones he took. The Snake won 62%, and El Capitán won 47%. Frolik and Kopecky went a deplorable 1-10, so I guess that evens out Johnson's stats.
  
• I hate to say it, but as much as I like Snake, Ryan Johnson is playing too well to only get 9:25 on the ice. In that time he took 11 faceoffs (winning 8), and spent 1:06 killing penalties (which was the most on the team). We're finally seeing this Faceoff Artist and Penalty Killer extraordinaire. Better late, than never, I suppose.
  

The Bad

• Like the Hawks need the angel of death visiting them anymore, but sure enough, Shooter went down at the end of the first on a delayed penalty, as "Rusty" Klesla rolled up on his leg.
  
• Kaner made bad passes in his zone twice in the matter of a few seconds, which resulted in Crow having to come up with a big stops. Definitely a case of someone trying to do too much, and he needs to knock that shit out.
  
• Big Show's TOI = 4:21. WHY are we still doing this? He is bring nothing to the Hawks team dynamic. His job is "sneak out there, don't fuck up, sneak off". Call him a cheap alternative, I don't care, because he has been USELESS.
  
• Still no Biz Nasty. One big "BOO", for that.

The Ugly

• The Yotes tied up the game with 1:17 left in the second on a dump in, that was clearly going wide of the net, which ended up going off Kid Leddy and into the net. Crow just has NO luck.
  

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Mediocre is Getting Old

The day started off well, with the announcement of the Brent Seabrook 5 year extension. Now that we have that hurdle taken care of, the Hawks needed to dispose of the Coyotes, which didn't come easy. The Hawks came out with a purpose and completely dominated the first period, out shooting the Yotes 17-8 and leading 2-0. As has happened all year, the following period was the complete opposite. The Coyotes came out and out shot the Hawks 14-9 and out scored them 3-1 to bring a 3-3 tie into the third period. Nothing is going to be easy this season. The Third had a few chances, including a waved off Hawks goal, and the game was forced into overtime, and the Hawks finally won it in the shootout.

The Good

• It only took the Hawks three minutes for Captain Serious to score a goal from an absolutely atrocious angle. Just goes to show you that you don't score on 100% of the shots you don't take. Great start.
  
• The way the Hawks opened up this game had to look promising to every fan and ctitic. When you out shoot a team 17-8, you are dominating.
  
• Our newest wealthy team member, Brent Seabrook, celebrated his new contract with a laser of a one timer that looked to be tipped by Captain Serious, on a two man advantage, for a 2-0 lead. The first period was one of the most dominant periods the Hawks have played, since last June.
  
• Powerplay goal number two in the second period a complete garbage goal, but it all looks the same on the score sheet. Boss 81 picked up Kaners garbage and chipped it up and over Bryzgalov to put the Hawks up 3-1.
  

The Bad

• I was disappointed to see no Paul "Biz Nasty" Bissonette out there. VERY disappointed, but when Foley announced that Biz Nasty would have to be the emergency backup netminder because Jason LaBarbera was hurt in warm-ups, that made my night.
  
• The Yotes came out in the second period with a little more edge, and former Blackhawk Adrian Aucoin took a nice feed, and put a one timer through a triple screen. That's a hard save to make, and Crow had no chance.
  
• Norris Trophy candidate Keith Yandle made it 3-2 Hawks just over half way through the second on a one time powerplay goal. Crow really didn't seem to be picking up the one time screen shots, at that point, not that he really could with people screening him like they were.
  
• Crawford can thank Deuce for that shot to the neck by Doan. Keith had a chance to chip it into the zone and he turned it over at the Yotes blue line, and Doan was in, and put a hurting on Corey. That one will hurt tomorrow, I can promise.
  
• It didn't take the Hawks long to give up their second power play goal of the game. Martin Hanzel picked up a Radim Vrbata rebound and put it in the net. So much for that dominant first period.
  
