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.

Hawks Take Quarters!

(AP) United Center, Chicago, IL

The Blackhawks take Gm6 back at home 5-2 and advance to the Semis! Scoring for the 'hawks were Roenick (8) and Jagr (2) in the 1st, Foote (1) and Holik (2) in the 2nd and Parrish with an empty netter in the 3rd.
For this game Jagr had been dropped to the 2nd line with Hrdina and Roenick with it paying off when Jaromir finally got his 2nd goal of the quarters. Tucker was promoted to the 1st line RW and played well in a supporting role but didn't get on the scoresheet.
The MVP of the Quarters for the 'hawks has to be Jeremy Roenick, who had 8g, 5a for13pts in the 6 games with 22 sog for a 36.4 Scr% with 1 ppg and 1gw. He was also a +10 for the series. Quite a performance for the 'ol warhorse who has silenced the naysayers since last season who said he was washed up when he arrived in the Windy City.
The 'hawks outshot the Ducks 38-36 during the contest in besting goalie Ty Conklin for the third time in the series. Huet played well between the pipes for the 'hawks in allowing just 2 goals. One in the 1st by Sundstrom (1) and the second in the 2nd by Jason Allison (4). All the goals came in even strength situations.
Windy City Ramblings
The Blackhawks will now wait for the completion of the other series in both Conferences and will be facing Central Divison Champion and rival Detroit Red Wings in the Semis. The Wings dispatched the Dallas Stars in 6 game also in their Quarter Final Series.
The Semis for the 'hawks will, of course, open in the Motor City at Joe Louis Arena.

Shanny Notches Hat Trick in Gm5 Loss

(AP) Anaheim, CA

As the headline says, Shanny lit the lamp 3 times and the 'hawks lose Gm5 in Anaheim. While it was a great performance for him, the Ducks answered with TWO hat tricks of their own! Scoring the tricks for the Ducks were team leader Vinny Lecavalier, no surprise there, but the other was rung up by Nemchinov of all people.
Nemchinov saw a lot more ice time than usual, 28 minutes to lead ALL forwards ice time on both clubs, but unfortunately it was at the expense of one of the Ducks major cogs. That cog being perennial all-star centre Mats Sundin.
It appears he may be lost for at least the remainder of the 1st round, however far it goes. At press time the actual nature of the injury has not been released by the Ducks, with a spokesperson for the team only saying that it was a bad injury and that it's doubtful Mats can play for a few games at the least.
The ramifications of this injury could be major for the Ducks, however they did just fine without him for 57 minutes of Gm5 in routing the Blackhawks 8-5. The score makes the game look much closer than it actually was.
The Ducks outshot the 'hawks 49-32 and had leads of 4-1 and then 8-3 at the 14:15 mark of the 2nd periood.
Shanny scored two goals (6) in the 3rd period to make it a respectable 8-5. Ozo (2) and Roenick (7) scored the other two markers for the 'hawks. Huet had a bad game but was due for one while Conklin was good enough in the win for the Ducks. Jagr has been notoriously quiet in the series having notched only 1 goal along with 3 helpers.
Windy City Ramblings
It's back to United for Gm6. Hopefully the 'hawks have Nemchinov's and Lecavalier's number for Gm6. Whether the 'hawks lines are juggled to accomodate the different look of the Ducks without Sundin will be decided around game time tomorrow night. Some things are being considered. Especially with Jagr's lack of production on the top line.

