Predators beaten at their own game; fall to Blackhawks 3-0
by Chris Burton on Apr 22, 2010 11:38 PM EDT
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In a cruel twist of fate, the Chicago Blackhawks turned the tables on the Nashville Predators tonight by dominating each section of the ice. The Blackhawks knew they had to win, while the Preds seemed to have no sense of urgency whatsoever.
Patrick Sharp scored twice for Chicago, Jonathan Toews once. Pekka Rinne made 27 saves in the loss.
More thoughts after the jump.
Bullets:
- First, I should probably eat some crow. I said in the game preview the following: 'If there's one thing I've learned, its that while the Predators will get outplayed or outclassed, they'll almost never get outworked.' The Blackhawks came out and played Nashville Predators hockey. Opportunistic scoring, hard work, and suffocating defense. Ow.
- Something has to be done about the power play. I don't know what, but there is an unsolvable problem, apparently. The Preds are now 0-18 with the man advantage in the series; and were unable to score on an extended 5 on 3 tonight.
- Patrick Sharp's first goal (power play) cannot in anyway be placed on Pekka Rinne (who, once again, was fantastic). He saved everything possible until the swarm around the net became too much. The initial shot from Patrick Kane was tipped and Rinne lost the rebound.
- Jonathan Toews' second period goal, however, can be blamed on someone: Kevin Klein. Marian Hossa entered the zone with speed, and Klein laid down to block the pass instead of take the body. Toews corralled the puck and slotted it past a helpless Rinne.
- Scary moment in the middle frame. Kevin Klein was turned towards the boards fishing a loose puck out when Tomas Kopecky rammed him from behind, sending his face right into the rejoinder between the glass and boards. Klein took several minutes to recover, but Kopecky was only given two for boarding. In my opinion (and apparently Barry Trotz's), it should've been a major penalty.
- On the final tally (Sharp), it was a product of simply not caring enough. Sharp blew through three Nashville defenders and put an unmolested shot on goal. I'm not sure what happened to Rinne; but the fact is the shot should've never gotten there.
- Scary moment two: when the game was out of hand and the Predators had two extra attackers, Jordin Tootoo took a puck to the face from a Cody Franson shot. Tootoo headed straight to the dressing room bleeding profusely. Something to monitor, obviously.
- Finally, while I can't call out the crowd considering I wasn't in attendance, the noise level just wasn't there tonight. I suggest you shake it off and find yourself a ticket for Game 6 on Monday.
There you have it. Lackluster, lethargic, whatever you want to call it, it was a poor showing. Here's to shocking a national audience Saturday afternoon.
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ITS ALL UR FAULT DIRK
Follow me on Twitter!! I even say some relevant stuff sometimes
I wish I could quit you, Tyler Sloan! - Co-founder of the Tyler Sloan Fan Club
???
And what did I do?
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
by Dirk Hoag on Apr 22, 2010 11:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
seconded...
The answer to the Grebeshkov question is a resounding “YES!” after that knucklehead move that gave the Hawks their second goal.
I abstain from voting
Not too much positive about this game.
by jerseypredsfan on Apr 22, 2010 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
Saturday is the biggest game in franchise history
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by Aditya T (smashville) on Apr 22, 2010 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
1 good thing came of this game...
after that 3rd period, the Blackhawk fans can take all their “trap” comments, and shove them up the back end of their one way digestive systems. (trying to keep things clean and not be like their fans"
Can you explain what you mean?
I think its a bad thing the Preds didn’t successfully apply a trap. The Hawks have a very tough time playing a disciplined chip and chase game that generally beats the trap. I think you should embrace the trap if you want the beat us. Enabling us to freely enter the zone is our bread and butter. We struggle mightily against the trap and don’t understand your embarrassment of using it.
im not embarrassed about it. i think it is the smart choice to line up 1-2-2, high or low in the zone. i think the chicago fans should be embarrassed that they attacked the preds use of it before the series even began, but their team has employed it every time they have a lead. my point is basically that they should be embarrassed that they ridiculed the preds for doing something their team does.
can't speak for all Chicago fans
but personally, I wouldn’t have this much fun calling the Preds a trapping team if some Preds fans didn’t take such issue with it. Chris, who goes to SCH a bit, knows this by now, and it’s developed into some light-hearted back-and-forth that nobody really takes seriously.
Part of the reason I personally dislike facing the trap so much is that it forces the team to play a style that’s less open. That’s what could have happened with the leads we took, but if it were a team other than the Preds or the Devils that we were facing, you wouldn’t have seen that sort of play.
