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
Looking Sharp: ‘Hawks take two with help from a very handsome man
Oct 17th
Hug me, cuz I'm beautiful. (Getty Images)
Patrick Sharp is a very handsome man. He’s a pretty decent hockey player, too.
The man behind the looks had a pair of two-goal games in Friday’s 5-2 win against Columbus and Saturday’s 4-3 win against Buffalo. Sharp’s performances also block that big spotlight beaming on Saturday’s win that the ‘Hawks pretty much should have lost.
But as my buddy Boston Joe told me earlier today when Michigan State struggled through a win against Illinois, “Good teams win.” The ‘Hawks still play like the champions they are when needed.
That was no more evident than during Friday’s dismantling of the BJs. After the loss to Nashville and with Marty Turco sitting for two straight games, the ‘Hawks needed to take advantage of a rusty Columbus team that hadn’t played in nearly a week.
Sharp put 13 shots on net Friday. To put that into perspective, the ‘Hawks had 21 shots Saturday as a team. He’s simply playing like a man possessed. To me, it’s clear when someone is playing like they have something to prove when the kid in them comes out. After each of Sharp’s goals Saturday — which includes the game-winner late in the third period — he celebrated like he scored his first goal in pee-wee hockey. It was beautiful to watch, and he’s showing he knew he had to put his name on the scoresheet even more this season with all of the departures during offseason. He’s neat.
All right, onto the meat of this…
♦ Marian Hossa is a goddamn beast. A goal and an assist Friday, another goal Saturday. Him and Sharp have both potted five goals now and are clearly playing like men among boys. Not only is Hossa putting himself on the scoresheet, he’s doing all the things we need to appreciate more: Kill penalties, backcheck like a mother fucker, control the puck and provide scoring opportunities for his teammates. Hossa is the ultimate example of unselfishness, he’s got a six-game points streak and I have a gigantic man crush.
♦ There’s been a Dave Bolland siting! He’s been playing like Fat Albert on roller skates up until tonight, when he made a great move on Patrick Lalime to tie the game 3-3. Bolland also was 13-for-19 on faceoffs tonight after farting on the dot most of the previous five games. Hopefully we see more of Saturday’s Bolland from here on out.
♦ Both of Brent Seabrook’s assists tonight were gorgeous. He made a great pass on a 4-on-4 to spring Bolland and earlier fed a beautiful lead pass to Hossa for his goal. We haven’t seen the 2009-10 Seabs until tonight, which isn’t surprising given he’s been playing nearly a half-hour per night. But Saturday his passing skills led to two big goals.
♦ John Scott is a 6’8″, 258-pound paperweight.
♦ Anyone else surprised the Sabres didn’t at least try and stir up shit with Niklas Hjalmarsson tonight? I really felt we’d see some punches thrown or at least a monster hit from someone. Eh, whatever.
♦ O Campbell, Where Art Thou? Jassen Cullimore belongs in Rockford or on a couch somewhere. He played 18:54 in sheer terror and had me begging for Brent Sopel’s ugly ass by the 10-minute mark. Also, the ‘Hawks were out-shot 41-21 against Buffalo and let 32 go through against Columbus. PooP.
♦ What a week for Nick Boynton. He takes a dipshit delay-of-game penalty that doomed the ‘Hawks against the Preds, took another dipshit penalty at the end of the game tonight against Buffalo and played a role in the hotness that is Jen Patterson getting fired from Comcast Sportsnet. Asshole.
♦ Back to some better stuff, Marty Turco played really well in both victories this weekend. He may scare the shit out of you and may lead you to brief moments of heart failure, but Turco makes the saves when they’re need the most. The ‘Hawks have made life difficult for their goaltenders so far this year, and Turco has stepped up.
I know there’s more stuff I can add, but I don’t want to make this too long. “Boxing” upcoming… when I feel like it.
‘Til then…
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Boxing with Blackhawks and Monsters in the Forest in Arnold movies, 10/13/10
Oct 13th
Here’s Wednesday’s twisted box score from the Blackhawks’ 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators. Enjoy.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
NHL lays the Hammer: Hjalmarsson suspended 2 games for hit
Oct 12th
You got knocked the fug out! (Getty Images)
As suspected, Niklas Hjalmarsson has been suspended for two games for his bone-crushing hit on Jason Pominville, according to TSN. I thought it would only be one game, personally, but the NHL gave two games to James Wisniewski today for making a blowjob gesture on the ice. I guess nearly killing someone — intent be damned — is worth at least a blowjob.
Wait…
Anyway, we’ll have more thoughts on this later.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Boxing with the Blackhawks and Giant Swords, 10/11/10
Oct 12th
Monday night’s box score of the Blackhawks’ 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres — with a twist.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
The Champs are here! The Champs are here!: Blackhawks 4, Sabres 3
Oct 12th
GET ON YOUR HOSSA!
