Chicago Blackhawks News

Blackhawks' Campbell to miss 7-to-8 weeks
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March 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell will be sidelined seven to eight weeks as a result of injuries sustained Sunday when he was checked into the board by Washington's Alex Ovechkin, the team said Tuesday. "Brian Campbell suffered a clavicle fracture and a rib fracture on Sunday," team physician Dr. Michael Terry said in a statement. "He will likely avoid surgery and we anticipate a full recovery. He should be ready to play in approximately seven to eight weeks." Meanwhile, Ovechkin issued an apology for the hit that earned him a two-game suspension. "I am very sorry that Brian was injured and I hope he is able to return to his team soon," Ovechkin said in the statement. "NHL hockey is a ..."
Brian Campbell's injury huge void for Blackhawks to fill on defense
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March 16
Chicago Tribune
 
"Things have gone from bad to worse for the Blackhawks. Just when you thought two disastrous defeats over the weekend couldn't have been any more damaging, news hit regarding Brian Campbell's probable season-ending injury. For a team that has been struggling defensively for the last month or so, the prospect of heading into the postseason without one of its best defensemen is quite a blow. The question now is how to overcome the loss. The first answer is likely to be Nick Boynton, a former NHL All-Star defenseman the Hawks acquired from the Ducks on March 2 to provide depth. As Campbell was seeing team physician Michael Terry on Monday to further assess his broken collarbone suffered when ..."
Campbell may be out for rest of the season
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March 16
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Alex Ovechkin's boarding of Blackhawks defenseman Brian Campbell can officially be considered a ''reckless hit.'' The NHL announced Monday that the Washington Capitals superstar has been suspended two games for propelling Campbell headfirst into the boards a day earlier. The decision came hours after Ovechkin met with the league to discuss the incident. Ovechkin was suspended ''without pay, for a reckless hit,'' the official release said. That Campbell will be out for an extended period -- possibly the rest of the season -- was a decisive factor. The defenseman met with team doctors Monday to reassess what officially is being called an ''upper-body'' injury for now -- although multiple ..."
Hossa sidelined with upper-body injury, listed as day-to-day
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 (scroll down)
"Winger Marian Hossa and defenseman Kim Johnsson were both sidelined for the game with upper-body injuries and Quenneville said they were day-to-day and likely to make the trip."
Blackhawks TV spot takes fans back to 1961
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March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Lewis Lazare
"With the Stanley Cup playoffs fast approaching, it's not surprising the resurgent Blackhawks have begun to step up their marketing initiatives. What better time to boost brand loyalty and remind longtime fans -- as well as newcomers to hockey and to the Hawks -- of the team's great heritage. Toward that end, the Hawks have just unveiled a new TV spot, developed in-house, that from a kid's perspective brings that heritage into focus while suggesting today's young Blackhawks followers are a hip, technology-savvy crowd indeed. The new spot opens in a young boy's bedroom -- probably circa 1961 -- as a mother tucks her son into bed. As soon as she leaves the room, the kid pulls a transistor ..."
Lost lead ends weak weekend for Blackhawks
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March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was just a very bad weekend for the Blackhawks -- and that might be an understatement. The Hawks blew leads in the third period of back-to-back games and came away with one point. More important, they might have lost defenseman Brian Campbell for a while. The Washington Capitals -- minus superstar Alex Ovechkin for most of the game -- polished off the Hawks' weekend by rallying for a 4-3 victory in overtime Sunday before 22,289 at the United Center. Nicklas Backstrom's highlight-reel, unassisted goal capped the comeback from a 3-0 deficit 3:10 into overtime. It came a day after the Philadelphia Flyers shocked the Hawks with two goals in the final 2:04."
Captain Serious sees some serious issues with Hawks
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"As Jonathan Toews embraced the elephant in the dressing room following the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime loss Sunday to the Capitals, only two other teammates were within earshot of their captain. What a shame. Every Hawk who has been coasting since the Olympic break needed to hear what Toews had to say. If the game was any indication though, they would have stopped listening two-thirds of the way through his statement. "We've only got ourselves to blame," Toews said after Nicklas Backstrom's unassisted goal with 1 minute 50 seconds left in overtime slipped past Antti Niemi. "We have to take responsibility for it and somehow be better for the experience. … We've got the most skill in the league ..."
Hawks blow 3-goal lead in 3rd, suffer 2nd straight crushing loss
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"It's a tough call on which of the Blackhawks' meltdowns over the weekend was more spectacular. The first happened so suddenly there was little time to do anything more than grimace and look ahead to the next game. Then there was Sunday's collapse against the Capitals, which occurred during the entirety of a painful third period and ended with the Hawks falling 4-3 in overtime in front of a stunned crowd of 22,289 at the United Center. Nicklas Backstrom scored two goals, including the game-winner 3 minutes, 10 seconds into overtime, to hand the Hawks their second consecutive loss after which they held a third-period lead. Backstrom's goal capped a rally from a 3-0 deficit to give Washington ..."
Ovechkin, Hawks at odds over check
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March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Alex Ovechkin didn't think his hit on Brian Campbell warranted a five-minute boarding penalty, let alone a game misconduct. But some of the Blackhawks saw the Washington Capitals superstar's check, which knocked Campbell out of the game and possibly for an extended period, very differently. ''I thought it was a late hit,'' said Niklas Hjalmarsson, Campbell's defensive partner. ''He's obviously going to miss a couple of games, I think. I hope the league will take a good look at that because that's the kind of situation you really hurt yourself by. ''I got hit like that, too, a couple of years ago. I dislocated my shoulder. I hope they take a good look at that hit and suspend him for a ..."
Blackhawks' Campbell out for rest of the season
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March 15
Chicago Tribune
 
