TheThirdManIn ~ Radio ~ SHOW ARCHIVE "Interview: STEVE LUDZIK"~ August 23, 2010 ~ *NEW AUDIO* Download Former Blackhawk (1981-89), IHL/NHL coach and author of "Been There Done That" buy @ Ludzy.com * You may need to update Flash & Shockwave apps to listen to shows on this web site. Get Flash Player at Adobe.com CLICK THE PLAYER BELOW TO LISTEN HERE.
As done prior to the Hawks' Western Conference Quarter-Final series with the Nashville Predators, I joined Sam Fels of SecondCityHockey.com and The Committed Indian, John & Bob (or is it Bob & John?) from the Fifth Feather and Jeff Bartl of the Blackhawk fan site BlackhawkUp.com for a panel discussion of the upcoming Blackhawks-Vancouver Canucks Western Conference Semi-Final seven-game series match up. Have at it.....
What grade would you give the Hawks on their first round series?
Fifth Feather: Probably a B-. We predicted the series to go 7, but we didn't think it was going to take a careless Martin Erat turnover with under a minute to play to finally kick-start the Hawks past the Preds. Up until that point, the Hawks seemed genuinely intimidated by the Predators. Whatever, though, they survived and advanced. Style points don't really mean a whole lot this time of year.
BlackhawkUp: I'd say C+. The 'Hawks looked stone-faced at times in the series and rather lethargic for the first five games. I still don't believe they played with a lack of effort, I just think Nashville out-worked them. Despite the fact the teams played six times in the regular season, the Blackhawks still seemed surprised by the Preds' disciplined style and tenacity on defense. Either way, the 'Hawks are moving on and the Preds are on the golf course.
Sam Fels: Nothing more than a B/B-. They simply didn't show up for Game 3, which rules out an A, and they had patches in each game that made us all itchy. They were so panicky in their own zone, which would have been death against a more talented team. That said, they showed a fair amount of grit and heart after going down 2-1, and especially Game 5 which was pretty much all guts.
Chris Block: C. The Hawks themselves can't be proud of that first round, knowing they were lucky, at the very least, to get out of it in six games. In game one they skated like a team not convinced they could be beat. Game three; shell-shocked when the Preds came out with all the aggression and confidence of a group sure they could upset the 2nd-seed. Luckily for the Hawks, Nashville was not nearly as skilled up front, or deep on the back-end. Vancouver is close in both respects and spent an entire calendar year building off last year's Game 6 collapse to reach this chance at redemption. They have all the tools and of the teams remaining, outside of the defending champions, they scare me the most from a Hawks' standpoint. The effort and intensity must be turned up exponentially if the Hawks wish to eliminate the Nucks and trudge closer to their One Goal.
You may not be one to believe this as truth, but this, in fact, was the first time a TTMI~Radio host or co-host was drunk on the air. Well, this was. My co-host, the "Superstar" happen to take in yesterday's Cubs-Nationals game on a rooftop across the street from Wrigley Field and well, the results are what they are. Some will find this episode oddly entertaining, I'm sure. We'll return in a few days in some form or another with a make-up show.
As for the live show from last night posted here, much was discussed. It's all kind of a blur to me now. And I was the sober one. In any event, enjoy this edition of The Third Man In ~ Radio.....
Actually, the only way to describe Saturday’s improbable victory is to let someone like boxing impresario Don King attempt to describe it. Something along the lines of, “The ultimate, penultimate, opportunical, resurrectional, energetical, victorial game!” Then again even he might not even be able to invent words to describe it. Are hockey fans blessed with a rudimentary brain? How else can you explain most of us had not turned our TV’s off in utter disgust when Hossa got sent away to do hard time.