This game, nor this season, started like we wanted it to start. Before anyone finished mixing their after-work cocktail, the ‘Hawks fell behind 2-0 and seemed headed toward their third straight loss to open their title defense.
But this is what champions do — they fight back. Monday’s win won’t go down as the prettiest — unless you’re counting Patrick Sharp being back in the lineup — but it’s a win nonetheless which gets the ‘Hawks on the board.
Also, good to hear Jason Pominville only suffered a concussion. For a minute there it looked like he would be making a tee time on Cloud 9 with Kim Johnsson.
Here’s what I’ve got…
♦ Marian Hossa is the motherfucking master. His two goals tonight made Ryan Miller look like Cristobal Huet‘s little sister, and he’s got five points in the first three games. Hossa also set up a chance for Jonathan Toews while lying on his testicles by somehow sliding the puck over with his stick to a cutting Toews. Watching this guy play is a thing of beauty, and everyone better start appreciating how lucky we are to be able to witness this until he retires before his 300-year contract is up for the next 11 seasons.
♦ Despite the two quick goals, Corey Crawford played very well tonight and made some good saves — especially on scrambles in front of the net. Sharp stood and watched Drew Stafford skate right past him up the middle of the ice and put a dart on net 14 seconds into the game. Then every ‘Hawk on the ice supervised while Derek Roy positioned himself in front of the net to put a rebound past Crawford just a couple minutes later. It could’ve shaken the kid up, but he hung tough and finished strong.
♦ Niklas Hjalmarsson didn’t intend to nearly kill Pominville, but he’s going to get suspended — it’s just a matter of how many games. It was simply a timing play Hammer mistimed. But with the NHL dying to make an example of someone other than people who make blowjob gestures on the ice — Very classy, Wiz — Hammer will have some extra time to film his Ikea commercials.
♦ Another half hour-plus (31:42) of ice time for Duncan Keith, with Brent Seabrook adding close to that (28:30). Not trying to make excuses from their sometimes spotty play, but I’m wondering if these two are feeling the effects of so much time on the ice. Granted, Seabrook looked absolutely lost a few times tonight, most notably on the Sabres’ third goal which slipped right past him. But with Brian Campbell out, Hammer getting booted, John Scott being a complete boner and the inexperience of Nick Leddy, the ‘Hawks are relying heavily on Keith and Seabs and it’s tough to expect them to make every single play.
♦ Speaking of Leddy, congrats on your first goal, kid. Even if it was uglier than a Brent Sopel look-a-like contest.
♦ Patrick Kane netted a power-play goal to pull the ‘Hawks within 2-1, scoring a goal in Buffalo for the first time since 2007.
♦ The fourth line of Jack Skille, Jake Dowell and Viktor Stalberg had some great shifts tonight, which is becoming a trend. Now, if they can just put one in the net …
♦ Dave Bolland needs to get his head out of his ass. He was 3-for-9 on the faceoff dot and looked like a complete moron most of the night. I’m not sure what’s wrong with him, but through three games he’s done nothing but aggravate me.
♦ Toews’ numbers: 21:09 on-ice, +3, 14-for-25 in faceoffs and one good deed, bringing Leddy the puck for his first NHL goal.
That’s it for now. The latest edition of “Boxing” will be up around noon tomorrow. You’ll read it.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Boxing with the Blackhawks and Communists, 10/9/10
Oct 11th
Here’s Saturday night’s Blackhawks vs. Red Wings box score with a twist:
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Boxing with Blackhawks and Big Falling Snow Pile, 10/7/10
Oct 8th
My nice new job allows me access to screenshots of the box scores, so I thought I’d take advantage and try to put something together for last night’s Blackhawks opener vs. the Colorado Avalanche.
I’m going to try and do this as much as I can this season. Can’t guarantee I’ll get to it every single game. Sorry if the font is a bit small, but it’s definitely readable. Let me know what everyone thinks.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
It’s a league game, Smokey: Falling Snow Pile 4, Blackhawks 3 (OT)
Oct 8th
Well, that's PooP (Getty Images)
It’s pretty amazing how emotions shift so quickly. Until yesterday, I was still enjoying the Stanley Cup victory. Hell, I haven’t even gotten my season-ticket holder time to grope the thing. That happens Oct. 14.
But as soon as the VERSUS coverage shifted to Denver, I forgot everything that happened in June and during the Summer-long celebration. We’re back to reality, and the Colorado Avalanche made sure the Blackhawks know that, too.
The ‘Hawks showed flashes of their potential to repeat as champs, but also played like they were wearing slippers at times. It’s what comes with defending a title and having a target on your back. And there’s 81 more of these to go.
Though I would have loved to get started with a victory, the Blackhawks came out with a standings point from a game in which they trailed 3-1 and looked left for dead. So, there’s that.
