Theo Fox: Game 15: Hawks 5, CBJ 6
A recap of the Blackhawks barn burner loss to the Blue Jackets spoiling banner games for rookie defensemen Mitchell and Beaudin who registered their first NHL goals.

Sort of impressed how Chicago has managed to keep their head above water this season. Pat Kane is unreal.

Last night was a game that is going to happen now and then with a bunch of new and young players, especially a goalie who had his worst game. I'm grateful that it was a good game to watch.

I wouldn't b averse to giving Subban the start Saturday. My purpose is to let Laakinen not face the same team immediately after the team (primarily) and Laakinen (not too much) were not too good.
In this cra,crazy, scheduled seadon, however, Laakinen will be able to face the Blue Jackets again irregardless of whomever gets the nod Saturday

Could tell early on that Lank's rebound control was going to get him in trouble last night. Did not want to be right on that one

Disappointing lose. But, to be expected with such a young team with a lot of players who haven't played at this level....and haven't played together much yet.

Even with that lose, am impressed by what I have seen so far. Our record is well ahead of anything I would have dreamed, outside of tonight our goaltending has been a pleasant surprise. And, the young newcomers take up almost half our team, and most have been faring really well.

Entertaining to watch. And Lots of potential. Nice watching the young guys develop before our eyes!!!

Last night was a game that is going to happen now and then with a bunch of new and young players, especially a goalie who had his worst game. I'm grateful that it was a good game to watch.
- 6628

Very good point. They are a fun team to watch. They all work hard, most of the team fight tooth and nail for every loose puck, they drive the net. However, because of the age and inexperience of many of them, they make allot of mistakes. I think most of us can deal with the mistakes of the young players so long as you also see improvement too.

I’m really liking Hagel, Beaudin and Mitchell. Mitchell is so poised, he positions himself well in most cases and despite his size he’s willing to mix it up. Beaudin is trying some things that are getting him into trouble but I like that he is confident enough to try them, he now has to realize it’s no longer junior and that some things will no longer work. Despite the mistakes he to is pretty poised and will also get involved and will battle for pucks. I can’t wait for Hagel to be rewarded on the scoreboard. This kid works his ass off, has pretty good skating ability, he has very good vision and he has some really good moves and passing ability.

I wouldn't b averse to giving Subban the start Saturday. My purpose is to let Laakinen not face the same team immediately after the team (primarily) and Laakinen (not too much) were not too good.
In this cra,crazy, scheduled seadon, however, Laakinen will be able to face the Blue Jackets again irregardless of whomever gets the nod Saturday
- jhawk59

I can understand that thought but, this would be a great opportunity to see how Lank The Tank performs after a stinker of a game. See how he rebounds. Crawford usually came back strong after a bad game. I think it's a great time to see if he really could be a long term solution in goal.

Anyone else think he should have had at least 2 of those long distance goals he let in? To me it looked like he had a clear view on both those shots and just blew it.

I wouldn't b averse to giving Subban the start Saturday. My purpose is to let Laakinen not face the same team immediately after the team (primarily) and Laakinen (not too much) were not too good.
In this cra,crazy, scheduled seadon, however, Laakinen will be able to face the Blue Jackets again irregardless of whomever gets the nod Saturday
- jhawk59

Leakinen needs some time in Rockford, send him down to the A and ride Delia.

I wouldn't b averse to giving Subban the start Saturday. My purpose is to let Laakinen not face the same team immediately after the team (primarily) and Laakinen (not too much) were not too good.
In this cra,crazy, scheduled seadon, however, Laakinen will be able to face the Blue Jackets again irregardless of whomever gets the nod Saturday
- jhawk59

It's a tough loss for sure, but there was a ton of puck luck for the Jackets last night. Blackhawks have to learn to play better in their own end, to many times in the game they struggled to get the puck out of their own zone with possession. So i throw Lanky back out there, let's see if he has a short memory. Gave up 2 PP goals and a shorty and BJs still had their hands full with us.

Was it me or did Seth Jones look terrible last night?

