Let's go Hawks!

Blackhawks play tonight versus Nashville Predators at 7 pm.  I will be missing the game once again…..thank god for Twitter.  Keeps me up-to-date with games.  So as of right now the Hawks are in 9^th place…they moved up 2 spots….not even playing.  In the past 8 games, they were 4-2-2…..getting 10 out of 16 pts.  They had 3 shootouts in those games only winning 1 out of 3….another area to work on.  Once again….Hawks are okay but they do have a 2 game winning streak….let’s see if they can keep the momentum up and start climbing up the standings.

Leaders in each category

Points-55 Toews

Assists-35 Toews

Goals-31 Sharp

+/- +21 Campbell, -13 Kopecky

Hits-204 Brouwer (next player is at 169)

Takeaways- 73 Toews

Shooting percentage- 17.0% Brouwer

FO%- 57.8%  Toews

PIM- 56 Dowell

Blocked shots- 127 Hjalmarsson

Total ice time- 26:53 Keith

Power play goals- 12 Sharp

Giveaways- 66 Keith

Report Card

Power play- 7 goals in 32 attempts the past 8 games giving them a 21.9%

Grade-A

Penalty Kill-allowed 5 goals in 27 attempts the past 8 games giving them a 81.5%

Grade-D

Goaltending-never been an issue.  Both Crawford and Turco make various stops at key times.    Grade-A

Offense-The Hawks averaged 3 goals per game in the past 8 games

Grade-B+

Defense-All I have to say is thank god for special teams especially the power play.  Allowed 2.625 goals per game the last 8.

Grade-D

Overall-C

Here are the scores and interesting stats for the last 8 games

Hawks vs. Flames (2/7/11)

Flames win 3-1

-Toews only player with a plus for the game +1 with 1 assist

-Seabrook played more than Keith with 25 mins

-Sharp 64% at the dot winning 7 out of 11 draws

-1^st period only 3 shots credit to Hawks

Hawks vs. Oilers (2/9/11)

Hawks win 4-1

-Kane 2 goals, 1 assist, +2 rating, 22:05 TOI (3^rd highest), 2 takeaways

-Toews 2 assists, +2 rating, 3 takaways

-Hawks with only 4 shots on goal in the 3^rd period eventhough scoring 2 goals

-Hawks outhit 10-16 and giveaways 14-9 despite winning the game

Hawks vs. Stars (2/11/11)

Stars win 4-3 (SO)

- Turco gets the start with his former team before coming to the Hawks…..The Stars ran a brief tribute to Turco on the jumbotron during a break in the first period

-Kane, Sharp, and Seabrook tally in the 1^st period to make it 3-0.

-Stars rally towards the end of the 2^nd period to make it only a one goal lead.

-Morrow scores 47 seconds in the 3^rd to tie up the game and go into OT

-Hawks were outhit 16-39 and Frolik makes his debut

Hawks vs. Yotes (2/12/11)

Yotes win 3-2 (SO)

-Brouwer 1 goal, 5 hits, and 1 B/S

-Bolland 2 assists, 1 hit, 1 takeaway, 2 B/S, and 57% at the dot

-Both Hawks goals were on the power play (Keith and Brouwer)

-Toews, Kane, and Hossa do not convert in the shootout…Vrbata does.

Hawks vs. Wild (2/16/11)

Hawks win 3-1

Hawks vs. Blue Jackets (2/18/11)

Blue Jackets win 4-3

Hawks vs. Peguins (2/20/11)

Hawks win 3-2 (SO)

Hawks vs. Blues (2/21/11)

Hawks win 5-3

Notes

-Michael Frolik and goaltender Alexander Salak from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jack Skille, Hugh Jessiman, and David Pacan on 2/9/11

-Frolik first player in Hawks history to wear #67 and just 4^th to have a number in the 60’s

-Hawks had only 9 forwards for the 3^rd period vs. Stars (2/11/11)

-Hossa tallied his 800^th career NHL point on Brouwer’s goal vs. Yotes (2/12/11)

(137^th player in NHL history to reach that milestone)

-Keith scored his 50^th  career NHL goal vs. Yotes (2/12/11)

-Campbell’s first goal of 2011 vs. Wild (2/16/11)

-Sharp has 7 goals vs. the CBJ this season

-Kane and Toews both score their 20^th goal vs. Peguins (2/20/11)

