This is an act, right? No one can actually think that Emery only played a "decent" game. The Hawks had more give-aways in their own zone than a Carribean Cruise Line during the recession. Emery bailed them out many many times. Sure, the Flames missed open sides as well but Emery had more key saves, more game saving saves than the Flames had missed open sides.
- furso27

Again, Calgary hits some of those open nets off Emery Rebounds.. the Hawks are given their first loss. Not saying it was/is his fault the Hawks played a crap game..

Again, Calgary hits some of those open nets off Emery Rebounds.. the Hawks are given their first loss. Not saying it was/is his fault the Hawks played a crap game..
- victorymc98

Dude. He had 45 saves. He stopped more shoot out attempts in 1 game than Crawford has all season. If Crawford plays that game against the Flames the Hawks lose for sure. Emery is good enough back up when he is not over used. I 100% agree with Crawford getting the start tonight .

Again, Calgary hits some of those open nets off Emery Rebounds.. the Hawks are given their first loss. Not saying it was/is his fault the Hawks played a crap game..
- victorymc98

But that is not what you said. I agree the Hawks played terrible and deserved to lose but Emery was spectacular and stole the game for them. Whether or not Calgary missed open sides is not really relevant. They had open sides, not bc Emery was terrible, but because the team in front of him was terrible. Your downplaying his performance as "decent" is what I have an issue with.

And yes, had Crawford put on that kind of display, I would be saying the same thing about him. CC has been really good to start the year.

Sorry, I don't see it that way AL, I see Emery had a decent game, but overall Calgary won the game for the Hawks.

We have to agree to disagree.
- victorymc98

I'll agree to agree...somewhat.

As good as Emery was in that game, and he was very good (not just decent), if the entire Calgary team, and Glenncrosse in particular, didn't have Michael Frolik disease (ie, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a plucking boat), then the Flames win that game 4 or 5-1.

Not a big Crawford believer, and after the Calgary game, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of Emery. I just can't help but think that if Crawford had won a game in a manner in which the opposition missed that many open looks, he would be labeled as more lucky than good.

Emery stole that game in Calgary.. no other way to say it. He was incredible. Ogie should just give in on that one. Plus CC has been very good. Hes not an all star, but he is playing big in the net and is solid all the way around. NHL.com had CC listed as a possible Vezina winner based on his play to start the season. I wont go that far, but many people outside the Hawks fan base have recognized how good CC has looked.

I'll agree to agree...somewhat.

As good as Emery was in that game, and he was very good (not just decent), if the entire Calgary team, and Glenncrosse in particular, didn't have Michael Frolik disease (ie, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a plucking boat), then the Flames win that game 4 or 5-1.

Not a big Crawford believer, and after the Calgary game, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of Emery. I just can't help but think that if Crawford had won a game in a manner in which the opposition missed that many open looks, he would be labeled as more lucky than good.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree to this..I willing to give RE a little more credit.. and your last comment is the point I am trying to make sir..

All this talk about getting back at Jumbo Hoe I mean Joe. Guess what will stop him, if Captain Serious would decide to pop him in the mouth a few times. Toews is a big boy he should be able to largely take care of him self.
- droe411

All you guys are worried about Joe Thornton, the guy that needs a couple of knuckle sandwiches is Ryan Clowe. Pop him a couple of times and then let Jumbo know he's next and things will settle down. Brookbank has a role to play in this physical stuff.

Emery stole that game in Calgary.. no other way to say it. He was incredible. Ogie should just give in on that one. Plus CC has been very good. Hes not an all star, but he is playing big in the net and is solid all the way around. NHL.com had CC listed as a possible Vezina winner based on his play to start the season. I wont go that far, but many people outside the Hawks fan base have recognized how good CC has looked.
- z1990z

If you read my post closely you'll notice it's actually a defense of Crawford. Pointing out how unfairly critical many are/have been of Crawford.