Nice write up Theo. We had too many defensive breakdowns and Lanky struggled as well. Like 66 mentioned, young teams will have these kind of games, and for 57 minutes it was very entertaining, even with all the giveaways. Is it coincidental that we struggle defensively w/o Murphy in lineup? I think not. Murphy is a very steady RD with size, not fancy, but I’d like to see him stick around. Let’s face it, De Haan will probably be moved, Seabrook’s situation does not look good, can’t just have Keith as veteran D, and he’ll be 38 going into next season. In my opinion Zadorov played his third straight decent game, at least I didn’t notice any blatant giveaways from him, and saw him take a good angle on a couple of occasions.

So was Winnipeg wrong about Roslovic? Or is this a flash in the pan?

Leakinen needs some time in Rockford, send him down to the A and ride Delia.
- DarthKane

Missed that the first time.

Very good point. They are a fun team to watch. They all work hard, most of the team fight tooth and nail for every loose puck, they drive the net. However, because of the age and inexperience of many of them, they make allot of mistakes. I think most of us can deal with the mistakes of the young players so long as you also see improvement too.

I’m really liking Hagel, Beaudin and Mitchell. Mitchell is so poised, he positions himself well in most cases and despite his size he’s willing to mix it up. Beaudin is trying some things that are getting him into trouble but I like that he is confident enough to try them, he now has to realize it’s no longer junior and that some things will no longer work. Despite the mistakes he to is pretty poised and will also get involved and will battle for pucks. I can’t wait for Hagel to be rewarded on the scoreboard. This kid works his ass off, has pretty good skating ability, he has very good vision and he has some really good moves and passing ability.
- paulr

Look who is playing the unicorn now.......

This is the Board of Doom, not the Board of Lavender.

Very good point. They are a fun team to watch. They all work hard, most of the team fight tooth and nail for every loose puck, they drive the net. However, because of the age and inexperience of many of them, they make allot of mistakes. I think most of us can deal with the mistakes of the young players so long as you also see improvement too.

I’m really liking Hagel, Beaudin and Mitchell. Mitchell is so poised, he positions himself well in most cases and despite his size he’s willing to mix it up. Beaudin is trying some things that are getting him into trouble but I like that he is confident enough to try them, he now has to realize it’s no longer junior and that some things will no longer work. Despite the mistakes he to is pretty poised and will also get involved and will battle for pucks. I can’t wait for Hagel to be rewarded on the scoreboard. This kid works his ass off, has pretty good skating ability, he has very good vision and he has some really good moves and passing ability.
- paulr

To your list I'll add Suter, Kurashev and Lankinen. Like you, 66, others have mentioned, they're rookies and games like last night are part of the learning curve.

Lankinen had a rough one but overall he's been solid.

Suter's another really good addition by the FO and Euro Scouting. Not a big guy but goes to the net and is good along the boards. I think the early returns suggest the hopes here, that it would be a win if he was maybe somewhere in between Kubalik and Kahun, are being realized.

Really liking Kurashev too and another guy who is just 21. There was a sequence last night where he lost the puck just inside the BJ's zone and immediately re-stole the puck and was back in their zone.

Agree on Hagel. Just a matter of time. Was really hoping it would be last night.

Look who is playing the unicorn now.......

This is the Board of Doom, not the Board of Lavender.
- mohel

Sorry! The Blackhawks suck! JC isn’t even a PeeWee coach! Blowman, well he blows! Kane is bad for the brand! The rookies are terrible, no other team would have drafted or signed them! It’s a Eurosmurf team! Lanky and Subban couldnt prevent a beach ball from going into a thimble! The world is going to end!

Is that better?

To your list I'll add Suter, Kurashev and Lankinen. Like you, 66, others have mentioned, they're rookies and games like last night are part of the learning curve.

Lankinen had a rough one but overall he's been solid.

Suter's another really good addition by the FO and Euro Scouting. Not a big guy but goes to the net and is good along the boards. I think the early returns suggest the hopes here, that it would be a win if he was maybe somewhere in between Kubalik and Kahun, are being realized.

Really liking Kurashev too and another guy who is just 21. There was a sequence last night where he lost the puck just inside the BJ's zone and immediately re-stole the puck and was back in their zone.

Agree on Hagel. Just a matter of time. Was really hoping it would be last night.
- HawkintheD

Yeah but I don’t include Eurosmurfs.

To your list I'll add Suter, Kurashev and Lankinen. Like you, 66, others have mentioned, they're rookies and games like last night are part of the learning curve.

