1) True.
2) Not true. They suck.
- John Jaeckel

1) Not a bonehead play - d-men taught to get the stick in the passing lane. Unlucky deflection. could have been an open net otherwise.
2) Agreed - they suck. But the replay did show it was a goal.

Not too bad an effort for a trap game. Friday should be a better litmus test for this team, as they will have had time to adjust to being at home with those inherent distractions. Combine that with hopefully some practice time on the PP (4 forwards???).

Back to standing around on the PP I see. The only person who moves is Kane, and the other team is figuring out that if you dont draw out to Kane nothing opens up.

Perimeter passes, alllllll night long.

We had a 4 on 3 for what, a total of 3+ minutes last night?
- FourFeathers773

Agreed. Can't win championships shooting only jump shots.

Can someone please help me understand why Sharpie was on the point on that power play in OT?!? He is the most snake bit guy in the league and yet is rewarded with PP time in a crucial situation. Would have much rather seen Keith or Leddy opposite big Hoss in that situation. And JJ, you hit it on the head--Kompon is Q's guy. This power play is looking exactly like last year--no movement, stand still, station to station b.s. Very frustrating to watch!
- J-Mac9

While he is snake bit, the Hawks have to have a right-hander on that side of the ice (unlike the first 4-3 with 4 lefties) to make the Ducks respect the shot from that side. Like it or not. Sharp is the best right-handed option.

To your point in your blog, I'm really surprised Kruger hasn't gotten a shot. He has those slick, quick hands that can react to what the goalie gives up. We've seen it in games. Even Bolland has shown the ability to beat the goalie in unfettered scenarios. Surprised he hasn't gotten more of a look too.
- PhatJoeSki

Giving the staff the benefit of the doubt, I don't know how much they practice the SO. The sense I get is, not that much. Still maybe they know some things we don't. But these feel like guesses.

And you know this how????
- paulr

Show me that long list of trades happening each day.

And for once, please lay me out a realistic trade. Something that helps the team. .....

1) Not a bonehead play - d-men taught to get the stick in the passing lane. Unlucky deflection. could have been an open net otherwise.
2) Agreed - they suck. But the replay did show it was a goal.

Not too bad an effort for a trap game. Friday should be a better litmus test for this team, as they will have had time to adjust to being at home with those inherent distractions. Combine that with hopefully some practice time on the PP (4 forwards???).
- ksilvy58

I didn't think it was a bonehead play. Just agreeing that the Ducks had a little luck too.

Before the game started I would have been really happy to get the point. I really figured they would have looked terrible in that 1st game back from a long and successful road trip. But after the game I'm still disappointed in sitting back in the 3rd. That strategy never works, especially for a team like this. Plus those 4 on 3 pp's. I wonder what the stats ae for scoring on a 4 on 3. Probably pretty high. They had no urgency. They better go all out in ot because the odds of winning in the shootout are very slim

Do you have it tivo'ed? Would love to see it.
- John Jaeckel

I do not. Quick YouTube search will find a video, I'm sure.

I know I am wasting my time, but the rules of the shoot-out either have to be followed or the league should just remove any rules altogether. Tell me how Binino kept the puck moving toward the net when he carried the puck parellel to the goal line. Last time I checked, that is not moving toward the net. In the spirit of the game, that should not have counted, just like Kaners against Minny last year should not have counted because the puck was not in constant movement towards the net.

Giving the staff the benefit of the doubt, I don't know how much they practice the SO. The sense I get is, not that much. Still maybe they know some things we don't. But these feel like guesses.
- John Jaeckel

Per Konroyd, Q has shootouts to end every practice, and uses this to determine who's hot/cold in identifying potential shooters.

While he is snake bit, the Hawks have to have a right-hander on that side of the ice (unlike the first 4-3 with 3 lefties) to make the Ducks respect the shot from that side. Like it or not. Sharp is the best right-handed option.
- PhatJoeSki

I hear ya phatjoeski...its a shame we don't have a better option than him in that situation. Just frustrating to watch him right now...I almost went nuts watching him fail to keep the puck in the zone and then half ass skate to retrieve it.

Per Konroyd, Q has shootouts to end every practice, and uses this to determine who's hot/cold in identifying potential shooters.
- Holes02

And it still feels like guesses.

I know I am wasting my time, but the rules of the shoot-out either have to be followed or the league should just remove any rules altogether. Tell me how Binino kept the puck moving toward the net when he carried the puck parellel to the goal line. Last time I checked, that is not moving toward the net. In the spirit of the game, that should not have counted, just like Kaners against Minny last year should not have counted because the puck was not in constant movement towards the net.
- powerenforcer

Better yet, just remove the shoot out altogether.

Can we get a definition of Kool-aid drinker? You were surprised to see people at the Hawk game that are not dyed in the wool hockey die-hards? Why are they kool-aid drinkers? I thought the kool-aid drinkers were the ones on this board that don't villify everything the Hawks do. Now the average fan in the UC is considered a sheep?

Should the Hawks have hockey aptitude tests for people before they are allowed to buy tickets? I don't get the need to point out that a professional sports team is a business and that the owner desires to make money as well as win.

Do the self-appointed "popes of football" on Bears' message boards mock the people that pay a lot of money to tailgate and see games in person at Soldier?
- PhatJoeSki

OHHH GEEZZ,I was merely pointing out that people are already annointing the Hawks as Stanley Cup Champs & we haven't even got part way through it yet!
Plus there are Teams in the East that skate as good as the Hawks that are Nasty come playoff time & work hard for dirty goals! something we don't do! plus those teams don't have Kitchen & Kompon, "the Special K Team" behind their benches master minding the powerplay! the Hawks Have way too much talent to have a sharty powerplay! if you guys have NHL Center Ice , watch some games from the East! this "Little Run " is nice but that hill has along way to go before Rahmmy gets to march in a Stanley Cup Parade, that's all I'm tryin to say !
Lastly, i just went to the Lanches web site looking for O'Rielly's specs. they don't even have him listed. but what I DID notice is Ryan O'Byrne, 6'5, 234??, is he a center piece to the Av's future or could he be had? i thought the kid played good on a bad Canadiens D before. i bet he clears alot of creases out.
what are the chances SB Ever puts together an O"Rielly, O"Byrne blockbuster offer to present to the AV's ? slim & none probably! but just a nice thought before St. Paddy's Day! that's all!

I do not. Quick YouTube search will find a video, I'm sure.
- Holes02

Well, OK. I'm sticking by my opinion until I see the video or especially a still frame. Though I concede it is possible there is an angle that shows it was a goal. Just want to see it.

1) Not a bonehead play - d-men taught to get the stick in the passing lane. Unlucky deflection. could have been an open net otherwise.
2) Agreed - they suck. But the replay did show it was a goal.

Not too bad an effort for a trap game. Friday should be a better litmus test for this team, as they will have had time to adjust to being at home with those inherent distractions. Combine that with hopefully some practice time on the PP (4 forwards???).
- ksilvy58

Show me. Why are ALL the Chicago announcers looking at the same tape you did and saying it wasn't a goal?

And don't get me wrong, it was a great play. But . . . a goal is a goal, and a save is save. I thought Sbisa made a helluva play, too.

And it still feels like guesses.
- John Jaeckel

Why, because they're not winning in shootouts?
Circumstantial evidence would suggest that Q isn't "guessing"...

Honestly, if we're complaining about who should/shouldn't be our 3rd shooter in a shootout, maybe we're looking at the wrong thing?

Well, OK. I'm sticking by my opinion until I see the video or especially a still frame. Though I concede it is possible there is an angle that shows it was a goal. Just want to see it.
- John Jaeckel

Maybe someone has enough inside clout to get us the super secret war room view.

Why, because they're not winning in shootouts?
Circumstantial evidence would suggest that Q isn't "guessing"...

Honestly, if we're complaining about who should/shouldn't be our 3rd shooter in a shootout, maybe we're looking at the wrong thing?
- Holes02

A point is a point.

Visual evidence suggests neither Leddy nor Saad is the "best"choice, based on their demonstrated skills and the moves they made when called upon.

If the third shooter converts—the SO is even at that point. If not, game over, the opposition gets the extra point. You don't.

OHHH GEEZZ,I was merely pointing out that people are already annointing the Hawks as Stanley Cup Champs & we haven't even got part way through it yet!
Plus there are Teams in the East that skate as good as the Hawks that are Nasty come playoff time & work hard for dirty goals! something we don't do! plus those teams don't have Kitchen & Kompon, "the Special K Team" behind their benches master minding the powerplay! the Hawks Have way too much talent to have a sharty powerplay! if you guys have NHL Center Ice , watch some games from the East! this "Little Run " is nice but that hill has along way to go before Rahmmy gets to march in a Stanley Cup Parade, that's all I'm tryin to say !
Lastly, i just went to the Lanches web site looking for O'Rielly's specs. they don't even have him listed. but what I DID notice is Ryan O'Byrne, 6'5, 234??, is he a center piece to the Av's future or could he be had? i thought the kid played good on a bad Canadiens D before. i bet he clears alot of creases out.
what are the chances SB Ever puts together an O"Rielly, O"Byrne blockbuster offer to present to the AV's ? slim & none probably! but just a nice thought before St. Paddy's Day! that's all!
- wonthecup10

Black sweaters with B's on them.

A point is a point.

Visual evidence suggests neither Leddy nor Saad is the "best"choice, based on their demonstrated skills and the moves they made when called upon.
- John Jaeckel

Hasn't Seabs scored a couple when the shoot outs have gone deep? I think he might be 2 for 2...maybe he should get more chances.

I didn't think it was a bonehead play. Just agreeing that the Ducks had a little luck too.
- John Jaeckel

Apologies - I saw the bold in the first sentence.

I don't know what has gotten in to Bickell lately but I like it. Man keeps playing like this he will force Stan's hands in having to pay him.

Hasn't Seabs scored a couple when the shoot outs have gone deep? I think he might be 2 for 2...maybe he should get more chances.
- Ogilthorpe2

In fairness, Ogi, had they sent Seabrook out there and he missed, I would be saying the same thing this AM. Although, it's a great possibility.

To me, you send someone who has some shiftiness in his hands, and/or has shown the ability to get the puck up (on a breakaway or in a shootout): Shaw, Stalberg, Kruger, Bolland.

Apologies - I saw the bold in the first sentence.
- ksilvy58

All good.