Here’s the rest of what I’ve got for tonight…
♦ Before everyone starts leaving skid marks in their undies, Marty Turco is the reason that game even went to overtime. I wanted to get that out of the way just in case there’s a meathead reading this saying, “We should’ve never let Niemi walk.” Turco made some great saves tonight on good chances for the Avs — and more importantly, on good shots as well. There’s not much to complain about on any of those four goals.
♦ Turco’s athleticism is something we’re not used to, and it may cause heart failure for one or two people this season watching him chase the puck all over the place. Yes, he almost got burned getting caught in Bumblefuck deciding whether or not to chase down a loose puck entering the zone. But I’m convinced Turco’s ability to play the puck will be an asset for the ‘Hawks rather than a detriment. Minus the Chris Stewart goal, Turco snuffed the Avs on a couple more odd-man rushes because…
♦ … the ‘Hawks were noticeably different without Brian Campbell. The Avs had enough short-handed chances tonight to make me want to strangle a small child. Part of the reason for that is Campbell’s speed wasn’t around to make up for the blue-line shortcomings of the forwards at the point. Aside from that, Nick Leddy’s blunder which led to the Stewart goal may not have happened, but I’ll get to that in a minute.
Oh, and the Blackhawks gave up 41 shots. This can’t keep happening. And if it does, it’ll be a long season.
♦ Marian Hossa is a fucking animal. He just does everything right. Even forgetting his deflection goal and beautiful assist on Bryan Bickell’s tally, Hossa makes such good decisions and plays an outstanding defense for a forward. If he wasn’t known so much as a scorer and playmaker, I have no doubt he’d be getting more consideration for the Selke Trophy.
♦ Patrick Sharp is not only a very handsome man, he also played fantastic tonight. Even during the preseason, Sharp looked like a man just dying to get back on the ice and get the season started. Not a bad way to get going: Goal, assist and seven shots on goal.
♦ Getting back to Leddy’s miscue in the offensive zone that lead to Stewart’s goal: It was a 19-year-old play made by a kid seeing his first NHL action. Leddy turned a routine cross-ice pass into hacky sack. Niklas Hjalmarsson was forced to saucer it to Leddy, who had time to either settle the puck down with his hand — a la Duncan Keith – or simply let the puck slip past him and let the boards settle it down for him. Overall, Leddy didn’t play all that bad for a guy no one really figures is ready to play at this level. He made a rookie mistake.
Let’s just hope there’s not many more of them.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.A couple non-’Hawks-related things…
For those who may not have noticed the names on certain posts, Tim Currell has jumped aboard to help me out with some thoughts and keep this site updated with insightful words. My fault, Tim, for not announcing this earlier. But be sure to check the names on the posts to know who’s writing and who to direct your feedback to. You can find each of our email addresses on the “About” page.
Holy. Fucking. Shitballs. Look at this fucking goal by Jordan Eberle, the Edmonton Oilers rookie making his NHL debut. I couldn’t go without posting this:
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
No TV, No Crosby…
Sep 28th
Jack Skille (20) is playing like he's on a mission to make the big club (Chicago Tribune)
For the first time this pre-season, we’ll all be relegated to our smart phones (or in my dad’s case, his U.S. Cellular handout flip phone) checking on updates. The Blackhawks will get their first glimpse of the new Console Energy Center in Pittsburgh when they take the ice against the Penguins at 6 p.m. CST. Judging by the look of the lineups, we shouldn’t be missing too much with this game not being televised.
Sidney Crosby will once again dodge the Blackhawks as he ices down his vagina this evening, but Evgeni Malkin will man up and play (though probably pretty sparingly). The ‘Hawks are also going pretty thin, with Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa, Duncan Keith and both Marty Turco and Corey Crawford taking a night off.
The best news of the day came when Jeff Taffe was sent down to Rockford so I don’t have to watch that shithead stumble all over the ice for the time being. With 19-year-old Jeremy Morin looking pretty damn good for a roster spot and Jack Skille playing exactly like he needed to in order to stick with the big club, Taffe and Evan Brophey are easy-to-live-with casualties.
As McClure of SCH pointed out, it would be nice to see more out of Makarov Cocktail and Viktor Stalberg in this one, especially since the coaching staff is giving them every opportunity to show what they can do with the studs on this team.
Short and sweet for tonight. I’ll be keeping up on my Droid. GO ICEHOGS ‘HAWKS!!
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Comcast needs a pre-season, too
Sep 24th
Watching the replay of the Blackhawks’ 4-2 pre-season loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, I noticed something very strange. Pat Foley and Eddie Olczyk clearly were announcing the game the entire time. Apparently, Comcast disagreed. Have a look:
I did a little research but couldn’t find out who any of these three people are; unless of course it’s just the dummy template some intern forgot to fill.
Much like the Blackhawks, Comcast isn’t immune to needing some exhibitions. Luckily this intern will have another chance tonight to prove his/her worth before Comcast makes it’s first roster cuts.
Follow BlackhawkUp.com @blackhawksup and on Facebook
Download Blackhawk Up’s FREE iPhone and Droid apps
Loading ...