Cures What Ails You: Hawks 3, Flames 1
Looked like a dangerous game for the Hawks tonight. Calgary came in on a five game losing streak and just got their asses kicked by San Jose, 9-1. Meanwhile, the Hawks are struggling after losing...one game in a row. Still, I guess we were supposed to be worried about Calgary, because the Flames would be in a bad mood plus they'd want revenge for the last several ass-kickings the Hawks had handed them. Well, Chicago did what they've been doing to the Flames for the last 2 years, they beat Calgary and they rendered Jerome Iginla invisible while doing it. The only variance from the usual script was that Mikka Kiprusoff came to play this time, and he was able to keep Calgary in the game.
THE GOOD
Patrick Kane: Kane had some extra jump tonight, and gave the Calgary defense fits. Kaner got behind the defense for a couple of breakaways in the first period (one resulting in a penalty shot) and eventually scored the Hawks first goal on a power play in the first period.
John Madden: No points for Madden tonight, but he if Kiprussoff wasn't at his best, John might have had a hat trick.
Four Lines: Joel Quenneville was determined to roll all four lines tonight, and his rotation paid off. The Hawks fourth liners turned in another excellent effort tonight, and Ben Eager ended up with the game winning goal off of it. Overall, the Hawks spent most of the game taking it to the Flames, and were much more physical tonight than the past few games.
Mikka Kiprusoff: The Hawks have owned him the last two seasons, but tonight Kiprusoff looked like he might single-handedly beat them. The Hawks had several excellent chances and Kiprusoff answered them with highlight reel saves. As loyal reader Mark Giangreco Roman Wrestler adroitly observed when the Calgary pulled their goalie with a minute left: "Flames best player is off the ice".
THE BAD
Turnovers: The Hawks were better tonight than the last several games, but there was a stretch in the second period when they couldn't get out of their own way. There's nothing worse than watching a defensemen turn back towards his own net and then throw a blind pass towards his blue line. Gotta cut that crap out.
Cam Barker: Maybe Barker's game is suffering from the long layoffs he's had, or maybe he's not fully healed, but he just wasn't good tonight. The situation may be a bit of a Catch-22: Barker probably needs more playing time to get back in the groove, but the Hawks aren't in a position to justify giving him more playing time to do it.
THE UGLY
The Tooth Fairy? Who the hell thought that up? That movie is the worst idea since the electric washcloth.
Categories: Chicago Blackhawks, Calgary Flames
Tags: Flames Blackhawks
The Hawks only allowed 20 shots all night. That's the big key for them.
Plus, there weren't as many quality scoring chances as there's been in the past few games.
Plus, as we've said before, it's nice to have a bitch, and Calgary is the Blackhawks' bitch.
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Another solid\road game by the Blackhawks. If Kiprusoff wasn't as good as he was tonight, it would have been a blowout.
Defense needs to tighten up.
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Geezwhiz, woulda been nice if they coulda played this way in Ottawa after I paid big bucks for that preemo seat.
Anyway, MUCH better all around.
DunkinSeabs and Soup are now becoming 'The Big Three', looks like, eh.
The AnttiDote was effective, but then the D didn't cough up pucks all night, but then the Flaming Lips didn't exactly lay the body on, but then, Olli Jokinen must be joke-in-en.
And JayBo is now officially this year's Overpriced UFA Signing. PS he DOES look like Conan O'Brien.
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At least you paid in Canadian dollars.
Campbell has played very well this year. I think the Hammer has something to do with that.
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Gee Rizz, seeing as the loonie is almost at par with the greenback, no savings there.
Soup and Sandwich are a good combo, noboutadouttit.
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The joke would have been a lot better a few years ago.
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Here's one for you from Bobby Mack at TSN today, eh.
"The Calgary Flames are a team that may, and I stress MAY, be interested (in Kovalchuk), however if they are they are going to have to talk about some of the “big boys” like Dion Phaneuf amongst others to be included.
"If it's not Phaneuf then there is a good chance that the Chicago Blackhawks will be interested. I'm not saying that talks have been made, but I am saying that guys like Patrick Sharp or Cam Barker or David Bolland will be in the mix. Legitimate bonafide NHL players is what Waddell is looking for in return, and he is looking for a couple of them.
"I think that at the end of the day both Chicago and Calgary will be in that group to pursue Kovalchuk and pursue him hard."
This should get a rise out of Fork, too.
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I would do it for Barker and Bolland in a heartbeat. If your system is as deep as it is, you can replace those guys.
As long as Kyle Beach is still in the fold, we are ok.
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I wouldn't be so quick to trade Bolland. This team is very thin at the Center position in the system and Kovie is probably a no-go to re-sign with this team.
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I agree that they are a little thin at the pivot, but I'm going all in. I would trade Bolland before Sharp.
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I think a big part of the reason that Calgary layed off the rough stuff a bit was that the Hawks power play has absolutely murdered them recently.
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Finally, I know how to properly use the word adroitly.
I'm so glad that awful losing streak is over. Maybe these guys have figured out what it means to have the heart of a champion.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go take an adroitly in the toilet.
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MGRW, how was that adroitly of yours?
And I agree with you about Bolland.
IF Special K is on The Bow Man's radar, the very handsome Patrick Sharp and other Hawk hunks may be courting Southern belles.
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Hey guys, I just wanted to come on here and thank whoever introduced me to this site and A2Y. I manage a video store in Evanston, and last spring one of you guys came into my store (prob cuz you can see me wearing my Wings jerseys from Chicago Ave
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Yeah, that was me...don't think I don't see those fucking Detroit sweaters you hang in your store...
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Muahaha, man the first 2 years I lived here hardly anyone said shit to me. THIS year, holy shit, soccer moms telling me I better take that shit down or I'm gunna get my ass kicked hahahahaah it's friggin great! Thanks Fork, and stop in sometime so we can rap.
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