A Chicago Blackhawks Site
Bartl
Editor/founder of Cheer the Anthem, season ticket holder in Section 326 and full-time sports writer who lists June 9, 2010, as one of the greatest days of his life. Contact him at jeffrey.bartl@gmail.com.
Posts by Bartl
Not lacking Skill(e): Boxing with Blackhawks/Oilers
Feb 10th
Good riddance, asshole.
I’ve made no secret that I’ve never been a fan of Jack Skille. He’s a quick skater, but he’s reckless. He can create at times, but he can’t finish. And the last time I saw him make a pass in the offensive zone was when I attended a Rockford IceHogs vs. Chicago Wolves game two years ago.
The only person willing to give up anything of value for Skille was the man who drafted him 7th overall in 2005, Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon. Well Dale, you can have your bust back. And thanks for the depth at center with 22-year-old, back-to-back 21-goal scorer Michael Frolik.
Don’t let the door… No, let the eff-ing door hit your sorry ass on the way out, Skille. Enjoy the giant bugs and white shoes.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.Click the jump for Boxing with ‘Hawks/Oilers
Blackhawks need some luck? Look no further than eBay!
Feb 8th
Boxing with ‘Hawks/Flames coming up this afternoon…
As the season nears a stretch in which every game is important for our beloved Stanley Cup champion Chicago 
Blackhawks to simply make the playoffs in the airtight Western Conference, it’s never a problem to have Lady Luck kneeling down in front of you.
Or even Old Man Luck… ?
Yes, ‘Hawks fans, this “Chicago Blackhawks Official Good Luck Garden Gnome” can be yours for the low price of $22.44! And fear not if you’re late reading this post. There’s THREE available! Please do not go running each other over electronically to get your weather-resistant good luck charm as the ‘Hawks fight for a play off spot.
If you’re one of those fans who believes the Blackhawks’ playoff chances are a coin flip, then you can’t lose! Feast your eyes on the “Chicago Blackhawks Good Luck Novelty Lincoln 2010 Penny!” All your luck can be wrapped up in Honest 
Abe for the low, low price of $3.99!
Happy bidding, ‘Hawks fans. Another losing streak and purchasing these items may not seem so crazy.
Visit the NEW Blackhawk Up Store with new designs!
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Visit FanSided’s NHL page, Too Many Men on the Site
Effort ain’t enough: Boxing with Blackhawks/Canucks
Feb 7th
QStache said it. I’ve heard and read others say it….
If the Blackhawks play this way the rest of the season, the playoffs will be a lock and they’ll make some noise on top of it.
Me? I’m not buying that for a second.
The problem with that statement is that we’ve said it way too often. There’s a consistent thought among us fans that we need to take the positives out of a season like this, especially knowing how embarrassing it will be for the ‘Hawks to miss the playoffs after winning the Stanley Cup just last season.
Click the jump for Boxing with ‘Hawks/Canucks, 2/4/11
Blown away: Boxing with ‘Hawks/BJs
Feb 2nd
Hey, did anyone realize it’s snowing outside? I wasn’t sure until every single person’s Facebook status told me. My windows that are clear and easy to look out of must be broken.
At least the Blackhawks got their six-game road trip off to a good start, even if they didn’t play like they’ll need to Friday in Vancouver.
The penalty kill continued to shine, the ‘Hawks actually took advantage of a 5-on-3 and Jonathan Toews was, well, Jonathan Toews. The 7-4 victory wasn’t always a walk in the park, but Marty Turco’s big stop on Jakub Voracek to keep the game tied 3-3 was all I needed to validate a rather surprising start.
I’m going to let Boxing do most of the talking tonight, as it makes it’s triumphant return. Without further ado…
Click the jump for Boxing with ‘Hawks/Blue Jackets, 2/1/11
Hello, Hockey World. My name is Patrick Sharp
Jan 31st
"Quick. Come see how good looking I am!" (AP)
Most of Patrick Sharp’s popularity stems from his good looks.
Now, he’s the most handsome All-Star Game MVP there’s ever been.
This award wasn’t for his victory in a random Internet Sexiest NHL Player contest, nor did Sharp Dressed Man play after any of his accomplishments on a national stage — a goal and two assists. It just so happens his star shined brighter than any other Sunday in Raleigh.