In summary: I don’t see any reason to be embarrassed, and please don’t take everything we say or do over at SCH so seriously. It’s not good for anyone’s health, Chicago fans included.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Apr 23, 2010 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
If and i used if
the Blackhawks make it out of this series. Watch their style of play against a team like the kings, or red wings and then make an accurate decision about what style this team plays. The style of play the Preds use causes the neutral zone to be a chore to get through. Which is making the hawks play the dump and chase game. Your style of play is forcing the hawks to mimic it in order to get a lead and maintain a lead. Watch the hawks play any other team and you will see that they are a run and gun offense with a run and gun defense. not a traping team nor will they play that way against anyone else.
Drink it up!
Agree Here
The Hawks do on occasion play the trap. Now they do play allot of 200’ foot press of the puck, but not always a true trap. The press they are giving is more for trying to get the prime TO, vice completely deny zone entry. Having the puck deeper in the Hawks zone spreads the ice for the quick outlet passes (sounds dangerous, and can be with poor defense-men and slow forwards), where they can use the speed advantage of their Forwards to get behind defense-men. The Preds D does not really allow this very much, so the adjustment has been to shift more to Attack Zone denial (More traditional trap play) since letting the puck deep in our zone, does not lead to the quick outlets very often. The Preds D-men do not stray far from the Blue line and are quickly back to the Defensive zone usually ahead of the forwards.
As stated above, against teams who are more offense orientated, the Hawks will let the puck get deeper in the zone let the D-men grab the puck and get it back down ice to the flying Forwards before the other team can transition back (Run and Gun). The Defense is typically more like this as well. Forwards hassle the puck carrier for disruption or to grab a TO, this allows the D-Men tend to be deeper in the zone to grab a dump and get it back down ice. But they do not play so deep they cannot confront a forward who carries the puck in if they get past the last 1 or 2 forwards hovering at the Blue line (not to trap, but play tight point to slow the transition).
The Hawks do not play very many teams whose set up puts offensive opportunities as low as the Preds, who play a well disciplined D Game. Watching the Games, it is fairly obvious, a big part of the Pred offensive strategy is not self generated Offensive opportunities, but more on Defensively generated opportunities (wait and pounce for the other team to screw up). The down side to this is that if the other team takes care of the puck, this drastically limits good opportunties. Now before everyone points out how the Offense did this and that, This is big picture, some plays will not reflect this, but the flow of the game as a whole does, until Offense IS needed, and as seen in game 2 and 4, the trap lessens in favor of more offensive chances, but it also opens up more ice for the Hawks type of play.
Get off my Land!
ART.I§8-11; AM I-XXVII
James Madison is my Hero!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Apr 23, 2010 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Uhhh
Nashville is a trapping team- clog the neutral zone, keep the score low, take aways opponents speed, capitalize on turnovers and mistakes most of all be patient. When you’re down 3-0 nothing in the third period to a team like the Hawks, of course you abandon the trap. Being down 3-0 in the third forces you to open things up.
I don’t know why that bothers you. Who cares? It got you 100 plus points and a reputation for being solid defensively- is that such a bad thing?
And just because you didn’t actually use the word ASS doesn’t mean you aren’t being exactly like the fans you despise.
Question (eventually) for Chris...
The Hawks are an interesting team. Every time this year they have followed up a Niemi shutout by laying an egg. Then they have followed up that bad game with a stellar performance. It will be interesting to see if that continues after the second shutout.
As for the Kopecky hit, the minimum penalty for a "boarding from behind" penalty is a 5 minute major. However, you will almost never get the "from behind" call when you turn your back on the checker the way Klein did.
The one Preds line that has really hurt the Hawks has been Legwand’s. With Kane on Toews line and Bolland and Ladd playing third line checkers the Hawks coach has stopped matching 1 against 1 and 3 against 3. This has put Legwand’s line into more of a checking line. So here is my question for you Chris. For a team that has been shutout twice, if Legwand’s line isn’t going to score, where are the Preds going to get their points?
