Blackhawks GLHL15 Champs!

(AP) Chicago, Illinois Yes!...as Hawk Harrelson of the ChiSox would say...the Blackhawks are once again GLHL Champions! The last one was GLHL 11. The finals were hard fought and went the full 7 games vs. the formidable New York Islanders club of GM John Hondronikolis before the 'hawks were able to prevail in front of the hometown fans at the United Center.
Leading the 'hawks to the Cup during the playoffs were Shanahan (18-8-26 +9), Jagr (8-18-26 +5), Parrish (13-12-25 +7) and Hrdina (12-13-25 +4). Parrish and Hrdina really stepped up during the playoffs and were big reasons for the Cup win. Shanny notched 2 goals, the game winner and 4 points in leading the 'hawks to victory in the finale. No other 'hawk posted more than one point in the finale.
Cristobal Huet posted a 2.64, .920, 11-4 record during the playoffs in backstopping the club to the Cup.

Windy City Ramblings
Yes, Jaromir Jagr was finally able to contribute in the playoffs after disappointing in the past couple. This, despite missing a few games in the finals due to injury.
Portsider Keith Tkachuk of the Isles lit the lamp an astounding 26 times during the playoffs with teammate Petr Nedved posting 30 helpers.
As far as the Conn Smythe, it'll be a tough call for the league office. Possibly Tkachuk. Unusual? Yes. Warranted? Probably. Or co-winners, Shanahan & Tkachuk.
'Hawks management was hoping to win this Cup before the inevitable dismantling of the franchise due to the GLHL retirement process. The mortgaging of the future is now considered well worth the cost by the brass with the GLHL15 Cup, President's Trophy and Conference Trophy on display at the United Center!

Hawks take Prez Trophy!

(AP) Chicago, Illinois

The improbable occurred a couple of days ago when in a home & away series vs. division and Conference rival Detroit Red Wings, the Blackhawks took both contests to take the division and President's Cup from the Red Wings on the last day of the regular season! What a GLHL15 season it has been to date so far! A 28 game winning streak and now this! They're dancing in the street outside the United Center!

The first contest at Joe Louis in Detroit saw the Wings outplay the 'Hawks in every statistical category except the score at the end of the game. The Hawks took the 4-3 squeaker despite the Wings three 3rd period tallies. Huet stood tall in net in stopping 41 of the 44 shots launched at him during the contest.
The 'Hawks tallies were netted by Ozolinsh (22), Korolyuk (27,28) and Darcy Tucker (16). Korolyuk netted the game winner at 18:22 of the 3rd assisted by Reinprecht & Liles.
Registering on the score sheet for the Red Wings were Smyth (51), Hejduk (60) and Kessel (3).
Marty Turco stopped 24 of 28 sog in taking the loss.

The second contest of the 2 game series, this one at the United Center home of the Blackhawks, saw the 'Hawks whitewash the Red Wings 3-0 behind Huet. Scoring for the 'Hawks were Hrdina (39), Holik (27) and Roenick (41). Both Holik's & Roenick's came on the power play.
Huet stopped 26 of 26 Wings shots while his counterpart Turco turned in a fine performance in stopping 39 of 42. At the end of the game the fan noise was unbelievable as the President's and Central Division Trophies were presented by Commish Chaiken to Captain Jaromir Jagr. The fans filed out of the Center to the refrain of High Hopes by Frank Sinatra being played on the public address system. The celebration spilled out into the streets around the United Center and the taverns nearby.
It went on until the wee small hours.

On the season the Blackhawks were led in scoring among the forwards by Jaromir Jagr (50g, 60a, 110pts +69), Bobby Holik (27g, 68a, 95pts +61), Shanahan (49g, 44a, 93pts +62), Roenick (41g, 38a, 79pts +46), Hrdina (39g, 40a, 79pts +52), Parrish (29g, 42a, 71pts +47)
and Korolyuk (28g, 21a, 49pts +36).

The leading scorers among the blueliners were Ozolinsh (22g, 42a, 64pts +41), Scott Niedermayer, part of his stats were with the 'hawks, (17g, 46a, 63pts +47), Liles (14g, 40a, 54pts +31), and Hill (14g, 29a, 43pts +48). Adam Foote logged a plus/minus of +59 with 35 points scored.

