Well, that sucked.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Colorado Avalanche were in the middle of a tight goalie-driven contest, then referee Don VanMassenhoven decided that Jordan Hendry needed 4 minutes for a high stick that wasn't even called by either ref while they were watching it. Tomas Fleischmann seems to enjoy seeing Indian Heads, getting a hat trick tonight after a goal and two assists on Monday night.

At any rate, whether calls go your way or not, you still have a hockey game to win. The Hawks didn't, and they dropped one at home 4-3.

Let's get this over with:

THE GOOD:

Bryan Bickell. A goal and an assist. He now has 8 goals on the year, and is just keeping it simple out there. That three-year deal with a Cap hit of a shade under $542K/year will just keep being a bigger and bigger steal. Loved the toothless grin. That's a hockey player.

Patrick Kane taking part in the morning skate. This team needs the energy Kane brings. And goals. He brings goals.

THE BAD:

The Hawks lack of killer instinct. They completely spit the bit on Monday, pissing away two points. They come home for a rematch, and it's time for a statement. That statement was apparently, "We still think we can rack up enough points later on". They didn't use the double minor as motivation, they let the Avalanche dictate the play. The Chicago Blackhawks aren't playing like champions right now. There's still more sand in the top of the hourglass than the bottom, but at some point they need to start racking up points.

Corey Crawford. He had a Jeckyll-and-Hyde game, making some monster saves, and giving up some goals because he had no control over his crease. When your team has a 38-23 shot advantage as the Hawks did tonight, the goalie needs to be more consistent.

Can't imagine what the refs were thinking...Ryan O'Byrne knocks Viktor Stalberg out of the game with a head shot on the boards from behind and gets two minutes, and Jordan Hendry gets a double minor for toothpicking? Win or lose, that was brutal.

THE UGLY:

O'Byrne's hit on Stalberg. Stalberg didn't come back, and now we hold our breath and make sure he's OK. If he looks like he's going to be out for any amount of time, Run Jeremy (Morin) doesn't go to the World Juniors. Kane's imminent return means the Kyle Beach Watch stays at October 2011.

Next up for the Hawks is Chris Chelios Heritage Night on Friday. If you're going, remember a proud Blackhawk who gave everything he had for some pretty bad teams. Hopefully the Hawks can channel their inner Chelios and show some goddamn heart.