(Video) Patrick Kane goal and did Johan Franzen take a dive?

Nice goal by Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. One of the lone bright spots in tonight's game for the Blackhawks. The Redwings proved to be the better team again for a second game in a row.

If you’re a fan of either team, you might not be the one to ask. Watch the video; I want to see if anyone else is seeing this as well. It appears that Detroit forward Johan Franzen embellished this hit just a bit; I am not saying he wasn't hit from behind, because he was. But in my opinion, I think that Franzen could have received an academy award for his acting ability. Thoughts... Should the refs blown the whistle on the play? In my opinion, I thought the refs made the right call my not blowing the play dead. Feel free to disagree if you like.

Bryan Bickell hits Tom Gilbert

In football we used to have a saying, it's better to be the hammer, than the nail. Ouch! Check out this big time hit by Chicago Blackhawks forward Bryan Bickell puts on Minnesota Wild Defenseman Tom Gilbert.

Jason Zucker game winner against the Blackhawks

For the most part I thought that the Minnesota Wild were the better team today, except for the two-four  minute period of time where the Minnesota Wild tried to sit on the lead and it came back to bite them in the back side.

Zucker: On the game winning goal "I Just tried to get it to the net and tried to go up high cause it was open and it did." #mnwild
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

Zucker: "That crowd was unbelievable and you feed on that stuff."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) May 5, 2013

(Video) Jason Zucker levels Brent Seabrook and then stands over him....

In the first two games of the series the Minnesota Wild got outhit, out-hustled and were beat to the puck in every instance. Through two periods of play the Wild have been better. I think it's a fitting way to end the period. Nice hit by Wild forward Jason Zucker as he put a nice hit on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook

SCP: Blackhawks (Toews) vs. Wild (Parise)

Wild (26-19-3) 8^th vs. Blackhawks (36-7-5)1^st

Game 1: at Chicago Tuesday, April 30, 2013 7:00 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 2: at Chicago Friday, May 3, 2013 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

Game 3: at Minnesota Sunday May 5, 2013 2:00 PM CT, CBC, NBC

Game 4: at Minnesota Tuesday, April 30, 2013 May 7, 8:30 PM CT, CBC, FSN, NBCSN

GAME 5: at Chicago Thursday May 9, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 6: at Minnesota Saturday May 11, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

GAME 7: at Chicago Sunday May 12, 2013 TBD (If Necessary)

On paper this series looks like a mismatch and one that could be very short series if the Wild don’t right their ship. You have the President’s Trophy winner versus a team that basically backed into the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the last day of the season. The Wild went 1-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks this season.

How bad were the Wild?

The Wild went 5-8-1 during the month of April and had to be the lowly Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on the last game of the season, to gain the eighth and final playoff spot.

Two Former Sioux go head-to-head  

 There is an interesting series side note; you have two former Fighting Sioux forwards Zach Parise (18g-20a—38pts) and Jonathan Toews (23g-25a—48pts) who both played two seasons at the University of North Dakota. Currently, both are leaders on their current squads, as well.

While neither player played with each other, while they were at the University of North Dakota.  Parise (49g-67a—116pts) played at UND from 2002-04 and Toews (40g-45a—85pts) played at UND from 2005-07. Both players enjoy icon like status at the University of North Dakota and in city of Grand Forks.

(Video) Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk blows up Andrew Shaw

Talk about a violent hit as St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk blows up Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw with a good clean hit. There was no penalty on the hit, nor should there have been. The game during the first period was a very physical and hard hitting game.

It's on Zach Parise vs. Jonathan Toews

Tonight on NBCSN at 7:00 p.m. (C.T.).

Jonathan Toews Short Handed Goal vs. Anaheim Ducks

Beautiful goal by former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews as he makes Aniheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller look sick. The Blackhawks ended up losing the game 4-2.

Jannik Hansen hit to the head of Marian Hossa

During last night's game, Vancouver Canuck forward Jannik Hansen hit Chicago Blackhawk forward Marian Hossa's in the head  with this dirty hit. This play needs to be reviewed by the department of players safety. There is no doubt that this hit and should have been more than a two minute minor penalty, in my opinion.

Rule 48 - Illegal Check to the Head

48.1 Illegal Check to the Head – A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted. However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered.

Jonathan Toews vs Joe Thornton fight. Feb 15th 2013

With that tilt, former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews has been in three fights during his professional career. I guess that's why he wears the "C" and I have to tip my hat the Blackhawks center. Joe Thornton has been known to drop the gloves a little more frequently.