Not bad for a guy who gets roughly the fifth-most attention on his own team.
It’s no secret Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Marian Hossa are the most talked-about Blackhawks. The fans voted in the first three, despite Sharp having a better season when the ‘Hawks needed it most with the departures and injuries.
Hell, Sharp wasn’t even on the damn ballot.
Roundtable: Blackhawk Up, SCH, Hockee Night, Fifth Feather, TTMI
Jan 11th
Matt McClure of Second City Hockey sent out a few questions for us idiots to discuss now that we have just passed the midway point of the season. The answers come from myself, Forklift of Hockee Night, Sam Fels of The Committed Indian, SCH and NBC.com’s Madhouse Enforcer, the Fifth Feather and Chris Block of The Third Man In. Enjoy, ya’ll.
McClure: All right men, it’s been far too long since we’ve done one of these. It seems like it’s a decent point in the season to do one so let’s get at it, shall we?
1) What do you see as being wrong with Duncan Keith to this point in the season, and can it be fixed?
Forklift: I’m hoping it’s something as simple as him being a little overwhelmed at being paid $8 million, and is trying to do too much. You can see where he’s just not simplifying his game – looking for that one extra pass, shooting where there’s no lane, playing with the puck too much. All things that are not part of the Duncan Keith game.
I’m envisioning the solution being R. Lee Ermey walking into the Hawks’ dressing room and yelling at him “What’s the matter with you, boy? You’re DUNCAN KEITH!!! Start playing like you’re DUNCAN KEITH!!! Do you understand me???”
Fifth Feather: At this point in the season, other than blasting shot after shot off shin guards, he’s been alright. His start to the season is what everyone remembers now, but the mistakes Keith has been making lately (poor angles, firing the puck away without looking, etc.) are all things he’s been doing his whole career. So I’m not sure those things will ever be wholly rectified.
The difference between last year and this year was his shot finding the back of the net with a bit more regularity and his mistakes weren’t as glaring because when he did make them, it was Huet’s fault or the opposition didn’t capitalize on them.
Bartl: I’m inclined to side with The Feather here, because a lot of his mistakes are things we’ve seen before. The difference seems to be they’re happening a lot more frequently than last season. Maybe he’s over-thinking, trying to anticipate the opponent’s forecheck rather than than reacting to what it gives him to work with. The blind passes are more frequent, and when he does hold possession, he seems to be holding it too long. Far too many times he’s been caught dilly-dalying with the puck as the opposition moves on in him force a turnover or at least slow down the ‘Hawks attack. Then there’s the obvious blind shots without finding a lane before firing. Whether or not it can be fixed depends on him dealing with the mental side of getting over his mistakes, in my opinion.
Better than your worst: Twice the Boxing with ‘Hawks/Senators/Islanders
Jan 10th
As usual, Mondays after two weekend games gets you a double dose of Boxing. Boom
"That's my puck, baby! Don't you EVER touch my puck!" (Chicago Tribune)
I can sit here and say, “Yeah we got four points, but look at the competition,” but I may be in the minority of people who say the Blackhawks could be turning a corner.
Now, that doesn’t mean it’s because the ‘Hawks played spectacular in Friday’s 3-2 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators and Sunday’s 5-0 win against the New York Islanders. They didn’t.
The reason I bring up the possibility of a stretch of improved play is simply because of momentum. Sometimes, a couple of crappy wins can turn out to be the saving grace for a struggling team. The reason? The players remove the word “crappy” and look at the bare basics: A win is a win.
There won’t be any bold predictions from me guaranteeing this, nor will I say it cannot happen. But I’m leaning more on the side of this weekend being good for the Blackhawks’ 2011. Maybe it’s just the meatball in me.
Patrick Kane looks like he’s finally fully healthy. More importantly, he looks like he cares. His Give A Fuck has been broken for most of this season, so hopefully that got repaired along with his ankle.
The penalty kill still blows, though they killed their one against the Isles. That ended five straight de-pants-ings on the kill.
And how about dat der Corey Crawford guy der. First shutout of the season Sunday, and it was well deserved.
Not gonna waste a ton of time going over two games you’ve already seen, so here’s Boxing. As always, click the images to enlarge.
