Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Blackhawks. Show all posts

Friday, May 09, 2014

Brandon Bollig Boards Keith Ballard



Chicago Blackhawks forward Brandon Bollig absolutely destroyed Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard with a very dangerous, and unnecessary hit. You can't hit a guy in the numbers, not like that. I think that Bollig should have been tossed from the game for this hit and given a five minute major and a game misconduct. Ballard would leave the game with what appears to be a concussion.


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Mike Haviland named head coach of C.C. Tigers



It's an interesting selection, Mike Haviland has been hired as the 14th head coach of the Colorado College Tigers hockey team. Haviland played collegiately at Elmira College a Division III school. Also, it looks to be a good hire, Haviland has coached in the American Hockey League and the National Hockey league as an assistant.
Colorado College Tigers --- Mike Haviland has agreed to become Colorado College's next head ice hockey coach. The highly regarded veteran coach with experience at the NCAA, ECHL, AHL and NHL levels will take over as the 14th coach of the Tigers later this month.

Haviland, most recently head coach for the Hershey Bears, the oldest franchise in the AHL, owns an impressive record. He earned a Stanley Cup as assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL in 2010. He was honored with the AHL's Louis A. R. Pieri Memorial Coach of the Year Award for the 2006-07 season while serving as head coach of the Norfolk Admirals. He won ECHL championships as head coach of Trenton Titans in 2004-05 and the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies in 2002-03. From 1996-1998 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Elmira College, Haviland helped guide that team to two ECAC championships.

Haviland has more than 20 years of hockey coaching experience, and became head coach of the Hershey Bears in 2013. Prior to arriving at Hershey, he served as associate head coach at Norfolk. From 2008-2012 he served as an assistant coach for the Blackhawks. Haviland got his start in the Blackhawk organization by serving as head coach of Rockford in 2007-2008. He also served as head coach for Norfolk in 2005-2007; of Trenton in the ECHL from 2004-2005; and Atlantic City of the ECHL from 2001-2004. Prior to 2001 Haviland served as assistant coach for several organizations.
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Sunday, May 04, 2014

Do Wild Fans Need to Worry?



Once again, the Minnesota Wild find themselves down in a 2-0 hole, but the only difference is that it is to a much more experienced Chicago Blackhawks team.

First thing is first, one must address the horrible starts to game one and two for Minnesota. They would fall into 2-0 holes in both games, but would surge late to make things interesting before Chicago would ice the games with empty net goals. Their flat footed starts reminded me much of the series last year against the Blackhawks. It looked like a lot of puck envy and the Wild had no pressure on the puck carrier what so ever.

Another issue to address is the goalie situation. Ilya Bryzgalov has shown signs of the Bryz of 2007, but seems to be getting caught too deep into his net, look at Brandon Saad's first goal of the game. Yes I know it was deflected off the stick of Zach Parise, however, if Bryzgalov comes out another eight inches to a foot, I believe the puck hits him in the shoulder.

The goaltending situation is one that they have dealt with all season long, but it's time for Bryzgalov to take the reigns and find his game from the regular season. However, all can't be put on Bryz. When the Wild have had their prime scoring chances, is when they are strong on the forecheck. The only line I saw that consistently from today was the line with Nino, Haula, and Fontaine. These three took the body, created chances and got pucks to the net consistently. The rest of the team should take notes off of how these three played today because their games were nearly flawless.

Turnovers were also another story on today's game. Giving the puck up in key areas costed Minnesota at least two goals today. They would make a third period push today and in game one, but would turn out to be too little too late .

Finally, the big guns need to start being more active like they were at the end of the Colorado series. In today's game, Parise and Suter were both -3, Pommer, Granny, and Koivu were all a -2, and the only plus players were our grinders, Haula, Heatley, and McCormick all at +1. This picture is something that needs to be changed, or you can kiss this season goodbye.

As for if fans need to be concerned? I say yes. This Blackhawks team isn't like the Avalanche. They are much better and more experienced in the playoffs. 2-0 holes against them are generally impossible to overcome. However, it is the playoffs and the Blue Jackets almost upset the Penguins in the first round.

The only way I see Minnesota being back in this series is they must win both games at the Xcel Energy Center. If this doesn't happen, the season is over. The Madhouse on Madison is not an easy building to win in and have to grab at least one victory there to head to the West Final.