He looks upset. #Blackhawks twitter.com/MarkLazerus/st…
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) February 16, 2013

Jamal Mayers vs. Raffi Torres

This is one of the things that I like about the NHL. The players sort things out on the ice and settle things like men.

Last season, during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Raffi Torres steam rolled Marian Hossa with a dirty and dangerous hit. Hossa suffered a concussion and Torres was suspended for 25 games.

Torres appealed the suspension, and the NHL reduced his suspension to 21 games. Torres is now back playing with the Coyotes after serving his long ban.

I guess you could say that we all knew that this day would come, and the first time that the Phoenix Coyotes played the Chicago Blackhawks, Torres would have to answer the bell against the one of the Blackhawks players. The hockey code demanded it. 

 Torres didn't turtle, he answered the bell, and did quite well against Jamal Mayers.

Wild win in a Shootout 3-2

The WCHA was well represented tonight. Here is the video of the shootout. Shooting is former Fighting Sioux forwards Zach Parise and Jonathan Toews. Also, Mikko Koivu, Patrick. Kane, former Saint Cloud State Husky Matt Cullen and Patrick Sharp shootout attempts.

Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews has a 50 percent success rate in the shootouts. That's incredible in my opinion.

Jonathan Toews finally back to 100 percent

English: Chicago Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews during warm up prior to a National Hockey League playoff game against the Calgary Flames, in Calgary. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here is one person the lockout probably helped. Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews suffered a concussion during the 2011-12 season and is now just finally getting back to normal.

Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune --- The Blackhawks captain wasn't 100 percent healed in July. Or October. In fact, it wasn't until late last week that Toews was convinced he's completely over the concussion that caused him to miss the final two months of the 2011-12 regular season before he returned in the postseason against the Coyotes.

While Toews was symptom-free and had cleared all the NHL-imposed concussion protocols before returning to the Hawks' lineup, there were lingering effects from the injury that even the 24-year-old center didn't realize were affecting him. They included balance and eyesight issues that were discovered and solved during a five-day stint at an Atlanta-area chiropractic neurology facility last week.

"Even if you don't feel something and you think you're symptom-free, there's probably still something there that's kind of hindering you and affecting the way your brain works," Toews told the Tribune on Wednesday. "It was just a lot of eye-movement things. My eyes didn't track very well. They didn't look from one target to the next very well. My balance with my eyes closed and my head turned a certain way was terrible. (There were) little things that I would think were normal because I didn't feel something in my head.

Former Sioux forward Jonathan Toews on the CBA negotiations

#Blackhawks on the back page of the Sun-Times today. Seems fitting with the negotiations today: instagr.am/p/Q7kJeXJExz/
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 18, 2012

Today former Fighting Sioux forward was one of 18 players that was at the CBA negotiations between the NHLPA and the NHL led by commissioner Gary Bettman and this is what he had to say on the matter. Based on what I have read today, it doesn't look good.

#Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews isn’t buying what NHL is selling. My story to go with that Sun-Times back page: suntimes.com/sports/1581670…
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 18, 2012

You can read the blog by Adam Jahns here.

#Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews: "It's funny how the league claims to negotiate in good faith when they wait this long ... (more)
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 18, 2012

Toews continued: "... to give us their so-called 'best deal possible.' ... As players we know we tabled a great deal today."#Blackhawks
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 18, 2012

#Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews on the NHL: "They're still unwilling to come to the table and really talk."
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) October 18, 2012

Updated @tramyerscsn report with Jonathan Toews' comments on today's NHL labor negotiations: cmcst.sn/aabjHG #LockoutTalk
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNChicago) October 18, 2012

Here is another great comment from Jonathan Toews that was in another article at CSN.COM.

Toews, who went to Toronto for today’s negotiations, told the media “we want the league to honor current contracts. That’s pretty much all we’re asking.” [CSN.COM]

Here is the list of the 18 NHL players that were in attendance today.

Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews, Jarome Iginla, Eric Staal, Shane Doan, Shawn Horcoff, Craig Adams, Brad Boyes, Chris Campoli, David Clarkson, Dan Cleary, Carlo Colaiacovo, Mathieu Darche, Robyn Regehr, Matt Stajan, Shawn Thornton, Kevin Westgarth and Daniel Winnik.

(Video) The Lockout Song - (No More Merch)

One of my buddies had this video on his Facebook page today. It was too good not to post - I think the video gives us some good advice - I think I will hold off wearing any of my NHL tee-shirts until they settle this thing. Also, why should we buy anymore merchandise until there is a settlement of the CBA?
#noNHLlockout - #NoHockeyLeague

Tuesday Morning Links

Julie Robenhymer from Hockey Buzz has her Hobey hopefuls in August 26th, blog post and she has UND senior Danny Kristo as a Hobey Favorite.