-Bishop gave up 4goals in 18 shots on goal although it was 4 goals in 9 shots

Overall

The Hawks are doing okay.  They need to keep on winning…it’s a tight race in their conference.  Once playoffs start…it’s anyones game.  A few comments about a few players.  Patrick Kane….we don’t care what you do off the ice unless it affects your game.  Jack Skille….just heard he got a ankle injury and should be out for a while for the Panthers.  To say you don’t think you’re fourth line player…well that was your role and look what happen.  Brent Seabrook….sorry to say but if you want more than 5 mil a yr after playing the way you have this season….I’d say Hawks time to walk away.  Stan Bowman is not going to trade Seabrook this season but to be honest….im surprised the Hawks haven’t signed him yet and now that Big Buff got a HUGE contract…. I have a feeling…it could possibly turn into a Niemi situation.  Oh well….it’s all about business.  Not everyone stays and there is a salary cap.  Who knows what’s going to happen before Feb 28^th deadline.  Just heard Sopel got traded to the Habs.  Best of luck Sopel!  As always GO HAWKS!!!

Hawks need improvement

HEEEEEYYYY!!!  Well, it’s been while since I wrote one of these up but oh well….life is one crazy roller coaster ride and someone has to ride it!  So the Hawks have been 5-3-1 the past 9 games…..11 out of 18 pts.  Goals per game is 3.15 (5^th in the league) while their goals against per game is 2.79 (14^th in the league).  Special teams….power play is awesome at 24.9% (1^st in the league) while there penalty kill is scary at 78.9% (26^th in the league and yes every time they are on it I do cringe).  The Hawks have been okay…..they need to be better! 

Leaders for the Hawks

Takeaways- 63 Toews (2^nd in the league)

Total ice time- 26:42 Keith (2^nd)

Power play goals-11 Sharp (2^nd)

Hits- 173 Brouwer (5^th)

Goals- 27 Sharp (5^th)

Giveaways-Keith (5^th)

Game winning goals- 6 Sharp (Ovechkin has only one more)

Blocked Shots- 106 Hjalmarsson (14^th)

Points- 47 Sharp

Assists- 27 Seabrook

+/-    +23 Campbell   -10 Sharp

Faceoff Percentage- 58.4% Toews

Shooting Percentage- 17.2 Brouwer

Penalty minutes- 54 Dowell

Report Card (How each player has played from beginning of season til now)

Most consistent all season (A+ to A-)

#10 Patrick Sharp-most goals so far surpassing previous season totals

#51 Brian Campbell-plus 23 for only playing 39 games

#19 Jonathan Toews-one of the best two-way player…shows in the takeaways and FO%

#28 Jake Dowell-sure the numbers don’t show but does the little stuff

#50 Corey Crawford-16-10-2    2.19 GAA (5^th)

Slow start but looking GREAT! (B+ to B-)

#36 Dave Bolland- 7 goals, 3 assists last 9 games

#22 Troy Brouwer- 5 goals, 3 assists last 9 games

#29 Bryan Bickell- def been more noticeable with Bolly on 3^rd line

#4 Niklas Hjalmarsson- since Campbell came back now +6…stay at home D

Doing okay (C+ to C-)

#81 Marian Hossa-has different spurts on the scoresheet….was injured though

#8  Nick Leddy- he’s been playing since being called up 1/07/11….can only get better

#82 Tomas Kopecky- 10 goals so far…tied for the highest in his career

#30 Marty Turco- he’s doing okay just need a better D in front of him

#15 Fernando Pisani-does his job….gritty forward has the veteran presence

#6  Jordan Hendry- eventhough Coach Q don’t like you…you do great with Leddy

Where the FU@# are you at??? (D+ and below)

#2  Duncan Keith- Mr. Norris Trophy winner (10’)…..still haven’t seen it

#7  Brent Seabrook- you’re not as bad as your partner but it sure seems to rub off

#88 Patrick Kane- got injured but showing up only two games and disappearing isn’t cool

#20 Jack Skille-crashing the net/shooting the puck a million times…have to convert more

#25 Viktor Stalberg-you’re a fast skater and big…start shooting the puck/be physical!

#32 John Scott- not a very good skater but needs to use the body more!

#24 Nick  Boynton-not sure what to say….been in and out of the lineup!