While basking in the glow of the incomprehensible comeback Saturday evening, the memories of an old friend surfaced to the forefront of my meandering thoughts. Ears, as he was affectionately called, is the epitome of a manic depressive Chicago sports fan. He has the innate ability to make Eyore look like the life of the party. At 57 years old, he’s witnessed way too many collapses by various Chicago sport teams. As a self defense mechanism, he has adopted the coping technique of saying the games over, (whether it be first quarter, first period or first inning), at the first sign of trouble. At times the weight of watching a game with him could become oppressive. The referee’s or umpires were a constant target of his derision. I recall him, with squinting his eyes, questioning the calls of the umpire from the second balcony in old ComiskeyPark . Until this day when I bring this memory up, Ears will say, “And the funny thing was, I was right!”
Without a doubt, when Legwand scored at the 6:23 mark of the first, Ears was saying well that’s it, the seasons over. When Erat scored the lead goal at the 11:39 mark of the third, I’m pretty sure Ears was preparing to join Billy Joe McCallister in jumping off the TallahatchieBridge . Any of the four vituperative epitaphs would have been streaming from his mouth.
1. The Hawks don’t care – if they can’t get up for a game like this…
2. You can’t beat luck.
3. The refs or the league wanted Nashville to win.
4. We should have played Huet. Quenneville cost them the game.
I don't know that I've ever seen a Jodi Foster movie I didn't like. The line from the quirky Hotel New Hampshire, "Keep passing the open windows," is one that has stuck with me 20 years later. If ever there was a game that would convince you to jump, Tuesday nights lopsided affair was it. It was clearly an outhouse type of effort - out hit, out hustled, out maneuvered, out muscled, out shot, out smarted and seemingly out gunned. Like an outhouse, the only way to describe the game was, "It Stunk!" I can't help but feel the boisterous crowd in Smashville sees this match up as nothing more than a continuation of the struggles associated with the Mason-Dixon Line. I think Hawk fans are starting to see this series as a sadomasochistic affair. We can only hope and pray that Charlie Daniels is wrong when he hollers, "look out boys, cuz the South's gonna do it again."
There was a good old boy that I sold steel to in the Sovereign State of Mississippi that once told me, "Rich, we didn't lose the Civil War, we just ran out of bullets." This was right after he asked our waiter if there was a tree outside he could hang a couple of Yankees on, loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to hear. (This was not the type of restaurant you'd want to park a car with an Obama sticker on it.) I realize most of the Predator fans go to hockey games because they think it resembles NASCAR on skates and are attracted to high speed collisions. Also seeing Bubba pound Bobby Joe is a hoot. However, defeating the favored Blackhawk's will only serve to inflame the red state/blue state mentality. The Hawks are actually involved in a much larger struggle than they can possibly imagine. It is incredibly important to make sure the South knows who won that war.
When my son was about 8 years old he once told me, "Dad, this was the worst day of my entire life." While the Hawks game may have not compared to Greg's bad day, it was truly a "sitting on the dock of the bay" moment. There was only silence in the car as my daughter and I drove home from a friend's house after being tortured for two and a half hours while watching the most depressing Hawk game ever. (Water boarding got nothing on that game.) "Dad, do you think we'll win Thursday?" Taylor despondently asked.
The only answer I could come up with was, "I don't know" - which led to a fitful sleep punctuated by nightmares every hour or so. I do know one thing, if we keep playing in the polite manner the games have been contested in so far, "nothings gonna change." Where are our rectal agitators? (Aka - pain in the butts.) I'm half expecting players on both sides to apologize to each other for hard hits. So, while I'm "wallowing up to my neck in it," let's see if we can find a glimmer of hope heading into the next, biggest game of the season.
Click the player below to begin listening to this week's edition of The Third Man In ~ Radio, edition 36, "Four-Twenty's Eve."
