Patrick Kane's Hat Trick sends the Black Hawks to the Stanley Cup Finals

And then there were two. You can bet that the 6'9" Zdeno Chara will be glued to Patrick Kane during the Stanley Cup Finals. You can also bet that "the little ball of hate" Brad Marchand will be in Jonathan Toews grill, much like Henrik Zetterberg was during the second round the playoffs.

So, here's how the Stanley Cup Finals shake out. Boston Bruins 28-14-6 regular season, 12-4 playoffs vs Chicago Blackhawks 36-7-5 regular season, 12-5 playoffs... Game one kicks off on Wednesday Night at 7:00 p.m. at the Mad House on Madison.

Quick stops Toews; UMASS vs. UND

Jonathan Quick got a piece of Jonathan Toews' shot to keep the #LAKings within 1 in the 3rd: bit.ly/11wfMj2 #CHIvsLAK #StanleyCup
— NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2013

Dave Bolland hit Mike Richards

At the 01:53 mark of the third period Chicago Blackhawks forward Dave Bollard hit L.A. Kings forward Mike Richards with a shoulder in the chin/head area. You have to wonder, will Mike Bollard be getting a phone call from the NHL's department of players safety for this hit? I have to think, based on everything that we have seen so far in the playoffs, that this could be a potential one game suspension for Bollard. Thoughts? Just for the record, there was "no" penalty called on the play.

Richards declined to speak to reporters who wanted to ask how he felt after hit.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) June 2, 2013

#Blackhawks' Dave Bolland on hit on Kings' Mike Richards: "It's a quick game. You get hit. It happens. It's happened to me."
— Chris Kuc (@ChrisKuc) June 2, 2013

L.A. Kings and Chicago Blackhawks schedule (Greene vs. Toews)

Game 1: Saturday, June 1 - L.A. at Chicago 4:00 p.m. NBCSN

Game2: Sunday, June 2 - L.A. at Chicago 7:00 p.m. NBCSN

Game 3: Tuesday, June 4 - Chicago at L.A. 8:00 p.m. NBCSN

Game 4: Thursday, June 6 - Chicago at L.A. 8:00 p.m. NBCSN

Game 5: Saturday, June 8 - L.A. at Chicago 7:00 p.m. NBC

Game 6: Monday, June 10 - Chicago at L.A. 8:00 p.m. NBCSN

Game 7: Wednesday, June 12 - L.A. at Chicago TBD NBCSN  

Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Toews (gif)

s/t to Jack who posted this gif in the comments of another post. So, do you think that the refs are not calling the obstruction in this series? This is pre-lockout officiating in the NHL. The calls the officials have let go have been pretty obvious. Zetterberg has been in Toews hockey pants all series long.

Schedule for round three of the SCP...

If Detroit wins tomorrow, Round 3 starts Friday in West. If Chicago wins, there will be a doubleheader on Saturday night with East and West.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 29, 2013

These tweets should shed some light when round three will be played. So, we need the Chicago Blackhawks to beat the Detroit Red Wing tomorrow night... That means if Chicago wins we're going to end up with two games on Saturday. I guess, that's the scenario that I would rather see. I believe that the L.A. Kings and Chicago would be a much better series to watch. The Bruins game will be on Saturday anyways.

Pens-Bruins in East final will start Saturday at 8 p.m. regardless and then go Mon, Weds, Fri, Sun, Tues, Weds.
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) May 29, 2013

So no matter which teams are playing, if both series are still going, two Game 7s on June 12. RIP, us.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) May 29, 2013

Pavel Datsyuk drills Jonathan Toews

s/t to Paul from Kukla's Korner... The puck is nowhere around when Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk drills Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews. I remember the play from last night’s game and don’t know why a call wasn’t made on the play, checking the box score there was no penalty called. Whatever… The Red Wings have done everything they can to get Toews off of his game and last night he didn’t take the bait even though Henrik Zetterberg was hacking him up one side and down the other. I can’t wait for game seven.

Detroit's Joakim Andersson scores a knucklepuck goal

I was beginning to think we were watching Mighty Ducks. What next? The flying v... Detroit Red Wing forward Joakim Andersson scores a knucklepuck goal and Chicago Blackhawks goalie Cory Crawford didn't have a chance on the goal.

Jonathan Toews high stick on Justin Abdelkader...Was this Embellishment?

Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews had a rough night for the Chicago Blackhawks, he beat a path to the penalty box, taking three minor penalties, this one was laughable based on some of the calls the on-ice officials have missed this season. Sure there was a penalty but, come on! Abdelkader sold this one big time with his Academy Award winning acting job. On this play, Johnny was assessed a two minute minor for high sticking Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader. So, what do think? Was there was some embellishment on the play from Abdelkader? I do believe there was. Thoughts and feelings…

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.