Any time a goalie makes 40+ saves in a winning cause, it's a "goalie win". Conversely, any time a goalie has to make 40+ saves to win the game, the rest of the team is not playing very well and there likely was some luck involved in preserving the win. Virtually every team misses open nets in every game, but the number of missed open nets by Calgary was bordering on ridiculous.

Emery had a bad team in front of him and lady luck on his side. Brilliant performance? I doubt Craw would get the same label from most of the critics on this site.

All you guys are worried about Joe Thornton, the guy that needs a couple of knuckle sandwiches is Ryan Clowe. Pop him a couple of times and then let Jumbo know he's next and things will settle down. Brookbank has a role to play in this physical stuff.
- RickJ

I dont kjow. BROOKBANK COULD HAVE smashed Burrows for shooting tje puck after the whistle but he didnt and in typical Hawk fashoion they did nothing AND negated their power play because of a silly face wash.

Lol... Big time with Leafs which causes some friction I am sure....Also he is a big Isles guy and has srong opinions.


Hawk talk on SiriusXM radio with Nick Alberga and Mike Lippa: http://bit.ly/11i64r2

Also, will be on today wth Boomer Gordon @ 12:05 CST.
- Al

Thistle is a Hawks guy, is he not? Also not sure if Terry Mercury is still on NHL Radio, real nice guy.

Lol... Big time with Leafs which causes some friction I am sure....Also he is a big Isles guy and has srong opinions.


Hawk talk on SiriusXM radio with Nick Alberga and Mike Lippa: http://bit.ly/11i64r2

Also, will be on today wth Boomer Gordon @ 12:05 CST.
- Al

Great job on the interview Al, very eloquent. And you didn't even get distracted when the Boom said watching the Calgary game was like an acid trip for him.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Asked Adam Burish if former #Blackhawks and current Sharks teammate Antti Niemi is more talkative these days: "He may talk even less now."

Great job on the interview Al, very eloquent. And you didn't even get distracted when the Boom said watching the Calgary game was like an acid trip for him.
- RickJ

Al C, mellifluous

I'll agree to agree...somewhat.

As good as Emery was in that game, and he was very good (not just decent), if the entire Calgary team, and Glenncrosse in particular, didn't have Michael Frolik disease (ie, couldn't hit water if they fell out of a plucking boat), then the Flames win that game 4 or 5-1.

Not a big Crawford believer, and after the Calgary game, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of Emery. I just can't help but think that if Crawford had won a game in a manner in which the opposition missed that many open looks, he would be labeled as more lucky than good.
- Ogilthorpe2

Which proves that a goalie can be outstanding (which he was) and STILL let in 4 / 5 goals (which he COULD have).

Al C, mellifluous
- John Jaeckel

Everett Dirksen would be jealous.

Which proves that a goalie can be outstanding (which he was) and STILL let in 4 / 5 goals (which he COULD have).
- StLBravesFan

Agreed...and two goalies could have identical games, for the same team, and one gets labeled "lucky" and the other "amazing."

JJ & Al thanks for all the great insight

I went to the Hogs Houston Aeros game On Sunday and noticed a few things; ****however I did leave early in the 3rd period.

Pirri looked aggressive in the First period and then he disappeared for the rest of the game.
Beach scored a goal in front of the net, winning a battle and then ‘Beached himself’ by getting a 2min penalty right after that.
Hutton looked pretty good considering the quality of shots he saw.
Hayes loves going to the net but does not seem to either be fast enough, knows what to do, or his ‘hockey brain’ isn’t not there yet.
Morin was noticeable, and was not afraid to be aggressive- which I was surprised about given his head issues.
Mills came to the aid of Beach when Beach got hit from behind, on a no call.
St. Pierre was noticeable and on the ice a decent amount.
Stanton and Olsen were solid enough
Clendening was well we know nothing special
I am not sure if Smith played, and if he did I did not notice him.
Hogs had a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd and lost 3-2. Not breaking news I know.

