Holy Crap!! Hockey season has finally started in Chicago! Someone forgot to tell the Defending Stanley Cup Champs that it actually began 5 months ago, but hey, better late than never. By drubbing the Minnesota Sweat Hogs (Im assuming thats what they meant when they named their team 'the Wild') 4-2 last night, the Blackhawks look to have recaptured the some of the magic they enjoyed all last season. There was puck control, crisp passing, teamwork guys diving in front of shots, and even John "Gimme Your Lunch Money" Scott got into it with Wild winger Brad Staubitz. Staubitz made the unfortunate mistake of trying to hammer Brian Campbell as he was touching up on a pending icing call. Staubitz didn't even make good contact thunderously slamming himself into the boards, but the intent was there. Before Staubitz could blink, Scott who had been on the ice for maybe 90 seconds, pushed Campbell aside like his little sister, and was on top of Staubitz like a Doberman going after 5 lbs of raw hamburger. Scott rained blows nonstop on Staubitz's surprised mug until the refs pulled Scott off. The reusult; 17 penalty minutes for Scott and 7 for Staubitz. No man dissadvantage for the Blackhawks. Job well done by John Scott, message sent!! I had written a few weeks ago about the need for Coach Q to make use of John Scott's "talents" again and I'm damned glad he's back. The surprised look on Staubitz's face during the fight said it all. It all happened in a heartbeat! Teams will think twice about pulling something dirty when they know John Scott may jump out of the bushes and beat the snot out of them!! For some reason it has taken the Hawks this long to find their groove but it's coming at the right time. Last night's win leapfrogged them from 9th to 5th place in the tightly packed Western Conference. Team Captain 'Serious' Johnathan Toews (pr. Taves) has taken the team on his back like a Grand Canyon pack mule and doesn't show any signs of slacking. His linemates, Chicago magazine coverboy, Patrick Sharp (1 g)and Patrick Kane (1a) also neatly tallied points last night while the unit is working ridiculously well together. The 3 goals Toews was involved in were all teamwork personified. Twice he fed a teammate with a beautiful pass for an easy tally and the goal he potted late in the 2nd period was a wicked snap shot on a gorgeous feed from Patrick Kane that Backstrom never saw coming. Late in the third period down 3-2 Minnesota was desperately trying to mount a comeback when Wild center Bouchard made a sprawling attempt to keep the puck in the zone on a power play. Bouchard managed to hook the puck with his outstretched stick but as he went down Captain Toews simply stepped over him while snagging the puck (Yoink!) and escaped down the ice deftly feeding Marian Hossa for a shorthanded goal crushing the Sweat Hog's hopes and sealing the Blackhawk's 5th straight victory. Other players may have more overall goals and or assists but I doubt they mean as much to their respective teams as Johnathan Toews does. He goes out and earns the right to wear the "C" on his sweater every single night.
So the DSCC's (Defending Stanley Cup Champions) have 19 games left starting with Calgary at home Wednesday night at 8p.m.and are finally skating from a position of strength. If they keep the fire burning they have finally gotten lit after 5 months of trying they are serious candidates to hoist the Cup come June!! The road ahead is still a tough one with only 5 of 13 games in March at the UC and only 8 total home games of 19 remaining. On top of that, 3 of those are against the red hot Red Wings, but I'm far less concerned, as I'm sure many are, now the Blackhawks have found their stride again. No better time than the home stretch!! Dave Kuhlman bullsbearscubssoxhoxx dave@onyerleft.com
Post note: Defenseman Jordan Hendry will undergo knee surgery and miss the rest of the season. Nick Leddy who was finally given a permanent position (well earned!!) and new acquisition, Chris Campoli will need to absorb the slack in Hendry's absence.
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