And sorry to disappoint the "shove it up the back end" guy but, NO, this game isn’t going to stop anyone from calling the Preds a trapping team. Then again if you are going to make broad generalizations about the quality of other team’s fans, you might not want to be talking about "shoving things up somebody else’s ‘digestive system’…"
ok i might have been excessive but the cussing fans on here have really annoyed me. and i just think it is highly hypocritical to call out one team for “trapping” (quotes because the idea itself if bs, all forecheck is an attempt to “trap” the other team in the defensive end) and then have your team turn around and “trap” (and i am assuming that by “trap” they mean a high 1-2-2 forecheck)
Trapping
when the game is scoreless or trapping when your up 3-0 in the third period aren’t exactly the same philosophies.
1-2-2 high is 1-2-2 high.
they are same philosophies. basically, a keep the puck on the other end of the ice and make it impossible to get odd man rushes or speed through the neutral zone, philosophy. if the mighty blackhawks are so above that kind of play why would they ever even want to use that strategy?
Typically Trotz would rely on Hornqvist to generate the energy and chances, but he’s not available. He doesn’t just bring those thirty goals to the table- he’s one of the hardest working players on the team. I can’t understate how we miss him offensively.
Also, Jason Arnott needs to step up. I know he leads the team in shots, but honestly, I don’t know how. As captain and the single most talented forward we expect more.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
we expect more.
The Preds coach played Legwand the most center minutes and Arnot the third most. So the Preds coach is stealing shifts from Arnot to play the hot hand. I think he agrees with you on Arnot.
To me the biggest impact on this series so far was the Hawks coach reluctance to play Madden as the checking line center. Madden has really worn down as the season wore on. The Hawks were playing Toews and Hossa against the top line instead of Madden. By moving Bolland to the checking line and Madden to the fourth line has freed up Toews and Hossa to play more offense.
The Hawks coach might have hurt some of his own players feelings but I really like what he did there and I really don’t know what the Preds can do to respond to it.
Finally, while I can’t call out the crowd considering I wasn’t in attendance, the noise level just wasn’t there tonight. I suggest you shake it off and find yourself a ticket for Game 6 on Monday.
I was at both games and the crowd was a lot louder than it was Tuesday. We were still chanting and doing the towel thing with about 8 minutes left, which amazed me, considering what our team was giving in return.
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
www.manningface.com
If it was, I couldn’t tell. There was a big difference on my TV last night, even when they had something to cheer about. Granted, the team sucked, so I’ll cut some slack.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Chicago succesfully took the crowd out of the game...
… the crowd wasn’t as loud last night as it was on Tuesday. I went to both games.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d agree that after the first period, the crowd wasn’t as loud as Tuesday, but to start off I thought there was plenty of energy. Watching on TV is like looking at a room through the keyhole of a door – it all depends on where the crowd mikes are placed.
More fun than a stick to the face!
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agreed, Noise level was the same in the 1st period as it was on Tue.
… but Chicago took us out of it after that.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Burton
1.) appreciate your first bullet, you were on point on that one, class move there
2.)in regards to PP woes, I feel your pain, christ, I feel your pain
3.) Not Rinne’s fault, we actually got numbers in front of the net for once
4.) Agreed, you cant go to the ice to block someone as patient as Hossa, if anything, force him to the boards and make him move the puck behind net
5.)I can understand why you would call for the major, I thought that was a no doubter when I originally saw it, however, after reviewing it, Klein turned at the last minute and to be honest, Kopecky wasnt looking to board him like that (and seemed like he checked to see if he was ok) rough play, but it was just one of those things
6.) Sharps second was a lapse at the blue line, but hell, we have been more than guilty of that this series
7.) Damn, I think I felt that
8.) The crowd didnt get what they expected (as addressed in your first point)
-You guys have been fun thus far, should be a hell of a game on saturday-see you then
TAKE OFF THOSE CLOWN SHOES OR I WILL SHOOT THIS DOG!
5) What about the missed high stick on Kop? That 2 minute not being a 5 makes up for it IMO. Refs fuck up both ways. All part of the game.
That appeared to be a total accident (by Weber?). It was after Sharp slashed Weber and I think it happened when Shea discarded his stick or something.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
That could have been 4 minutes on that slash. He was bleeding.
And how about that early whistle on Rinne? That was total BS. Poorly officiated game in my opinion.
That being said, I didn’t think the boarding call should have been a 5 minute major. No way.
There were 2 missed holding the stick calls in the 3rd. Boullion and Hammer both had their sticks held. I guess the refs aren’t calling that one these days. They seemed glaring from my seat.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the kind words.
As far as the boarding; when I rewatched it I still wanted a major- but I did see Kopecky seem to go ‘oh snap, he’s hurt’ and put his hand down to check on him, if thats what you mean.