First up, ‘Hawks/Sens from Friday…
Click the jump for Boxing with ‘Hawks/Sens, followed by ‘Hawks/Isles
STATS Game: Blackhawks vs. Stars
Jan 5th
THE FACTS
The BLACKHAWKS are …
… 21-17-3 (T-2nd, Central)
… 12-10-0 at home
… 5-5-0 in their last 10 (Won 1)
… 7-4-1 against the Pacific Division
… 16-8-2 when scoring first
… 16-3-1 when leading after 2nd period
The STARS are …
… 23-13-4 (1st, Pacific)
… 11-7-1 on the road
… 5-3-2 in their last 10 (Won 1)
… 8-3-2 against the Central Division
… 17-2-0 when scoring first
… 10-0-0 when leading after 2nd period
THE MATCHUP
POWER PLAY: Blackhawks, 25.5% (1st) ; Stars, 17.1% (17th)
PENALTY KILL: Blackhawks 79.0% (25th) ; Stars 79.2% (24th)
» The Blackhawks beat the Stars 5-3 on Dec. 8th (Boxing, with Marc Crawford’s tirade)
» The Stars are 2-5-2 in Chicago in their last nine trips.
Click the jump for more STATS
Crowning Jewel: Boxing with Blackhawks/Kings, Sweep Edition
Jan 4th
"Call it luck again, bitch. I dare you."
King me, please.
The Blackhawks completed a four-game season sweep of L.A. with a 4-3 victory that came with a few surprises, including:
» The sweep itself. Who the hell saw that coming, especially with the ‘Hawks struggles
» Jonathan Toews’ early – and welcome – return from injury
» Jake Dowell being scratched with no explanation yet if it relates to his 3rd-period benching against the Ducks
» Patrick Sharp’s fifth career two-goal game against the Kings. That’s, like, a lot.
The Captain’s return proved to be not only timely, but also not rushed. Most of us were worried about whether or not he’d be fully ready to go, and he quelled those worries with a solid performance. Toews’ “lucky” goal that bounced in off an errant clearing attempt by Drew Doughty happened because he was in front of the net like he should have been.
Sharp had another very handsome night, potting a goal on the power play and adding another off an aggressive forecheck by him and Tomas Kopecky. Nifty passing on the PP goal, as Kane made a nice pass across while Marian Hossa baited Jarrett Stoll into sinking toward the net, opening the passing lane.
Cash. Money. Hoes.
The Blackhawks did everything they could to attempt to lose this game, however. They were outplayed in the first period until Hossa tied it late, then took three shitty penalties in a row in the third period. The too-many-men call is flat out stupid, Duncan Keith was sleep-skating on his dipshit toss over the boards, and Toews’ high-stick shouldn’t have happened. It led to the equalizer until Toews’ shin scored the winner.
A few more thoughts here:
» Patrick Kane is still being bothered by his injury, I’ve decided. I came to this conclusion when he skated in with Dave Bolland on a 2-on-1 and did not once even consider putting the puck on net. Confidence? Well, maybe, given that he’s still getting back in the groove after sitting out eight games. More importantly, he looks a bit shaky on his skates, and I believe it may hurt him to plant and twist that ankle in order fire off a decent shot. Kane glided into the zone and looked at Bolland the whole way. Kane is a scorer, and that’s what we need from him. The cute pass on an odd-man rush is not what anyone wants to see. If it’s the ankle like I believe it is, maybe a night off for Kane would do some good.
» Brent Seabrook did his best Nick Boynton impression by making a blind, dipshit clearing attempt that resulted in a turnover and a Kings goal. Overall, he played like a pile of shit.
» Corey Crawford got another win, but hopefully he made out with the posts on the Staples Center nets after the game. Those red, iron bastards sure helped deflect the pucks outwardly. I’d count and tell you how many posts the Kings hit in the game, but my calculator is broken. However, he made a great save on Anze Kopitar’s chance with under a minute left and Jonathan Quick on the bench in favor of the extra man.
» The minutes of Jack Skille and Viktor Stalberg were next to nothing after a decent night in Anaheim, when QStache benched Dowell. Skille and Stalberg rode the pine most of the game, and Dowell watched from the press box as a healthy scratch. Granted, Skille did have a turnover that led to a Kings goal, but it would be nice if people with credentials would ask some questions about all this.
And now for Boxing. Click the images to enlarge:
Click the jump for Boxing with ‘Hawks/Kings
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