"Alex Ovechkin said he "just pushed" Brian Campbell. The Blackhawks saw it a bit differently from the Capitals winger's simple explanation for a hit that possibly ended Campbell's regular season and ended Ovechkin's day early when he was tossed during the first period of Washington's 4-3 overtime victory Sunday at the United Center. After Campbell had passed the puck, Ovechkin checked the defenseman and sent him flying shoulder first into the end boards. Campbell was down on the ice for several minutes before slowly skating off the ice, and he could miss significant time. According to a source, Campbell is out for at least the rest of the regular season after suffering a broken collarbone. ..."
Flyers give Hawks, Huet 'nightmares'
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March 14
Daily Southtown
 
"Goalie Cristobal Huet described the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers as ''something you have nightmares about.'' It also was ''frustrating'' and something that ''should have never happened.'' Huet allowed the tiebreaking goal to Chris Pronger with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, and the Flyers rallied in the final minutes to defeat the Hawks before a crowd of 19,858 at Wachovia Center. The nightmarish feelings, though, had nothing to do with the fact that Huet is competing with Antti Niemi for the No. 1 goalie job in the postseason. They simply had more to do with the Hawks losing a 2-1 lead with just more than two minutes left. Marian Hossa had given the Hawks ..."
'Amazing' Ovechkin at UC for one day only
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Alex Ovechkin will have his chances when the Blackhawks host the Washington Capitals today at the United Center. All great players do, and Ovechkin, who leads the NHL with 96 points, is arguably the greatest today. ''Like any good player, you want to get on him and have a good gap,'' Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith said. ''He's obviously a great player, and he's going to get the puck and make some plays. You just try to limit the amount he gets.''"
Blackhawks suffer tough late loss
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March 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Goalie Cristobal Huet described the Blackhawks' 3-2 loss Saturday to the Philadelphia Flyers as ''something you have nightmares about.'' It was also ''frustrating'' and something that ''should have never happened.'' Huet allowed the tiebreaking goal to Chris Pronger with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, and the Flyers rallied in the final minutes to defeat the Hawks before a crowd of 19,858 at Wachovia Center. The nightmarish feelings, though, had nothing to do with the fact that Huet is competing with Antti Niemi for the No. 1 goalie job in the postseason. They simply had more to do with the Hawks losing a 2-1 lead with just more than two minutes left. Marian Hossa had given the Hawks the ..."
Flyers' goal with 2.1 seconds left sinks Hawks
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"Chris Pronger scored with 2.1 seconds remaining in the third period to lift the Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks at Wachovia Center. Kris Versteeg and Marian Hossa scored in the third for the Hawks. Cristobal Huet suffered the loss in goal despite a strong effort for much of the game."
Capitals bring firepower to United Center
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"In a weekend filled with challenges, the Blackhawks face maybe the biggest one of all Sunday as Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals into the United Center. Ovechkin leads the NHL in scoring with 44 goals and 52 assists. His play not only has made him the favorite for the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player, it also has helped the Capitals to the best record in the league. They are 45-14-9 for 99 points and already have clinched the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference. "I don't know if anybody goes harder to the net or shoots harder or even hits harder," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "He plays at a different level or pace than most players. He brings it every shift, ..."
Hawks suffer devastating 3-2 loss
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March 14
Chicago Tribune
 
