Author Archives: Brad Vandenberk

Hawks avoid elimination with 2-1 OT win in Phoenix

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

All the traditional jerseys were worn and all the superstitions acted upon as the Chicago Blackhawks tried to stave off elimination in the 2012 NHL playoffs.  Captain Jonathan Toews took his team aside after the morning skate on Saturday with no coaches involved.  The message was quite clear, they needed the win from this road game and needed the stars to pick up their game and get a win, preferably in regulation.

The last four games have gone to overtime with Mikkel Boedker winning the last 2 in Chicago with two weak goals getting by Corey Crawford.  Whispers were in the air of veteran Ray Emery possibly getting the start for game five.  Coach Q made the announcement that they were sticking with Crawford.  Mike Smith was automatically in for the Coyotes.

Earlier in the afternoon it was decided that Raffi Torres would sit in a suit for 25 games.  He was suspended for his hit on Marian Hossa during the first period in Game 3.  Read more »

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Blackhawks tie series 1-1 with more late night heroics

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

Instead of white t- shirts on the seats of the Jobing.com arena, Game 2 of the western conference quarterfinal saw white pom pom’s riddled throughout the arena.  The Chicago Blackhawks needed a big win to avenge the loss they suffered on Thursday night in overtime.  Martin Hanzal’s tip past Corey Crawford gave the Coyotes and 1-0 lead in the series.  The Hawks were looking to head back to Chicago with a split in the series.  Read more »

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Kane scores twice to force overtime, Blackhawks lose to Wild in a shootout

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

After clinching their fourth consecutive playoff appearance on Saturday night, the Chicago Blackhawks were back in action Sunday evening to face the playoff-eliminated Minnesota Wild.  The night earlier the Hawks blew a 4-0 lead to a Nashville Predators quad which the Hawks could see in the first round of the playoffs. The Hawks came out victors with a 5-4 win.  With a win Sunday, the Hawks could leap frog both the Predators and the Detroit Red Wings for 4th place in the Western conference.  The Hawks sat in 6th in the West with home ice advantage in sight.  The question is – Do the Hawks want to face the Wings or Preds in the first round?  With Jonathan Toews now cleared for contact, the good ship Blackhawk will be cruising, heading into the first round no matter which foe they encounter.  After Corey Crawford stole a Hawks win last night in the country music capital, Ray Emery started between the pipes for this match.  This would give Emery a chance to get some game action in, in case he is called upon during the playoffs.  Andrew Brunette was replaced by Michael Frolik as the top line winger.  Brunette was seen limping around the arena early Sunday.  He was later declared out with a lower body injury.  The Wild played the night before as well, beating the LA Kings in a shootout.  Josh Harding got the start for the Wild.  Duncan Keith was serving the last game of his five game suspension.  He will return to the line up on Thursday, when the Hawks travel to Minnesota to face the Wild.  Read more »

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Brodeur stops 37, Devils edge Hawks 2-1 in Newark

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

After a gruesome loss on Sunday to their division rival Nashville Predators, the Chicago Blackhawks were on the road to play the New Jersey Devils.  This would be the first and only meeting this year between the two clubs as each team came in sitting in the sixth position in their respected conferences.  The Hawks are currently holding a five point lead in sixth, while the Devils are feeling the heat from the Ottawa Senators who are just two points behind them in the East.  This game would mark the 17th straight contest that Jonathan Toews was not in the line up.  The good news is he has been skating for seven consecutive days and sees a return in site.  Duncan Keith was serving game two of his five game suspension given to him after hitting Canuck Daniel Sedin with a head shot just six days ago.  On the brighter side, Steve Montador returned to the ice as a winger on the fourth line after missing 22 games with a concussion.  He started with fourth line duties to ensure Monty eases himself back into game shape.  Marcus Kruger also returned from an upper body injury giving the Hawks their second line center back.  With the two players returning, Jimmy Hayes, Brendan Morrison and Michael Frolik were scratched.    Carter Hutton was recalled from the IceHogs due to Ray Emery suffering an upper body injury during Sunday night’s debacle.  Corey Crawford got the call from coach Q to start as fellow Quebecian Martin Brodeur was between the pipes for the Devils.  Read more »

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Hawks slip by Canucks in OT, Duncan Keith faces possible suspension for elbow on Daniel Sedin

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| 10 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

On a four game winning streak, the Chicago Blackhawks returned home to face their favourite foe, the Vancouver Canucks.  The Hawks were in Columbus the night before, handing the Jackets a season sweep with a 5-1 victory.  The Canucks had the luxury of spending a record setting hot March day in Chicago awaiting the Hawks return home late morning.   After going on a 9 game losing streak the Hawks have gone 8-1-1.  Most of those games have been played without captain serious, as he remains on the road to recovery.   The Canucks come into this game losers of five in seven.   Corey Crawford regained his crease for the Hawks and Roberto Luongo started for the visiting team.  Luongo hasn’t played in the Canucks last two losses.  Jamal Mayers was a last minute scratch with the flu inserting Brendan Morrison into the 4th line center spot.  Read more »

