Author Archives: Brad Vandenberk

Blackhawks make history in defeating Sharks 2-1

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 6 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

The time is almost upon us.  Yes that’s right, a completed Blackhawks roster.  Although the Hawks haven’t been bitten by the injury bug all that much, they have had their scares.

Steve Montador was the first victim, having his concussion symptoms come back during training camp.  Next up was Dan Carcillo, who injured his knee early in the year, saw his first game in over month tonight against the Sharks.  Michal Rozsival tweaked his knee and missed a few games.  Then Corey Crawford suffered an upper body injury just a week ago giving Ray Emery the keys to the crease.  Then, Brent Seabrook missed his first game of the year against the Canucks suffering a lower body injury.  The latest saw Marian Hossa take a forearm to the back of the head and being immediately helped off the ice, not returning to the game.  The perpetrator, Jannik Hansen, received a 1 game suspension for the incident and Hossa will not miss any action.  Read more »

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Hawks hold on to beat LA 3-2, within one game of NHL record

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 2 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

Hockey Day in America was celebrated Sunday and the Blackhawks entertained the United Center with some matinee action.  The Stanley Cup champions, LA Kings, were in town and looking to take some revenge over the Hawks.

Game one of this season had the Hawks spoiling the Kings’ Championship banner raising ceremony, winning 5 -2.  On Sunday, the Hawks were looking to maintain their dominance throughout the NHL.  They currently have recorded a single point or better for 14 straight games.  They are also playing their third home game over seven straight.

After a big win against the Sharks on Friday evening, the Hawks were looking to keep the momentum high against the Kings.  Read more »

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Crawford claims 1st shutout in almost 2 years; Hawks win 3-0 in Nashville

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 2 Comments

Brad Vandenberk

One week since the Super Bowl claimed its victor, it was time for the Blackhawks to claim victory on the final night of their 6-game road trip on Sunday night in Nashville.  The team has been on a two week road trip covering western Canada, the sunny south and now the home of country music.

The Predators played on Saturday night in Minnesota and went all the way to overtime and then a shootout where they came up short losing 2-1.  The Hawks already had a practice in Nashville and were awaiting the Sunday night central division grudge match.  It was said the talk around the locker room was that the energy was high and the excitement of returning home to Chicago and a seven-game home stand was even more enticing.  The Hawks have only played at the United Center twice this season and rolled into Nashville on Sunday with a 9-0-2 record, the best in the NHL.  Read more »

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Luongo gets better of Hawks, Canucks win 2-1 in the shootout

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 2 Comments

By Brad Vandenberk

The road trip continued for the Blackhawks as they headed into Vancouver to play the vengeful Canucks. The goose egg was slightly cracked Wednesday night in Minnesota where the Hawks came up short in a shootout losing 3-2, but still obtained a single point to put them a top the NHL leader board.

Excitement was in the air as the coin turned up heads and the Canucks started Hawks favourite Roberto Luongo.  The Hawks countered with their tales toss and started Cory Crawford.  The home squad made the Hawks well aware that they wanted some revenge on the elbow that Duncan Keith through on Daniel Sedin last season.  Keith said he just wanted to stick to hockey.   Read more »

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Blackhawks edge ‘Jackets; 5-0 start best since 1971

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

Domination and determination is what wins Stanley cups.  This, we witnessed in 2010 when the Blackhawks became champions.  Playing with confidence, and having their superstars turn in multi point nights, sometimes with questionable goaltending helps too.

This year is much of the same.  Even the players understand that this could be one heck of a year if they are determined to dominate the opposition.  The Blackhawks come from behind win in Dallas on Thursday shows that they are determined once again.

The Hawks were on the road again on Saturday night playing another Central division opponent, the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Read more »

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Hossa, 2nd line again ignite Blackhawks offense; trip to desert yields 6-4 victory

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 1 Comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Blackhawks continued their back-to-back opening weekend road trip on Sunday night in Phoenix.  A dually important matchup to Chicago, as these were the same Coyotes that put them out in the first round of the playoffs last season.

After a convincing 5-2 win in LA on Saturday, the Hawks were looking to keep the momentum and emotions high to start the season.  With only two home games in the next four weeks, it was important to get the wins on the road when they could.  Read more »

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Season Preview: Great Expectations

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Brad Vandenberk| 1 Comment

By Brad Vandenberk

As I awoke on the morning of January 6th 2013, it was like Christmas all over again. I learned that the National Hockey League and the NHL Players Association had announced an agreement was in place and a condensed season was on the horizon.

The first thing I thought of was when do the Blackhawks play?  I immediately used every possible angle to let the world know that hockey was back!   Will the fans be coming back to watch their favourite teams?

Well, I believe that question was answered when arenas all over North America filled up to watch their favourite teams practice.  That’s right, I said Practice!  Fans will come back and watch the game because hockey is a culture.  I didn’t realize how much the sport of hockey has involved in every aspect of a fan’s life until I began to change my daily routines to get prepared for the upcoming 48 game season.  Adjusting my work schedules to be able to watch each game as well as waiting online to purchase tickets to a few of the road games.

Growing up In Niagara Falls Ontario, I have only made a few trips to Chi Town to see my beloved Blackhawks play at the Untied Center, however when they make the flight to Buffalo, Toronto or Detroit, I always head to the rink. Read more »

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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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