Yeah; I can’t blame the crowd too much. Rarely had anything to cheer for.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Kop/Klein
I said it over at SCH too, but I wouldn’t have been too upset with a fiver on Kopecky for that hit, if for no other reason than to keep things from getting out of hand later on. My first thought, prior to the replay, was “dammit Kopecky, you need to leave yourself an opportunity to pull up there.” Seeing the replay, I thought it was a real dumb move by Klein to show him his numbers when he’s 4 feet off the boards. It’s a tough call for sure, especially because even though Kop is slotted on the second line, he’s not a second line player, and he’s busting his ass on every play to potentially keep himself out of the press box in the next game. I hate the phrase, but I guess it is what it is. I’m glad he wasn’t seriously hurt, and I’m glad your guys were classy enough not to go headhunting for the rest of the game. Let’s hope we don’t have to see something like that again.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
And lets hope for more consistent officiating
some of the calls were just…odd last night
TAKE OFF THOSE CLOWN SHOES OR I WILL SHOOT THIS DOG!
by BigCSouthside on Apr 23, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
As with most hits, it looked worse at first. Different angle showed Klein turned; but I still don’t think Kopecky should’ve hit him there. I think a major would’ve been appropriate; but no misconduct.
At full speed when it happened I thought Klein was going to come up with no face. It looked awful.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Point of clarification
Doesn’t a 5 for boarding automatically come with a game misconduct? I thought it did, but I’ll admit that I don’t know for sure.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think so…but like you, not sure. Could he have gotten 4 for boarding or is the 4 only for high sticking?
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t a 5 for boarding automatically come with a game misconduct?
When it is a hit from behind, yes, it is an automatic game misconduct.
OK, I stand corrected. He didn’t deserve to be kicked out of the game.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the hit has to be ruled intent to injure though
TAKE OFF THOSE CLOWN SHOES OR I WILL SHOOT THIS DOG!
by BigCSouthside on Apr 23, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Tricky Wording...
…seems injury is the deciding factor there.
42.1 Boarding – A boarding penalty shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who checks an opponent in such a manner that causes the opponent to be thrown violently in the boards. The severity of the penalty, based upon the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, shall be at the discretion of the Referee.
There is an enormous amount of judgment involved in the application of this rule by the Referees. The onus is on the player (or goalkeeper) applying the check to ensure his opponent is not in a vulnerable position and if so, he must avoid the contact. However, there is also a responsibility on the player with the puck to avoid placing himself in a dangerous and vulnerable position. This balance must be considered by the Referees when applying this rule.
Any unnecessary contact with a player playing the puck on an obvious "icing" or "off-side" play which results in that player being knocked into the boards is "boarding" and must be penalized as such. In other instances where there is no contact with the boards, it should be treated as "charging."
42.2 Minor Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a minor penalty, based on the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of boarding an opponent.
42.3 Major Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a major penalty, based on the degree of violence of the impact with the boards, to a player or goalkeeper guilty of boarding an opponent (see 42.5).
42.4 Match Penalty – The Referee, at his discretion, may assess a match penalty if, in his judgment, the player or goalkeeper attempted to or deliberately injured his opponent by boarding.
42.5 Game Misconduct Penalty – When a major penalty is imposed under this rule for a foul resulting in an injury to the face or head of an opponent, a game misconduct shall be imposed.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d for legwork, and I guess that means a 4 minute penalty was out of the question?
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
On further investigation, the rules have only Spearing, Butt-ending, High Sticking, and Head-butting as eligible for double minors.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Gotcha. ’Preciate it!
Knowing all this, then, the 2 minutes was correct.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Head-butting!? don’t think I’ve ever seen one of those!
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
/Zinedine Zidane’d
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Google Zinedine Zidane headbutt, dude!
World Cup soccer is my 2nd love.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
ok, gotcha..
.. my Mom is from Italy, she would be disappointed in my lack of soccer knowledge.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
just watched it..
holy crap, man. There’s some serious power behind that head-butt!
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I know! Thats all I think of when people say head butt now.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Not really
Thaty’s what you call Italian soccer and “selling it” Serie A soccer has to be the most embarrassing to watch. Phantom tackles, magic water recoveries and Drama Queens everywhere
September 26, 2007 The day a Franchise was reborn.
Well if Eager sees the ice again this series...