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Third period comeback propels Hawks over Blues

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks captain was still sidelined with an upper body injury as the league leading St Louis Blues rolled into town.  Although whispers were heard throughout the United Center for a Jonathan Toews return this week, he had not practiced the past two days and did not lace the skates up for this one.  The Hawks played the Blues in St Louis just seven days ago and got beat up physically and on the scoreboard, losing 5-1.  The Hawks are still sitting in the 6th spot in the western conference but are beginning to feel the heat from the 7th and 8th position.  After suffering a shootout loss on Sunday night to the LA Kings, a big win was needed from a central divisional rival.  Ray Emery, still crowned the number one goalie, started for the Hawks and Jaroslav Halak continued the Blues dominance between the pipes.  The same Hawks line-up that squared up against the Blues last week stood intact for this match.

Less than a minute into the game, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane break in on a 2 on 1, but Halak was there to shut the door.  Read more »

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Blues dominate Blackhawks 5-1 in The Lou

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawk`s three-game road trip came to an end on Tuesday night in St Louis.  The Hawks had a 3-game winning streak heading into the Scottrade Center.  They took two eastern conference teams out earlier last week with the Leafs and Senators falling by one.  They then travelled to Detroit where they won a tight match against their divisional rivals.  With the Hawks’captain still on the shelf, they have won all three previous games the hard way, grinding out with great defense and even the back checkers making their presence felt.  This game would offer another divisional match up with St Louis holding the edge in toughness and grit.

The line up remained the same with Brandon Bollig making his “home” debut.  Bollig called in a favour and put his whole family in the crowd.  The Hawks knew they would be going to battle against this tough Blues team.  Niklas Hjalmarsson, only days away from returning, remained out with Steve Montador joining him. Morrison, O’Donnell and Frolik also missed out on the action again.  Patrick Kane continued his play at center with Marian Hossa and Andrew Brunette. The rest of the line up remained the same.  Ray Emery started his 3rd consecutive game in net.  Read more »

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Hossa, Kane heat up to clip struggling Leafs

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

It was a night of debuts at the United Center on Wednesday.  Newly acquired defenseman Johnny Oduya donned the number 27 and started the game paired with Brent Seabrook.  Brandon Bollig answered the bat phone and was called up for duty.  Bollig is 7th in the AHL in penalty minutes and was hoping to bring energy and grit to a Hawks team that has lost 3 straight games.  The Hawks debuted their white jerseys at home as the Leafs chose this game to where their 3rd jersey’s which are a dark blue.  Corey Crawford got the call for the home team and Jonas Gustavsson tried to right the good ship Maple Leaf.  Jonathan Toews missed his 5th straight game with an upper body injury.  Steve Montador and Niklas Hjalmarsson were still out with injuries as well.  Sean O’Donnell, Michael Frolik and Brendan Morrison sat upstairs as five rookies would sport the Indian head.  The Hawks had lost 12 of their last 16 coming in and the Leafs were not any better, as they had lost 9 of their last 10.  This game would be a test of each goaltender as both teams have had shaky tendy’s.  However, the Leafs haven’t beaten the Hawks in 9 years, 6 straight games.  Read more »

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Toews-less Hawks don’t look much like Hawks at all, Dismal weekend effort ends in 3-1 loss at Anaheim

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| 2 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks finished their California weekend road swing in Anaheim versus the Ducks Sunday evening.  The night earlier saw Los Angeles King, Dustin Brown bury three goals and a helper, as the Hawks were shutout 4-0.  The Ducks are looking to make a strong run to fight for a tight Western Conference playoff spot.  Hawk’s Captain Jonathan Toews remained in Chicago for this trip and missed his 3rd consecutive game with an upper body injury.  Niklas Hjalmarsson was also held back.  With two leaders off the ice, the road team needed to fight hard to beat a talented Ducks squad.

Ray Emery got the coach Q nod for the start with Jonas Hiller getting his 21st straight start for the Ducks.  Marcus Kruger played on the top line with Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.  Brendan Morrison centered Marian Hossa and Viktor Stalberg.  Dave Bolland was with Andrew Brunette and Bryan Bickell.  Finally, Jamal Mayers had Michael Frolik and Jimmy Hayes on either side. Read more »

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Hawks cap 9-game trip with 6-1 win in Columbus

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| 2 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

The Hawks held their heads high on their way into Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Saturday afternoon, only days after beating one of the NHL’s best teams in the New York Rangers Thursday night.

This was the last of the Hawks nine consecutive road games and setting a team record for the most consecutive road games in franchise history at nine. The road bout was over 19 days long and they didn’t waste time taking advantage of a Central Division team that is rumored to be moving on without their franchise player in Rick Nash as they try to start their rebuilding process. In their last four meetings, the Hawks have taken all of them! Read more »

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