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.
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Points of discussion:
- What the boys gave up for lent? Is Superstar a horrible Catholic boy? - 180 bucks or bust at the grocery store - Block say he "really doesn't like being around people" - Super K-Mart memories - Deacon Palmer and defining "gay." Not that there's anything wrong with it. - Block adopts an eleven-week old puppy. Madness ensues. - "The thing" is rambunctious and an agitator; gets named after an ex-Hawk. - Eggs and "haven't had an accident with a pizza in about a year" - Tiger Woods emerges and has thoughts he wants to share - Deferring to the Sarah Spain 'news'-ometer - The Undertaker gets set on fire; for real. Unfazed, wrestles as planned seconds later with 1st and 2nd degree burns for 30 minutes. One bad-ass, m-fer. - Reflecting over Sunday's great USA-Canada Men's Olympic hockey matchup - Best game of the past ten years? - Other Olympic events make for better TV than hockey - Taking issue with NBC over one thing involving Olympic hockey - No team with Joe Thornton will ever win anything. Getting Fooled Again! - Stupid Czechs denounce Communism, divide into two nations; relinquish chance at hockey supremacy - Goes to support the theory: Support Communism - Dominate Olympic Gold - A special drop-in by "The Wad" His thoughts on Canada-U.S. - Beer-League hockey and Block admits, much to his dismay, he's the Joe Thornton of his men's league - Going five-hole again - The dumb things NBC anchors spew from the mouth - Will the United States continue on to Medal? Only a few games to look forward to. - Giving a Jagr his due. Handicapping the rest of the tournament. - Block says he's done talking Huet/Niemi. But gives more thoughts. - Sun-Times ranks Top 50 Blackhawks of all-time - Hull/Mikita - Ovechkin/Crosby a comparative argument
We'll be back next Monday night, March 1st, LIVE - 8pm central @ BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn. Talking plenty about the impending NHL 2010 Trade Deadline, recapping the final days of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament and previewing the Blackhawks next two games; first at the New York Islanders on Tuesday March 2nd and then back at Chicago Hockey Place on Wednesday vs. the lowly Edmonton Oilers.
** And check back here later this week for actual Blackhawks/Olympic news, thoughts and analysis. That's right. Finally. I cannot promise daily, but I'll grease the engine and get this place fired up again the best I can for the people who've enjoyed this web space in the past. You may have already noticed the depth chartand salary tracker were updated a few days back. As well, I've added a few Committed Indian columns to the archives. Honestly, for the time being, the majority of my free time will be devoted to a book project I've long since been developing, and had to abandon six months back, but as things heat up down toward playoffs, I imagine I'll be singularly focused here. **
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The Third Man In ~ Radio ~ "NHL Stoppage" Tuesday February 16, 2010
Click the player below to listen to Tuesday night's edition of The Third Man In ~ Radio. Chris Block hosts. "Superstar" is on board for a jam-packed solid hour and a half of Chicago Blackhawks discussion.
Click the player below to listen to our latest online audio program "Matinee Stories." We'll return to what used to be our regular time slot, Tuesday, February 16th @ 8pm at BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn.
The Third Man In ~ Radio ~ "Matinee Stories" Saturday February 13, 2010 (original airing)
- Block has returned from Vegas and has stories to tell. Or does he?
- A "Nature Boy" appearance
- Another vacation, booted from another casino
- Insanity in rumors, trade suggestions and bad former Hawks becoming new bad Hawks again?
- An odd dinner plate
- Has a Clarence Carter song ever been played in a hockey show open before?
- Excitement for bad hockey
- Blackhawks punch out
- Prediciting a bad Blackhawks loss vs Atlanta Thrashers
- Facts about the Thrashers Superstar never knew before
- Great reaction to last week's 'Dead Pool show'
- Cristobal Huet, Antti Niemi >/< Marty Turco, Roli the Goalie
- Hawks fans searching for a scapegoat
- Kim Johnsson becoming a Hawks adds 1.8M in salary, puts Hawks deeper into salary cap doom
- After all these years, a ChicagoNow blogger sheds light on a prominent goalie stat. Notes save percentage is indicative of how many pucks the goalie stops.
- Joel Quenneville's coaching blunder
- Why Stan Bowman may need to save this team from its coach.
- Block is distracted by callers. Asks them to cease and desist.
- Duncan Keith/Brent Seabrook woes
- Reaction to Johnsson acquisition, how it helps and the void it still leaves on the blue line.
- Sidney Crosby currently world's best by wide margin
- Not NBC's job to promote the game of hockey
- Why it shouldn't matter very little of the hockey tournament will air on NBC
- Who are Chicago Blackhawk fans?