Here are the scores and interesting stats for the last 9 games

Hawks vs. Islanders (01/09/11)

Hawks win 5-0

-Hossa 1G, 2A +2

-Hjalmarsson 1G, 1A ,+2, 2 B/S

-Crawford 1^st shutout of the season and 2^nd of his NHL career

-Toews 63% at the dot

-4 goals scored by the Hawks in the 2^nd period

Hawks vs. Avs (1/12/11)

Hawks win 4-0

-Crawford second straight shutout in a row

-Ended 2^nd early and added 2:07 to the 3^rd period because of broken glass

-Bolland and Pisani both had 1G, 1A, +2, and 3 Takeaways

-Brouwer and Bolland score 40 seconds apart in the 1^st period

-Seabrook 2A, +4, 5 hits

Hawks vs. Preds (1/15/11)

Preds win 3-2 in SO

-Predators are scoreless til 11 minutes left in the game and tie it up 8 mins left

-Goc scores in the shootout while Toews, Kane, and Sharp don’t

-Brouwer with 6 hits for the game

-Nashville has 35 faceoff wins while Hawks only had 27

-Stalberg 7^th goal of the season

Hawks vs. Preds (1/16/11)

Hawks win 6-3

-Bolland and Brouwer both score 2 goals each with Brouwer scoring 40 seconds apart for both his goals in the 3^rd period

-Hjalmarsson a +3 with 6 blocked shots

-Turco gets the start for the game hasn’t played since Dec 30^th with 20 saves

-Preds score 2 power play goals in the game

-Jonathan Toews scores his 100^th goal in NHL career

Hawks vs. Wings (1/22/11)

Hawks win 4-1

-Cory Emmerton scores a goal in his NHL debut for Detroit

-Kopecky scores two goals and is a +1 for the game

-Hawks were 2 for 3 on their power play

-Skille had 5 hits…the most in the game by a single player

-Hawks had 17 blocked shots while Wings only had 8

Hawks vs. Flyers (1/23/11)

Flyers win 4-1

-Hossa was awarded a penalty shot after one of the Flyers covered the puck with his hand in the crease…he SCORES!!!

-Jeff Carter with 2 goals, 1 assists, 2 hits, 1 blocked shot, and +3 rating

-Hartnell vs. Bickell (NBC kinda late on showing it!)

-Carcillo vs. Dowell (I’d say draw)

Hawks vs. Wild (1/25/11)

Wild wins 4-2

-Havlat scores 1:47 into the game….with a nice wrister

-Toews with 2 assists, 2 hits, 1 takeaway, 64% at the dot….with 4:33 left into the game, officials disallowed his goal because of the net knocked off it’s moorings.  Replay shows something different (2^nd star of the game)

-Stalberg with 6 hits for the game but Stoner with 8 hits for the Wild

-Sharp and Brouwer both with a goal, 3 hits, 1 takeaway, -1 rating

Hawks vs Blue Jackets (2/1/11)

Hawks win 7-4

-Toews with a short-handed goal and 2 assists

-Columbus scores 2 goals in a 42 second span and end up taking the lead 3-2 but Hawks rally and win the game

-Keith with the PPG in the 1^st period (2^nd 5-on-3 goal this season)

-Once again….the period was shorten and added onto the 2^nd due to lights being dimmed

-Marty Turco with the start making 29 saves

Hawks vs. Canucks (2/4/11)

Canucks win 4-3

-one of the most worst officiated games this season (questionable goals and penalties)

-Luongo made 45 saves for the game even though the Hawks lost

-Hawks were 0 for 5 on their power play….were given a 2-man advantage in the 2^nd period and a power play 3 mins left in the game

-Canucks were 2 for 4 on their power play  (Hawks….STAY OUT OF THE BOX!)

