Oh Where Oh Where Has my Underdog Gone???

Anyone remember what this felt like??

   
                                         



     After reading another article in today's Trib about Blackhawk's team captain, Johnathan Toews giving the same speech to his beleaguered teammates outlining what they need to do going forward  after yet another devastating loss, it left me wondering.....I feel like sweet Polly Purebred wondering where the hell Underdog has gotten off to...As I've pointed out numerous times, this year's Blackhawks squad has undergone significant personnel changes with 12 Blackhawk players from last year's Stanley Cup Champions now donning opposing teams sweaters due to trades, free agency, salary arbitration and outright suckiness (  the only one missing Nick Boynton  is his barber!!) However, the Hoxx, as I have nicknamed them, have had plenty of time, 6 months now, to adjust to these changes and come together as a solid winning team. The roster is still stacked with All-Star talent and arguably 3-4 future hall of famers. Toews, Kane and Sharp are all among the league leaders in points amassed for goals scored and assissts. Marian Hossa has been a red hot scoring machine as of late and Corey Crawford is 3rd in the league in GAA.  (goals against average) Coach Q did another amazing  on the fly job of engineering  lineup changes that had put the Hoxx back into the thick of the playoff race with an 8 game winning streak over the last few weeks. So after having climbed to 4th position in the Western conference standings with a 6-3 drubbing of San Jose last just as of  last weekend, here 'we' are again teetering on the playoff bubble following a pathetic 5-0 pounding at the hands of the Dallas Stars Wednesday night. "Captain Serious" is trying to will his team forward every way he knows how, but something still seems to be missing. Are these guys listening?? Do they give a crap?? I'm sure they are, nobody likes to lose.The only reason I can draw here is there seems to be a palpable lack of desire. Not from Toews or Kane or really anyone in particular, but when the Blackhawks drop games like they did against both Florida teams two weeks ago or they just flat out fail to show up like they did in Dallas that leaves me scratching my bald head, you have to feel that this year's team lacks the hunger it had last year. I don't believe a GM a head coach, or even a team captain, all three of which I feel we have the best of in the NHL,  can instill or inspire hunger into a team, it's either there or it's not. Desire and hunger are elements you cannot simply snap into place. Last year's team just had both. Having been knocked out of the Conference finals by Detroit in 2009, the 2010 team hit the ice at full sprint with vengeance in their hearts and never looked back. As I mentioned previously, yes there was a ton of personnel turnover as every team that wins the Cup has to absorb, but with all the talent that is still here and an ace GM, Stan Bowman, and coach Q at the helm, it should be different by now. The 8 game winning streak was great but it seems as distant a memory as last Summer's parade. The last 5 games have seen the Hoxx go 1-4, (2 were OT losses nabbing 2 crucial points, but losses none the less) they are hardly looking like a team that is ready or wants to contend again. Maybe with the Olympics, the prolonged playoff run last Spring and all the celebrating last Summer, it's too much to ask the Blackhawks to have the deep seeded fire they exhibited last season. Maybe they don't want to grow those itchy beards again!!?? The Hoxx are still in contention and all is not lost, but I'd feel a hell of alot better knowing they had clinched a playoff spot by now!!
     It's not going to end my world if  'we' don't win again this year and I know it  probably won't happen, but it was one hell of alot of fun watching the pride restored in Chicago hockey once again. Parade day was too much for words!! The city was absolutely crazy that day!! It just seems for a city of our size with the fan base all our teams enjoy,  the championships come all too far and few between!! We haven't enjoyed a repeat champ since 1998! (I love the Bears to death as well but how many times can we celebrate a trophy won 25 years ago??!!)  Here's hoping the Captain  and the rest of our beloved Hoxx find the fire and desire again and kick the Coyotes asses tonight!! The puck drops in Phoenix at 7pm (Chicago time)  LET'S GO HOXX!!!    Dave Kuhlman bullsbearscubssoxhoxx dave@onyerleft.com