Chicago Blackhawks Olympians

2014 Sochi Winter Olympics - February 6 

Chicago Blackhawks 2010 Mens Ice-Hockey Medalists
Source: espn.go.com

With the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics just around the corner, Chicago Blackhawks Nation would like to recognize the 10 Blackhawks who were selected to represent their country.

1. Patrick Kane #88 - United States 

2. Jonathan Toews #19 - Canada











3. Duncan keith #2 - Canada











4. Patrick Sharp #10 - Canada


5. Marcus Kruger #16 - Sweden











6. Niklas Hjalmarsson #4 -Sweden












7. Johnny Oduya #27 - Sweden


8. Marian Hossa #81 - Slovakia


9. Michal Handzus #26 - Slovakia


10. Michal Rozsival #32 - Czech Republic


With a very deep and experienced locker room, it does not come as a surprise to the fans that once again numerous players from the same team will face-off against one another. For those who do not recall, it was only four years ago that Canada and the United States faced-off in the gold medal round. The matchup was a must watch for Hawks fans, as players Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Brent Seabrook, and Duncan Keith from Canada, took on Patrick Kane and the United States. Although a hard fought matchup by both teams, Canada went on to win gold in overtime. The Canadian Blackhawks brought back gold medals and bragging rights to the locker room. Although a Canadian victory, it was also seen as a victory for Hawks fans. As the Sochi Olympics begin, we wish the best of luck to all Chicago Blackhawks.


Image sources: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/roster.htm?location=/roster

Beat the Bruins

2 goals in 17 seconds and A Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup

As most sports fans already know, the last time the Chicago Blackhawks laced up against the Bruins was on June 24, 2013, for game 6 of the Stanley Cup Championship at the TD Garden in Boston. Down by 1 goal, Brian Bickell tied the game with 76 seconds left in the third period. Only 17 seconds later, Dave Bolland scored another goal to give the Blackhawks the lead and send them on to win their second Cup in 4 years. 

Sunday, January 19

Blackhawks took on the Boston Bruins at 1901 W Madison St in Chicago IL. While only crossing the mid-season mark, this game had fans believing it was for the Stanley Cup Championship.  While Sunday proved to be none the less exciting then the matchup in June, both teams came out flying. According to an article written by Brian Hedger on the Chicago Blackhawks website, coach Joel Quenneville was quoted as saying, 

"It had that intensity that was involved in our playoff series, which was as good a pace as I'd ever seen in a series. For a regular-season game, you could see that both teams had something at stake and wanted to prove they could win the hockey game. It was definitely a fast-played game."

With the Hawks fans as loud as ever, Marian Hossa would rally the team with a goal only 4minutes into the first period. Brad Marchand would then answer back with (2) goals to give the Bruins a lead, until Brandon Bollig would tie the game mid-second period. A hard fought third period ended with no goals, and an utterly intense matchup between two original six hockey teams was sent into overtime. With hockey fans on the edge of their seats, the 5 minute overtime period ended in a scoreless battle that would be need to be settled in a shootout. The Blackhawks went on to prevail in the shootout , as Patrick Kane scored the game winning goal.

With two hard fought victories over the weekend, the Blackhawks increased their record to 32-8-11, and are only 4 points behind the Anaheim Ducks in the league standings.  

Defeat the Ducks

HAWKS END THE STREAK

"Madhouse on Madison" source: www.faceoffviolation.com

Over the past weekend, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted both the Anaheim Ducks and the Boston Bruins. Both games were very important to the Blackhawks, and much needed as they seek to take back the #1 spot in the league. The Hawks moved in to rivalry weekend with a few games that had gotten away from them in the beginning of the month. With recent losses to the New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadians, and the Colorado Avalanche; the Hawks were looking to bounce back and show the league that they are defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Marian Hossa goal celebration
source: www.espn.go.com

Friday December 17,
Blackhawks vs. Ducks
      4                      2
Blackhawks took on league leaders and rivals the Anaheim Ducks. The Anaheim Ducks entered the "Madhouse On Madison" with a record of 36-8-5, while winning 18 of their last 19 games. While the Duck's infamous flying-V (used in the movie Mighty Ducks) may have worked during their win streak, the Hawks were ready to bring them back to reality. Playing in front of yet another sold out crowd, the players came out skating circles around the Ducks. By using the home ice advantage, Hawks took a first period lead with goals from both Marian Hossa and Kris Versteeg, while Bryan Bickell found the back of the net in the third to increase the goal margin to 3.

Listening to the Hawks goal song "DADADA-DADADA" ring throughout the stadium 3 times with no answer may have set the Ducks back a little. Sick of sitting back on their heals, the Ducks decided to try and calm the United Center down by scoring two goals in the middle of the third from Ryan Getzlaf and Kyle Palmieri. Only down by one, Anaheim battled, but hopes to continue the streak were sealed with an open net goal by Marian Hossa (second of game). According to NHL GameCenter, Marian Hossa was quoted as saying "They have the best line in the league and we knew we had to stop it somehow. I thought we did an excellent job." With a win over Anaheim, the Chicago Blackhawks gained back some valuable points in the league, and carried momentum leading in to the Stanley Cup rematch game vs. the Boston Bruins.

source: http://blackhawks.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/boxscore?id=2013020722

Hockey Training!

Introduction

Hello Blogger World, 

I welcome you to the Chicago Blackhawks Nation  blog. Here you will find anything and everything Blackhawks. As one of the best teams in the National Hockey league today, the Chicago Blackhawks have created a hockey organization like no other. Being a part of the Chicago Blackhawks is like being a part of a massive family that cannot be broken. It is time for you to gain your feathers, and follow Chicago Blackhawks Nation. 

This blog will be dedicated to providing information, opinions, and recent news about the Chicago Blackhawks to all sport fans throughout the world. On this blog any Hawk, non-Hawk, or even non-hockey fan will be able to look into what it is like to be a fan of the greatest team in the National Hockey League (NHL). Throughout the course of this blog we will follow the Chicago Blackhawks current season, player news, and both glorious and not so glorious parts of history. 

Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois, the Blackhawks or Hawks, have arguably one of the strongest and biggest fan bases to span the United States. No matter what city the Hawks play in, there will always be masses of red jerseys with the symbolic Indian head. According to Ryan Kennedy, author of The Hockey News, “We chose the Chicago Blackhawks logo as the best in the NHL because it represents everything this competition is about. It is instantly recognizable, has universal appeal and has inspired countless imitations. The logo itself has an unwavering sense of pride and duty to it and looks great on a jersey or a hat. It is truly one of the classics in all of sport."

Although one might ask when the Blackhawks became such an icon for the National Hockey League, truth is they always were. There has always been something about the Chicago Blackhawks that just shouts out pride, tradition, and history. As we will take a look back into the history of the Chicago Blackhawks, our readers will understand that the Hawks are more than just a hockey team, but a way of life. 

While Chicago sports have been more than slightly disappointing in recent years, the Blackhawks have proven to be victorious. With the addition of young superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Blackhawks have transformed into a franchise. The Hawks have become Chicago's "team", and brought out fans in places you would never have thought existed. 

                                          Source: blackhawks.nhl.com