Today's article...

The Blues take advantage of breaks and stay determined. Blackhawks have trouble stepping on the gas. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/15OqCYJ

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Ted Drewes isn't even the best frozen custard in St Louis IMO. It is very good, but Fritz's is better. Ted Drewes is a bigger name though.
- carcus

I agree I really like Fritz's... though I am partial to Doozle's.

I missed the game, sounds like its probably for the better. Still early, they've got time to get back to form. They arent too far off, they've shown their dominance in games here and there. I think a move needs to be made either at forward or in the d pairings. Leddy just seems like he gets victimized every time he is out there. Hes not strong/aggressive enough. If you keep him around though (which could still work out i just dont see it happening) I think a move needs to be made to bring in a veteran forward. Theres gotta be some one out there that can help out the bottom six (or someone who can win a faceoff to play 2nd C). I dont know, i guess i contradicted myself by giving the "its still early" routine first then explaining what moves i want made haha. But all in all i think they will be ok no matter what happens, there should be a short leash for Leddy though.

I agree I really like Fritz's... though I am partial to Doozle's.
- faustus1500

Its a shame that doozles only had the 2 locations in Florissant and st. Charles

Great post and I too don't get it. Also could we not shake up the shoot out by sending Pirri...Saad and Shaw out there. Kane stickles hands himself out of position....Toews shoots 5 hole and Sharp closes his eyes and fires a wrister (other than against Carolina where he deked and scored) Our shoot out is all too predictable as is the outcome...another point down the toilet.
- PEIHawkFan

Shoot-outs:

Now that they've been around for 10 years or so, I'm guessing that goalies have figured out how to handle them: don't bite on the fakes, stay with the skater, cover the 5-hole - I'm guessing (don't have the stats at hand) that the scoring rate in shoot-outs keeps coming down as goalies figure out Toews 5-hole preference (he's been stopped at least twice this year trying to deke in close), Kane's slow-down-in-close moves, etc.

Time for a new way to end games.

Shaw doesn't have any inhibitions belting that jerk Jackman when he has the opportunity.

And doing that was supposed to be part of Jimmy Hayes' job description before Q signed his Greyhound bus pass back to Rockfish.
- RickJ

- BlazinMike

Who doesn't like ice cream? Communist!

I understand - But the issue here is the league that lets him get away with it The player that takes it into his own hands to police that a$$hole will be the bad guy. That is what is wrong with this joke of a league - either let the players police the ice or stop butchers from wearing a uniform. What is happening now is just plain wrong.
- powerenforcer

Nice to see the Bumdart zebras FINALLY give Jackphuck a minor after a scrum...but yes...i'd like to see somebody POUND THE LIVING PHUCK out of that clown. However, in a TIGHT GAME...picking the right time is the dilemma.

Shoot-outs:

Now that they've been around for 10 years or so, I'm guessing that goalies have figured out how to handle them: don't bite on the fakes, stay with the skater, cover the 5-hole - I'm guessing (don't have the stats at hand) that the scoring rate in shoot-outs keeps coming down as goalies figure out Toews 5-hole preference (he's been stopped at least twice this year trying to deke in close), Kane's slow-down-in-close moves, etc.

Time for a new way to end games.
- StLBravesFan

I'd love to see continuous OT in the regular season...it would never happen and I think it'd probably get old after awhile though. Cant say I'd be ok with them allowing tie's again, not interested in that.

Who doesn't like ice cream? Communist!
- Ogilthorpe2

Ice cream is fine i just dont like calling it frozen custard. Makes me gag, hence the

Shoot-outs:

Now that they've been around for 10 years or so, I'm guessing that goalies have figured out how to handle them: don't bite on the fakes, stay with the skater, cover the 5-hole - I'm guessing (don't have the stats at hand) that the scoring rate in shoot-outs keeps coming down as goalies figure out Toews 5-hole preference (he's been stopped at least twice this year trying to deke in close), Kane's slow-down-in-close moves, etc.

Time for a new way to end games.
- StLBravesFan

As awed and entertained as we fans get from time to time with shootouts, it is as much science then art for goalies. Your regular shoot out guys have a history. A track record and have done things with sample sizes 30 to 50 and higher. So, statistically, each team knows the likelihood of who is gong to shoot, and the 2 most used moves by those guys. And there is likely a trigger/tip off as to which it will be. Subtle stuff goalies see. And even if you manage to surprise the goalie, the shooter has to not only execute the move, but make the perfect shot. Not easy.

Who doesn't like ice cream? Communist!
- Ogilthorpe2

No I believe communists like ice cream too.

I'm convinced that this team has been successful in spite of Q.

Who doesn't like ice cream? Communist!
- Ogilthorpe2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxuBhemD3nk

I'm convinced that this team has been successful in spite of Q.
- Coca

Plus 1

Last year he stayed out of the way, and they did great. In playoffs, he (frank)ed with the line up before Detroit series, before finally going back to what worked all year. Did the same against the Bruins, and then when he reverted back, they won.

It is like a compulsion.

I will give him slack, as there may be some organizational stuff going on with all this rotating, but still leave guys together for 3 shifts. Yesterday, before Blues scored, Pirri, Shaw, Saad, were flying. Then two penalties etc, they did not see the ice as a unit for the next 13 minutes or so. Just stupid, then he broke them up anyways.