…you just might. I swear his parents fed him a steady diet of paint chips when he was a kid, washed down with paste.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Its even trickier
Rule 44 – Checking from Behind
44.1 Checking from Behind – A check from behind is a check delivered on a player who is not aware of the impending hit, therefore unable to protect or defend himself, and contact is made on the back part of the body. When a player intentionally turns his body to create contact with his back, no penalty shall be assessed.
44.2 Minor Penalty – There is no provision for a minor penalty for checking from behind.
44.3 Major Penalty – Any player or goalkeeper who cross-checks, pushes or charges from behind an opponent who is unable to protect or defend himself, shall be assessed a major penalty. This penalty applies anywhere on the playing surface (see 44.5).
…
44.5 Game Misconduct – A game misconduct penalty must be assessed anytime a major penalty is applied for checking from behind.
When the refs determined that Klein turned his back on the checker then the check from behind major is negated.
44.5 Game Misconduct – A game misconduct penalty must be assessed anytime a major penalty is applied for checking from behind.
OK, that’s where I got the automatic game misconduct from. So as I understand it then, if you call boarding, there IS an option for a major but no ejection, providing there’s no injury.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, that IS tricky. You could make the case the ref could’ve called that, then, because Klein was so slow to get up. I guess it depends on what angle he had when he made the call.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
I would not argue that case
Call it tough now, so it doesn’t continue later. One of the first thoughts I had was a concern that Kops just put a target on the backs of all the Hawks’ skill players.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Nashville typically doesn’t play like that, especially without Belak.
Kopecky would get completely killed in a fight with any of the Preds’ ‘fighters’ (Weber, Tootoo, Belak), but neither of the guys we iced last night capable of that can afford to leave the ice for five minutes. Tootoo’s pretty much cut the head hunting, and Weber isn’t that type of player.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
You could make the case the ref could’ve called that
Not really, The ref’s won’t make a “hit from behind” major call when the puck possessor turns his back on the checker.
And you generally won’t get the 5 minute major on boarding unless the checker drives the puck possessor into the boards and follows it up with his own body.
Of course there is always random calls by refs but in this case they called the only penalty they had in their book.
If we've learned anything about officiating this season...
it’s this: Never say what a ref WON’T do. You’ll be wrong every time.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
That is unless you are ANH, in that case the guy's team getting clocked gets a Penalty to offset
But you will than have the NHL turn around and dish out an 8 game suspension
Get off my Land!
ART.I§8-11; AM I-XXVII
James Madison is my Hero!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Apr 23, 2010 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions
What is it going to take to get guys to treat each other with respect out there?
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Don’t know, but like I said above props go to Kopecky for checking on Kleiner. I don’t think there was ill intent on Kopecky’s part. It was just stupid.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
intent or no intent, players should be responsible for their own actions. Handing out piddly 2 min. calls for boarding sure as hell isn’t going to stop it.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. Point was he wasn’t looking to injure Klein. Still should’ve held up.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Still should’ve held up.
I agree. You always have to leave yourself an out on the play.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
It was a nasty hit
I can see a 5 min major in it, but also can see why only a 2 min minor (A penalty no matter what).
What I did like to see, that Hawks did not see from Dirty Ovie on Campbell, and Wizdouchesky on Seabrook, was Kop appeared to try to keep his head from hitting the ice, looked like “Oh shit, did not mean that”, stayed next to him, and looked like was signaling the refs to stop the play. He did not just skate off, but looked and acted concerned for Klein. That is Sportsmanship, I’m not huge fan of Kop’s playing, but that earned huge props for me to see what was more important, and it was not the game, but someone who looked like they just get seriously fucked up!
Wizdouchesky and Ovie on the other hand acted as if they did not do anything (Cross Check Boarding from behind w/o a player expecting a hit from Ovie, and an elbowing charging call with skates very clearly leaving the ice, Wizasshole). This hit was a penalty, but not reckless or intending on hurting, and this player stuck around.
Get off my Land!
ART.I§8-11; AM I-XXVII
James Madison is my Hero!
by Toews-makes-funny-faces on Apr 23, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed 100%, which I’ve already stated. +100 to Kopecky for the sportsmanship.
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by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
KLEINHAMMER!
I’d blame Dan Hamhuis as much as I would Klein on the Toews goal. Hammer is to blame for the 1st Sharp goal too. His inability to clear the front of the neck allowed both Sharp and Toews to hangout and do whatever they wanted. It is really the pairing of Klein and Hammer, which has resurfaced yet again, that is killing us. We all see it, why doesn’t Trotz?
