HUET SAYS, "NO WAY" TO SAN JOSE: Blackhawks 4, Sharks 3 (OT)
Boy, it's never easy, is it?
The Chicago Blackhawks celebrated Jeremy Roenick Heritage Night in the United Center, facing the team with which JR ended his career, the San Jose Sharks.
Brent Seabrook ended the tilt 41 seconds into overtime, slamming home a loose puck while Sharks' goalie Evgeni Nabokov was painfully out of position, giving the Blackhawks a come-from-behind 4-3 win. This was the Hawks' 7th straight win on Madison Street.
The Hawks now embark on the annual Circus Trip, playing 6 straight in the Western Conference on the road before returning on December 1.
Off-ice highlights include the lovely LFork being caught with an illicit can of Diet Pepsi by a member of the United Center security staff who bears more than a passing resemblence to Frank Langella. Fortunately, she didn't look to her husband for support, since all I could offer was something along the lines of, "Ha ha, you got busted by Dracula".
Let's get to it:
THE GOOD:
Bryan Bickell. He not only got the callup from Rockford, but he also got to skate with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. He busted his ass all night, digging out pucks, had one nice takeaway, and wound up +2.
Cristobal Huet. The three Sharks goals will be covered more in the "Bad" part. Huet was the better goalie on the ice tonight, and he put the clamp down on the Sharks after Hawks screwups (I swear, it'll be in the "Bad") led to a 3-1 Sharks lead 1:59 into the second period.
Jonathan Toews. How much the Hawks missed their Captain can be underscored by how excellent his line has been upon his return, and how easy it is to take it for granted. His setup to Kane for the Hawks' second goal from behind the net was an all-star play, plain and simple. Even on a rare night where he was less than 50% on faceorffs, like tonight, he does so much that makes the team better. Appreciate this guy every chance you get.
Brent Sopel. As much as Darryl was last season's whipping boy is how much credit he deserves for his play so far this season. He's been displaying solid positional play every night, has been effective on the kill, and even got the Hawks on the board with a slapper from the point.
Keith and Seabrook. All over the ice all night, making good things happen. It's only fitting that Seabrook got the game winner on a rebound of a Toews shot.
John Madden just deserves a nightly spot in the "Good" section.
Hell, at this point, there's only one thing left to say about him...
THE BAD:
Defensive zone turnovers. All three San Jose goals were the result of the Hawks getting the puck in their own zone and giving it right back to the Sharks. The last one looked like the Hawks heard a whistle, and all stopped skating. Hell, from where I was sitting, I was wondering if I just didn't hear the whistle. Brutal, brutal play.
Dustin Byfuglien. One of those nights where he had more bone in his head than he did in his pants. Some nights, I don't think he knows what he's doing any more than the rest of us do. This was one of those nights.
The officiating. Referees Kerry Fraser and Kevin Pollock were absolute dogshit, even whistling a live puck (and a possible Hawks' breakaway) to ask the War Room to review a non-goal that wasn't even close. At one point, Pollock was looking right at Huet as he got run behind the play, and the arm stayed down. Know how you can tell when there's bad officiating? When we write for the team that won, and we're talking about it.
THE UGLY:
Jordan Hendry skating as a forward. Last week, we asked why the Hawks weren't using the Long Term Injury Exemption. Using the LTIE for something as foolhardy as signing Peter Forsberg would be a bad idea of epic proportions, but why not use the exemption to bring some warm body up from Rockford in order to dress 12 actual forwards? Ebbett and VERSTEEG! were both scratches, and if there had been another forward available, this would have been a damn good time to dress him.
As we said before, coming up next is the Circus Trip, beginning with Thursday night's game in Calgary against the red-hot Flames.
Oh, and if you're not doing anything the night of Wednesday, November 25, there will be another boozer at Whirlaway. Come on down, and bring that floozy sister I've heard so much about.
The Chicago Blackhawks celebrated Jeremy Roenick Heritage Night in the United Center, facing the team with which JR ended his career, the San Jose Sharks.
Brent Seabrook ended the tilt 41 seconds into overtime, slamming home a loose puck while Sharks' goalie Evgeni Nabokov was painfully out of position, giving the Blackhawks a come-from-behind 4-3 win. This was the Hawks' 7th straight win on Madison Street.
