Highlights
Oh I remember this script from last season. The Blackhawks play 40 minutes of good hockey and 20 minutes like absolute crap. Unfortunately the Hawks picked the worst 20 to tank - the third period.
- I'm not *too* upset over this loss. Let's look at our D: 3 of 6 would be a 6th defenseman on most teams, one is 19 and still getting his feet wet, and our two best defenders are playing unusually crappy because they're not only covering for everyone else, they're playing obscene minutes (Duncs - 32:52 TOI, Seabs - 23:33). Grrrrrrrreat!
- Let's also not forget in all likelihood, Pat Kane wasn't 100% last night. An "illness" that is going to keep him out of tomorrow's matchup vs. Columbus didn't just spring up overnight. Yeah, you can insert a hungover or STD joke here, but honestly we're shorthanded enough as it is and we need all hands on deck.
- I'm baffled on why Q gave Crawford the start. If Marty's our #1 (as he reiterated today), why start the backup two games in a row, four games into the season. Coach Q is annoying me in many ways at the moment and this is a particular sore point. Remember Cristobal Huet - a rhythm goalie that never got into a decent rhythm because of Q's switcharoos? Marty Turco is wired much the same way. So we're starting Turco tomorrow night at Columbus, *six* days since his last start. Remember what happened the last time we were in Columbus and we were playing musical goaltenders? I was at that game, and my ears still haven't stopped ringing from that fucking cannon. I'm not saying Turco needs to start every game this early in the season. But he doesn't need this long of a layoff either - I'm beginning to think Q enjoys messing with his goaltenders' heads.
- Speaking of playing mindgames, everyone and their dog can see that Troy Brouwer does not belong on the fourth line. Does any other team have a 25 goal scorer on their basement line? Coach Q reminds me of someone I worked for - if they liked you, they turned a blind eye to your faults. Screw up once, and you're dead to them. For god's sake Joel, TBrouw's Dad nearly DIED last season! Must you be so cruel? I heard though that Brouwer was practicing with the second line today. But I'm sure once Kane comes back, a demotion will soon follow. God, I hope he scores a hattie tomorrow!
- Tomas Kopecky must have blackmail on the coaching staff. For as good as he looked in the preseason, now that it's for real, he is not playing well. He simply does not have the skills to keep up with Hoss & Cap'n. He belongs on a checking line - not with two of the most dynamic players in the entire league.
- Yeah, I think Patrick Sharp's still seeing the birdies. I hardly noticed him.
- I thought Corey Crawford did OK considering. With the clusterfuck that our D is right now, whomever is in net is going to have to be near the top of their game to get us some Ws.
- Joel Ward is on my fantasy hockey team. Yay?
- 4 SOG in the third period. That sums it up right there.
- So who is going to take Kaner's place tomorrow night? My bet is on Jeremy Morin, but wouldn't be surprised if it's Brandon Pirri or Igor Makarov. I doubt it'll be Kyle Beach due to his cap hit, but I'm not a numbers cruncher so I have no idea if he'd fit under or not. Please don't bring up another D-man. Jassen Cullimore? BARF.
Sorry, I didn't mean this to be so negative - I guess I was more frustrated than I thought. I just get annoyed when we have control of a game and just basically stop being aggressive and playing with some sense of urgency. I had to watch the back end of "Starship Troopers" afterward to make myself feel better. Anyway...
Jonathan Toews
Captain Serious led the way with his first goal of the season, and added an assist on Kane's power play tally. He was only one of four players with a positive +/- with a +1. I'm sure he's not a happy camper right now - I can see him making Very Bad Faces at his teammates. Perhaps he'd score a little more if he had not one but two wingers on his line that could skate and pass without losing his helmet.
Jack Skille & Viktor Stalberg
If there was one line that seemed to click last night it was the third. Skille & Stalberg showed a lot of speed and moves - their only problem at the moment seems to be consistently getting a quality shot on net. Unfortunately for both of them, they were on the ice for the tying goal by Colin Wilson and never saw the ice the rest of the game - EVEN THOUGH THE PUCK WENT OFF OF JORDAN HENDRY. Q, you really suck sometimes. The worst forward on that line was Dave Bolland who looks like he got amnesia in the offseason and forgot the dominant game he played in the second half of the playoffs. But he still ended up with 17 minutes of ice time. Skille had 9, and Stalberg a mere 7:46- WTF? Mark my words - a Skille/Stalberg combo is set for a multi-point game in the near future.
Jordan Hendry
Thanks to your wonderful shot blocking skills, you scored two goals for the Preds. Forget I was clamoring for your return - at least John Scott is a bit of comic relief. Honorable Mention goes to Nick Boynton - you weren't doing too badly until you decided to flip that puck over the glass with under three minutes left in a tie game. Haven't you been playing hockey since the 90s? I guess you got your common sense in addition to your manhood beat out of you in that first preseason game.
TOEWS-FACE OF THE GAME
Isn't that cute? They have matching facial expressions!
Please don't get your ass kicked by the BJs tomorrow Hawks. It would make the Baby Jesus cry. Loudly.
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