Just thought I would pass it on- I hope to see the Hawks play the Stars in Dallas mid March.
Hope the boys give us a good game tonight –

We can hold Thornton accountable, but do it within the boundaries of the game and and don't make it the focus of your efforts.
- DarthKane

Just finish your checks on Thorton and maybe have Shaw do the sme by coming in low and exploding upward like in a football tackle. Shaw has show the ability to do this and although he is significantly lighter than joe with this technique he has leverage and can really make an impact

Chicago Blackhawks ‏@NHLBlackhawks

Have no fear, The Greyhound is here! Coach Q confirms that Dave Bolland WILL play tonight at San Jose.

JJ & Al thanks for all the great insight

I went to the Hogs Houston Aeros game On Sunday and noticed a few things; ****however I did leave early in the 3rd period.

Pirri looked aggressive in the First period and then he disappeared for the rest of the game.
Beach scored a goal in front of the net, winning a battle and then ‘Beached himself’ by getting a 2min penalty right after that.
Hutton looked pretty good considering the quality of shots he saw.
Hayes loves going to the net but does not seem to either be fast enough, knows what to do, or his ‘hockey brain’ isn’t not there yet.
Morin was noticeable, and was not afraid to be aggressive- which I was surprised about given his head issues.
Mills came to the aid of Beach when Beach got hit from behind, on a no call.
St. Pierre was noticeable and on the ice a decent amount.
Stanton and Olsen were solid enough
Clendening was well we know nothing special
I am not sure if Smith played, and if he did I did not notice him.
Hogs had a 2-1 lead early in the 3rd and lost 3-2. Not breaking news I know.

Just thought I would pass it on- I hope to see the Hawks play the Stars in Dallas mid March.
Hope the boys give us a good game tonight –
- Elliots07

Lucky. You live in Texas

(frank)IN FDING DING DING DING WHich is why I want to chuck my Sam Adams at the TV every single time a Hawks forward has a chance to put the body on an opponents D man but instead does a fly by. Shaw has done this like 20 times this season , With Stalbergs speed he should play the body more , Bickell should have a5 hits a period.

Playing the body against the oppositions D also causes turn overs... Any player any size is capable of forechecking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP_XD1mvxvc
- mrpaulish

great post
I keep thinking its a coaching problem first and formost

great post
I keep thinking its a coaching problem first and formost
- molly2522

I just don't understand why.

1. I know the Hawks are a "puck possession" team overall hit totals will be low however if the opponent only has the puck 25% of the game for that 25% of the game you should be physical with them.

-Season is coming up on being a month old is Carcillo skating ? Thought his injury was a month long injury ?

(frank)IN FDING DING DING DING WHich is why I want to chuck my Sam Adams at the TV every single time a Hawks forward has a chance to put the body on an opponents D man but instead does a fly by. Shaw has done this like 20 times this season , With Stalbergs speed he should play the body more , Bickell should have a5 hits a period.

Playing the body against the oppositions D also causes turn overs... Any player any size is capable of forechecking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP_XD1mvxvc
- mrpaulish

If there is support, then yes being physical on the forecheck can cause turnovers. But a single forechecker going in hitting just takes himself out of the play and other than the hit, which impresses us fans, doesn't accomplish much.
Watch tonight and see how many times the Hawks send in more than one forechecker. I have been noticing Quenneville is going with a 1-2-2 alignment allot using the forechecker to force the player possessing the puck to rush his pass or take away his ability to carry the puck out of the zone. This doesn’t excuse the many flybys that occur in other parts of the ice but it may explain why you don’t see very aggressive forechecking allot of the time.

All you guys are worried about Joe Thornton, the guy that needs a couple of knuckle sandwiches is Ryan Clowe. Pop him a couple of times and then let Jumbo know he's next and things will settle down. Brookbank has a role to play in this physical stuff.
- RickJ

Clowe has been the Shark that has blatantly abused Toews and Keith...He needs to be held in check.

Thistle is a Hawks guy, is he not? Also not sure if Terry Mercury is still on NHL Radio, real nice guy.
- John Jaeckel

Joe Thistel a big Hawk guy as was Jamie Shalley who is no longer there.


Terry is a Habs man.