-Boynton 1^st goal in 69 games

-Seabrook 2 assists and 7 blocked shots

Notes

-Corey Crawford scoreless streak ends at 176:37…. longest since Tony O 192:29 in 1972….2 shutouts this season 3^rd in his NHL career

-Hossa scored on his penalty shot….last time a Hawk scored was back in the old Chicago Stadium in 1987 by Troy Murray

-The Hawks honored 61’ Stanley Cup Championship team before the game (1/9/11)

-Hawks snapped a six-game losing streak vs. Islanders (1/9/11) with their 1^st victory since a 3-2 road win on 12/10/02

-1st win in four game series this season vs. Avs (1/12/11)

-Hawks got 3 out of 4 pts. from their back-to-back game with Nashville

-Kopecky has tied his career high for goals (10) vs. Wings (1/22/11)…have 30 games left

-Brian Campbell has played in his 600^th career game vs. Vancouver (2/5/11)

-Troy Brouwer was the last Hawks player knocked out of the Campbell for Kids tournament for the 2^nd year in a row

-1^st appearance for Patrick Sharp for the All-Star Game and was awarded MVP (1G, 2A) for the game....was the lone Hawk player on Team Staal while Kane, Toews, and Keith were on Team Lindstrom….Lindstrom won 11-10

-Zdeno Chara sets a new record for the hardest shot at 105.9 MPH

-Pre-season game is set to be versus Edmonton Oilers in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan during 2011 preseason (Sept. 20^th)

-Bronze statues of Hull and Mikita will be outside the UC early next season (11’-12’)

Overall

I will have to admit the last game vs. Canucks….had to be one of the worst officiating (I could go on and on about it) that I’ve seen this season but then again Hawks should have converted on one of their power plays since they are 1^st in the league especially on the 5-on-3.  Even though they are 5-3-1 in last 9 games…..they have lost 3 out of the 4 last games….although the last game….did see some light even though they lost!  I just wish they would keep the momentum up, play it simple, goalie is not the problem, have certain player play GREAT, and PK needs MAJOR improvement but I feel this is the same tune I keep on saying kinda like the movie Groundhogs Day.  Stan Bowman.....NOW is the time to make some CHANGES!!!  For all of the people saying are they going to make the playoffs???…the question should be….well how far will they be in the playoffs….won’t know cause it’s a whole different level!    As always…..GO HAWKS!!!

Blackhawks signings in Feb.

Been a while since I wrote one of these (been busy).....might as well do something easy.  Although the Chicago Blackhawks only have 4 games at home this month surprisingly there are some signings coming up....figure I'd share it with you!  I will go according to date.....most are paid signings.


Brian Campbell
Sunday, February 13th
2:00-3:00

Triple Threat Sports
19031 Old LaGrange Road
Unit 210
Mokena, IL 60448
(708) 479-8875

Ticket prices:
$29 any item
$15 inscriptions

Day of the signing, autograph tickets will go up to $35.


Dave Bolland, Jack Skille
Bolly
Sunday Feb 13th
5:00-6:00pm

Skille
Monday Feb 14th
5:00-6:00pm

Chicago Auto Show
2301 South Martin Luther King Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60616

Admission
$11 for Adults
$7 for children 7-12
Kia Display-South Hall

FYI----on Tuesday Feb 15th.....the player has not been announced (Stay Tuned) but wristbands will be passed out....will be there from 4-6pm and at the Chevy Dealership Display....my guess either Kane or Toews....but I could be wrong.


Dave Bolland
Monday Feb 14th
7:30-9:00pm

Features Bar and Grill
10 W Chicago Ave
Naperville, IL 60540
630-416-3310

This event is FREE.  Join 670 The Score's Jay Zawaski and special guest Dave Bolland for Bud Light Hockey Night in Chicago Chalk Talk.



Niklas Hjalmarsson, Corey Crawford, Bryan Bickell, John Scott, Troy Murray
Saturday Feb. 19th
Max Sport Autograph Show and Collectible Convention
Max McCook Athletic & Exposition Center
4750 Vernon Ave.
McCook, IL

There is admission fee and player fee.....you have to pay for both.
Admission $6
Kids 10-under Free

Niklas Hjalmarsson 2pm-3:30pm
$35 any item

Corey Crawford 2pm-4pm
$30 any item

Bryan Bickell 2pm-4pm
$25 any item

John "The Enforcer" Scott 2pm-4pm
$25 any item

Troy Murray 10am-11:30am
$15 any item

Troy Brouwer
Friday Feb. 25th
7:00-9:00

Lawlor's
3636 West 111th Street
Chicago, IL

This event is FREE. Join 670 The Score and special guest Troy Brouwer for Bud Light Hockey Night in Chicago.







There you go....all the signings that I know of.  Let me know if you're going to any....maybe we can meet up!  Not sure which ones I'm going too....probably won't know til Hawks play Dallas.  As always.....GO HAWKS!