June 9th seems so far away at times - especially since I had to endure a horrendous summer of Cubs baseball which made me miss hockey even more. But finally, the party's over, the hangover cure has been ingested and we're on the cusp of the 2010-11 NHL season. With the Chicago Blackhawks as your defending Stanley Cup champions, of course.
Training Camps used to be several weeks long, but with the playoffs running into June, preseason games and now these "Premiere" games in Europe (WTF NHL - do we really need games in Sweden, Finland *and* Prague?), camps are now merely days. That doesn't leave time for players on the bubble to make the big time a lot of opportunities to make an impression, so these camps are much more intense that they probably were a few years ago.
I am missing Chicago's 41st Gay Pride Parade, which should step off by the time I finish this post. Honestly, I'm not too torn up about about that - with one exception which I'll get to later.
So, it's been exactly a week since the Blackhawks hoisted their first Stanley Cup in 49 years. The first several days seemed to be an unrelenting party going on in my head and everything seemed so shiny and happy. Unfortunately, going back to work on Monday really took the buzz off of it - Being understaffed and stressed out ruins everything! Still, the idea of being the reigning Stanley Cup Champions has not gotten old and certainly has gotten this summer off to a tremendously tremendous start.
Since last Wednesday, I have collected an assortment of images off the internets which I either found funny or a big helping of FAIL. This will be an image heavy post so those on "smart" phones or on 28.8 modems may not want to click on the jump. But I promise you it will be fun!
First off let me just say, if a Chicago sports team ever wins another championship I care about (Sox and Bulls need not apply) my ass is going to be watching it from the comfort of my own home. That being said, I have no regrets about attending the Blackhawks victory parade downtown on Friday. It was worth it, especially since I wouldn't be surprised if there's never another one for the rest of my days.
When the NHL season started in October, I decided to change my desktop background to this:
This was the cover of ESPN Magazine's NHL Preview Issue. Who knew they actually gave a shit about the NHL anymore? For 9 months these faces looked back at me. At first, I'd stare at Hossa and wonder when we'd actually see him on the ice. Then I'd stare at Toews and marvel at his performance in the Olympics and say a little prayer of thanks to the hockey gods that he was our captain every time I looked at his boyish face. I'd look at Kane and mentally scold him for having viewed his girlish chest in those damn limo pictures. Lastly, throughout the year I'd look at Huet and either bless him for a good game, or more often than not, curse him for his sieve like goaltending skills. After the March Columbus trip, I would always make a wish he'd turn into Antti Niemi so I could lovingly gaze into this bright blue puppy dog eyes. It never worked though, and I admit I always felt sorry for Huey whenever he peered at me from my screen.
Many times throughout the season I was tempted to change the background image to something new or timely. I told myself that this was my image for the season though, and by changing it would be messing with hockey karma.
I just changed it:
This is from the official Hawks site. I like it well enough, but I suspect I might find something a little better in the upcoming days. In any case, I can gaze on the "Stanley Cup Champions" logo and remind myself it was worth the wait.
I'll have pictures and thoughts up from yesterday's crazy victory parade and a special funny post up this weekend. I now have to cram all the chores, sleep and adult responsibilities I have neglected in this crazy week in the two days this weekend. Believe me, I'm not kidding when I say we have no clean dishes, very little food in my fridge and I'm almost out of clean underwear. Don't ever say I don't have my priorities straight!
As the NHL commercial states, “There are no words.”
I am 34 years old, and 6/9/10 @ 10:06 PM CST will rank as the best sports moment of my life - unless of course the Cubs win it all, but since that’s a sign of the apocalypse (seriously, it’s in the Bible and everything) there may not be much celebrating. I was too young to fully appreciate the Bears in 1985. The Bulls’ six championships were nice, but I hate basketball. The Sox I treated as if any team from the AL won the World Series – I didn’t care. This was my holy grail. And I cried like a baby in public. And I’m not ashamed.
I am going to a ticker tape parade tomorrow, bitches. 24 years ago I pleaded with my mom to let me go when the Bears won it all – she refused. Finally all these years later, I get to attend one. I only wish my mom could be physically able to enjoy it with me in person.
Well, by freak out I mean that in a "OMGWe'reONEwinawayfromthebigshinything" way. Mostly. There's still the rational/Chicago sports fan part of my brain that reminds me that the series is far from over. Damn you 2003 Cubs from preventing me from fully enjoying the position I'm currently in!