The Hawks now embark on the annual Circus Trip, playing 6 straight in the Western Conference on the road before returning on December 1.
Off-ice highlights include the lovely LFork being caught with an illicit can of Diet Pepsi by a member of the United Center security staff who bears more than a passing resemblence to Frank Langella. Fortunately, she didn't look to her husband for support, since all I could offer was something along the lines of, "Ha ha, you got busted by Dracula".
Let's get to it:
THE GOOD:
Bryan Bickell. He not only got the callup from Rockford, but he also got to skate with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. He busted his ass all night, digging out pucks, had one nice takeaway, and wound up +2.
Cristobal Huet. The three Sharks goals will be covered more in the "Bad" part. Huet was the better goalie on the ice tonight, and he put the clamp down on the Sharks after Hawks screwups (I swear, it'll be in the "Bad") led to a 3-1 Sharks lead 1:59 into the second period.
Jonathan Toews. How much the Hawks missed their Captain can be underscored by how excellent his line has been upon his return, and how easy it is to take it for granted. His setup to Kane for the Hawks' second goal from behind the net was an all-star play, plain and simple. Even on a rare night where he was less than 50% on faceorffs, like tonight, he does so much that makes the team better. Appreciate this guy every chance you get.
Brent Sopel. As much as Darryl was last season's whipping boy is how much credit he deserves for his play so far this season. He's been displaying solid positional play every night, has been effective on the kill, and even got the Hawks on the board with a slapper from the point.
Keith and Seabrook. All over the ice all night, making good things happen. It's only fitting that Seabrook got the game winner on a rebound of a Toews shot.
John Madden just deserves a nightly spot in the "Good" section.
Hell, at this point, there's only one thing left to say about him...
THE BAD:
Defensive zone turnovers. All three San Jose goals were the result of the Hawks getting the puck in their own zone and giving it right back to the Sharks. The last one looked like the Hawks heard a whistle, and all stopped skating. Hell, from where I was sitting, I was wondering if I just didn't hear the whistle. Brutal, brutal play.
Dustin Byfuglien. One of those nights where he had more bone in his head than he did in his pants. Some nights, I don't think he knows what he's doing any more than the rest of us do. This was one of those nights.
The officiating. Referees Kerry Fraser and Kevin Pollock were absolute dogshit, even whistling a live puck (and a possible Hawks' breakaway) to ask the War Room to review a non-goal that wasn't even close. At one point, Pollock was looking right at Huet as he got run behind the play, and the arm stayed down. Know how you can tell when there's bad officiating? When we write for the team that won, and we're talking about it.
THE UGLY:
Jordan Hendry skating as a forward. Last week, we asked why the Hawks weren't using the Long Term Injury Exemption. Using the LTIE for something as foolhardy as signing Peter Forsberg would be a bad idea of epic proportions, but why not use the exemption to bring some warm body up from Rockford in order to dress 12 actual forwards? Ebbett and VERSTEEG! were both scratches, and if there had been another forward available, this would have been a damn good time to dress him.
As we said before, coming up next is the Circus Trip, beginning with Thursday night's game in Calgary against the red-hot Flames.
Oh, and if you're not doing anything the night of Wednesday, November 25, there will be another boozer at Whirlaway. Come on down, and bring that floozy sister I've heard so much about.
Posted by Forklift at 11/15/2009 10:57 PM 
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Game Recap
Tags: Brent Seabrook Chicago Blackhawks Bryan Bickell Kyle Wellwood Is Fat Jonathan Toews Cristobal Huet Brent Sopel
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Game Recap
Tags: Brent Seabrook Chicago Blackhawks Bryan Bickell Kyle Wellwood Is Fat Jonathan Toews Cristobal Huet Brent Sopel
BonerBoyz, nice write up.
What, no mention of Ham Sandwich?
Les Blaque Hawques beat three veryveryvery good teams during this homestand.
The same time last year, they lost these same home games.
Chicago is now the 2nd best defensive team in the West.
Best PK going into tonight (tied with SJ).
Correct me if I'm wrong, but they might also have the best % at the dot.
And they are one of the leaders if not the leader, in lowest number of shots allowed per game.
Not flashy stuff, but important.
"The Madden Effect"? YOU make the call.