"For nearly 58 minutes Saturday, Cristobal Huet and the Blackhawks played exactly the way they need to if they're going to be a force during the stretch run of the regular season and into the NHL playoffs. It was the final 124 seconds against the Flyers that may cause some doubt about whether this will be a magical season for the goaltender and the Hawks. After playing well deep into the third period and holding the lead against the Flyers in a hard-fought battle, the Hawks yielded two goals in the final 2 minutes 4 seconds of the game — including Chris Pronger's game-winner with 2.1 seconds remaining — and fell 3-2 at Wachovia Center. "It's frustrating and embarrassing; it should never ..."
An Inauspicious Return to the N.H.L. for Chelios at 48
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March 14
New York Times
 
"Defenseman Chris Chelios, a 48-year-old veteran of 25 N.H.L. seasons, played in his 26th last week. He was recalled by the Atlanta Thrashers from their Chicago Wolves farm team, where his plus-34 mark was one of the best in the American Hockey League. Chelios is the second-oldest player in league history; Gordie Howe played for Hartford in 1980 at 51. Chelios did not have a strong outing in his first game Thursday against Columbus, a 2-1 loss. He accidentally deflected a puck past his goaltender for the first Blue Jackets goal and mistakenly forayed into the offensive zone, leading to the second. "I was hoping to come in and give the team a shot of adrenaline," Chelios said. "I've got to ..."
Hawks paying price for Huet: Will likely buy out or bury big contract
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March 14
Toronto Sun
 
"The Chicago Blackhawks will have to take a long, hard look at their goaltending at the end of the season. By sticking with the overpaid, underachieving Cristobal Huet at the deadline, GM Stan Bowman faces a big problem trying to fit all the pieces of his club under next season's salary cap. Not only do the Hawks have Huet under contract for two more years at an average of $5.625 million (all terms US), they will try to find a way to sign Antti Niemi, who has taken over as their No. 1 goaltender. Niemi — making $827,000 this season — can become a restricted free agent July 1 and go to arbitration, where he would likely be awarded $1.75-$2.25 million. The Hawks are already hard up against ..."
Blackhawks will ratchet up the intensity in remaining 16 games
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March 13
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The battles will be tougher. The chances will be minimal. And the games will simply be better. It's not the NHL playoffs yet, but the Blackhawks' final 16 games should definitely have a playoff feel. ''A lot of these other teams are picking up their games, and we're getting close to the end,'' Jonathan Toews said Friday after practice. ''We got to be ready for that, and we got to find a way to motivate ourselves to be at the top of our game because it's not going to be easy to win those games.'' Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Kings, the fifth-best team in the Western Conference as of Friday, definitely had the characteristics of a playoff matchup. It was low-scoring and physical, ..."
Blackhawks ink minor-league defenseman
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks signed defenseman Ryan Stanton to a three-year, entry-level contact. The deal will begin at the start of the 2010-11 season. The 20-year-old Stanton has 10 goals and 30 assists in 57 games with the Moose Jaw of the Western Hockey League this season."
Busy stretch looming for Blackhawks