Klein / Grebs
- When Klein went down to block that puck, he swatted at it with his stick and got a piece of it. It wound up in Hossa’s skates, then in the net. He should have took the body! Come on, Kev…That’s Marian Hossa out there!
- I’m officially saying put Grebs in! I don’t care if Klein or Franson sits anymore, time to change this situation immediately. Our pp has really stunk. We mostly just stood around on the 5 on 3. A rare opportunity there, and we “passed” it up. Between bad D and an anemic pp…. that’s a double reason to put Grebs in.
- And, damn I miss Horn-dog
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you ...
on both points. I think this series would look a little different now if Hornqvist were healthy. It’s part of the game, though, I suppose.
by expatwildcat on Apr 23, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think we could’ve realistically expected much more out of the first 4 games, outside of a better effort last night. A best out of 3 scenario is fine with me, and quite frankly when I look at the larger picture I’m giddy to have tied a President’s Trophy team going into Game 5.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions
best of 3 is fine with me, too! Game On
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
The last time the Hawks won the President's trophy
Our captain was almost 3 years old.
Time for some thrillin' heroics!
by shinkicker on Apr 23, 2010 11:26 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah, total fail on my part. I forgot to add ‘contender’ at the end of ’President’s Trophy’. Obviously, the Capitals won it.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
That makes more sense!
I wasn’t sure why you were bringing in something that happened 19 years ago
Time for some thrillin' heroics!
by shinkicker on Apr 23, 2010 11:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I think this series would look a little different now if Hornqvist were healthy
Personally, I’d much rather have the Hawks play the Preds with everyone on both teams fully healthy. You can have Hornqvist and Grebo if Seabrook, Campbell and KJ were 100% and available for this series.
And it wouldn’t hurt to have Bolland fully back from his back injury too… :)
Jinxed
Sorry to say it but I think you guys jinxed yourselves by putting anything cubs related that says ‘go preds’ in the game thread; not a good idea.
by pjanisch on Apr 23, 2010 8:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I highly recommend
avoiding anything to do with wrigley field
TAKE OFF THOSE CLOWN SHOES OR I WILL SHOOT THIS DOG!
by BigCSouthside on Apr 23, 2010 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions
The Cubs were in attendance at game one in CHI right? Not good for anyone, apparently
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, it made laugh out loud, literally.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup
Immediately gave me a very uneasy feeling. Well-warranted, it would seem. We’re gonna send them to Game 6, see if they can work a little of that jinx on the Preds.
by Hjammer of the Gods on Apr 23, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
So far this is a fun series to watch
Definitely stressful, but fun.
I’m looking forward to the rest of it.
Chewing gum?
One positive note...
I met a group of Hawks fans that were in town for the game. They were real friendly. I asked them how they were finding the Preds fans. They said that the fans had been great. The one think that we all had in common…… They like Sully and so do we!
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions
Our Record When We Sell Out The Arena
Seems like everytime ( which isn’t alot ) that we have a packed house we play a less then stellar game. Can’t find the numbers but I have seen numerous times when it is a sell out or damn close ( 16500 or more ) we have rough outings. Someone care to dig up the #’s.
BTW…longtime lurker…first time poster
Not something I want to go over attm, perhaps someone else. I’m looking to Saturday on NBC!
Welcome to the site- do stick around.
On the Forecheck/Twitter/CLS
"What do you think this is? Major League Baseball?"- Shea Weber
by Chris Burton on Apr 23, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe playing on a national stage is just we need to get ‘er goin’.
by hockeydekefreak on Apr 23, 2010 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
if you go to predators.nhl.com
under Stats > Game by Game, you can see they keep track of attendance per game. If you click on the H/R column heading it arranges games by home and road.
I looked it up, and the Preds’ record when attendance is 16500+ is actually 6-3-2, this season, at least.
But when it was suggested to him that Toews v. Kane seems likely to become a sidebar to every future international hockey tournament, he smiled and said: "I'd like us to win something together, too."
(Tweets @ChiBlackhawks and blogs at Blackhawks Down Low.)
by chiblackhawks on Apr 23, 2010 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
The games that have the biggest crowd are often against the Red Wings, or Sharks.
Teams that we love to hate, but that both are very good teams. Not as many head out to watch the Preds take on the Oilers, for example. I’d say that’s a factor (although sometimes it seems that the Preds defeat the conference leaders and fall to the basement-dwellers)…
by LuvthePreds on Apr 23, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
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