2011/2012 Chicago Blackhawks thread

[gammabears]

Unless the team comes out saying that he had a concussion.. that's a good job acting.

[4th and 26]

Looks like incidental contact to me. Shaw was going for the puck

It was incidental contact yet the goaltender pulled a classic roughing the punter injury and embelished it. What bugs me is that the officials gave Shaw a game misconduct for the hit and they waited to see the results of the fake injury to make their decision. Since Smith finished the game Shaw should not get fined or suspended.

[4th and 26]

I agree with the penalty, as intentional or not, he railroaded the Mike Smith (who is a hell of an actor btw) but I do not feel he should have been kicked out of the game or should get suspended.

If Weber did not get suspended, Shaw getting that punishment is uncalled for

I would have given him a roughing minor for the collision. Had Shaw going directly at Smith and delivered a full body check then I can see a 5 minute penalty. Weber should have been suspended for his cheap shot but Mr Inconsistant/Hockey Goon Shanahan can't make up his mind on who deserves fines and penalties.

[4th and 26]

I don't want to sound like a Canucks pussy but the refs have been terrible these last two games. If Shaw gets suspended Shanny needs his ass kicked all over the place.

On another note if you only take one game in Phoenix this was the one and way to do it. Get momentum and head to the UC.

The refs have been inconsistant and missing calls bigtime. The Toews goalie interference call is BS.

[BigClaws]

Smith is a soccer player.

[little bear]

Canucks down 0-3. :D

[little bear]

Despite dramatic win, problems remain for Blackhawks | Red Light District

Despite dramatic win, problems remain for Blackhawks

I'm not trying to pee in your morning corn flakes. Saturday night's Blackhawk win was as exciting and memorable as any in recent memory. Brent Seabrook's game tier and Bryan Bickell's OT winner will be fond memories for Hawks fans for years...especially if they go on to win this series, but we were all 5.5 seconds away from being absolutely furious and frustrated at another sub par playoff performance.
The Hawks dominated play and scored early. From there...it was all Phoenix...until it wasn't.
Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett has his squad committed to a patient and frustrating system. Once they get a lead, they shut it down. The Hawks, as they have been all season, were hellbent on carrying the puck into the zone, rather than dumping it in and chasing the puck. The Coyotes were playing a 1-4 defense for much of the second and third period. One forward forechecks, the others stay in the neutral zone, forcing turnovers and bad decisions. Clog the neutral zone, and the Hawks are toast.
The Hawks have looked their best in this series when they have the puck behind the net, working the give and gos and backdoor passes. Dumping the puck and winning a race is an easy way to get in that set up. Their unwillingness to adjust has been their undoing...especially on the powerplay. The Hawks needs to start playing with and holding leads. That will force Phoenix out of their system and open up the ice.
Aside from system frustrations, a few players have left something to be desired as well.
Duncan Keith was an absolute disaster last night. Phoenix's first goal was a result of Keith not taking the body on Shane Doan. Both players chased a puck headed behind the net. Doan got their first. Keith had a perfect angle to eliminate the winger, but weakly poked at the puck. The 240 lb Doan kept the puck, and centered the puck to Raffi Torres. 1-1.
Late in the 2nd period, Keith had a bouncing puck at the Coyotes blue line. Instead of swatting it deep, he tried to stickhandles around a Coyote forward. He failed, and it led to a 2-on-1 scoring chance for Phoenix. If not for a big save by Crawford, it would have been 4-2 heading into the 3rd period. Bad decisions and bad turnovers have plagued Keith all series. He's overthinking every play. If the Hawks are going to have a chance against Phoenix (and beyond) he needs to be much better.
Johnny Oduya and Marian Hossa haven't exactly been electric either.
Oduya looks like the game is moving too fast for him. He looks nervous and panicked with the puck. Oddly, his poise and calm are what have made him such a valuable addition. It's been a couple of years since he's played in a playoff game, and it's showing. Hopefully, he can catch back up to the pace and play the game he's played so well in the last few weeks.
Hossa simply isn't scoring. Sure...there are moments where he still dazzles with the puck, but the results aren't there. He's not recorded a single point in the Hawks' last 4 games. He needs to get on the scoresheet.
It's not all bad news though. Patrick Sharp returned to form after a terrible game one. He was buzzing all night...especially in the first period. Brent Seabrook continues to define "clutch." Of Seabrook's last five goals, one was a game-winner, and three tied the game to force overtime (stat courtesy of Paul Kennedy). Bryan Bickell has been outstanding, as have his linemates Dave Bolland and Andrew Shaw. Let's hope Monday's hearing with the NHL doesn't keep Shaw out of the lineup for Game 3 or beyond...because it shouldn't. Bolland made an immediate impact on the powerplay, assisting on Bickell's first goal.
The Hawks are a different team at the United Center. If they can fly back to Phoenix up 3 games to 1, book your flights to the next opponent's city (probably not Vancouver.)

[gammabears]

Shaw suspended three games for 'hit' on Smith.

[4th and 26]

Shaw suspended three games for 'hit' on Smith.

Mr Inconsistant strikes again. Weber gets no suspensing for driving the head of a star player into the glass yet suspends a guy for running into the goalie. Brilliant.

[4th and 26]

Where is the fucking officials at in this game? Why the hell is Raffi Torres not ejected for leaving the ice and knocking out Hossa in the game? Why does this fuck face get a free pass to take runs at Hawks players? God I hate these fucking officals in this game.