The Third Man In - An Independent Chicago Blackhawks Web Site

The Third Man In ~ Radio will return tonight, January 18th - 8pm - Live at BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn where we'll be discussing all the latest news and happenings in and around the world of Chicago Blackhawks hockey.

Of course we'll recount one of the best hockey games anywhere this year, Sunday's 4-3 shootout victory on Joe Louis Arena ice.  As well as the sloppy, fun-bad, 6-5 Blackhawk victory in Columbus from Saturday afternoon.

We'll compare Sunday's atmosphere in Detroit to that of the crowd January 2nd at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.  The size of the Blackhawks' contingent as well as the hockey IQ of the home fans.  If anyone reading this was at either game we'd welcome your thoughts as well.

In addition, the crew will be reaching back to cover a bevy of topics, both current, and catching up on those we didn't get a chance to broach on last week's show.  Including but not limited to:

- More Blackhawks trade rumors

- Cristobal Huet driving young keyboard warriors mad

- Despite all that, the Hawks definitively are best team in hockey.

- A Rockford IceHogs update

- Organization injury updates.  Possible roster ramifications.

- Chris Chelios' recent DUI charge

- Jeremy Roenick, his 40th and debut as NBC personality during Wings-Hawks game

- Which Chicago Blackhawks beat reporter we need to smack across the face with the ugly stick this week?  Could we make it a deuce?

- What was with Marian Hossa on Sunday?

- The greatness of Brent Sopel.  But how much longer will his body hold up?

- Martin Havlat's recent performances

- 1/2 way point NHL Trophy Tracker and our mid-season winners

- Block downs 5 more in fantasy hockey

- More on the Stephane Auger/Alex Burrows incident and the NHL's reaction

- Flawed logic in the league's assertion on the FSN Pittsburgh fiasco

- More league head-scratchers: Steve Ott's shootout non-goal versus the Wings gets called a goal despite inconclusive video evidence AND an on-ice call of "no goal."  Explain that one to me.

- Mid-term Central Scouting 2010 Draft rankings. How much stock should we take in them?

- Ashley Lobo and Miller Lite: The perfect combination for love?

- Odd things broadcast on WGN Radio.

- More of Block's predictions gone horribly wrong

- A listener who "Absolutely" hates our show

- More listeners weigh-in via email.  Finland has something to say.

- Who will Block jinx next in fantasy hockey?

- Superstar will say something terribly awkward and we will all make fun of him for it.

- The Wad will make a reference only two people listening will get and we'll quickly move on.

- Previewing the Hawks and Sens.  As if anyone cares about that.  Better yet, will the NHL institute a slaughter-rule in time for the Blackhawks visit to Calgary on Thursday night?

- More fallout from Block's recent St. Louis trip.

- What HockeeNight could have in store for a future edition of TTMI~Radio?

- More show and web site news.

- Dilemma: To watch Hawks/Canucks and drink with "loser bloggers" at Whirlaway this Saturday OR head west on I90 to scout the Rockford IceHogs?

- And so much more, I have no doubt.  So join us tonight, live at 8pm at BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn.

As always, live listeners are invited to call in to our show hotline.  (The number is available on the live audio player during the show).  Of course, for this to work I would need to monitor the switchboard during the show.  Something I have failed at epically the past few shows.  So your live interaction with us is about as untenable as Dale Tallon's office space.

Until then, here's a few links we could possibly be referencing on tonight's show:

Melissa Harris, Chicago Tribune love: Rocky Wirtz enjoys fans' delight

WGN Radio and Blackhawks, in year 2 of 3, already talking and nearing extension Sun-Times

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun suggests the Hawks are itchy and quietly investigating potential improvements in goal.

Pierre LeBrun's weekly speculation and scuttlebutt ESPN.com column.  News on Sergei Gonchar's negotiations with Pittsburgh.  Volchenkov, Souray and Turco on the block; Nashville's goaltending plight.

I was thinking about doing this the other day, but Mirtle beat me to it.  Hard to do three jobs at once, believe it or not.  Not an exact science, nor very bureaucratic as Mirtle essentially washes OTL/SOL from his equation.  But it gives you a general view that the West really has 10, maybe 11 teams with realistic shots at securing the eight playoffs spots.  While in the East, everyone but Carolina and Toronto, with a narrow margin of error facing both Florida teams, still within striking distance or in reasonably good shape.

This is a couple of weeks old, but there is a two-sentence thought in here and I still can't get over how stupid this is.  See if you can pick it out.

Getting to know - Stan Mikita The Hockey News

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