- Dissecting the myth in Chicago sports fandom
- Considering what Chicago fans are considered to be, two players who should be local heroes, but aren't.
- Which certain current and former Hawks are popular and why
- Martin Havlat looking better than Marian Hossa these days
- Superstar's suddenly not available on Wednesday. A catholic boy is unaware Ash Wednesday is four days away.
- Sloppy Seconds
- Idiot fans in New Jersey
- Forgetting about Bobby Hull in the Dead Pool
- Additional thoughts on John Madden, Kris Versteeg and P.Kane's limo excursion in Vancouver.
The Third Man In ~ Radio ~ "Scriptless" Tuesday February 2, 2010 - e.29 ~
A show already rated ~4 stars~ by discerning ears!
Click the player below to hear the detailed results of Superstar's and my "Celebrity Dead Pool" draft from over the past weekend. Who we are hoping meets their demise, who it "hurt" us to draft and who we wouldn't mind seeing buried six feet under. Determine for yourself who picked the better team and find out which one of us is predicting the death of another young St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher.
We also discuss Brian Burke regaining his genius status. The Dion Phaneuf trade. J.S. Giguere also heading to Leafs and Bob Murray "fleeces" another. A conversation suggesting the end of the Jarome Iginla era in Calgary and how Iginla to Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk makes a heck of a lot of sense for the Flames. Also, a few notes on Jack Skille, Block is unaware of something called Avatar, a drop we will now forever play anytime the name Dion Phaneuf is mentioned on the show and the Blackhawks lauch their own team "blog." (I thought the team already had it's own "official" web site?)
Block is headed out to Las Vegas this weekend for his annual Super Bowl weekend spectacular, where just about anything is bound, and is basically guaranteed to happen. Hints are dropped as to what may be going on there. Tune in once again to hear all the fall out and debauchery in tow.
Also, find out how you can pick up a free copy of Theo Fleury's autobiography Playing With Fire. We'll be handing out another on next week's show.
Click the player below to check out our most recent edition of The Third Man In ~ Radio, featuring host Chris Block and the "human paradox" himself, The Superstar. This week we discussed the three Blackhawks recently photographed in a state of undress with random Vancouver, B.C. puck bunnies and the stir this has created. Take a look ahead to tonight's gigantic match up with Western Conference-leading San Jose. There's also talk of creating a new show feature called "Hey Eddie! What game you watchin'?" and a handicapping of the two panelists' upcoming Celebrity Death Pool draft.
Also, Chris Block gives you single guys some tips to consider for around the house maintenance..... Superstar is less than impressed with the Hawks' road hoes..... Things Block overheard while at Second City Hockey's Blog Watch at Whirlaway this past Saturday night..... A brief visit to Rockford.... And all the unique sidebars, dead air moments and disturbing visuals you've come to expect from The Third Man In ~ Radio. So check it out below or over at our secondary home - BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn
Be sure to join us next Tuesday, February 2nd, for our edition of TTMI ~ Radio. We'll be giving away copies of Theo Fleury's recent autobiography Playing With Fire as well as reviewing the book and recapping the former Blackhawks' amazing, yet toxic NHL career. You can also purchase the book via the Amazon.com outlet.
The Third Man In ~ Radio ~ "Celebrity Death Ride" Wednesday January 27, 2010 Edition
Straight from the pages of Yahoo!'s Puck Daddy via Orland Kurtenblog of The Province, Chicago Blackhawks stars' Patrick Kane, 21, Kris Versteeg, 23, and John Madden, 36, were photographed over the weekend during a limousine party cruise around the city of Vancouver.
The utter stupidity of the trio should not be questioned in this instance. Not because they were out "living the life" or indulging in the excesses easily accessible to professional athletes (especially NHL stars in Vancouver of all places) but because they knowingly allowed themselves to be photographed in the following poses with what we would presume to be virtual strangers to their normal, every day lives.
John McDonough will come to anticipate these types of revolving nusances involving Patrick Kane. The same both on and off ice from Versteeg as he's around. Which shouldn't be much longer. The surprise here is the presence, or lack thereof, of Madden. (I'll spare you the morality speech in his case. I'm sure he's one Hawk not looking forward to getting home to Chicago early Sunday morning.) But perhaps a surprise it shouldn't be? Regardless, Sir John McDonough doesn't appreciate disfavoring publicity of any kind, on any level.
All the visual evidence was released here. But here are the highlights.
"Babes, don't worry. We ain't tippin' sh*t!!"
"The dames back home call me Steeger! Did you check out my new haircut?" (link NSFW)
"Yeah b*tches! Johnny Mads' with the chick wearin' the bee-hive. That's how a vet roles, kids."