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks wiil be early risers this weekend. They will take on the Flyers in a Saturday matinee in Philadelpha, then head back to Chicago for an 11:30 a.m., nationally televised showdown Sunday against the top team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals, at the United Center. The games kick off a stretch of five contests in eight days for the Hawks, and includes a trip to the West Coast and Phoenix next week. "We have some top opponents and some tough games in some tough buildings," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We're going to Philly. We haven't been there in a while. We know they're playing better. They're one of the teams that we have to be aware of and then you come home against ..."
Weekend showdown for Hawks goalies?
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March 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"This weekend could go a long way toward settling the Blackhawks' uncertain goaltending situation. Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi could play and prove themselves capable of capturing the No. 1 job as they continue to audition for coach Joel Quenneville. Huet will start Saturday against the Flyers in Philadelphia and Niemi is likely to get the call Sunday when the Hawks play host to the Capitals. There are 16 regular-season games remaining for one of the goalies to seize control. "They'll both get a chance to play," Quenneville told reporters Friday. "Hopefully they're both playing well and hopefully we have a tough decision to make. We feel that they're both capable of getting the ball and ..."
Better goalies not the only goal
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Carol Slezak
"Oh, to be young and gifted like the Blackhawks. This team truly believes it can outscore anyone. And more often than not, it does. For most of the season, the Hawks seemed to be on cruise control. Maybe winning was coming too easy for them. Hey, look at us, we can turn it on whenever we want! But the Hawks have played like only an average team in the games leading up to the Olympic break and immediately after the break. And we blamed the goalies, as if it was all their fault. It's easy to forget that for most of the season Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet were good enough. And it's easy to overlook the fact that their recent poor play has coincided with some sloppy play in front of them. ..."
Re-energized third line posts first-rate stats
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March 12
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"No goal was arguably more important Wednesday night than Kris Versteeg's game-tying score in the second period. The Los Angeles Kings had seized momentum with two goals early in the period, and the Hawks appeared to be on the verge of another collapse in the middle 20 minutes. But Versteeg's goal put an end to it. The winger scored on a put-back of his own rebound, with Andrew Ladd and John Madden getting assists. It was another sign that the Hawks' third line of Versteeg, Madden and Ladd is clicking. They have combined for six goals, four assists and a plus-8 rating in the Hawks' last three games. ''We seem to be playing really well,'' Ladd said Thursday. ''All three of us have been ..."
Another Savvy move by Hawks
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 columnist Dan Mcneil
"If Denis Savard ever took another stab at being an NHL coach, it would be easy for many of us to root for his team. Unless, of course, they're playing the Blackhawks. In that case, there would remain — in Savard-speak — a commitment to the Indian. Meanwhile, I'm all good with the Blackhawks continuing to pay homage to yesterday's stars, as they did with Savvy on Wednesday night. Before the Hawks' 3-2 overtime win over Los Angeles, the man canned for Joel Quenneville four games into last season took another bow and dropped the ceremonial first puck. I've heard a few grumbles via the usual social networks about the Hawks continuing to live in the past with a Barnum & Bailey approach to every ..."
Hawks look to shore up defense
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March 12
Chicago Tribune
 