On tonight's show we recap Game's 1&2 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals Blackhawks-Predators series and look ahead as the series shifts to Music City USA. In addition to that, questions are raised and points made as to why Duncan Keith may not be as good as many would like you to think he is. Dave Bolland sucks. Joel Quenneville makes even more quizzical lineup moves. The dreaded "Trap" and its prevalence in the Hawks-Preds series. A Hart Trophy discussion and the Ilya Bryzgalov-Ryan Miller Vezina debate. Playing with the TTMI~Radio switchboard. Just what the hell is a BDSM Demonstration anyway? TTMI's 'Deacon of Distortion' chimes in with his analysis on games he may or may not have seen. This, a few of the dreaded uncomfortable dead-air moments and so much more on this week's TTMI~Radio. Listen or we will make you humble! Or as Sir John McDonough calls it, Tallon you.
Right-click here to download the April 19th edition of TTMI~Radio The Third Man In ~ Radio e.36 "Four-Twenty's Eve" Monday April 19, 2010 (original air)
Be sure to join us next week (Tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday night. Sunday or Monday should the Hawks eliminate Nashville in Saturday's Game 5 at the United Center) for the next edition of TTMI~Radio "Ways John McDonough Can Do His Job Better."
In addition to breaking down all the events of Predators-Hawks between now and then, we will providing our suggestions as to how Blackhawks President John McDonough can do his job better.
Also, we'll be listing our finalists and choices for our regular season Blackhawk Awards as well as each NHL Award.
It promises to be one of our best shows yet. (Truthfully, that's not saying a whole heck of a lot.) Check back here over the weekend for an update on the actual show air date after the result of Saturday afternoon's Game 5 comes in.
Right-Click here to download the show or punch the audio player below to hear this week's edition of TTMI~Radio.
The title pretty much summarizes the show, though you'll also get one host's (non)condoning of the implosion of Wrigley Field; with Cub fans inside of it. It is once again the time of year we throw our understated genius on the table and lay prey to second-guessers and eraser board prognosticators. Hear who Chris Block and his co-host "Superstar" see in this year's Stanley Cup Finals and exactly when and which, as one believes, will be skating Lord Stanley's Chalice on the United Center ice this Spring. I can't handle too much more positive enthusiasm here at TheThirdManIn.com.
The Third Man In ~ Radio "2010 Playoff Preview" E.35 (unofficially officially) Wednesday April 14, 2010
Join us for our next LIVE show, this Monday April 19th @ 8pm central in the aftermath of Games 1 & 2 of the Blackhawks-Predators WC-QF series. For those who can't view those games from within the United Center walls, you'll hear a first-hand perspective. We'll also revisit our 2009-10 regular season predictions. Find out who was right. Who was WAY off the mark? Also, hear our annual TTMI Blackhawks Awards as well as our picks for the regular season NHL Awards.
In preparation for the Western Conference Quarter-Finals match-up between the Blackhawks and Nashville Predators, I recently teamed up with Sam Fels of SecondCityHockey.com, Jeff Bartl of BlackhawkUp and John & Bob from the Fifth Feather site to give our brief synopsis on this opening round series. Enjoy. And check out these other great Blackhawk-centric sites while you're at it.
-- Is there anything that scares you about the Preds?
Sam Fels: Any trap team makes me a little urpy. The Preds are going to make this a very unattractive series on the eye, and when games are tight they can be decided by a bad bounce or penalty or really anything. That said, I just don't see enough firepower here to cause any real heartache.
Jeff Bartl: I'm deathly afraid they're going to put me to sleep. Seriously though, the Predators don't give anyone reason to begin shaking over what they bring to the table -- and I think that's what worries me. Nashville's power play ranked 24th in the league, and its penalty kill ranked 28th. Roughly 18,000 fans sitting in their seat at the UC for Game 1 won't be able to name two forwards, and I'll be shocked if half as many of those people know who the Preds have in goal. Yet somehow Nashville finished with 100 points and beat the 'Hawks twice this season. Basically, I'm scared that I'm not scared.
Fifth Feather: Let's see. They have horrific special teams, their list of top-6 forwards inspires no one, and their head coach looks like a villian from Super Mario Brothers. So yes. In all seriousness, Pekka Rinne is one thing to fear and so is Lord Erat. Playing in a 7-game series against the Blackhawks, Erat will probably end up leading the NHL in scoring after the first round. Let's hope none of his teammates follow his lead.
