What, Me Worry?: Hawks 3, Blue Jackets 0
So, we all spent three days worried sick over whether the Hawks bubble had burst after losing two straight games, right? Wrong. Although I guess the local sportswriters thought so, since they've done nothing but reassure everyone that this was just a hiccup. Thanks fellas, appreciate the concern, but most of us already knew that. Nobody (smart) thought the Hawks were in any kind of trouble, and we were more worried about going stir crazy during the 3 days off than anything else.
As suspected, the Hawks came out firing after having 3 days of with a bad taste in their mouth. Chicago showed great intensity in the first period, but I think what was most important was that it was controlled. The Blackhawks weren't running around all over the ice, trying to score 3 goals on one shift. They simply went back to what's worked for them all season: keeping the puck the in the other team's zone until they finally give up a goal out of exhaustion.
THE GOOD
Versteeg-Madden-Byfuglien: Yeah, Steeger drives us nuts by not dumping the puck in, but these guys played good defense and were responsible for 2 of the Hawks 3 goals. Aside from that, they had some terrific shifts in which they didn't score but kept the puck in the Blue Jackets zone for a solid minute or more. Great job by the checking line tonight.
Cristobal Huet: 24 shots and 24 saves, another shutout for Blackhawks. The Blue Jackets are no offensive juggernaut, but Huet faced some tough chances, stoning several point blank shots while the Hawks were still nursing a one goal lead. Forklift says that everybody who's ripped Huet since Saturday can eat a bag of dicks. I agree.
Offensive Defensemen: Hawks d-men were jumping into the plays in the offensive zone all night, and it paid off big, with Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith each getting a goal. If you're keeping track, Keith got his 10th of the season, setting a new career high for himself, and becoming the 8th Hawk to reach double digits this year.
Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane: They only had 1 point between them, but both guys were flying tonight. This was especially good to see since Hossa sat out the last game with a groin issue. But yeah, watching these guys is just plain fun. Their were times tonight when each had the puck it was clear that no one could take it away from them.
THE BAD
The bad? There was a horrible earthquake in Haiti. Go here and help out, if you can. Tell Pat Robertson that CT sent you. And tell him to fuck off as long as you're telling him stuff.
THE UGLY
I'm wonder if Curt Fraser shot out his TV Elvis-style during the 1st period intermission. Would have been nice of the announce team to throw his name out there, especially since they mentioned that they were 2/3's of the Clydesdale Line.
Also, thank goodness the Hawks got the Jay Blunk contract extension done. I can rest easy tonight knowing that someone will be able to help a drunken Bobby Hull stumble through awkward Illinois Lotto unveilings.
Up Next: The Hawks hit the road for 8 straight games, starting with this same Blue Jackets team on Saturday. Incidentally, since the Hawks will be playing at 1pm on Saturday and 11:30am on Sunday, the official drink of the weekend will be the Blackhawk Bloody Mary.
As suspected, the Hawks came out firing after having 3 days of with a bad taste in their mouth. Chicago showed great intensity in the first period, but I think what was most important was that it was controlled. The Blackhawks weren't running around all over the ice, trying to score 3 goals on one shift. They simply went back to what's worked for them all season: keeping the puck the in the other team's zone until they finally give up a goal out of exhaustion.
THE GOOD
Versteeg-Madden-Byfuglien: Yeah, Steeger drives us nuts by not dumping the puck in, but these guys played good defense and were responsible for 2 of the Hawks 3 goals. Aside from that, they had some terrific shifts in which they didn't score but kept the puck in the Blue Jackets zone for a solid minute or more. Great job by the checking line tonight.
Cristobal Huet: 24 shots and 24 saves, another shutout for Blackhawks. The Blue Jackets are no offensive juggernaut, but Huet faced some tough chances, stoning several point blank shots while the Hawks were still nursing a one goal lead. Forklift says that everybody who's ripped Huet since Saturday can eat a bag of dicks. I agree.
Offensive Defensemen: Hawks d-men were jumping into the plays in the offensive zone all night, and it paid off big, with Brian Campbell and Duncan Keith each getting a goal. If you're keeping track, Keith got his 10th of the season, setting a new career high for himself, and becoming the 8th Hawk to reach double digits this year.
Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane: They only had 1 point between them, but both guys were flying tonight. This was especially good to see since Hossa sat out the last game with a groin issue. But yeah, watching these guys is just plain fun. Their were times tonight when each had the puck it was clear that no one could take it away from them.
THE BAD
The bad? There was a horrible earthquake in Haiti. Go here and help out, if you can. Tell Pat Robertson that CT sent you. And tell him to fuck off as long as you're telling him stuff.
THE UGLY
I'm wonder if Curt Fraser shot out his TV Elvis-style during the 1st period intermission. Would have been nice of the announce team to throw his name out there, especially since they mentioned that they were 2/3's of the Clydesdale Line.
Also, thank goodness the Hawks got the Jay Blunk contract extension done. I can rest easy tonight knowing that someone will be able to help a drunken Bobby Hull stumble through awkward Illinois Lotto unveilings.
Up Next: The Hawks hit the road for 8 straight games, starting with this same Blue Jackets team on Saturday. Incidentally, since the Hawks will be playing at 1pm on Saturday and 11:30am on Sunday, the official drink of the weekend will be the Blackhawk Bloody Mary.
Posted by CT at 1/14/2010 10:40 PM 
Categories: Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: Blue Jackets Blackhawks Cristobal Huet
Categories: Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks
Tags: Blue Jackets Blackhawks Cristobal Huet
Gotta tell ya guys, I liked the win.
I especially liked The Count of Monte Cristo tonight.
Tommy Kopecky deserves a kudo, too, eh.
However, I didn't like the way the Hawks often fluttered around in their d-zone, and Mad Dog Madden supports my view.
"I thought maybe Huey had to make too many big saves at certain times for my liking, but he made the saves so it's not as big a deal," growled Mad Dog after the game as he ripped into a Bluteau Burger (steak tartare topped with Special Spinach, the secret food of Stanley Cup winning ex-New Jersey Devils).
I mention this detail 'cause Les Hawques will have to be much better in C-Bus and in D-Troit.
But nothin' wrong with getting the two points, especially to honor Troy Murray, a true Black Hawk warrior and a very cool guy.
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I heard tell of someone interviewing T-Roy for Kukla, don't know whatever became of that.
But, yeah, the nitwits at thenhlarena who are engaging in this bizarre anti-Huet circlejerk are so fucking stupid they make me want to drown puppies.
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The alleged T-Roy interview is--according to my sources--being revised in light of last night's ceremonies and will be served on Sunday with flapjacks and maple syrup.
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Good to see Hockeenight show a social conscience. In spite of the potential drowned puppies. Huet always seems to bounce back from a bad game (which have been few this year). That's a sign of a good goalie. The next eight will show if they will be the number one seed in the West.
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