"It was team picture day for the Blackhawks on Thursday followed by an optional practice during which several players took to the ice wearing teammates' sweaters. Andrew Ladd appeared as Jonathan Toews, Dustin Byfuglien impersonated Patrick Sharp, Adam Burish was Marian Hossa and so on. Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi didn't get into the jersey-swapping antics as they remained two net-minders with a common desire: to capture the No. 1 goaltending job and keep it throughout the looming postseason. Niemi appeared to take a step in that direction Wednesday night when he back-stopped the Hawks to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Kings. With how well the Hawks played defensively in front of him, ..."
Burish back on beat with a big smack attack
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"More than anything, Adam Burish wanted to ''smack someone'' on the Los Angeles Kings. And when he finally did Wednesday night, it seemed as if months of frustration was released for the high-energy Blackhawk. Burish fought Rich Clune just minutes into the game and afterward threw his arms in the air, seemingly out of pure celebration. The popular agitator and pest was back, and received a standing ovation for his effort. After all, it was Burish's first game since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the preseason. ''The day I had surgery is the day we left for Europe [for the NHL opener],'' said Burish, who set up Patrick Sharp for the first goal moments before his fight. ..."
Sharp's second best in OT
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March 11
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville outlined his criteria for what he's looking for in his No. 1 goaltender a day before his team hosted the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night. The looked-for characteristics and tendencies included: • A goalie ''the guys are playing well in front'' of. • A goalie ''whose confidence extends outside the crease.'' • A goalie who is both ''predictable [and] dependable.'' • A goalie who maintains ''rebound control.'' • And a goalie who is ''comfortable and confident in the net.'' Antti Niemi may not have succeeded in all of the above, but he played well enough to post a 3-2 overtime victory over the playoff-bound Kings before 21,850 at the United Center. ..."
Burish contributes right away in season debut
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March 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"Adam Burish wasn't hard to spot when the Blackhawks took the ice Wednesday night against the Kings. He was the guy with a wide grin plastered on his face. The forward was thrilled to make his season debut after knee surgery during the preseason. Burish was even more excited when he assisted on Patrick Sharp's goal just eight seconds into his first shift and more so still after a fight with the Kings' Rich Clune 13 seconds later. While missing the Hawks' first 65 games, Burish tried to use the time constructively. "One of the good things about sitting out is you can watch the game and you kind of see yourself in those situations," said Burish, who pumped his fist as he headed to the penalty ..."
Blackhawks win 3-2 in OT
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March 11
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks raced out of the gate with another strong start to grab the lead Wednesday night against the Kings. And then they coughed it up in the second period. Sound familiar? The Hawks' second-period woes continued as they experienced another letdown before eventually righting the ship and pulling out a 3-2 overtime victory over the Kings before a crowd of 21,850 at the United Center. The triumph was the Hawks' seventh in their last nine games and they rejoined the Sharks at the top of the Western Conference standings with 93 points off a 44-17-5 record. Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Sharp again scored and Antti Niemi put in a solid effort in goal as he continues his battle with ..."
Fans on 'tenderhooks
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Rick Morrissey
"The Blackhawks have finally arrived. We know this because Hawks fans booed goalie Cristobal Huet during a 5-4 loss Sunday to Detroit and afterward lamented the sorry state of goaltending in this miserable hellhole of a town they call home. OK, so they were depressed. Blackhawks followers think they'd have a decent chance of posing with the Stanley Cup in the offseason if only the team could find a goalie who didn't have the fine motor skills of an inchworm. They and others are telling us the Hawks can't win with Huet and Antti Niemi. On Tuesday, hockey analyst and former Hawks goalie Darren Pang told WSCR-AM (670) that the Hawks aren't title contenders ''the way that they are playing right ..."
Quenneville looking for take-charge goalie
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March 10
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Blackhawks' one goal for now is to find one goaltender to carry the bulk of load in the playoffs. But figuring out whom that exactly is hasn't been too easy for coach Joel Quenneville. Antti Niemi will start tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. The rookie got the nod from Quenneville on Tuesday after Cristobal Huet started the last three games and had his chance to ''take control'' of the net. ''[Niemi] started the first game after [the Olympic break],'' Quenneville said after practice. ''He gets the chance to get back into the net, and we'll see how he responds.'' Neither Huet nor Niemi have been impressive lately. Both have been chased since the break -- although defensive lapses ..."
Hawks must solve second period blues
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March 10
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks continue to look for fixes for their second period blues. The middle 20 minutes have been problematic since they resumed NHL play after last month's Winter Olympics break. The Hawks have surrendered 12 second period goals in four games, including five to the Red Wings in Sunday's 5-4 Detroit victory at the United Center. "It certainly was a disappointing game here at home. We had the start and lost it all in the second," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Tuesday as his team prepared for Wednesday's home game against the Kings. "We need to play the same way we start and finish the same way," he said "That second period lull, it seems that we give away the momentum or ..."
Hawks defenseman Keith one of best -- and getting better
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March 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"It was only a joke. But it spoke volumes as to what type of player Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith was about to become. ''We always joked in the minors that there would come a point in his career that he might be able to play the whole game,'' said Trent Yawney, a former Hawks coach and defenseman who mentored Keith for two years with the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. ''When he gets tired, everybody else is crawling off the ice.'' Keith, 26, leads the Hawks in ice time this season and for the last four years. He also logged the most minutes for Canada, which had several standout defensemen, during its Olympic gold-medal run. But believe it or not, there was a time ..."
Out Loud: Denis Savard
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March 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"My dad always used to tell me, "Never lose your skates.'' He thought that if I ever lost my skates, I'd have a tough time doing well in life. As a kid, when you wondered what you did wrong, mom would come back and be the buffer behind him. If you didn't play hockey, I don't know what we'd have done (1). You'd have 6-10 friends you were playing with and when you got to the rink, there were 70, 80, 90 people on the ice. The first one that would get there would get the nets. The next group would get the cross-ice corner. The next one would get the other cross-ice corner. So, that would be three games going on. Then there would be another game going on between the blue lines. You'd have four ..."
Brouwer's goal now 25 goals
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March 9
Chicago Tribune
 
