Author Archives: Brad Vandenberk

Hawks stars shine, top Florida Panthers 3-1

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment
He can score again – photo credit: Yahoo! Sports

By Brad Vandenberk

With the Stanley Cup championship banner hanging from the United Center rafters, 5 ex champions, now Florida Panthers, invaded the place they called home, to play the Blackhawks.  This would be the first time since winning the beloved cup that Kris Versteeg would play in the United Center.  Brian Campbell, Tomas Kopecky, Jack Skille and wily vet John Madden were all a big part of bringing the Stanley cup to Chicago and ending a 49 year drought.

Old man Winter played havoc on fans and players arriving for the 7:30pm puck drop.  With the snow falling, players found themselves arriving late and even the Panthers’ bus was not able to get the team to the UC on time, forcing some players to take cabs to the arena.  All this considered, the game was pushed back to an 8:08 pm start.  Read more »

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A visit from Columbus does the Trick; Hawks losing streak ends at 4, Career night for Stalberg

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

Tuesday, after losing their fourth straight game to the hands of the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night, the Chicago Blackhawks were back on the ice playing the NHL worst, Columbus Blue Jackets.

Prior to Tuesday night, the Blackhawks had taken each of the three meetings this season with Columbus, all by three goals.  This game would be a great way to get back into the W column and reclaim first in the Central division.  This would also be the second time this year that the Hawks play a team with a coach making his first debut.  Head coach Scott Arniel was fired by Columbus just two days ago and replaced by Todd Richards.

Patrick Sharp missed his first game after being sidelined for the next 3-4 weeks with and upper body injury suffered during Sunday’s game.  With Sharp’s absence from the line up, Ben Smith was recalled from the AHL and inserted into the line up.  Dan Carcillo was also serving the 4th game of his seven game suspension. Read more »

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4-0, Avs take it to tired Blackhawks

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

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks returned home Friday night to play the Colorado Avalanche.  Chicago played the night before in Philadelphia where they erased a two goal lead only to loose with 30 seconds left in the third period.  This game was one the Hawks needed to win in order to maintain the 1st place status in the Western Conference and Central Division.

Andrew Shaw and Dylan Olsen remained with the big club as their games spoke volume against the Flyers less than 24 hours earlier.  Dan Carcillo served his 2nd game of his seven game suspension.   Marcus Kruger and Steve Montador also remained out of the Hawks’ lineup with injuries.

With new faces in the lineup, Coach Q, again, made some adjustments to his four lines.  Shaw saw time at center between Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.  Michael Frolik had a chance to show what he could do as he was put up with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.  The line of Dave Bolland, Bryan Bickell and Viktor Stalberg were reunited after showing some good chemistry just a few games ago.  Finally Jamal Mayers, Andrew Brunette and Jimmy Hates rounded out the Hawks top 4 lines.

Corey Crawford got the nod for the Hawks and was busy early.  The pace to the game had a great start as both teams had some chances to score.   Half way through the first period the Hawks started to show their tired legs from playing the night before. Read more »

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Round 1: Blackhawks better than Red Wings; 3-2

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| 1 Comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The United Center was rocking on Friday night to witness the season’s first matchup between central divisional rivals Detroit Redwings and the Chicago Blackhawks.  This game was circled on the calendar for both teams as the Hawks have held their divisional lead over the Red Wings all season.  This would be the first of six for these 2 teams, with the first three games coming within 16 days.

Dan Carcillo returned to the lineup after suffering a concussion during the Minnesota Wild game on December 14.  Jimmy Hayes made his NHL debut after being called up from Rockford on Thursday.  He had switched places with Brandon Pirri who was sent back down after a mediocre game against LA on Wednesday.  Read more »

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Crawford returns victorious, ‘Hawks stun Habs 5-1

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment
photo: Yahoo! Sports

By Brad Vandenberk

After losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night at Consol Energy Center, the Chicago Blackhawks played host to the Habitant Du Montreal at the United Center.  With the biggest crowd of the year on hand to witness the original six matchup, and Hawks did not disappoint their faithful.

Corey Crawford saw his first action after six games on the bench during Ray Emery’s  5-game winning streak.  After suffering their first loss in regulation in December at the hands of the Penguins, it was time for Crawford to get a chance, here on the second game of a back to back.  The Canadiens went with Peter Budaj in net as they were holding off Carey Price for a matchup Thursday in Winnipeg.

Marcus Kruger did not play after taking a head shot from Penguins defensemen Deryk Engelland on Tuesday.  Dan Carcillo was placed on Injury Reserve and also was inactive.  John Scott and Sami Lepisto were the additional scratches.  Sean O’Donnell was placed in the defensive lineup and Brandon Pirri was called up from the AHL earlier in the day.  Read more »

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Emery stands strong, Kane’s dazzle edges Wild in the shootout

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| 1 Comment
photo: Yahoo! Sports

By Brad Vandenberk

Western Conference leading Minnesota Wild played host to Central Division-leading Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center.  This game saw the 2 best teams in the Western Conference play their first game against the other this season.  The Wild lost 2-1 the night before in Winnipeg, while the Hawks have been off since coming from behind on the San Jose Sharks to force overtime on Sunday night at the United Center and come out victorious winning 3-2.