I have to say, the first period of this game was probably the best period of hockey the Hawks have played in this series, if not the entire playoffs. Speed. Puck possession. Crisp passing. Good hitting. It was a thing of beauty - up 3-0 at the end of the period in your own building - marvelous.
Inevitably, the Flyers came out like their pants were on fire scoring quickly in the second. Here's the thing though - every time the Flyers would seemingly get the momentum back by scoring, the Hawks would come right back and answer. That is refreshing to see. The Flyers never got closer than 2 goals down, and when Buff scored the empty netter to ice it, I cursed not having a hot tub time machine to make it Game Six already. A two day break between games this far along in the series is hell for my nerves. Add a long stressful work week already, and this week has just sucked thus far.
Look, I'm pissed off and frightened now. I am not happy.
Honestly, the Hawks are lucky the series is tied 2-2 coming home. They haven't played a good game yet. Not even close. And if they don't for two of the next possible three games, I'm going to have a summer of heartbreak, and some assbags are going to be carrying something that doesn't belong to them.
This is gonna be quick and dirty as this game was depressing and I'm really in no mood to spend much time on it.
Honestly, I don't think anyone expected the Hawks would sweep this series. Although being up 2-0, the thought was nice. If we can pull one out tomorrow, we come home needing only one win to get to the promised land. And that is fine by me.
In order to do that, the Hawks need to note the following:
- The Hawks haven't played their A game consistently yet this series. This is comforting to a point, but we're going into Game Four here. Get it together already!
- To that end, the Hawks seemed to be playing the more Flyers game last night than their own. You're a puck possession team - quit looking to make hits just to make them. By all means, don't sit there and take their dirty play, but don't stoop to their level. Play your game!
- Buff needs off the top line. Like yesterday - he's reverted to regular season form. Please put Brouwer out there and make Pronger do more than cross check and throw elbows. Like skate a little.
- I hope Ladd is back tomorrow. Burish needs to sit: if the only thing you're contributing in the Cup finals are one liners from the bench you need to go away.
- Q, why the fuck were you so concerned with matchups in OT? It's playoff hockey - put your best lines out there and make competent changes after shorter shifts. Your schizophrenic quick changes cost us this game.
- The Philly goal horn dude has a heavy finger. And why does the horn last so damn long? It's worse than the damn cannons in Columbus.
- I hope Pronger chokes on a bag of chips.
- OK, Nemo - you're due for another big game tomorrow right?
That's all folks. Thankfully I'll be watching the game tomorrow at bar. Yay, alcohol!
Well, I guess the real treat was the outcome. But as to what I'm referring to, you'll just have to wait until the end.
With the somewhat unexpected offensive explosion in Game One, you'd had to figure both teams would button things down. They wouldn't disappoint. The first period started out somewhat tentative - offensively at least (the Hawks won the SOG battle 9-3). The hits though came fast and furious - starting at the opening faceoff. Much was made about Daniel Carcillo entering the lineup. He made a few good hits, although none better than this one:
I guess this is why Carcillo was bumped to the third line shortly thereafter and was MIA in the third period. I loved Burish's chirp from the bench though: "That was your best hit all year!" LOLLERCOASTER!
The second period definitely had more jump to it - the Flyers outshot the Hawks 15-13. With better rebound control and positioning by both goalies, it seemed like we were going to the final period with two goose eggs on the scoreboard. Lo and behold, with the Flyers being sloppy clearing out the front of the net with 3 minutes left, a Panda swooped in and buried it over Leighton for his first tally of the Finals. You could tell Hossa was relieved more than anything - I think he has been the best forward so far in this series. The UC crowd was still buzzing when a mere 28 seconds later, Buff picked off a pass in the neutral zone and passed it to a waiting Eager who fired a laser above Leighton's glove hand. Ben *fucking* Eager? My brother said the crowd was the loudest after he scored, more out of disbelief than anything else. His celebration was reminiscent of the Nintendo64 kid. He needs to be a little more careful when jumping around though - he could have broken our Captain.
The Flyers came out in pure desperation in the final frame, perhaps realizing that we're not the Bruins. The Hawks seemed somewhat content in being complacent and focusing on defense, which isn't a bad thing, but I wish they would have come out with a little more oomph. Philly clobbered us in offensive chances, with the SOG being tilted 15-4. Enter our little Nemo. If not for a weird wobbly shot that went in from Gagne, Niemi would have had his third shutout of the playoffs. Again, Nemo follows up a shit game with one of his best ones. So after I nearly jumped out the window when Sharpie clanged the post on the empty net to seal the deal (what is with this team and fucking up the ENGs?), the Hawks go to Philly with a 2-0 lead. Thank you Flying Spaghetti Monster!