Lankinen had a rough one but overall he's been solid.

Suter's another really good addition by the FO and Euro Scouting. Not a big guy but goes to the net and is good along the boards. I think the early returns suggest the hopes here, that it would be a win if he was maybe somewhere in between Kubalik and Kahun, are being realized.

Really liking Kurashev too and another guy who is just 21. There was a sequence last night where he lost the puck just inside the BJ's zone and immediately re-stole the puck and was back in their zone.

Agree on Hagel. Just a matter of time. Was really hoping it would be last night.
- HawkintheD

Hello, Sizzle Chest. Like you, I'm really enjoying the kids. Mostly the tenacity. I suspect, though, that a pretty solid wall is upcoming. Many of these kids are going through the NHL grind for the 1st time. Mitchell has never played a pro season and he's jumping into the fire. On top of that, this season, while shorter, is condensed. Hopefully moving guys in and out of the lineup will help.

I know you tend to get all wild riding the emotional roller coaster; just trying to keep you on an even keel.

I can understand that thought but, this would be a great opportunity to see how Lank The Tank performs after a stinker of a game. See how he rebounds. Crawford usually came back strong after a bad game. I think it's a great time to see if he really could be a long term solution in goal.

Anyone else think he should have had at least 2 of those long distance goals he let in? To me it looked like he had a clear view on both those shots and just blew it.
- Rota's Rooter

The first goal was weak. It was a 45 foot wrist shot with no one in his way. There were a couple unlucky bounce goals too though. Columbus wasn't (frank)ing around last night, they threw everything at the net and got rewarded.

Lanky had a tough night, let’s see how he bounces back. Every goalie has a tough night now and then, the good one’s bounce back. That said would not be surprised to see Subban Sat. This might be the first time Lanky has played so many games in a short period of time.

Definitely a growing pains type of game. What I like is the mistakes were mostly youthful exuberance than any team melt down, being overwhelmed.

Liked that JC didn’t “punish” mistakes and let the player work through them. It might of cost the team a point or 2, but is worth much more in the long run.That being said, I assume Walmark will be taking Highmore’s spot on Sat. Lazy penalty, that he should of known better. At full strength, Highmore is taxi squad fodder, Hagel makes Highmore unnecessary.

Even giving up 6 goals, the defense looks so much better than last year. They did miss Murphy and his 20 plus big minutes he plays.

Sorry! The Blackhawks suck! JC isn’t even a PeeWee coach! Blowman, well he blows! Kane is bad for the brand! The rookies are terrible, no other team would have drafted or signed them! It’s a Eurosmurf team! Lanky and Subban couldnt prevent a beach ball from going into a thimble! The world is going to end!

Is that better?
- paulr

Much! As punishment I recommend a few forehead wall smashes.

So was Winnipeg wrong about Roslovic? Or is this a flash in the pan?
- BetweenTheDots

A bit of both?

Lanky had a tough night, let’s see how he bounces back. Every goalie has a tough night now and then, the good one’s bounce back. That said would not be surprised to see Subban Sat. This might be the first time Lanky has played so many games in a short period of time.

Definitely a growing pains type of game. What I like is the mistakes were mostly youthful exuberance than any team melt down, being overwhelmed.

Liked that JC didn’t “punish” mistakes and let the player work through them. It might of cost the team a point or 2, but is worth much more in the long run.That being said, I assume Walmark will be taking Highmore’s spot on Sat. Lazy penalty, that he should of known better. At full strength, Highmore is taxi squad fodder, Hagel makes Highmore unnecessary.

Even giving up 6 goals, the defense looks so much better than last year. They did miss Murphy and his 20 plus big minutes he plays.
- LAHawk

Hasn't the board decided Murphy sux?

Hasn't the board decided Murphy sux?
- mohel

Geez I forgot,

Murphy sucks, he can t skate
Strome sucks, he can t skate
Highmore sucks, all he can do is skate
JC sucks because he is trying to develop kids, and Q has a better record this year.

I am sure I am missing 20 more.

Hasn't the board decided Murphy sux?
- mohel

It's Friday so yes.

Saturday it's deHaan.
Sunday it's Keith.
Monday it's Z
Tuesday it's Soderburg
etc.