Chicago Blackhawks – Mission Impossible Possible

Mar 1, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook (7) is congratulated by his teammates for scoring a goal for scoring the game winning goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during overtime at the United Center. The Blackhawks beat the Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

“The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.” Anonymous 

Back in the 1960’s there was a TV series called Mission Impossible. Not the Tom Cruise movies, although these were loosely based on the original TV series that took us on a journey every week with the IMF (Impossible Missions Force) team.

The IMF team faced different villains and different obstacles every week while trying to accomplish their mission. The IMF team was comprised of different operatives that possessed different skill sets that were needed to achieve success on their missions.

Although I don’t think it was ever revealed who the IMF really worked for it was implied it was some branch of the US government. The missions were most definitely black ops requiring the most skilled technicians.

Sounds a little familiar to Chicago Blackhawk fans doesn’t it? Every game that the Blackhawks play presents new challenges and obstacles to be overcome by the team. Each game you have no idea what particular set of skills will be needed or employed or what situation will arise to be overcome.  You never know whose shoulders the brunt of the mission will fall on. There is a different hero each time.

No one can dispute that this run that the Blackhawks are on is remarkable and probably they themselves did not think that what they are achieving would be possible. Then again it really isn’t all that surprising due to several factors.

Stan Bowman has assembled a team built around a core that already knows that the impossible is achievable and what it takes to succeed. Credit him with keeping the right members in the core and obtaining the right pieces to complement them.

Joel Quenneville has made adjustments this year and has righted some of the problems of the past two seasons. There is no question this year the team is more focused on the defense and playing as a team and supporting one another on ice. It is under Coach Q’s and his coaching teams’ constant reminder to the team of the mission at hand and keeping the team focused.

Then there is the almost flawless execution by the team on a game in and game out basis. Each team member has their specialty and skill sets that they know when to employ and which skills will work against which opponents.

Whether it is Jonathan Toews power rushes to the goal crease, Patrick Kane stickhandling wizardry that mesmerizes the opponent, Patrick Sharp’s snipping shots, Marian Hossa’s power moves or the teams defense which is operating with special forces like tactical precision the teams skill sets are evident. Every member of this team has specials skills which are too many to list.

The one common element each member has regardless of their skills is their ability to not only achieve the impossible, but to make it look fun and sometimes a little too easy.

Like everything, this will end sometime but until then each game is like a new exciting mission with an opponent looking to stop this team in an unknown script but with the same results – points to the Blackhawks and closer to achieving their goal.

Until the next game “Your mission, Jonny and team, should you decide to accept it, is…  Good luck, Jonny.” – 1

1 Intro used at the beginning of every Mission impossible show. Mission Impossible ran from 1966-1973 and was created by Bruce Gellar.