A brief note on the Pronger/puck/towel/Eager situation. I realize Pronger is a fucking asshole and probably took the puck just to piss the Hawks off. Doesn't he have enough pucks from his grade school days playing with Chelios? It just pisses me off because that puck belongs to Nemo - I mean look at this face from the post game interview - he's choking up because he can't believe the crowd is going crazy for him:
Why gritty players like Sami Salo suffer while filth like Pronger goes without being speared in the nuts is beyond me. Not that I'm advocating violence *whistles*
So Game Three: I'll light a candle for any Hawks fans brave enough to show their face there. I hope they bring ponchos for the beer and vomit showers. I know Toews and Kaner will be back in scoring form. I know Nemo will continue to amaze. I hope the Hawks come back home with at least a split.
Now onto the treats. My brother was kind enough bring me back a couple things I requested from the two games:
Another puck for the collection...
Official SCF program. I haven't read it cover to cover yet but a) it's got a nice section for the roster for both teams b) is far too ad heavy (though the Philadelphia area ads amuse me) c) has way too many mentions/pictures of Crosby/Ovechkin for a Finals between the *Blackhawks* and the *Flyers*. I hate you NHL marketing machine! I'll make sure to get completely pissed NYE so I sleep through the Pens/Caps Winter Classic. Phhhbbbbttttt!
[blogger's note: please excuse the probable crapiness and nonsensical ramblings of this post. I am sick, on cold medicine and my nose is more chapped than a infant who has diaper rash's ass. Whee!]
Well we all know how this ended up - Blackhawks swept the Sharks in four. I don't think anyone (including myself) expected that. Sure, a lot of folks say all four games were hard-fought (which they were) but sweeping a team out of the NHL playoffs is difficult - case in point: this is the only sweep in the playoffs this year at this point.
A few thoughts on Game Four from the standpoint of someone in attendance - with pictures!
Really am behind on posting here but I have an excuse - I'm sick. I really don't know how I made it through eight hours of work today without passing out or biting people's heads off. Ok, I did a little of the latter.
In any case - enjoy the photo below from a local church. I did not take the picture - I just found it on the twitter-sphere.
Three more days - thank god. Watching the Cubs is giving me the twitches.
Not really much of a post here, as I'm focusing on putting my pictures of Game Four on flickr, and all I have is a ceiling fan in our office. I'll let you know if Mac Minis have a melting point.
Anyway, Flyers vs. Hawks for the big shiny thing. Not much of a recent history between these two teams. Seeing as Philly fans infamously threw snowballs at Santa Claus (ok it was the NFL, but still), I don't need much reason to hate them. How am I going to make it until Saturday without passing a stone? I guess it gives me plenty of time to wax poetic on here.
Oh, and just so you don't think I don't love you all, here's a gem from before warmups:
[there's a story behind this one, but you'll have to wait]
Much, much more about this game & series in the coming days, but I am emotionally scrambled and I have to get my wired ass off to bed for a full week of work ahead. Why can't the Stanley Cup Finals be a two week long holiday?
I should have written this earlier, but I decided to do laundry/watch the Flyers/Habs game/lie around like a sloth this morning & afternoon. This evening Amy & I went out for tapas to celebrate our sixth anniversary. Actually our anniversary was on Wednesday but both of us forgot. Oops. I mean how could I forget - we celebrated our first anniversary on the release date of Revenge of the Sith. Which we ended up seeing on opening night even though I was visiting her while she was studying in England and she doesn't particularly care for Star Wars. That's true love folks.
This will be a briefer recap, as I am as wired as a kid on Christmas Eve. Not only are we on the brink of our first Finals appearance since my sophomore year of high school (*sigh old*), I will be in attendance tomorrow afternoon. I keep thinking of all of the glorious things that I may witness in person, and then I yell at my brain to stop it because I'm sure the Hockey Gods are tapping into it.
I'm scratching my head because it's been awhile since I've experienced this. The Blackhawks are up 2-0 in a playoff series. And with playing both games on the road? I'm not quite sure I should be ecstatic or freaking out. I'll take the former for now, because with every subsequent win I'm going to have to start to look for tranquilizers.
So I'll admit - I was fully expecting the Hawks to shit the bed in Game Two as has been the norm in these playoffs. They've consistently followed up a strong performance with one that looked like they just got out of bed 10 minutes prior to hitting the ice. Lo and behold - that was not the case. It looks like the Hawks get that this is "for reals" now and are playing their best hockey since the playoffs started.