Toews goal against the Wild



Exhibit A: This is what they mean by going hard to the net. Getting to the blue pain. I thought this goal was a back breaker. The much maligned, and rightfully so, Minnesota Wild goalie Ilya Bryzgalov makes a beautiful initial save on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa. That play would have been great, but the poor defensive effort by the Wild defenders allowed Jonathan Toews to crash the net and cash in on the rebound at the side of the net.


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Saturday, May 03, 2014

Wild and Blackhawks - A couple of things



I found a couple of interesting quotes from Russo's Rants that I thought were interesting.
“Obviously, it was a very winnable game for us,” Yeo said. “It didn’t have the feel of a game that we were going to win for sure. But to get yourself in that opportunity, you know, you’re starting to come on five-on-five, we were pretty good for a lot of points there, for a lot of periods of the game. But you’ve got to buckle down in those key moments and those key situations. We’ve been stronger than that lately, but this is nothing to hang our hat on. It’s about the next challenge in front of you.”
The Wild aren't going to win many more hockey games if they don't start playing better defensively. Also, the Wild forwards need to cash in on the opportunities that present themselves. How many chances has Wild forward Jason Pominville missed during the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Too many to count.

Last night, I think the Wild did deserved a better fate, but I feel the defense let the team down. Jonas Brodin was unimpressive last night, but we still need to remember he's very young player and sometimes young players make mistakes.


Coach Yeo on the Wild Goaltending.
On Bryz, Yeo said he didn’t have a problem with his game (and right now he has no choice to talk him up): “Obviously this a talented team that can capitalize and don't need 30 opportunities to put five in the net so we have to limit those quality opportunities.”



From Chad Graf's gamer...
"I felt that we had a handful of guys that were below average at best," Yeo said. "Whatever the reason for that, whether it's the quick turnaround, whether it's not being able to adjust and get refocused on this, we'll have to rectify that."
This is a must read by Tom Powers.
I'd bet the farm that we see John Curry before this series is over. The way this works for the Wild is that Bryzgalov might choke on a chicken bone during the pregame meal or slip in the shower or trip getting off the team bus. All manner of calamities befall their goaltenders. They don't even bat an eye when it happens anymore.


Wild defense porous in opening game against Blackhawks

I think that's a pretty accurate assessment of last night's game, in general. Last night, the Wild defense left their goaltender high and dry and gave up "way" too many opportunities. This has to change or this could end up being a very short series.
Mark Lazerus, Chicago Sun-Times -- He danced through the Minnesota defense as they picked their poison between him and Patrick Sharp, dusting Ryan Suter and splitting Jonas Brodin and Kyle Brodziak — the Wild’s top two defensemen and one of their top shutdown forwards — before roofing a backhander over Ilya Bryzgalov to break a tie and unleash a deafening roar at the United Center.

As (Patrick) Kane raced to his teammates to celebrate, he twice appeared to yell, “Showtime!” — fitting, given the highlight-reel nature of the goal and his usual penchant for the dramatic.

Thursday, May 01, 2014

Minnesota Wild: Nino Niederreiter game winning goal.



(Ignore the last 22 seconds of the video.)The Minnesota Wild move on to the second round for the first time in 11 years. The Wild now travel to the the Madhouse on Madison to play the Chicago Blackhawks. The first game is Friday at 7:30 pm. Central. No more midnight hockey. It's Jonathan Toews versus Zach Parise. During his career against the Blackhawks, Parise has played in 15 games and scored (3g-2a-5pts). For those that are wondering, during his career, Toews has scored (6g-13a-19pts) in 22 games against the Minnesota Wild.

During the regular season, the Wild went 3-2 against the Blackhawks. One of Chicago's two wins was a shootout.
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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Hawks Take Series in Six

When the first round playoff match-ups were finally set, I knew right away that the Blackhawks and Blues series would be the best one in the first round. The teams didn't disappoint.

Game one and two opened up in St. Louis, and the fans were treated to two exciting Blues wins. It didn't get much better than game one either. In a game that would go back and forth, the fans would get their money's worth as the game would end very early into the third overtime. Alexander Steen would be the game one hero, but this game would set the pace for this exciting series.