• Most of the Hawks did OK in the faceoff dot, but Jake the Snake was eaten ALIVE, going 1 for 6. That's not going to do it, for our third line center, Snake.
  

The Ugly

• The second period and the penalty kill were just awful. A true playoff team needs to kill penalties effectively.
  
• Hendry's injury could do the Hawks in, or could really force them to make a move for someone decent. If they can't make a deal, we could be forced to watch Big Show John Scott play defense again, and that will NOT be pretty. Just the prospect of that makes me nauseous.
  
• This was the exact opposite of the Blues game, where the Blues dominated the first and fell apart the rest of the game. The Hawks started fast in the first, and came back to earth. We can't even count on them to play a full game consistently.
  

The Shootout

• Toews scored 5-Hole on Bryzgalov
  
• Upshall was stopped by Crawford
  
• Sharpie was denied by Bryzgalov
  
• Vrbata was stopped by Crawford
  
• Kaner was stopped by Bryzgalov
  
• Turris was denied by Crawford
  

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Rise of the Phoenix

We found out before the game that Ryan Johnson was put on IR, Jake the Snake had the flu, and Stalberg had an upper body injury. To replace Snake and Johnson, Scott was put in the lineup and Jeff Taffe was called up from Rock-Beria. The first period was pretty tame, although the Hawks had a few chances early. Phoenix scored the only goal, putting the Hawks down 1-0. Phoenix came out and scored one in gthe opening minute of the second period, and the Hawks put in a later powerplay goal, to go into the locker room down 2-1. The Hawks scored a second powerplay goal late in the third to tie the game and that's how regulation ended. The Hawks had plenty of chances in the OT, and couldn't end the game. Finally, the Yotes scored two in the shootout and the Hawks were shut out. Game over.

The Good

• Some signs of life later in the second, as Brouwer took a nice feed on the powerplay and buried it for his 16th of the season. Hossa was credited with his 800th career point on the play.
  
• A second powerplay goal in the late minutes of the third by Deuce tied up the game. Keith needs to watch how Campbell FAKED a shot and fed it over for a one timer. I repeat, FAKE SHOT. Just a thought, Duncan.
  

The Bad

• The first significant play of the game was Radim Vrbata getting behind Kid Leddy, after Deuce lets let Vrbata skate right by him. Vrbata then outraced Deuce to the net, and beat Crawford. Crawford wasn't quite as aggressive as you'd like but he shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place
  
• Whatever Marty Turco was on in that shootout last night, Corey Crawford was on the same thing. The second Yotes goal, was heinous. Taylor Pyatt just let a little snapper go from outside the dot, and Crawford barely reacted. I really like dislike Steve Konroyd doing color, because he's always looking for excuses. That was bad no matter how you spin it.
  
• When one of your best chances is a Big Show breakaway, you're having a bad night.
  
• Speaking of Big Show, I've seen enough of him, and I'm sure I'm not alone. He brings nothing to this team. He had a few chances to use his body and practically kissed the opposing player. Can we please put this project to bed? Four minutes and twenty three seconds of glory. What a waste.
  
• The Czech line. That's some kind of oxymoron, right?
  
• Holy sheep shit, Boy Blunder; Pat Kane had the game on his stick with a breakaway from his own side of the center line in, actually a 2-0 break, and couldn't score. Isn't this suppose to be his forte?
  

The Ugly

• I know he scored a goal, but Duncan Keith was completely clueless all night. For a guy that was quick to point fingers during the week, he is eating a mouthful of shoeleather. He was a turnover machine all night. I'm done trying to explain what's wrong with him, but he is a shadow of his former self. High flying Hawk? Christ, Steve, wake up!
  
• Tomas Kopecky was 1-11 on faceoffs. That is just ridiculous. NINE PERCENT!
  

The Shootout

• Shane Doan was snuffed out by Crawford
  
• Jonathan Toews was stopped by Bryzgalov
  
• Radim Vrbata beat Crawford on the backhand
  
• Patrick Kane was beaten by Bryzgalov
  
• Ray Whitney had the 5-hole shut by Crawford.
  