Hawks Hold the Edge

(AP) Chicago, Illinois

The last report left us with the Ducks coming to Chicago and the United Center for game 3. As predicted the Ducks came out firing on all cylinders and it was a barnburner of a contest! Shanny and the Blackhawks opened the scoring in the last minute of the 1st on the power play. This proved to be the 'hawks only pp tally of the game. The pp had been the strength of the 'hawks during the regular season but not in the playoffs so far. At the end of the 1st it was 1-0 good guys.
From the 2nd period on the game turned into a see-saw contest with the lead changing hands 5 times!
In the 2nd Schneider, Gagne (pp) and Lecavalier (pp) struck for the Ducks with Roenick netting one for the 'hawks. As the 2nd came to an end it was 3-2 Ducks.
Early in the 3rd Roenick bagged his 2nd goal of the game and 4th of the playoffs to tie the score again. About 5 minutes later Allison answered for the Ducks to put them up once more. Roenick, flying all over the ice was not be outdone and completed his hat trick (pic-->) just 33 seconds later to give the 'hawks the lead. Then, in what was turning into the Allison-Roenick show, Allison struck again about three and a half minutes later to give the Ducks the lead!
In a startling turn of events the 'hawks starting netminder (Huet) tweaked his groin at the 19 minute mark of the 3rd. This hushed the rowdy fans in the United Center. Halak was inserted and given as much time as necessary to stretch and warmup. The whistle blew and 11 seconds later Ozo scored on a rush with Roenick and Shanny to tie the game with 49 ticks of the clock to go!!
OT was looming when suddenly Vinny Lecavalier stole the puck, raced in on a breakaway and lit the lamp on the only shot Halak faced!! The Ducks had taken the lead with 6 seconds to go! Halak slammed his stick across the crossbar in disgust. The game ended with the Ducks getting the much needed 6-5 win and handing Halak the loss.

The opening of Game4 at the United saw the 'hawks regular season leading scorer (Holik) unable to take to the ice. He had sustained a mild knee strain and it was decided not to let him play even though he had suited up. Kohn was called down from the pressbox to get a playoff start and lines were shuffled. Boy were they shuffled! The good news was that Huet was able to take his customary starting position between the pipes.
Game 4 was another close game with the line shuffling resulting in the 2nd line of Reinprecht-Roenick-Tucker being the story of this game. The trio combined for 3 goals and 4 assists with Roenick registering one goal and two assists while gritty Darcy Tucker lit the lamp twice! The 3 goals proved key in the 'hawks 5-3 win over Conklin and the Ducks. Cristobal Huet turned in another fine performance between the pipes for the 'hawks in stopping 40 of 43 shots. To date he is 3-0 in the playoffs with a 2.76 gaa and .926 SvPct.
Windy City Ramblings
Game 5 back in LA will see the return of Holik who has been cleared for play by the medical staff. He will most likely return to his #1 pivot position with Hrdina taking up his customary #2 pivot position.
Ducks' blueliner Bannister was hit hard into the boards by Tucker during the 1st period of Gm4 and did not return to the lineup. At press time it has been reported that he will most likely miss Gm5 in LA.
The Blackhawks hope to close out the series in LA. We're sure the Ducks will have something to say about that in front of their hometown fans!

Hawks in Playoffs!

(AP) Chicago, Illinois

The Blackhawks reached the playoffs again this season (GLHL14).

For the stretch run at the end of the season the 'hawks traded away defensive forward Ryan Johnson, who was a member of the 'hawks GLHL11 Cup winning team, and blueliner Ladislav Smid to the Atlanta Thrashers for centreman Steve Reinprecht and gritty winger Darcy Tucker. The move paid immediate dividends when upon their arrival in the Windy City and being utilized as linemates on the 'hawks checking line, the team went on a 10 game win streak which put them solidly in the playoffs.

The 'hawks finished the season as the #6 seed in the Western Conference and opened the playoffs in sunny California versus the #3 seed Anaheim Ducks.
To date, the 'hawks have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the series taking both opening games at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Needless to say the catcalls of the Ducks' fans could be heard long after game 2 echoing through the cavernous arena.
Game 1 saw the 'hawks win handily. The 'hawks netted 3 in the first period and never looked back in posting a total of 6 goals in the game to the Ducks' 1.
Scoring for the 'hawks were Leopold, Jagr and Holik in the 1st, Hrdina twice in the 2nd and Shanny in the 3rd. Tough guy Peter Worrell scored the loan Ducks' goal on the PP in the 2nd.
Ducks' netminder Raycroft let in 6 while facing 30 shots. For the 'hawks, Huet faced 21 sog while stopping 20.
<----- Cristobal Huet stands on head!
Game 2 was a much closer battle as the 'hawks came out blazing in the 1st period again in netting 3 goals!
Roenick struck twice with Shanny netting one. Guerin buried one for the Ducks as the 1st closed out with the score 3-1 for the good guys. Unfortunately, that would be all the lamplighting the 'hawks would do that night as Conklin, playing in place of Raycroft, stoned 'em the rest of the way. Well, not to be outdone was Cristobal Huet for the 'hawks, who put on a clinic in stopping 42 of 44 shots in the game. Talk about standing on his head! After Guerin's tally in the 1st, he allowed a marker by Gagne early in the 2nd and that was it the rest of the way. Huet stopped all 22 shots the Ducks launched at him in the 3rd period alone in leading the 'hawks to victory!