Another reason players can't wait to get to Vancouver. Next time boys, close the shutters.
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?
- 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?
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:
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.
The Third Man In ~ Radio ~ Chubby Chaser Wednesday January 13, 2010 Edition
Punch the audio player below to hear last night's edition of The Third Man In ~ Radio. A loaded-show to say the least.
Topics of discussion ranged from....
- A contract extension for John McDonough. His successes. His mis-steps.
- Rocky loving the spotlight. A long-winding road to an ego-clash?
- A listener suggests we're "innovator(s) in sports programming"
- The Ilya Kovalchuk to the Blackhawks "rumors"
- Trade realities. Probability and scenario which Kovalchuk could become a Hawk. Why doing a deal before the March 3rd deadline doesn't make any sense.
- Block's recent trip to St. Louis and which hotel he's no longer welcome.
- Why that is. Why its total bullshit, and the now probable loss of Block's regionally infamous hotel check-in alias
- The controversy, the aftermath and truths revolving around another "successful" St. Louis journey
- Nikolai Khabibulin's weak spine
- Block still cannot skirt the Brent Sopel comparisons
- The Stephane Auger-Alex Burrows controversy from Monday
- FSN Pittsburgh's attempt to affect the outcome of a Pens-Flyers game last Thursday
- Drug testing and the NHL's evolving credibility problem
- A look back at our Team USA roster prediction. Final thoughts on Brian Burke's squad.
- Hittin' the sauce
- Blackhawks Illinois Lottery game
- Why Block is in need of a new "indestructible laptop"
- Reverse 5-Hole Sites?
- Theo Fleury coming to town next week.
- A Blackhawks-Blue Jackets primer and a Happy Hitchcock~!
- Furthermore, included are the usual rants, peculiar anecdotes, inside references and occasional F-bombs. What else can you ask for? A newsletter apparently.
We'll return to the airwaves this coming Monday night, January 18th, one day after J.R.'s 40th birthday celebration, 8pm central at BlogTalkRadio.com/TheThirdManIn for those of you who can listen live. If not, you can listen to all of our shows in the archives at our page on the BTR site, or here on this web site.
For the past two and a half seasons, without overstating the obvious, the Hawks have developed a team chemistry that would rival Watson and Crick’s discovery of the double helix. Emerging from the primordial soup of mediocre hockey, the Hawks have mutated into one of the best teams I’ve ever followed in Chi-town. In Darwin ’s theory of evolution he notes that 99% of mutations are considered deleterious. It seems with every mutation, heretofore known as adding one knucklehead and subtracting another, the Hawks have increased their chances of survival. Coach Q’s latest line formulations should win him the Noble Prize in Chemistry.
Start with Kane, Toews (the Hawks new muscle?) and Brou-dog, or as I like to refer to him, “Digging Dog.” I recall the first time I saw Toews and Kane play, against the Avalanche in early 2007, noting immediately that we had something special under the Bunsen burner. There’s some sort of weird cosmic thing going on with those two. Think ying and yang, Batman and Robin or Laurel and Hardy. As different as a proton and an electron in individual qualities, their synergistic effect is a sight to behold. Adding Brouwer to the line, (the catalyst?), is proving to be an alchemists dream. Both Toews and Brouwer tend to open up the ice for our “Little Big Man. ”
On the post game show, Kaner was asked if he mentioned anything to Brouwer about missing the wide open net. Kane replied that he asked Troy , “Hey Brouw, what happened on that shot?” Troy told Kane that he didn’t see the puck. Kaner said, “Man, just keep your stick on the ice and I’ll deflect it off your stick next time!” Brouwer threatened to stop screening for Kane if he continued to pursue this line of questioning. Apparently Toews was oblivious to this chemistry building banter, as he scoured the ice for his next dance partner. You could almost see him thinking, “I’ll bet I could I could open a can of whoop-ass on Havlat.” Let the rest of the league take note, Chief War Paint is on the prowl.
Our current second line of Sharp, Hossa and Ladd is firing on all eight. Let me ask you something; was the two month delay for Marion to join the team worth the wait? I was told after we acquired the oft traded journeyman, (yuk, yuk), that he was a top ten player. Now I’m beginning to see why. Hossa has that rare ability, much like Kane and Datsyuk, to appear to play keep away with the puck. Ladd might be the hardest working corner guy on the team. Rumor has it, when he doesn’t dump the puck into the corners on shootout attempts, he’s a threat offensively. He was not only the friendliest Hawk at the Holiday Party at Navy Pier, he appears to be the brightest.