Danny Kristo - Senior, F, North Dakota, MTL: Kristo has always been a notable player as a product of the USNTDP and gold medalist at the 2010 World Junior Championship, but it took a severe case of frostbite on his toes in his sophomore season that nearly resulted in amputation and the thought of life without hockey to push his game to another level. Decimated by injuries last year, the team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux, struggled throughout the season, but Kristo still managed to be a point per game player with 45 points in 42 games. North Dakota will have a very young, yet very talented team this season and Kristo will be a big part of their success. He brings leadership, versatility and an unquenchable desire to bring a national championship to Grand Forks.

It was announced yesterday, that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has an agreement to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL when if there is a lockout in the NHL next month.

In the never ending Phoenix Coyotes saga, Glendale, NHL extend Phoenix Coyotes arena agreement for fourth time [AZcentral.com]

Former Vermont star and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Marty St. Louis said, that he'll play in Europe in event of NHL lockout. [TampaBay.com]

Check out the offseason diet that Montreal Canadians diver defenseman P.K. Subban enjoys – sounds as if Subban eats a lot of protein and red meat.

Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer --- Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban reads off his breakfast menu without a single change in his facial expression. For him, barbecuing a steak at 7 a.m. and pairing it with freshly blended vegetable juice, fish oils, Vitamin C and various other multivitamins is absolutely normal.

No eggs. No toast. No potatoes.

"I eat a lot of protein -- steak in the morning, steak in the afternoon, fish, chicken," Subban told NHL.com during a recent trip to his training facility. "At the start of the summer I order a whole cow from a grain-fed farm. I have it at my parents' house and my mom will season [the butchered meat], and I'll pick them up to have steaks for the week."

Jokes aside, Subban actually does eat the whole cow he orders each summer.

Today, the NHL's collective bargaining talks are set to resume in New York City.

TSN.CA --- The biggest issue holding up talks is finding agreement on how the league's revenues should be split up. Players received 57 per cent under the expiring CBA and the league wants to see that number reduced considerably.

The NHL's initial offer involved cutting the amount to 43 per cent, although it has indicated a willingness to negotiate off that number.

Based on last season's revenues, every percentage point lost would cost the players $33 million. After capitulating in the last round of negotiations and hiring Fehr to lead them in this one, that group appears ready to fight against significant givebacks.

Former Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks goalie Antero Niittymaki has signed a contract to go back and play hockey in his native Finland. [TSN.CA]

In an ugly story - three Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, were arrested and charged with sexual assault this past Saturday. The players involved in the sexual assault Nick Cousins, Andrew Fritsch and Mark Petaccio. [CBC.CA] and [Philly.com]

Greyhounds player Mark Petaccio gets released on bail following a bail hearing for an sexual assault charge. [Toronto Sun]

 The Toronto Sun compares the CBA’s of the Major Sports in North America; Breaking down the deals the four major sports leagues are working under.

The Hockey News has the Boston Bruins finishing second in the Eastern Division and facing off in the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres.

In the same article the Hockey News had the Minnesota Wild finishing fifth and facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks. I will take the Wild in six games.

Shattuck Saint Mary’s defenseman and current Fargo Force defenseman Charlie Pelnik is in the latest Hot List in the Hockey News. [Hockey News]

Charlie Pelnik, D – Shattuck St. Mary’s Sabres (Minn. HS) Easily the most talked-about prospect ever from North Carolina, Pelnik will suit up for the USHL’s Fargo Force this season after a great run with Shattucks. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound blueliner from the Jr. Hurricanes system is committed to the University of North Dakota, where he’ll bring a Pronger-esque nasty streak – though Plymouth owns his OHL rights. Draft eligible in 2013.

Kane apologetic over drinking escapade

It's been quite the summer for the Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane. Also, the Chicago Blackhawks are concerned about Kane's off the ice behavior. Apparently, the club suggested the young star seek help, as well. 

Kane apologetic over drinking escapade Kane made his first public appearance Friday since photos of him attending the Mifflin Street Block Party in Madison, Wis., on May 5 were published on deadspin.com showing the seemingly intoxicated 23-year-old cavorting with college students, apparently passed out at a bar and, in one, appearing to walk away after a confrontation with a police officer.

"We all saw the photos, they're pretty embarrassing," Kane said before the opening ceremony of the Blackhawks Convention. "It was the offseason and you're trying to have a good time but you have to realize the spotlight you're in no matter where you are. For me, the situation I'm in now is you always have to act like someone is watching you.