Then came the controversy in game two. St. Louis Blues captain David Backes (Spring Lake Park, MN/ Minnesota State Mankato) would take an elbow to the head from Blackhawk defender Brent Seabrook, knocking him out for the rest of game two, along with games three and four. Seabrook wold get a three game suspension for the hit, but left both fan bases with a sour taste in their mouths. St. Louis would now be down their captain, and Chicago is out of their top defenseman.

Chicago just kept pushing forward, even though they were down 2-0 in the series, but now had the advantage of being back in the Madhouse on Madison. With Chicago looking to get into the win column, and would do that via a Corey Crawford shutout. Captain Jonathan Toews would net the game's first goal, and the game winner, just 4:10 into the first period, and the game would become a very grinding defensive battle. Marcus Kruger would get the insurance empty netter to seal the 2-0 victory

Overtime would be needed once again in game four, in another contest that could have gone either way. The Blackhawks scored the first two in the contest, Andrew Shaw and Patrick Kane, but the Blues would push back and score three unanswered and Vladimir Tarasenko putting the Blues ahead 3-2 with about 7:30 left in regulation. However, the Chicago never say die attitude kicked in, and would get a few good looks at goalie Ryan Miller before Bryan Bickell would tie the game with just under four minutes to play, and the roof went off at the Madhouse. They now had the crowd on their side going into overtime and used it to their advantage. Half way through the first overtime, Patrick Kane and Ben Smith would have a rush up the ice int the offensive zone with Patrick Kane taking the puck up the left wing. Smith would charge the net, drawing the defenders off of Kane so he could take the shot, and he buried it for the winner in another very exciting game in the series that is now tied and headed back to St. Louis.

The story line for game five would be the return for Blues captain David Backes after missing the previous two games due to injury after the Seabrook elbow. Probably not playing at 100%, just having the presence of your captain in your line up can be enough to spark a locker room. That's exactly what the Blues needed after losing two straight in Chicago. Once again, this game would take overtime to find a winner in this very tightly battled series. Once again, the Blackhawks would look at their captain to come in clutch in overtime. Toews would get sprung on a breakaway and would slide the puck behind Miller to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 series lead, and put them in complete control going into game six.

Today's game was just straight up Chicago Blackhawks domination once the third period came around. Bryan Bickell and TJ Oshie would exchange goals in the first and that's the score that would hold up until very early in the third period. The Blues completely outplayed the Blackhawks in the second, but most of that was due to the Hawks penalty box door being open the whole period, but couldn't find a way to put the puck behind Crawford. At the end of the second, the Blackhawks would finally get their first power play opportunity, which would carry over to the start of the third. Just 44 seconds into the final frame, who else, but Jonathan Toews would light the lamp and put the Hawks up 2-1. There was no looking back from there. Chicago would rattle of three more goals off of the sticks of Patrick Sharp, Andrew Shaw, and Duncan Keith, to solidify a 5-1 game six victory and a 4-2 series win.

If I got anything out of this series, is that the Blackhawks have their playoff form from last year. This team is dangerous and has all of the tools for a repeat. The Hawks can sit back and relax for a short time and see whether they draw the Wild or Avalanche in round two.

As for the Blues, a lot of people thought that this was a team that could go deep into the playoffs this year, especially after how strong they were in the regular season, and in games one and two. However, late season injuries, and a semi struggling Ryan Miller cost the Blues and sent them home to the golf course earlier then they would have liked.

Overall, this was a very exciting, physical, fast, and skillful series to watch and will be one that is talked about for years to come. A bounce here or there, and St. Louis could be headed to round two, or at least to game seven back home in their barn.

Brent Seabrook and David Backes shake hands (GIF)


Nothing to see here folks, David Backes and Brent Seabrook shake hands at the end of the series.

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Thursday, April 24, 2014

(Video) Patrick Kane wrist shot OT goal



You might not have seen it last night, but this is a dirty game winning goal by Patrick Kane against the St. Louis Blues in overtime. Out of 14 games, the visiting team has only won one game.
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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Similarities in Playoff Series for Wild

Last season marked the first time the Minnesota Wild had made the playoffs since winning the Northwest Division in 2008, but would be matched up with the Stanley Cup favorite, Chicago Blackhawks.

This season, just squeaking in again, Minnesota is in a battle with longtime rival, Colorado, after the Avalanche won the division for the first time since 2003. I wonder how that season ended up for them.