"Troy Brouwer was thinking big before the season when he set a goal of scoring 20 times. Now that 19 of his shots have found the mark with 17 regular-season games remaining, the Blackhawks winger has elevated his thinking. "I always knew I could score," said Brouwer, who has played in all 65 of the Hawks' games. "I've kind of done it at every level. Obviously, I'm not going to be satisfied with where I am now. I want to push the number higher and my new goal is 25 — though I'd like to get that next one first." Brouwer, who has soared past his previous best of 10 goals in 69 games during his rookie season of 2008-09, will get the chance when the Hawks play host to the Kings on Wednesday ..."
Ladd likes hat but win is preferable
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March 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Andrew Ladd didn't find any solace in getting his first career hat trick Sunday in the Blackhawks' 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. ''It's nice to get it,'' Ladd said. ''It would have been a lot nicer with two points as well.'' Ladd has been one of the most productive Hawks the last two games. He provided the team with a spark Friday against the Vancouver Canucks by going after Ryan Kesler early on. He later scored in the 6-3 victory. Against the Red Wings, Ladd took advantage of a turnover by Valtteri Filppula for an unassisted goal in the first period and scored two goals in the third. He also had team highs with six shots, four hits and three blocks."
Call leads to collapse Hawks' loss to Wings
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March 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Things started to go south for the Blackhawks when Patrick Kane's power-play goal early in the second period was waved off. The call? Referee Steve Kozari ruled that Dustin Byfuglien interfered with Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard, even though it wasn't serious enough to warrant a penalty. Moments later, the Red Wings -- showing why they should be considered the last team anyone would want to face in the playoffs -- seized the momentum. Detroit scored its first of five second-period goals 4:12 into the period, then held off the Hawks for a 5-4 victory Sunday before 22,309 at the United Center. Defensive lapses, poor decision-making and an opportunistic Red Wings attack were the main ..."
3 goals nice, but 2 points would have made Ladd happier
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March 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"It appeared the United Center crowd was too stunned to react after witnessing the Blackhawks' first hat trick of the season Sunday. Finally, about the same time Andrew Ladd was done celebrating with teammates, the first hat hit the ice and it was followed by a flurry of others. Ladd had his first career three-goal game in his 304th NHL contest when the veteran winger beat goaltender Jimmy Howard midway through the third period of the Red Wings' 5-4 victory. "It's nice to get it," Ladd said. "It would have been a lot nicer if we had the two points as well." Ladd has four goals in the Hawks' last two games to tie his career high of 15 set last season. "I've been feeling better lately and ..."
Blackhawks can't give up on goalie Cristobal Huet
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March 8
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"Unlike the four goals he gave up in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Red Wings at the United Center, Blackhawks goalie Cristobal Huet had a good, clear view of one of the worst losses of the season. "Obviously, it's my responsibility and I don't hide from that,'' Huet said softly outside the Hawks' dressing room. "But I felt pretty good. I thought I was ready. I'll be fine. I think everybody let everybody down today.'' No matter how true Huet's words may ring, the boos ringing from the crowd of 22,309 weren't meant for the ears of everybody. They weren't intended for every Blackhawk sloppy on defense or shoddy with the puck. They were directed at Huet, mercifully pulled 10 minutes, 27 seconds into ..."
'Unacceptable' 2nd period buries Blackhawks
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March 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"The puck crossed the line, Patrick Kane's arms were raised and the crowd was cheering. And then it all fell apart. With the waving of referee Steve Kozari's arms, the celebration quickly became a nightmare as Kane's power-play score that would have given the Blackhawks a three-goal lead over the Red Wings early in the second period Sunday was disallowed. The call seemed to deflate the Hawks and Detroit pounced to reel off five consecutive goals in the period to rally to a 5-4 victory in front of a season-high crowd of 22,309 at the United Center. Kozari ruled that Hawks winger Dustin Byfuglien had interfered with goaltender Jimmy Howard just before Kane's score, and instead of a big lead ..."
Red Wings hang on to beat Blackhawks, 5-4, after five-goal second-period outburst
Comment
March 7
Michigan Live
 