"I was looking for a good weekend with my friends and things probably got a little bit out of control. From seeing the pictures to the stories, it's not fun to see but hopefully it's something that can make me better as a person."

Kane has had well-documented incidents — including a confrontation with a Buffalo taxi driver in 2009 that led to his arrest and photos of him with teammates in the back of a limousine in Vancouver in '10 — that apparently involved alcohol. But the forward set to enter his sixth NHL season doesn't believe he has a drinking problem.

Now we can all rest better, knowing that Patrick Kane doesn't have a drinking problem. I like many are hoping that Kane doesn't in fact have a drinking problem and can have a great season going forward, next season. Kane is one of the rising young American hockey stars, that will hopefully be representing the US soon - especially if the Olympic allows the NHL stars to play in the 2014 Olympics again. 

Time for the Hawks to flush Kane

Dead Spin Photo

It would appear that Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane needs to grow up and start acting like an adult and not a punk. Also, maybe Kane could learn a think or two from his fellow teammate Jonathan Toews on how to behave in public and not some spoiled brat.

Chris Kuc, Tribune reporter --- After a subpar postseason series against the Coyotes during which he had four assists in the six-game loss and was off the ice in the final minutes of Game 6 following a misconduct penalty for, as Kane put it, "just kind of slashing (Coyotes) like Paul Bunyan out there," the offseason arrived.

Not more than a few weeks into it, photos of an allegedly intoxicated Kane attending the Mifflin Street Block Party on Cinco de Mayo in Madison, Wis., were published on deadspin.com. They showed Kane cavorting with college students, apparently passed out at a bar and, in one, appearing to walk away while talking with a police officer.

At first, it fueled more head-shaking and "that's just Kaner being Kaner" thoughts. Things suddenly got much more serious when the website began quoting anonymous sources alleging Kane choked a woman before being thrown out of a party and also hurled an anti-semitic slur during another altercation.

Personally, if I was the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks I would trade this punk and get rid of the distraction that comes with this clown, while Kane had a down season last year, the GM could still try to get a decent replacement that comes with less baggage than Kane.

This isn’t the first incident with Kane; he was arrested in 2009 for roughing up a Buffalo Cab driver when the cab driver didn’t have the correct change. Kane and his punk cousin James ended up beating up cabbie over 20 cents, no that’s not a misprint, he assaulted someone over 20 cent’s. It’s not like 20 cents was going to break him, he is rich from playing a kids game.

Most normal people can fathom beating up a cab driver over a minuscule amount like that – most normal people would have also landed in jail for an assault like that because most of us don’t the ability to buy an expensive defense team like Kane can. Seriously! Maybe Kane should learn to control his anger and stop acting like a spoiled entitlement kid; if I was in the Blackhawks front office I would put this punk on double secret probation and would cut him the next time he gets out of line and embarrasses the Blackhawks organization. There is no way you can excuse this type of behavior and I haven’t seen anyone doing so, yet.

Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa

One year to the day after Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres hit On Brent Seabrook with a questionable hit behind the Blackhawks net Torres laid out Marian Hossa with this hit. The problem is that Torres left his feet to make this hit. The NBC broadcast crew interviewed the Blawkhawks head coach  Joel Quenneville on the bench and it was pretty obvious that he was very angry that four guys on the ice could miss that hit.

You would have to think that Raffi Torres might be looking at a big suspension and the possibility that this could be his last game during the 2012 playoffs, or not. Hossa was carried off of the ice on a stretcher and there was no penalty on the play.

Andrew Shaw ejected for decleating Coyotes goalie Mike Smith

The Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw was ejected from last night's game for hitting Coyotes goalie Mike Smith. Depending on what angle you watch this collision from, it does appear that Shaw caught Smith with an elbow in the head. I think that Shaw could have avoided this collision and this was an unnecessary hit on the goalie who was playing the puck.

It also appears that Smith might have embellished this hit a bit and some have suggest that Smith should get a n Oscar for his efforts. I was watching the game with my buddy last night and I suggested this to him. Kind of reminds me of another goalie that tended to embellish a bit on the ice every time someone tapped him.

There are other hockey fans that have advocated that the goalie should be fair game if he steps outside of his crease.  I think the best way to start a brawl is to run the other teams goalie.

Related articles

• Mike Smith Shakes Off Violent Hit; Coyotes Maintain Lead (arizona.sbnation.com)
• NHL playoffs: Chicago Blackhawks beat Phoenix Coyotes in dramatic fashion (thestar.com)
• Hawks tie up series with OT win over Coyotes (sports.espn.go.com)
• Andrew Shaw levels Coyotes' Mike Smith; Gets Ejected (tshq.co)