Sunday, April 27, 2014

Hawks Move On!

Blackhawks Finish Blues

Crawford helps Hawks Surpass Blues
source: articles.chicagotribune.com
The Chicago Blackhawks have now taken 4 games in a row, and have defeated the mighty St. Louis Blues. An incredible series played by both teams, but the Blues could't stop the Hawks offense. What seemed to be a struggle for the first two games, turned into a Chicago Blackhawks momentum swing on their home ice. The Blackhawks have always played well at home, and they surely showed their home ice advantage by winning all 3 home games and only one away. Carrying the momentum through the games 3 & 4 wins, the Hawks were able to go back to St. Louis and devastate the crowd with a 3-2 overtime win. The Hawks then went on a scoring rampage in game 5 at the United Center. Scoring 5 goals, the offense was the best that the team had seen throughout the entire series. Not wanting to head back to St. Louis for a game 6, the Blackhawks played well in every aspect of the matchup. While it seemed the Hawks would be doomed early in the series, one man who deserves credit for keeping the team alive was goaltender Corey Crawford. Although letting up a few must have goals, Crawford certainly showed he has what it takes to help this team move on.

While the game proved to be close matchup through 2 periods,  Toews would then rally his team with a wrist shop, followed by goals from Patrick Sharp, Andrew Shaw, and Duncan Keith. While the Hawks offense gain a tremendous amount of confidence in the third, they will need to pick up the pace if they want to surpass their next opponent in round 2. One thing I would wish the Hawks could improve on is getting pucks to the net. With forwards like Andrew Shaw and Bryan Bickell who have a strong net presence, the Hawks could really capitalize on putting everything and anything on the net. As seen late in the game and throughout the series, the Hawks make plays when the puck gets to the opponents net. Another thing the Hawks must definitely work on is their enormous amount of penalties taken. Unlike the Chicago Blackhawks throughout the season, they have continuously been taking bad penalties that have luckily not been taken advantage of by the Blues offense.

The Blackhawks are definitely a team to keep an eye on for the Stanley Cup run, and will certainly give their next opponent a physical battle. The Hawks are the only Western Conference team to have clinched their second round spot thus far, and will await for the announcement of their opponent. Ether way, we can expect the Hawks to continue practice as normal and prepare for the next series.

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Overtime Struggles Continue

Blackhawks Fall in OT Yet Again

Blues score to win another O.T. 
source: www.cbssports.com


Is it possible the Chicago Blackhawks have carried there regular season overtime omen into the first round of the "Quest for the Cup", most would be likely to think so. While the first game of the series was a tremendous fight, the Blackhawks had the lead by one goal into the late minutes of the game. The only problem with a one goal lead in playoff hockey is the chances of keeping the lead are unlikely. Well with about one minute left, the Blackhawks would lose their one goal lead and head into a triple overtime loss. As the Chicago fans stayed hopeful as they always are, we believed in our team and cheered for them as every player left everything they had on the ice. 

Only down one game into the series, the Blackhawks were surely gonna get vengeance in the second game on saturday afternoon. There was only one problem, in stead of coming out of the gate with fire on their backs, the Hawks looked like a bunch of mens league players chasing the puck as the Blues walked over them. After letting the Blues take a first period 2 goal lead, Coach Q must have gave an extremely motivational speech because the Hawks would then go on a three goal tear scoring one in the second and two in the third. besides playing most of the game on the penalty kill, the team looked great and Hawks fans were hopeful that the team would be able to hold on to a much needed win in St. Louis territory. Instead, Seabrook decides to annihilate Backes of the Blues, and not only get thrown out of the game with 5 minutes remaining, but also give the Blues a 5 min power play. Just what the Hawks needed right? Although the Blackhawks were playing strong, it was destined that the Blues would pull their goalie be able to burry one home, and thats exactly what happened with a few seconds remaining. Although dramatic, there was still a game to be played, as both teams would battle it out in yet another overtime game. As we all know the Blackhawks have been absolutely horrible in overtime during the regular season, and with another overtime loss to start the series, it was only fate that the Blues would win it again. 

Although down 2 games, and the loss of Seabrook due to suspension, we must not worry Hawks fans because the Blues will be coming back to the madhouse. On monday night in Chicago, the Blues will have to endure the boys on the ice and their 20 some thousand die-hards behind the glass. The Blackhawks are a great team at home, and will definitely need to bring the series back to St. Louis tied up. 


Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Preparing for Playoffs

First Round: Chicago Blackhawks V. St. Louis Blues

The Road to the CUP begins Thursday April, 17, 2014


2014 NHL PLAYOFF HYPE - "HEY BROTHER"
source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JuqraLrFjI

The Chicago Blackhawks will head to St. Louis on thursday April, 17 to take on the Blues in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. With hatred instilled on their hearts and the drive for victory beating within each player, it will certainly be one of the most competitive series in the first round. Throughout the season both teams were neck and neck, struggling to gain a substantial lead within the conference. In 5 games throughout the season, The blues took the first three games, but two of which took all of 3 periods and a shoot-out. 

While the Blues were destined to clinch the conference toward the end of the season, they fell short  and were rattled with injury. Although they lead the conference for most of the season, the Blues couldn't hold on, and now have to face the fierce Chicago Blackhawks who have a tendency to destroy teams dreams. With several players returning from Injury, the Blues will have a better chance of getting the puck passed Corey Crawford, but it all surely not come easy. 

On the Other hand, the Chicago Blackhawks have been struggling of late with several of their powerful forwards out with injuries. Blackhawks stars Toews and Kane are destined to return to the Blackhawks line-up for the first game of the series, and although they may have not seen action in quite some time, they will surely be ready to draw blood. With the passion and experience of the veterans, and the drive of the new young guns, the Blackhawks have aquired a perfect mix that should enable them to return to Chicago with the Stanley Cup once again. There is no excuse for the Blackhawks to expect none the less, most of their team has returned from winning the Cup last year. Along with the addition of several fast players, they are certainly ready to roll over the blues and continue on to the next round. While it will not be easy, the Blackhawks key to getting passed the Blues is getting the puck to the net. With powerful and quick forwards, their are not many teams who can stop the Chicago Blackhawks in the offensive zone. Leading the league in goals for the most part of the 2013-2014, the Hawks are a powerhouse that pose a deep threat for the Blues. 

This opening round matchup will certainly start off very physical, and the speed of the game will increase almost double. While there are no true bad match ups in the playoffs, I believe the winner of this series will capture enough momentum to work there way through into the Stanley Cup Finals. Everything that both teams have faced throughout the entire season all comes to this point, the chance to prove that they have what it takes to win in the playoffs!!