Chris Block: Not many teams outwork the Hawks, but a Barry Trotz-led team will try, and some nights, succeed.The core of this Predators group has been together for awhile now and nine of them were on the team that gave Detroit a brief scare as the 8th seed two playoffs ago.
Above all else, Nashville comes in seeing the Blackhawks as more of a rival than the other way around and thus owns the proverbial chip on the shoulder.I don’t think they ever believed they’d beat the Wings in ’08 or ‘04, and their two quick first round exits to San Jose were lesser groups. Nashville thinks they can beat the Hawks.That alone, coupled with the fact they come in with a red-hot goalie creates a dangerous scenario for Joel Quenneville and company. Hornqvist, Arnott, Suter and Weber will steer the attack and they should get enough scoring from the likes of Dumont, Erat, Sullivan and rookie Colin Wilson (who, in the not too distant future, will be a headliner in Music City) to keep them in every game.Joel Ward, Dustin Boyd, and of course Jordin Tootoo will be everywhere.If the Hawks get to Pekka Rinne (4 shutouts and a .940 save% the last month of the season), backup Dan Ellis was stellar in the series with Detroit in ‘08, and that counts for something.But the X-factors are Legwand up the middle and Hamhuis on the blue line.Those two will either finish the series a +5 or a Minus-9.They are that up and down.Barry Trotz needs this pair to bring their best defensive games if they have any hope of stymieing the vaunted Hawks’ offense enough to facilitate the upset.
-- Which player should Hawks fans most watch out for on Nashville?
Sam Fels: I'll be watching Martin Erat through the sight on a sniper rifle. That dude is so annoying and his goals are even more so. That said with the intensity and physicality turned up, I fully expect him to piss down his leg. For me, Ryan Suter's the key. He's had an up-and-down year, and if doesn't bring his A-game I doubt Shea Weber can shut down everyone by himself. Maybe Dan Humhuis on the 2nd pairing, as that's where the Hawks are built to strike.
Jeff Bartl: I instinctively thought Martin Erat because he plays like a Hall of Famer against the 'Hawks, but I'm going with Pekka Rinne. He's heading into the playoffs on a hot streak, which is dangerous in a seven-game series. The Blackhawks need to not only put a high number of shots on Rinne in the series, but make those shots quality opportunities and make him work for his saves.
Fifth Feather: Obviously the aforementioned Erat and Rinne, but the most interesting matchup will be what Barry Trotz does with Shea Weber. In the past, Trotz has used Weber almost exclusively on Patrick Kane. With the Hawks now throwing out a hellacious line of Sharp-Toews-Hossa, Trotz will be forced to pick his poison. Or he can just play Weber for 45 minutes a game, that would also work.
Chris Block: Steve Sullivan.Don’t discount how much this former Hawk means to this Preds’ squad and franchise.An emotional leader, Sullivan shared the team lead in scoring with Patric Hornqvist and will see a lot of power play time.A truly amazing story he’s written himself now; missing two full years of hockey, undergoing two back surgeries and to not miss a game this season.He’s jacked for this series and I look for him to get on the board early and often.He’s never been much of a playoff performer, but also hasn’t been as healthy or motivated as he is now.
-- On the Hawks side, we asked this at Second City Hockey, but who's your John Druce (unlikely playoff hero)
Sam Fels: Well, I don't know if a 2nd line center can be an unlikely hero but I'm going with Dave Bolland, more out of hope than evidence. The Hawks need him to be, and with Toews's line almost certainly drawing top checkers and pairings away from Patrick Kane, the opportunities will be there.
Jeff Bartl: Andrew Ladd has four points in his last five games and his solid but not flashy play often goes overlooked. I'm taking Ladd to be a key cog in the 'Hawks playoff run.