Ray Emery started his 3rd straight game for the Hawks, while Niklas Backstrom was between the pipes for the Wild.  Coach Q slightly tweaked his line up as Bryan Bickell found himself back in the line up alongside Dave Bolland and Andrew Brunette.  That moved Michael Frolik to the fourth line with Dan Carcillo and Jamal Mayers.  John Scott was Steve Montador’s defensive partner with Sean O’Donnell and Sami Lepisto scratched.

The Hawks attempted to take advantage of the travelled Wild as Bolland had Backstrom beat early but hit iron.  The Hawks were all over the Wild out shooting them 11-2 in the first period.  At the 2:57 mark of the period, the Wild got their first shot on net and the 19,254 at the Xcel Energy Center let them hear it with an abundance of sarcastic cheers. The first period ended with a 0-0 score and neither team gave up a penalty. Read more »

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Toews can’t do it all; Coyotes 4-3 in shootout

Posted on December 6, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks tried to go for their third straight win Monday night, as they were host to the Phoenix Coyotes.  No more then six days ago those same Coyotes out played the Hawks to a 4-1 victory.  This was the third game in 4 nights for the Hawks.

This game was carried nationally on TV through Versus and TSN2 with US Hall of Fame inductee Mike “Doc” Emrick and Eddie O on the call, with Pierre McGuire between the benches.  Corey Crawford and Mike Smith started in their respected nets, which turned out to be the same goalie match up as 6 nights ago.

The lines mimicked what coach Q put together in St Louis on Saturday night.  Dan Carcillo was on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane.  Marcus Kruger was still centering the second line with Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp on the wings.  Dave Bolland centered the third line with Ben Smith and Michael Frolik and finally Viktor Stalberg was on the fourth line with Jamal Mayers and Andrew Brunette.  Bryan Bickell, Sami Lepisto and the mighty John Scott were the scratches. Read more »

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Hawks surrounded by Coyotes, dropped 4-1 by Phoenix in United Center return

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment
photo credit: AP/Yahoo! Sports

By Brad Vandenberk

With the scent of circus still in the air at the United Center, the Chicago Blackhawks returned home to play their final game in November.  The Phoenix Coyotes were in town seeking revenge for the 5-2 loss they suffered at the hands of the Hawks back in Glendale in October.

The Coyotes got their revenge as they out played the Hawks from the opening faceoff.

Mike Smith withstood a barrage of Hawks shots in the opening moments.  It was the Coyotes that open the scoring.  With 4:07 remaining in the opening period, Daymond Langkow completed a tic tack toe play from Ray Whitney and Shane Doan.  The period ended with Hawks down 1-0 and out shot 8-7.

The second period saw the Coyotes extend their lead as Mikkel Boedker dropped a pass to Shane Doan who let a rocket go from the top of the right circle.  It repelled past Corey Crawford, hit the crossbar and fell beyond the goal line making it 2-0 with 10:06 remaining in the period. Read more »

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Power play enacts measure of revenge on Canucks; Blackhawks conquer Vancouver 5-1

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| 1 Comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks kicked off their 6 game road trip on Wednesday with a visit to Rogers Arena in Vancouver to square off against the Canucks.  This would be the 33rd time these two teams have met since the 2008-2009 season.  The last meeting on Nov 6th ended ugly for the Hawks as the Canucks went 5 for 6 on the power play and beat the Hawks 6-2.  Revenge is always a dish best served cold.

Cory Schneider got the start in net as Roberto Luongo had missed the last 2 days of practice with an upper body injury.  Dave Bolland returned to the line up for the Hawks after missing the last 3 games with a foot injury.  Brent Seabrook did not dress for this game after going hard into the boards during the Edmonton Oilers game on Sunday night.

The first period had a Game One playoff feel to it, as both goalies were tested early and both coaches tried to get there preferred match ups.  Bolland returned starting on the 4th line. It didn’t take long for him to regain his center position on the 3rd line pestering the Sedins.   Read more »

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Toews, Montador each score twice, Hawks drive past Oilers 6-3; Seabrook injured

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Brad Vandenberk| Leave a comment

By Brad Vandenberk

The Chicago Blackhawks completed their 2 game home stand on Sunday night, before embarking on their annual 6 game circus road trip.  First, they had to get past the high flying Edmonton Oilers, who have completely turned their fortunes around from last season.  Edmonton entered Sunday’s contest in first place in the Northwest Division.  This game would end an Oilers’ 6-game road trip.

Corey Crawford started in goal facing off with his old mentor in Nikolai Khabibulin.  Dave Bolland did not dress for the 3rd straight game with a foot injury, but will travel with his teammates and likely play on the upcoming road swing.

The opening period began with the Hawks pressuring the Oilers zone.  It paid off early as Jonathan Toews received a pass from Viktor Stalberg behind the net, then walked out in front and put a high shot over Khabibulin making the score 1-0 Hawks at 4:55 of the opening period.  This came after Taylor Hall went hard to the net and hit the cross bar at the other end of the ice surface.  Read more »

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