Windy City Ramblings
Now it's back to Chicago and the United Center where the fans are hoping to see a win in Game 3. Visions of Season 11 are dancing in their heads. But let's not get ahead of ourselves folks. We're talking the 3rd seed in the Western Conference in the Anaheim Ducks. GM & Coach Paul Jubinville's rant after the game in the Ducks' lockeroom could be heard all the way out in the parking lot. To be sure, the Ducks' will come out gunning in game 3 back at United.
The 'hawks and Ducks report no injuries for Game 3.
Coach Poelker of the 'hawks said there would be no lineup or line changes for Gm3. Why mess with success?
There have been no statements forthcoming from Mr. Jubinville.

20 Game Mark of Season

(AP) Chicago, Illinois

The 20 game mark of the season sees the 'hawks in 3rd place in the Central Division with 18 points on a record of 8-10-2.
Leading the team in scoring are Holik 12g-17a-29pts, Jagr 14g-9a-23pts and Parrish 10g-11a-21pts.
The leading scorers among the blueliners are Ozolinsh 5g-12a-17pts and Hill 4g-13a-17pts.
The primary netminding duties fall to Cristobal Huet who in 16 games has posted a record of 7-8-1 with a 3.18gaa and .911SvPct.
Bobby Holik has been a pleasant surprise so far this season and has supplanted Jan Hrdina as the clubs #1 center.
Hopefully he can keep up the pace and the first line pivot position.
Leading the club in +/- to date are Holik +9, Jagr +9 and the surprising blueliner Dallman (right pic) also at +9. At the low end of the spectrum is Bryan Allen at a disappointing -8.
Windy City Ramblings
Defenseman Ladislav Smid has seen himself benched in favor of Dallman. In light of Allen's poor play, he may soon get another shot to prove himself.
There may be some other juggling of line assignments also. Something needs to be done to get Shanahan going. He is currently 8th on the club in scoring which is unusual for him.

Season 14 Begins

(AP) Chicago, Illinois

The first two games of GLHL Season 14 are in the books for the 'hawks. So far an 0-2 record after a 6-1 preseason record. Go figure. The big story for the 'hawks this season, so far, was the trading of GLHL11 Cup winning goaltender Byron Dafoe (left pic) to the Islanders. While Dafoe will help the Isles' goaltending, the 'hawks were happy to receive a 1st rounder in the GLHL15 draft along with up and coming blueliner Ladislav Smid (right pic). An infusion of youth is certainly needed considering the number of greybeards that currently populates the roster.
Even though quite a few old timers retired from the 'hawks this offseason there are still quite a few remaining.
The trading of Dafoe juggles the goaltending situation in Chicago. The result being that Cristobal Huet (left pic) gets the starting job he has coveted for so long with Jaroslav Halak (right pic) getting his shot in the GLHL as Huet's backup. Time will tell if Huet is capable of being a starting netminder in the GLHL. While he was given opportunities in the past by the 'hawks he was never able to take the job away from Lord Byron. Now he has his shot and management expects him to run with it! No pressure Cristobal (wink).

Windy City Ramblings
Many thanks to Derek Chaiken for the GLHL and all his time and effort to keep it going. Now in it's 14th season! On another note, next up for the Blackhawks on Day 4 are the San Jose Sharks at the United Center in a late morning start time and then the 'hawks travel to Detroit to face Mr. Chaiken's beloved Detroit Red Wings for a midnight tilt at Joe Louis Arena. Yep, a doubleheader of sorts for Huet. Hope he's up to the task!