Fifth Feather: If the past three weeks are any indication than Tomas Kopecky may have a wing in Toronto dedicated to him by the time it's all said and done.
Chris Block: Can a goalie portray the John Druce character?Because I do not believe we have seen the last of Cristobal Huet.Aside from Colin Fraser, Ben Eager or the aforementioned Kopecky, there really isn’t a guy on this team who truly embodies the Druce suit and outside of a whole scoring line getting blind-sided by the Tootoo-Train, they won’t see enough ice to make that kind of a difference.
For this round, I expect John Madden to get his act together, finally, and make an impact for the first time since he commandeered the festivities in the limousine on a sultry January Vancouver night.He’ll chip in a few goals and he and Toews will own the Preds at the face off dots.Over the long-haul though, I’m going to say Brent Seabrook quits weeping over what his old buddy Wiz did to him back in Anaheim and gets back to tossing opposing forwards around in the corners, jump-starting offensive rushes and scoring huge goals late for the Hawks.When this playoff is over, I suspect Seabrook will have 3-4 GWG’s and be getting most of the praise on the backline, not the over-priced Keith.
-- Finally, predictions for Round 1: Sam Fels: As I said, I just don't see enough scoring on Nashville to cause huge problems. Sure, they're well-coached and I doubt they'll be blown out in any game. But even if they hold us to 2 or 3 goals a game? Where are their 3 or 4 coming from? In addition, their special teams borderline-suck and I can't see how you can win a series without a decent PK or PP. The Hawks just have too much here, and get it done in five, maybe six.
Jeff Bartl: The Blackhawks win in six games, and I stay awake for the ENTIRE series.
Fifth Feather: It should probably only last 5 games but Nashville always finds ways to make things interesting when they qualify for the post-season. We'll say Hawks in 7 and pray for something quicker.
Chris Block: Nashville will grab an early lead in the series and while the Hawks will say all the right things, the scare will get them back on track and I expect the Preds will quickly be packing for summer cottage.Blackhawks in six.Not a game less.Not one more.
After the overwhelming response to my purportedly rare optimistic column run in Sunday's Season in Review Committed Indian issue, I've decided to re-post it here. You can also view it in PDF form here. Apparently I'm usually overtly cynical (Oh gosh, Conan O'Brien would not approve), unenthusiastic or dissonant when speaking or writing about the Blackhawks. Nonsense. I've incorrectly been labeled an advocatus diaboli before, and will in the future many times I'm sure. In writing in general and editorials in particular, its far too common to see individuals presenting themselves as deliberately obtuse. I prefer to be equitable. If you don't like it, there are plenty of other sites and forums for narrow-mindness and boisterous affection. You'll never see that here.
For what it's worth, I do believe the Blackhawks should go on to win the West and represent the Conference against either the Penguins, Caps or Sabres (I'll post my complete playoff predictions on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning). However, that performance yesterday against the Red Wings, in a game the Blackhawks desperately wanted to win, has increased my doubts they have it within them to take down the Wings in a seven-game series.
** Another note: This week's first TTMI~Radio show will take place LIVE on Wednesday night @ 8pm central on BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn.
From Sunday's Committed Indian:
Shootout wins and the NHL’s ridiculous three-point overtime system acknowledged, the Chicago Blackhawks today will complete what, point accumulation wise, will amount to the best regular season in this franchise’s somewhat storied 82-year history.
Although Rocky Wirtz and team president John McDonough will be on hand today to accept their share of adulation, they too know the Hawks haven’t accomplished anything yet.The only successful outcome to this season is raising a Stanley Cup.
There isn’t that sense of pressure just yet from observers outside the organization because let’s face it; if you take Michael Jordan out of the equation, Chicago isn’t exactly a breeding ground for sports greatness.As Blackhawks fans have proved ever since the Olympic break, a great percentage of the fan base is anticipating something to go wrong, because in Chicago sports, something always goes wrong.