"The Chicago Blackhawks are far ahead of the Detroit Red Wings in the standings. But games like Sunday's provide hope for Detroit that perhaps the wide gap will be irrelevant should the teams meet in the playoffs. The Red Wings erased an early deficit with a five-goal, second-period outburst and held on in the third period to defeat the high-flying Blackhawks 5-4 at the United Center in a nationally televised matinee game. Andrew Ladd notched a hat trick for the Blackhawks, including two goals in the third period to cut Detroit's lead to 5-4. Chicago had a good opportunity to tie the game on the power play, but the Red Wings hung on to win for the fourth time in their last five games. They ..."
Hawks set to 'step up' their game
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March 7
Daily Southtown
 
""Different" was the word Jonathan Toews used to describe the Blackhawks' rivalries with the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. "The one with Detroit, they're a heck of a team," Toews said. "They're the type of team you step your game up against. I think (the rivalry with the Canucks) it's become much more personal. The things that happen after the whistle or things that are exchanged in the media, it's very personal. ... It's much different." So there probably won't be as many scraps as there were Friday against the Canucks, but the Hawks still won't have trouble finding extra motivation today. After all, Detroit ended the Hawks' playoff run last season. The Hawks lead the season ..."
Mike Babcock: Deep Blackhawks are best in NHL right now
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March 7
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Chicago Blackhawks are tied for first place in the Western Conference with the San Jose Sharks and are considered the team to beat by some Red Wings. The Wings visit the Blackhawks at 12:30 p.m. today in a nationally televised game. "Chicago looks like it's got a little more depth up front," said Wings forward Dan Cleary. "I think Chicago could be the better team. I like their depth and the back end. Both teams obviously had a great start to their season. We'll see what happens. "They're a good team. They've got a good record, good players, and they're playing a good system, great defensively. We just have to do our thing. When we're on, we're just as good a team or better.""
Former Hawks great Esposito defends Huet, Niemi
Comment
March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 columnist Carol Slezak
"As the NHL trade deadline passed Wednesday, legendary Blackhawks goalie Tony Esposito responded with a shrug. He never expected the Hawks to trade for a goalie. Why would they? In his opinion, Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi are more than good enough to get the job done. ''The record speaks for itself,'' Esposito said. ''I don't have to say anything. Just look at their records.'' The problem is not with the goalies, he said; the problem is that people always criticize. It's human nature. The Hawks' record says they're one of the top teams in the NHL, but people still want to find flaws. ''What people are truly talking about is that the goalies are not proven commodities as far as the ..."
Toews: Rivalry with Canucks very personal
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March 7
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Jonathan Toews used ''different'' to describe the Blackhawks' rivalries with the Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks. ''The one with Detroit -- they're a heck of a team,'' Toews said. ''They're the type of team you step your game up against. I think [with Vancouver] it's become more personal. The things that happen after the whistle or things that are exchanged in the media, it's very personal. ... It's much different." So there probably won't be as many scraps today as there were Friday against the Canucks, but the Hawks still won't have trouble finding some extra motivation against the Red Wings, who ended the Hawks' playoff run last season. The Hawks lead the season series 3-1, but ..."
It's a role reversal for Hawks and Wings
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March 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Blackhawks and Red Wings are used to meeting with one of the rivals running away with the Central Division and the other battling for its playoff life. This time around it's with a twist as the Hawks are in command in the Central and heading into Saturday's NHL games were on top of the Western Conference standings. The Wings, who will see their string of eight consecutive division titles end this season, were holding the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. That means that if the standings held true over the last 18 games of the regular season as they were through Friday, the Original Six foes would face off in the first round of the playoffs. "It's never too early to start ..."
Chicago Blackhawks coast to easy 6-3 win over Vancouver Canucks
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March 6
Vancouver Province
 
"It's been a while since a Vancouver Canucks lineup has faced 40 minutes of garbage time. But the Chicago Blackhawks did something in the first 20 minutes on Friday night at the United Centre that they were unable to do in three whole games against the Canucks earlier this season — score five goals. The Hawks rode their first-period flurry to an easy 6-3 win, evening the season series between the bitter foes at 2-2. Chicago had managed just four goals in total over the first three meetings between the clubs. As Canucks statement-games go, this one said "We surrender!" "It was horrible, let's put it that way," said Daniel Sedin, who like his brother Henrik has gone 10 games now without ..."
Kesler and Ladd continue their feud
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March 6
Vancouver Sun
 
"Ryan Kesler declined the invitation to fight the player he had called a coward. Thirty-seven seconds into Friday night's one-sided game, Chicago winger Andrew Ladd went at Kesler in the corner and tried to goad the Canuck centre into a fight. "I fought him already and you know some of my teammates told me to leave him alone," Kesler said after the Canucks dropped a 6-3 decision to the Hawks. "I don't think it's a good tradeoff for our team. Me sitting in the box with him for five minutes isn't something I want to do." The feud between Ladd and Kesler goes back to last spring's playoffs when Ladd cross-checked Kesler in the face. In the teams' most recent meeting, Jan. 23 in Vancouver, the ..."