Archive for March, 2010

Mar30th

Shuffle up and deal: Q-Stache juggles lines as ‘Hawks head to St. Louis

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bartl | IN: Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, St. Louis Blues | COMMENTS: 3 Comments

Want me to spare you the details? OK, how about I just make it quick and to the point. The Blackhawks are playing like they replaced their skate blades with Bic one-use razors and their hearts with well-packed snowballs, a la Franklin Delano Romanowksi.  They look like Kramer begging for 100 percent anti-drop dead protection, and I’m not ready to grant it.
I’ve refused to let panic set in, but the eternal optimism around Chicago is nearly mind-boggling and bordering on the ridiculous. The constant comparisons to last season’s Blackhawks are starting to get insanely annoying. We’re watching a different Blackhawks [...]

Mar26th

Huet that will live in infamy

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bartl | IN: Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: 4 Comments

Cristobal Huet gave up seven goals on 27 shots Thursday in an 8-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Here is your game recap:

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Mar25th

BJs for everyone: Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets preview

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bartl | IN: Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets | COMMENTS: 3 Comments

As we go down to a short number of games, when you get inside of five it might be clear where you might go with one guy. We want both guys confident. They both deserve an opportunity to keep playing and keep getting a chance to be the guy.    — Coach Q-Stache
The plethora of Blackhawks’ injuries recently provided a welcomed relief from the on-going debate between  Cristobal Huet and  Antti Niemi. It’s been rather easy to ignore the elephant wearing goaltender gear standing in the corner. But with 10 games left before the second season begins in the [...]

Mar24th

Separation anxiety: ‘Hawks 2, Yotes 0

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bartl | IN: Blackhawks | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

It’s almost humorous now looking back to Nov. 5, when the Blackhawks faced Phoenix for the first time this season. I made fun of the team’s attendance, organizational troubles and a roster filled with castoffs. If someone told me at that time these two teams would meet March 23 tied for the Western Conference points lead heading into what turned out to be the biggest game of the season, the amount of laughter would have given me a heart attack.
Boy, is my face red or what? Luckily, the Blackhawks came out with an effort the fans felt has been lacking [...]

Mar23rd

Committed Indian column: Potential playoff matchups for Blackhawks

AUTHOR: Jeffrey Bartl | IN: Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Popular | COMMENTS: 1 Comment

This column appears in tonight’s Committed Indian. Help feed Sam of Second City Hockey by purchasing a copy for $3 outside the United Center. I’ll be in Section 326, Row 12, Seat 11 so you can come over and buy me a beer. GO ‘HAWKS!
Only 11 games remain in a season which a month ago seemed to be flying by at the speed of a Marian Hossa wrister. The Blackhawks were cruising, overcoming only minor hiccups and supplanting their spot at the top of the Western Conference.
The fans slipped into a comfort coma waiting for mid-April. Another game, another point [...]