Oh, and Larry Murphy said tonight on NHL On The Fly that Toews reminds him of Zetterberg. Now THAT is special, coming from old Wing d-man Larry.
Cheers, gentlemen, and make mine a double...shaken not stirred.
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Sassone seems to have been suffering from post concussion sydrome lately, but he rumors of a possible Matt Cullen acquisition. If they do trade for Cullen or another 2nd line center, doesn't someone like Byfuglien have to go back? Otherwise, Buff is going down to the 4th line. Doesn't seem like an ideal place for him.
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Byfuglien would be the logical choice, since he's been coasting since his hot start, and the Hawks would actually clear(!) cap space this season, and Cullen's off the books for next season.
I'd do this in a heartbeat.
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The lines would fall in nicely. In the scenario below, I don't miss Byfuglien at all.
Sharp - Toews - Versteeg
Hossa - Cullen - Kane
Ladd - Madden - Brouwer
Eager - Fraser - Kopecky
Guess it would depend on what the Canes think of Byfuglien. I don't doubt the Hawks will find a way to re-sign Keith-Toews-Kane, but I do worry about still having money left over to re-sign Johnny Madden. He's obviously key.
Also, is there a chance Ladd or Hjammer will get offer sheets this offseason? If not, their extensions can wait until more guys are off the books in the upcoming seasons.
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Ladd might get a one year deal, but that's about it. Beach has the potential to be Ladd, only better.
Hjammer will get 3 years, I'm guessing, at around $2MM/per.
The time is fast approaching for the Hawks to start clearing roster spots for the likes of Beach, Olsen and Lalonde.
I'm guessing for 2010-2011, Olsen and Lalonde will be on the squad as your third pair.
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Glad to see some love for Beach. I would sign H-Jam for $2.0M for three in a heartbeat. He could turn out to be a top two type of d-man.
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Beach has been an absolute motherfucka in Spokane this year. He'd have to screw up in ways unimaginable to not be a Blackhawk next year.
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Don't think that $2.0 X3 gets it done for Ham. He's worth more, especially due to the Barker precedent.
I'm not so sure I'd sell short on Buff like that (for Cullen, at least) - if you can get a good draft pick out of the deal as well, then it might be worth it. Buff can get on a hot-streak that could make speculation about him look silly - he is tied for the team lead in goals, after all. My beef with Buff is that he's getting away from what made him successful last year and early this - he's playing away from the net, rather than causing havoc in front of it. Brouwer, on the other hand, has seemed to grab that role with both hands!
Beach will fit in nicely with this team next year and Madden probably won't resign, but then again, he could probably do another 1X if he wants (from everything I read, this was a below-market deal for him, he just really wanted to be a part of the Hawks, and God bless 'em for it).
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Not a huge beef with Buff here (say that 3 times fast), just a move to clear up cap space and fill a current need. He's just not as valuable as a lot of other forwards on this team.
And Fork, I dig Kyle Beach. Guy is a monster in Ryne Sandberg's hometown right now. That being said, I still don't want to lose Ladd. The man crush you had on Pahlsson, I have for Ladd.
A future trade of Barker and the expiring contract of Sopel should open up the 3rd pair nicely for Olsen/Lalonde.
Also, Hjammer will not get paid Barker money because he's not a PP guy. 2 mil per sounds about right.
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Olsen and Lalonde as a defensive pair for next year is really optimistic. Considering neither of them have even played professional hockey before and they're both playing the most difficult position to learn at the NHL level, I think their timetable is still about 2-3 years away.
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I had brain/finger disconnect, I actually meant 2011-12. Season after next.
I do see the third pair for the Hawks becoming a proving ground - in the economic realities of the NHL, paying $5MM/per for your third pair is absurd.
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I agree...Lalonde should be ready for a 5th/6th d-man role by then. Assuming he plays next year in Rockford and doesn't have any setbacks of course. Olsen will need a little longer, IMO.
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I don't see the huge hurry to get rid of Buff... I like the way he plays most nights. Emphasis on "most."
Cullen is intriguing, but the trade for Buff only works if Carolina is in "get the hell anything of value in return for a guy we're going to lose this offseason anyways" mode and not "dump salary" mode. Given their smallish fan base, I wouldn't be surprised if it's the latter...
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