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.

The Canucks Ryan Kesler show us how to dive and then get a penalty

Diving is ruining the game of hockey, on all levels and there is no excuse for it. Punish the offending players and it will evaporate from the game of hockey, almost over night.

Vancouver Canucks forward Ryan Kesler is dead to me, there is no excuse for the way he plays the game of hockey, while he might be a great young American forward, he's a fraud. Kesler is no better than his buddies  Alex Burrows and Maxim Lapierre who are also a disgrace to the game of hockey.

All three of these clowns are a text book examples on how to flail, dives, embellish. Disgusting.

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

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

Toews on Owners; 'who knows if they're willing to do it again'

When I read articles like this one, I get the feeling that this labor disagreement might have the possibility of going for a very long time and there could be a chance that it might not get it settled next season.

s/t to KK… This article is a good read, also, I haven’t see a lot lately that gives me any hope… Former Fighting Sioux forward Jonathan Toews is quoted in this article as well.

Stu Hackel, Red Light Blog --- From the players’ perspective, the owners’ stance borders on self-destruction. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews, among the most respected leaders in the game, articulated that on Monday after an informal practice by Chicago players. “We saw what the (owners) did in ’04-05, and who knows if they’re willing to do that again,” Toews said (quoted by Chris Kuc of The Chicago Tribune). “To me, it’s just carelessness. It’s them just trying to show everyone that they’re the owners and they’re the league. They can do whatever they want. If they want to hurt their own game and drive it into the ground, that’s what they’ll do. Even if it comes down to that, it doesn’t matter as long as they get what they want.”

Precisely what they want is now fairly well-known: They want to pay the players quite a bit less than they did under the previous agreement. Ownership’s contention is that the economics of the game don’t work, even after they overhauled them in the recently expired CBA by locking out the players for a season to achieve a salary cap system that was designed to fix things. If that tactic worked once for them, the owners are prepared to do it again.

But when that system also brings about record revenues and the healthiest state the NHL has ever been in, it’s worth asking if the economics are as bad as the owners claim. “I know it’s tough to muster sympathy for multimillionaires,” Siegel writes, “but when most of these owners say they’re losing money every year, they’re telling the truth.”

As Siegel points out, Forbes magazine listed 18 NHL clubs that lost money last season in their 2012 team valuations while simultaneously pointing out that the game’s economics have never been more favorable to the owners. (As a caveat, the NHL has always said the Forbes numbers are not accurate; but they remain the best information we have and constitute legitimate estimated and educated guesses.)

When I read articles like this one, I get the feeling that this labor disagreement might have the possibility of going for a very long time and there could be a chance that it might not get it settled next season. I understand why the players don’t want to lose a big chunk of the gains that they have made during the last CBA – I also don’t think that they should have to. This lockout is on the owners – the players wanted to keep playing – the owners locked them out. Now the fans are hostage of the owners and the NHL players.

BCHL recruit Wade Murphy commits to UND

UND picked up a pretty big recruit this week when the school signed forward Wade Murphy of the Penticton Vees (British Columbia Hockey League). Last season Murphy scored (36g-55a—91pts) in 60 games - this is the same Murphy who had recently decommitted from Merimack College.

I found this little tidbit while reading the Mack Report yesterday – just for the record Mike McMahon is not saying this happened; just this is what the USHR has said.

Additionally, according to a report on USHR:

"There were whispers in Chilliwack that a certain WCHA school may have nudged the Victoria, BC native (Murphy) to decommit.”

Just for the record Murphy played on the same team as Notre Dame recruit Mario Lucia (42g-51a—93pts) last season and finished right behind him in points. Murphy should be one of the top players on the Pentiction Vee's this season as well. Here is what Murphy told the Times Colonist about his decision to play for the University of North Dakota.

The Victoria native on Wednesday officially committed to the University of North Dakota which has produced the likes of current NHLers Jonathan Toews, J.P. Parise and T.J. Oshie and former NHLers like Ed Belfour, Dennis Hextall, Craig Ludwig, James Patrick, Dave Tippett and Garry Valk.

“I saw the rink, the facilities are unbelievable and the coaching staff is terrific, and the players’ passion is just as great,” Murphy, a member of the RBC Cup-champion Penticton Vees, said over the phone on Wednesday.

“This was the choice from the get-go,” added Murphy, who zeroed in on UND shortly after deciding not to attend Merrimack. He will head to UND next season.