The Hawks ride up to the UnitedCenter today with the league’s second-best record and with a win, can claim the top spot in the Western Conference.If it were to happen, it would the first time the Hawks would have earned that honor exactly, having only been in existence since 1993-94.But don’t you dare call them Western Conference champions until Jonathan Toews, with his hands tied to his hips, is hovering over the Clarence Campbell Bowl in late May.
2009-10 so far has been an exhilarating ride.From Patrick Kane’s off ice escapades to his emergence as this franchise’s first truly great star since Roenick and Chelios, this has been a coming of age season for him specifically.
Last season proved to us Duncan Keith and captain Jonathan Toews were very good, but their follow-ups kept the team on the rise and made them very rich young men.Underrated team heroes and breakout seasons from Niklas Hjalmarsson and Troy Brouwer can’t be ignored.Marian Hossa is, well, Marian Hossa.Brent Sopel was seemingly everybody’s whipping boy until he took the ice in October.It’s been a lot quieter ever since.All reasons for the record-setting season.
The Third Man In~Radio presents "Antti Radio" Monday April 5th, 2010 edition of TTMI~Radio
Chris Block and the "Superstar" host. As heard live, in its entirety Monday evening on BlogTalkRadio.com, its everything you've grown to expect from this show and a little more. From Superstar readying himself for a major event involving himself and a woman, and Block taking issue with certain circumstances surrounding this happening, to Block wishing he had Tiger Woods' problems.
We discuss the final results of the inaugural TTMI~Fantasy Hockey League~! And we also announce the prize going to this season's TTMI~Grand Champion.
Antti Niemi, Mike Kiley's TV not getting Avalanche games, the Los Angeles Kings, Dustin "Man Crush" Brown, Keith Tkachuk, Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, Calgary Flames failing at hockey and Amish hockey fans are all topics broached. The mention of a certain Blackhawks third-line center once again elicits a dirty-down-home groove from our switchboard.
Also, Block sets the record straight on the National Anthem gimmick before Blackhawks games at the United Center as well as Conan O'Brien and his blind followers.
We'll return to the air next week, either Monday or Tuesday night. We'll post day and time here, and schedule the show over at Blog Talk when we know.
On next week's show, our full playoff predictions as well as regular season award winners. Both Blackhawks and league-wide. A discussion of who has been dead longer; Kim Johnsson or Dale Tallon? What's more appalling; Eddie Olczyk Heritage Night or the Calgary Flames Hockey Club? What does Adam Burish do next once the entire league realizes he sucks at hockey? Oh wait! Can he take Jack Skille with him? And if we have time, a story about Kyle Beach's first days back in the AHL.
Let me just say upfront; this is a strange show. Well, at the very least it had its moments.
I, Chris Block, find common ground with Blackhawks television color analyst Edward Olczyk on this week's TTMI~Radio. But the bizarre didn't stop there. I actually do DEFEND the honour of one James Wisniewski on this show. And stern words for Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook follow.
My co-host the "Superstar" stopped short of wishing terminal cancer on Washington Capitals dynamo Alexander Ovechkin and gives a bold predicition based on the Blackhawks recent struggles. We do a lot of catching up on the major news stories of the past month. The absurdity Joel Quenneville's recent decision making.... Pat Foley makes an ass of himself... Forecasting the final six games... Who can the Hawks beat in a seven game series?.... Tales of recent journeys on the CTA rail lines.... Late night dining with strangers at the Golden Nuggett.... And a John Madden mention solicits some special background music brought to you by classic 1978 erotica.
A more thorough recap or outline may follow.... or it may not. Just listen.
It's been awhile, but The Third Man In ~ Radio has returned. A completely unplanned, month-long hiatus is behind us and now we're now ready to rock. Much like the Chicago Blackhawks, we opted to take the month of March as paid vacation. But April means NHL Playoffs are upon us and while the U.S. Army is busy "backtracking on gays" we're full-steam ahead here at TheThirdManIn.com.
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