Cristobal Huet led the goaltender corps with 71gp, 54-10-3 record coupled with a 2.23 gaa and .925 SvPct.
Windy City Ramblings
Quite the regular season for the beloved Blackhawks of the Windy City. Now onto the playoffs with high hopes of success. Everyone is reported as healthy for he start of the playoffs. THe Blackhawks will open the playoffs at the United Center vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It'll be a heckuva series vs. Eric Staal, Rick Nash, Jovo Cop & company.
Stay tuned!
Congrats to the Detroit Red Wings on one great season and to all the other franchises and GMs of the GLHL. Thanks to Commish Chaiken for another fine GLHL season!
Congrats go out to the New York Islanders on taking the Eastern Conference regular season crown and the Atlantic Division.

Blackhawks streak ends at 28!

(AP) Montreal, Que, Canada

Recently the Blackhawks winning streak ended at 28 games. What a streak! With starting 'tender Huet shelved with a tweaked groin, backup Jaroslav Halak lost to the Habs in Montreal 5-3 on Day76. The Habs were backstopped to the win by Tim Thomas. Not a bad goalie to end what forever will be known as "The Streak" in the annals of the Chicago Blackhawks and season GLHL15.











Through 76gp the 'hawks sports a 59-13-4 record good for 122 points. They have a good shot at not only the Central Division title but the President's Trophy as well. 40 or so games ago this didn't seem possible. Player moves were made by the GM that brought in several key pros who have meshed well the 'hawks roster. This has resulted in a meteoric rise up the standings.
Those players include blueliners Scott Niedermayer, John-Michael Liles and Frantisek Kaberle along with forwards Nils Ekman and Mark Smith. In addition, forward Alex Korolyuk (25 goals), who was picked up in the waiver draft, has been a pleasant surprise playing on the checking line with Reinprecht and Tucker.












Leading the 'hawks in scoring is the top line of Jagr (106pts), Shanahan (90pts) and Holik (89pts). Both Jagr and Shanhan lead the club in goals with 49.
There are currently 14 'hawks with double digits in goals scored, so scoring is spread throughout the lineup. Ekman, playing on the 4th line, has 10 goals in 8.9 mpg of ice time.
Cristobal Huet is the stalwart in goal with 65 games to date while posting a 2.26gaa, .923SvPct along with a 49-9-3 record.

The Blackhawks hope to come away with the Central Division title and the President's Cup in the few remaining games. Certainly the Red Wings and Islanders will have something to say about that!

Hawks Swept in Western Finals

(AP) Chicago Earlier this week the 'hawks lost the GLHL14 Western Conference Finals to the Minnesota Wild.
Yep, the brooms were out for the Wild fans as they totally annihilated and embarrassed the 'hawks in a 4 game sweep.
In being led by goalkeeper Roberto Luongo, the Wild took the Conference by identical scores of 5-2 in the first two games in Minnesota. The two games at the United Center in Chicago were won by the Wild with scores of 4-3 in OT for Gm3 and 3-2 in regulation in Gm4.
The Wild's power play was outstanding in the series while the 'hawks penalty killing units need to go back to the drawing board.
The Wild were 6 for 19 (31.6%) on the pp in the series while the 'hawks were a paltry 1 for 19 (5%). That gives the Wild a phenomenal penalty kill rate of 95% with the 'hawks posting an embarrassing 76% kill rate.
Special teams were obviously a key to the Wild's Western Conference title.
Yep, Jagr was basically a non-factor in another playoff series this year for the 'hawks.
While Jagr did light the lamp twice in Gm3 of the Conference Finals, it was too little, too late for the 'hawks Championship hopes.
Of course, without him, the 'hawks don't get to the playoffs and the finals.
Windy City Ramblings
The GLHL14 Championship Series will pit the Minnesota Wild against the Eastern Conference Champion New York Islanders. Yep, the same Isles who Lord Byron Dafoe was traded to by the 'hawks earlier this season. Now Dafoe leads the Isles to the Championship Series! Chicago's management is getting some grief over that one. Deservedly so.
The Wild are gunning for their second consecutive GLHL Cup!