Sharpie, whose name unfortunately continues to surface in the process of jettisoning salaries, has been one of the basic elements in rejuvenating Blackhawk hockey. He went into a minor slump a few weeks back which prompted RoseLee to observe, “I think he might be trying to tone down his game so he doesn’t look to attractive to other teams.” Fat chance if he stays on this line – I feel comfortable going out on a limb to say Patrick could end up around 35 goals this year. (Not counting the times he physically plows into the net himself. Did anyone else notice Brouwer trying this approach on Harding last Tuesday at the end of the game?) Who can deny our second (?) line is strong, talented and dangerous.
It doesn’t get much easier for our opponents when Buff, Steeger and Madden jump over the boards. Versteeg resembles a free radical, possessing an indomitable spirit as he buzzes around the ice in search of the puck or whatever. He just seems happy to be out there skating his butt off. Despite being told over and ever and over again that you can’t stick handle past 5 opponents, it will never stop Kris from trying. The Buffster has appeared to be an Apollo Ohno at times this year. He seems to have a 5th or 6thgear, a quantum leap if you will, that has caught more than one opponent off guard. The way he’s been crushing opponents lately, it would appear he is a huge proponent of “The Big Bang Theory.” I can’t help but think a lot of teams would like the 6’4”, 260 pound thumper.
The picture Sam Fels posted on the website of Madden celebrating the goal against the Nashville Pests, was a classic. He looked like a 10 year old kid, not the imperturbable 36 year old defensive specialist added to shadow the opponent’s top centers. Toews should study that picture to learn how to celebrate goals. Sometimes when Jonathan scores his celebration seems to say, “So what, that’s what I’m paid to do. Now who can I go postal on next.” I read on one of the blogs that Madden and Toews will not let this team lose. Someone pointed out Toews would skate 60 minutes/game if necessary. Madden, may not have a C on his sweater but it’s embedded on his heart.
Fourth lines tend to take on a life of their own. Our opponents would be wise not to underestimate the Hawks fourth line. I’m not sure if its gay, but this line does have pride. Colin Fraser is the epitome of a stick your nose in it hockey player. Ben Eager, currently number two behind Toews in the tough guy category, has considerable offensive abilities. His play may be a bit hindered this year without his body guard, Burr-dog, covering his back. Big Ben reminds me of the kid at school that used to try extorting my lunch money. Kopecky has struggled a bit to fit in, but generally speaking is better liked than Huet. The last few games, there does seem to be a good chemistry emerging with this trio. Lets call it Chemistry 101. They’ve been getting a lot more time in the third period lately with the lopsided nature of the last few games. Not a bad idea to rest our million dollar babies.
Of course, as the sagacious Sam Fels noted, Coach Q changes his lines more than David Byrne of the Talking Heads changes hairstyles. Hopefully, he’ll let these lines stay together for awhile. Chemistry is everything when it comes to team play. It’s one of the reasons I think the unsubstantiated rumors floating around about Kovalchuk would prove to be a disaster. Trading players like Barker and Versteeg to add a player who would be with us for 2 – 3 months? As Al McGuire pointed out so many moons ago, “You dance with the girl you brought to the prom.”
While on the subject of dancing, I now know why Captain Marvel is reluctant to drop the gloves. Jonathan made former Hawk enforcer Keith Magnuson look like the heavy weight champion of the world. Help me out here, but did Toews’s tussle with Backes more resemble a bad version of The Electric Slide? I think Jonny needs to spend some quality time with Burrish and Eager. Maybe spend a little time with Kaner in the back of a cab.
Before the season is over, I may have to resort to violence when defending our embattled net minder, Cristobal Huet. I’ve come to the conclusion that his detractors would rather see him fail, than the Hawks win. I was watching the Wild game with about 8 other people at a friend’s house on Tuesday. Towards the end of the game Huet made a great point blank save, and then another one on the rebound. I won’t mention any names, but Donny almost stood up to cheer when the rebound appeared to be heading for the twine. When Huet made the save, he actually went, “Darn.”
The Hawks currently have the best record in the NHL. Who knows, perhaps we might be undefeated if only we could pick up a real goalie. Please!! Actually my son Greg made a poignant observation concerning Huets bad luck at times this year – change back to # 38. Think about it Cristobal.
Finally, while on the subject of Crystal Balls, if one more analyst says, the Hawk/Devil, Hawk/Sabres, Hawk/Penguins or Hawk/Bruins could be a preview of the Stanley Cup final I’m going to pull my hair out. Anybody really relishing playing a healthy Red Wing team that squeaks into the playoffs in the first round? It takes 20 committed players, fortuitous bounces, lady luck, hot goal tending and above all – a great team chemistry. As Huet critics might point out, 4 out of 5 ain’t bad.
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