I'd love to see continuous OT in the regular season...it would never happen and I think it'd probably get old after awhile though. Cant say I'd be ok with them allowing tie's again, not interested in that.
- BlazinMike

Continuous OT won't happen but a change is needed for sure...The scoring system in the NHL is worse than any other major sport. If shootouts stay, which I would hope not....Need to reward more points for a regulation win or not give an automatic point for a game that ends in regulation as a tie.

Today's article...

The Blues take advantage of breaks and stay determined. Blackhawks have trouble stepping on the gas. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/15OqCYJ

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I'm convinced that this team has been successful in spite of Q.
- Coca

I think Q is a great coach and there's no other bench boss I'd rather have at the moment. Each coach has their own quirks that drive their fan bases nuts, for Q that's changing up the line combinations too much. But looking at his overall abilities I think we're lucky to have our coach.

Plus 1

Last year he stayed out of the way, and they did great. In playoffs, he (frank)ed with the line up before Detroit series, before finally going back to what worked all year. Did the same against the Bruins, and then when he reverted back, they won.

It is like a compulsion.

I will give him slack, as there may be some organizational stuff going on with all this rotating, but still leave guys together for 3 shifts. Yesterday, before Blues scored, Pirri, Shaw, Saad, were flying. Then two penalties etc, they did not see the ice as a unit for the next 13 minutes or so. Just stupid, then he broke them up anyways.
- TrueGrit

Quenneville doesn't like the overall performance of the team period.

....He was disgusted after the game and he will keep flip flopping lines until he is happy.

I understand about the 3rd line playing more but there is high priced talent on the top 2 lines and except for Hossa they were not very noticeable.

Today's article...

The Blues take advantage of breaks and stay determined. Blackhawks have trouble stepping on the gas. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/15OqCYJ

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I think Q is a great coach and there's no other bench boss I'd rather have at the moment. Each coach has their own quirks that drive their fan bases nuts, for Q that's changing up the line combinations too much. But looking at his overall abilities I think we're lucky to have our coach.
- DarthKane

No matter the coach, and what he has done, he is human. We all have tendencies. I am not saying to get rid of him or anything like that, but for perspective sake, Q is more lucky to have the talent to coach than we are to have him.

There is also a reason that coaches, who have been successful and won championships get fired too. Again not calling for it, just for perspective.

Quenneville doesn't like the overall performance of the team period.

....He was disgusted after the game and he will keep flip flopping lines until he is happy.

I understand about the 3rd line playing more but there is high priced talent on the top 2 lines and except for Hossa they were not very noticeable.

Today's article...

The Blues take advantage of breaks and stay determined. Blackhawks have trouble stepping on the gas. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/15OqCYJ

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Kane suffering after the Jackman hit? He looked at least a little lost out there after the hit.

Offense starts with the defense in Q coached teams. Blues didn't let that happen (or - Hawks couldn't find a way out) - Hawks could break cleanly out of their zone, Blues stopped/hindered/delayed/slowed down the quick outlet passes, negating Chicago's speed and sharpness in transition.

Quenneville doesn't like the overall performance of the team period.

....He was disgusted after the game and he will keep flip flopping lines until he is happy.

I understand about the 3rd line playing more but there is high priced talent on the top 2 lines and except for Hossa they were not very noticeable.

Today's article...

The Blues take advantage of breaks and stay determined. Blackhawks have trouble stepping on the gas. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/15OqCYJ

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I understand that he was not happy. As a player, it would be nice to have some stability. Yeah, jerking some new guys around and trying things out is one thing, but for experienced guys, you got to feel like you are part of a circus.

There are instances where Toews has gone out on 3 shifts and each time with at least 1 different winger.

I understand the pay scale stuff and taking advantages of whistles and stoppages of play to get your best guys out there, but it is just getting ridiculous.

I understand that he was not happy. As a player, it would be nice to have some stability. Yeah, jerking some new guys around and trying things out is one thing, but for experienced guys, you got to feel like you are part of a circus.

There are instances where Toews has gone out on 3 shifts and each time with at least 1 different winger.

I understand the pay scale stuff and taking advantages of whistles and stoppages of play to get your best guys out there, but it is just getting ridiculous.
- TrueGrit

Q isn't going anywhere...2 Cups in 4 years say so and one season, 2011 was a throw away.

New blog up...

Q isn't going anywhere...2 Cups in 4 years say so and one season, 2011 was a throw away.

New blog up...
- Al

I did not call for him going anywhere, nor do I see it happening. Pointing out some of his frustration is his own making. Overcoaching.

No matter the coach, and what he has done, he is human. We all have tendencies. I am not saying to get rid of him or anything like that, but for perspective sake, Q is more lucky to have the talent to coach than we are to have him.

There is also a reason that coaches, who have been successful and won championships get fired too. Again not calling for it, just for perspective.
- TrueGrit

That's always been my point with Q. He's never done anything great with a less than pretty good team. Let him take the Flyers to a conf final, THEN tell me how great he is. With a team like ours, you just have to not screw up to have a great year. He lost in the first round twice after winning the cup, because he coached very good, but not dominant teams. Had he won in 2011, I'd give him credit.

The FO needs to rein Q in and tell him to pick 4 lines and stick with them. Oh, and get a real PP coach ...