Hawks Advance to Conference Finals

(AP) Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, MI

In a stunning turn of events the Chicago Blackhawks upset the Western Conference Central Division winning Detroit Red Wings in 7 games. In doing do the 'hawks surprised not only this writer but other followers of the Great Lakes Hockey League to be sure. The game was not without it's drama as it took overtime to decide yet another contest in this barnburner of a series between two heated rivals!
In all, 11 goals were scored in the Gm7 with netminders Turco (Det) facing off against Halak (Chi). During the contest Turco stopped 35 of 31 shots lauched by the hawks, while Halak (left) turned aside 38 of 43 shots in an equal goaltending performance. Turco was supposed to be the difference with Huet injured for the 'hawks but Halak put in a performance that had the 'hawks faithful in attendance ecstatic.
Six different Blackhawks scored during the contest. Likewise 5 different players scored for the Red Wings. Scoring for the 'hawks were Stevie Kariya (2) 04:38 of the 1st, Roenick (12) 04:47 of the 1st, Jagr (3) 04:24 of the 2nd, Hrdina (6) at 14:43 of the 2nd, Parrish (3) at 16:33 of the 3rd, with Foote (2) scoring the game winner at 05:03 of OT on a shot from the point that was screened by Shanny. Assists went to Jagr and Shanny on the game winner.
Scoring for the Wings were Fedorov (3) at 10:42 of the 1st, Lindros (3) at 10:35 of the 2nd, Hejduk (7) at 12:04 of the 2nd, Zetterberg (3) at 18:22 of the 2nd and Malhotra (1st) at 15:14 of the 3rd. As you can see the score went back and forth during the entire game. What was even more remarkable is that the 'hawks still managed to win with the Red Wings going 3 for 5 on the power play! All of the 'hawks goals came during even strength situations and they didn't have one pp during the entire game!
Windy City Ramblings
What certainly had a major impact in the outcome of the game was a freak injury to stalwart blueliner Chris Pronger of the Red Wings when stepping onto the ice for his first shift of the game! What exactly transpired is still a mystery. No injury report has been forthcoming from the Detroit front office in the aftermath of the loss. Also injured during the game was blueliner Mike Komisarek of the Wings after logging 17 minutes of ice time. As a result the Red Wings defense corps was decimated and finsihed the game with only 4 defensemen. These injuries, unfortunately, had a major impact on the outcome of the contest.
"Hey", GM Poelker of the Blackhawks said, "We don't like to win that way. No one does. But that's part of our great game and the 'hawks will certainly take it. We offer our congratulations to a formidable foe, The Red Wings of Detroit."
The 'hawks will face another formidable foe in the Western Conference Finals. That being the defending GLHL Cup Champion Minnesota Wild of GM and Coach Blake Wendt.
Blackhawks Huet and Tucker will be suiting up for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals.
Can the 'hawks win again without home ice advantage? Stay tuned........

Hawk-Wings Tied 3-3 in Semis

(AP) United Center, Chicago, IL

The Wings came into the Windy City tonight looking to close out the semi finals and advance to the Conference finals. The Blackhawks had other ideas. Hrdina (5) opened the scoring for the 'hawks at 10:56 of the 1st on assists from Parrish & Hill. Just over 5 minutes later the 'hawks suffered an injury and it turned out to be a major blow. There was a pileup in Huet's crease and Cristobal had to be helped from the ice by two trainers. It appears to be a knee injury but the extent is unknown at presstime. Jaroslav Halak (pic) had to play for the injured Huet. Well, maybe the injury will be a blessing in disguise because Halak was outstanding!! The Red Wings stormed his net time and again only to be totally stoned by Halak! The fans were on the edges of their seats hoping for another goal when Giuliano (2), of all 'hawks, scored on the backhand over Turco's shoulder at 03:35 of the 2nd. The lone assist went to linemate Nelson. The score remained that way as Halak stoned the Wings throughout the rest of the game and the 'hawks came away with a 2-0 win to tie the series. Halak, of course, was easily the 1st star of the game in stopping 25 of 25 shots. Huet was awarded the win and stopped 12 of 12 himself prior to his injury.
Windy City Ramblings
Game 7 back at Joe Louis in Detroit will see Halak having to start in place of the injured Huet. Hopefully he can perform his magic away from the United Center and get the Blackhawks to the Conference Finals. Berkhoel will be on the bench as Halak's backup.
Gm5 in Detroit had been won by the Wings in OT. The game winner was scored by Hejduk. Gm4, that was played at the United Center in Chicago, had also been won by the Wings 4-2 in regulation in evening the series at 2-2. Darcy Tucker was injured in that contest for the 'hawks. Unfortunatley, he'll still be unavailable for Gm 7. So the Blackhawks will have to defeat the mighty Red Wings without Tuck & Huet. It's possible if Jagr can get off his dead !#$%, otherwise it'll be time for vacation.