Looking back to the first three games of last seasons playoffs for Minnesota and comparing them to this years, I see a lot of things similar in the ways the games have been played.

Starting with both game one's, an overtime post would cost Minnesota that important game one victory to gain momentum in the series. Last year it was Jason Zucker hitting the crossbar, and this year was Jason Pominville ringing one off of the far post. One big difference in each series first games is that Minnesota would dominate the first two periods and much more scoring in the game because of it.

In game two, the Wild looked like they were in awe of the young and speedy Avalanche. Seeming to not get anything together, even after scoring the first goal, Colorado would score three unanswered to skate to a game two victory and take a 2-0 series lead going into game three at Xcel Energy Center, just like the Blackhawks would last year.

Although game three between Chicago and Minnesota was played pretty even and Minnesota would dominate the Avs last night, the result was still the same between the two games, young guns scoring in dramatic fashion in overtime. Last year was Jason Zucker who fired a rocket from near the goal line and would beat Corey Crawford for the victory. This year, it was Granny's turn. In a play that was dominated by him, Granlund would fight off a check, take the puck to the slot, and score laying flat on the ice with the Avalanche goaltender having no chance at making the save, giving the Wild a game three victory once again.

Compared to last season, this Wild team is much stronger, much more skilled, and have much more chemistry then they did at this time last season. I would expect another strong showing for Minnesota Thursday night and for the rest of the series. If they play like they did last night for the rest of the series, Colorado will be going home early this playoff season.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

(video) Brent Seabrook's dirty hit on David Backes (with quotes)



I would have to think that Blackhawks Defenseman Brent Seabrook is going to get a two-tree game suspension for this hit. For the record, Seabrook has never been suspended.

15:09 CHI Brent Seabrook served by Antti Raanta Charging (maj) - 5 min against David Backes
15:09 CHI Brent Seabrook Game misconduct - 10 min against David Backes






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Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Blackhawks vs. Blues: This Rivalry Never Gets Old

Tomorrow is going to probably be the most exciting day in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a long time. You have all four games being big time rivalry games. However, I think most eyes will be on the battle of Central Division rivals in Chicago and St. Louis.

Chicago, the more offensively flavored team, looks to keep this a high flying, wide open style of game to highlight their great offensive talents. With both Toews and Kane returning for game one, although they say they are 100% who knows if they really are, that just adds that extra offensive flair and swagger Chicago needs to skate around a struggling Blues team.

As for the Blues, they did not end their regular season they way they would have probably wanted. Losing five out of their last seven games, getting beaten and battered with the injury bug, the Blues are going into the playoffs with virtually no momentum what so ever. That being said, Oshie and captain Backes are returning tomorrow night for game one, but like with Toews and Kane, who knows if they are actually at 100%. I guess we will have to see how aggressive they play tomorrow.

To beat the Blackhawks, St. Louis is going to have to keep these games low scoring and be very physical like they love to be. This series is going to remind me a lot of the UND Gopher game from the Frozen Four this year, if it were a seven game series. Every single game will be played with a lot of speed and a lot of physicality.

As for who is going to win this series? If these games turn into high scoring style of game I would have to give the advantage to the Blackhawks. It's just their style of game, but have proven to have a little physicality as well with players like Bickell, Bolig, and Shaw. That being said, St. Louis needs to use their physicality to slow down the game and keep the Hawks off the board.

I picked Chicago to win this series because the Blues are coming in with absolutely no momentum and a struggling Ryan Miller. The series is competitive, but the Blues wont be able to finish off the series.

Monday, April 14, 2014

My NHL Stanley Cup Predictions - Bruins win Rematch over the Blackhawks


Zach Hawkins has made his predictions for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, here's mine. Feel free to chime in with your picks.
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2014 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

EAST:
Round 1:
Boston over Detroit
Montreal over Tampa
Philly over NYR
Pittsburgh over Columbus

Round 2:
Philly over Pittsburgh
Boston over Montreal

Round 3:
Philly over Boston

WEST:
Round 1:
Anaheim over Dallas
LA over San Jose
Colorado over Minnesota
Chicago over St. Louis

Round 2:
Anaheim over LA
Colorado over Chicago

Round 3:
Colorado over Anaheim

STANLEY CUP FINALS:
Colorado over Philly