• Marian Hossa missed the net.

Here are the video highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Coyote Ugly

"Watch me poop out this puck in your general direction"

I feel like this is deja vu all over again. Weren't we just here? Didn't we just watch this embarrassing mess once already? It this the encore replay of the Oilers game? Jesus GOD, this is getting old. This is the definition of "assisted suicide".

The Good
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but when Bickell was circling around before his goal, I thought it was Toews, and so did Pat Foley. Someone had to have talked to him because he has NEVER stickhandled OR SKATED like that before. I can't even come up with a clever analogy, because I'm shocked. Bryan Bickell, nice play. You get a pass for the rest of that game, for that one play. If you would have told me that the only Hawks goal would be by Bryan Bickell from Troy Brouwer, I would have punched you for trying to bullshit me.

The new lines generated some great energy, in the first period, as the Hawks had 14 shots on net. They actually looked dominating for one of the few times this season. Of course that lasted an entire 20 minutes, because they could only cash in on one of the 14 first period chances and the shitshow started in the second. Consistent, guys, consistently inconsistent.

Jack Skillington showed some coconuts by dropping the gloves even though the guy he fought had pillow fists. He gets a shot and a beer for the effort. Greco-roman man-hug aside, he also played with some heart, and a hint of attitude. I was one of those critics that said he was an underachiever and this was his last shot. Well, is IS his last shot, but he has answered every call out. He goes to the net with complete reckless abandon, he fights, he shoots, the only thing he hasn't done is finish. I have to think this will come with time.

The Bad
Just about everything from minute 21 until minute 60. You're facing a backup goalie, for a team that was in last place in their division, giving up the second most goals in their division. So what does this team do? Barely muster up one goal, that only went in because a Coyote defenseman tipped it between his own goalie's legs. That's it. They should be able to win every game 1-0 right?

Skillington gets the dual duty tonight, of being both the good AND the bad. This is by no fault of his own though, because Quenneville gets all the blame on this one. Once again though, second least amount of playing time. AWESOME! The sense of this is comical. Wouldn't want to throw people off with more than 9 minutes of the human wrecking ball, would we?

The Ugly
Fucking Duncan Keith. Yes, YOU, FUCKING DUNCAN KEITH! There is such a thing as being too aggressive and having too much confidence in your own speed. The sole reason the Yotes scored the two quick goals, in the second, was our NORRIS TROPHY WINNING DEFENSEMAN was caught pinching in too deep, and he left his brand new partner, Nick Boynton, hung out to dry. Now, yes, Turco should have been able to take the shot on the second goal, but really? The same stupid mistake twice in the same shift? What...is...going...ON? Minus TWO, Duncs. In 35 seconds, you collected the dubious honor of being a minus 2! Nick Boynton must be BEGGING to be thrown back to the third pairing, and Seabrook must have been secretly breathing a sigh of relief. A fitting end to this night would have been Duncan Keith pulling out his replica Norris Trophy and and pissing on it, as Joel Quenneville watches and says, "Oh, you missed some, right there". We have all been taken to some bizzaro alternate universe. After that second Phoenix goal, I had the same reaction as Matt Killion at Second City Hockey: "Shoot me in the face". That says it all, and thank you Matt.

John Scott, again, always and forever. Four minutes and thirty three seconds of fucking ice time. 4:33! I saw Patrick Kane double shifted on that line, because FrankenScott is dressed and sitting in the best seat in the house. Is John Scott's contribution SO important that he needs to actually DRESS, for four and a half minutes of ice time? Let me answer that. NO! Joel, I'm thoroughly BAFFLED! Tell me what four minutes of John Scott did for the Chicago Blackhawks last night. PLEASE; because I'd like to hear this. I could name a team full of AHL'ers that would have, and could have, contributed more. In fact, I could probably name 50 beer league guys that could have. It's ridiculous. Enough, PLEASE! I cry "uncle"!

Here are the video highlights: