The Hawks are back in action (finally!) tonight versus the Buffalo Sabres. I will be making the 102 km / 63 mile trek over the border to Buffalo tonight.
As I’m always searching for new and creative ways to keep my blogs interesting, I thought I would do a day-along “LIVE THREAD” of the game.
Going to a Blackhawks game used to be such a treat for a small-town Canadian kid, but now after so many which include Winter Classics and Stanley Cup games, you get a little numb to it as a fan.
As this will probably be my only live game of the year (kids and location getting the best of me), I thought it would be fun to take it back to the build of going to a game. I will be documenting the journey and the game throughout the day/night here on the main blog.
Sound good?
While we’re on the subject,
what’s your favourite memory of going to a Hawks game?
I’ll work a few of these into the live thread on here.
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Quick update on happenings with the Blackhawks before we get into it:
* Henri Jokiharju was sent to Rockford. Even though they say they want him to play a ton down there (which I think is partially the truth), I think the logjam of defencemen with Forsling coming off the IR was one of the main reasons. Jokiharju will be back up just before or after the Feb 25th deadline – unless another defender comes back in a trade.
* Trade Chatter – around the league, the trade talk has picked up coming out of the All-Star Game. Pierre LeBrun mentioned that IF (big IF) the Hawks were to trade Duncan Keith, they would approach him well before to ask him what he wanted to do. Pierre was merely just guessing what the Hawks would do, this does not mean that Keith is being traded. Heck, the Hawks maybe already asked Duncan his thoughts, to which he may already shut down. We just don’t know.
* The Hawks did have 2 scouts at the BOS/PHI game the other night. I have heard that the Hawks have looked at the Flyers for a while as a potential trade partner but it’s been quiet for a while on that front. This is the team where all NHL teams deploy as many scouts as possible, so sometimes it’s best not to read too much into things. Now, if Scotty, Stan, Norm MacIver or Mark Kelley are at a game, then take notice.
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9:13am – Working from home today as I have my basement still being worked on. I don’t recommend a flood to anyone.
Damn. Where are those tickets? It’s been so long since I bought them.
Ahh there they are. Looks like we’re in section 101, row 9.
$85 USD… much cheaper than heading to the Leafs game.
10:02am - still a lot of noise going on downstairs but headphones in and enjoying a tea. Grabbed this mug last time I was in Chicago this past summer. I got it from Hawkquarters (I know it's called Blackhawks Store now). That place looks awesome now. A nice upgrade.
Oh and look at that product placement. Yes, I wrote a book,
A Dude's Guide to Surviving His Wedding (*cough* now available on Amazon *cough*).
11:00am - so many great "favourite games" coming and will post some from the thread, but this one from JPBurke27 jumped out at me:
My favorite memory would still be the final goal scored by a Blackhawk (Roenick) in the Chicago Stadium. OT winner against the Leafs. I thought the place was going to fall down it was so loud.
I never made it to Chicago Stadium and I'm really upset about that. This memory is a gem! Pretty jealous.
11:43am -
@NHLBlackhawks - ROSTER NEWS: Defenseman Gustav Forsling has been activated from injured reserve (upper torso). #Blackhawks
Will he play tonight?
I have an up-and-down relationship with Forsling, I think he's someone the Hawks should hold on to as he's only 22 years old and has shown promise, however, when you look at the depth chart... it's really, really, really crowded back there.
12:29pm -
NHL TRADE: @TheFourthPeriod
Full trade:
To PIT: Nick Bjugstad, Jared McCann
To FLA: Derick Brassard, Riley Sheahan, a 2nd RD pick, 4th RD pick and 4th RD pick (via MIN)
Thought this was maybe going to be a cap savings move for PIT when I heard Brassard was heading there, but they actually take on more (by about $200k) and get a couple solid players for their playoff run.
1:18pm -
@MarkLazerus
Duncan Keith shrugs off talk that the Blackhawks will ask him if he wants to waive his NMC and be traded to a contender. Said he be hasn't thought about it and hasn't been asked about it. One day at a time.
There you go - Keith hasn't been asked to be give him trade list. I really don't suspect he's getting moved.
1:24pm - Michael Pachla, fellow Hockeybuzzer who covers the Sabres has a nice breakdown of their play lately.
Check it out
HERE.
1:37pm -
@johndietzdh: Patrick Kane named Third Star for January. #Blackhawks
Ok, we get it... Patrick Kane is good. Should be fun to watch him tonight.
Last time I was in Buffalo to watch the Hawks it was in Dec 2015 and Kane scored with 30 seconds left to tie it up and then won it in the shootout.
Kaner obviously loves coming home to play.
3:20pm - packing up... picking the kids up at daycare and away we go.
6:36pm - made it... and so did a lot of other Blackhawks fans:
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11:09pm - aaaaaand... the Hawks win 7-3.
So much for live blogging. The game was fun but managing 2 kids was a handful.
Overall, crazy to see how many Hawks fans there. The Hawks played pretty bad at time but lucky that the Sabres played even worse.
Hope you all enjoyed the game.
See ya out there,
JL
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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