Hawks up 2-1 in Semis!

(AP) Chicago, IL

In an amazing turn of events the Blackhawks are up 2 games to 1 in the Semi-finals versus the division rival Detroit Red Wings.
The series opened in the Motor City with the Wings taking Gm1 at Joe Louis Arena 4-2 behind netminder Marty Turco. Marty put on a clinic in turning aside 36 of 38 shots launched by the 'hawks for a .947 SvPct. While the game was tied 1-1 after the 2nd, the Wings blew it open in the 3rd with 3 goals enroute to the 4-2 win. Scoring for the Wings were Kronwall (1) in the 2nd and Kovalchuk (6), Yzerman (1) SHG and Arnott (3) in the 3rd. Arnott's was an empty netter to seal the victory.
Hrdina (4) scored in the 2nd and the surprising Giuliano (1) in the 3rd. Huet also played well in net stopping 37 of 40 shots. Both goaltenders kept the game close.
Gm2 at Joe Louis saw the 'hawks jump out to an early lead when Roenick (9) scored in the 1st at 15:36. The 2nd opened with a bang for the 'hawks when the sizzling Roenick (10) added another at the 01:43 mark with the man advantage. That was to be it for the scoring in the 2nd as it ended with the 'hawks up by a surprising 2-0. At this point each team had 20sog with the difference being Huet's stopping all 20 of the Wings.
The 3rd opened with the Wings bombarding Huet with shot after shot. At 04:40 they finally broke through when Arnott (4) found the back of the net. About 8 minutes later Smyth (3), via one of his classic deflections in front of the net, lit the lamp to tie the score. The 3rd ended with the game knotted 2-2 and it was on to OT!
The Wings had launched an astounding 18 shots on Huet in the 3rd while the 'hawks had only managed a measley 3. Huet had been totally deserted by the 'hawks defense and was the only reason the score was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation. Early in OT, with Hill off for a 5 minute major for an altercation he had with Hejduk of the Wings at the end of the 3rd period, Bobby Holik came back to haunt his former 'mates when he put a wrister by Turco to win the game shorthanded at 02:18 of OT!!!
The 'hawks had taken the all important Gm2 and a split with the Wings at Joe Louis Arena!
GM3 opened at the United Center in Chicago with the fans buzzing. They were excited with the series being tied 1-1 and now thought their beloved Blackhawks had a shot against the jaggernaut Red Wings. Chelios (3) opened the scoring for the Wings at 10:06 of the 1st. Aboot 5 minutes later Bobby Holik answered on the power play to tie the score assisted by Jagr and Shanny. Then, a little under 3 minutes later, STEVE Kariya (1) scored on a tremendous booming slapshot that went by Turco like a rocket! Stevie (right pic) was not to be denied! Assisting him in his moment of playoff glory were Reinprecht and Tucker. I guess Stevie figured if Giuliano could light the lamp in the playoffs, that he could too! The 1st ended with the 'hawks up 2-1.
The Wings again turned on the afterburners in peppering Huet with shots. Midway through the 2nd Smyth (4) netted another playoff goal to tie the score.
The 3rd opened with the Wings again having the upper hand and controlling flow of the game. At 10:16 Kronwall went off for hooking and the 'hawks saw daylight. At 12:03 Shanny (7) tipped a point shot past a sprawled Turco and the 'hawks had taken a 3-2 lead on their second power play tally of the game!
The Wings continued to pepper Huet with shot after shot but it was to no avail as Huet stood tall in net.
The horn sounded and the 'hawks had taken the game 3-2 and a 2 games to 1 lead in the series!!
Huet was easily the 1st start of the game in stopping 36 of 38 shots and ALL 14 he faced in the 3rd period!
Up next is Gm4 at the United Center.