Theo Fox: Game 6: Hawks 6, Wings 2
A recap of the Blackhawks 6-2 win versus the Red Wings powered by a Suter hat trick.

Also noteworthy: outstanding two-way play by both Kurashev and Murphy plus Lankinen's stellar netminding.

From the last blog:

Hello Theo,

Have you heard whether the Icehogs have intra squad games as preparation for their season? With the Rockford ECHL affiliate already playing, perhaps there is not enough players for a full intra squad game..

I am curious to see how Moberg does. And cheering for Soderlund. Want to see Kyrs improved. Want to see how solid and progress made with Rogula as a professional. Morrison has been favorably reviewed but is he not a blue chip prospect. And how is Barret skating. Those are whom come to mind.
- jhawk59

I haven't seen anything about an intrasquad game but the Hogs would have enough for 3 forward lines + 2 D pairs + 1 goalie per team if they recall Busdeker and McKay from the ECHL.

And if the Hogs have in fact signed Darling, they could also recall Aubrun from the Fuel so that each intrasquad team has 2 goalies (these two + Tomkins and Morris).

[img]whom do you think Nashville starts in net?

How did Dallas beat Nashville 7-0!

Is Nashville better than last year?[/img]

Nice move posting first and taking that away

Oh and great blog.

If only it was a league full of Red Wings............

After Detroilet, looking forward how the boys perform against Nashville, 2 games on consecutive nights. I hope to see better performance sustained!

Nice move posting first and taking that away

Oh and great blog.

If only it was a league full of Red Wings............
- vabeachbear

Yes, thanks for that Theo.

Switzerland 4 Todd Bertuzzi 2

Hats off to the Wing fan who has been visiting here lately. He's right...they're bad.

Hard to gauge after those two games but the effort's been much better since they got out of Tampa.

Prolly go 50-0 the rest of the way.

Lanky's making a case to stay in, the rookies and young guys all played well vs D and apparently we need to start hating on Janmark a bit more if he responds with that type of game.

Great stuff as always Theo!

So, Detroit has better goaltending than Chicago, yet the Blackhawks looked like the much better team this weekend. Is goaltending really that important? This weekend just confused me as a Blackhawks fan. Should I get excited about this team, or put it all in perspective (playing Detroit)?

Yes, thanks for that Theo.

Switzerland 4 Todd Bertuzzi 2

Hats off to the Wing fan who has been visiting here lately. He's right...they're bad.

Hard to gauge after those two games but the effort's been much better since they got out of Tampa.


- HawkintheDProlly go 50-0 the rest of the way.

Lanky's making a case to stay in, the rookies and young guys all played well vs D and apparently we need to start hating on Janmark a bit more if he responds with that type of game.

Great stuff as always Theo!

Don’t get too far up front: still 6 left with TB - only 6 left with Detroit.

Forgetting the wins, it’s very encouraging that a couple of Chicago’s young prospects are showing that they’re ready to be developed in The Show - Suter, Mitchell, Kuraschev, Lankinen (if not Delia), probably add Hagel and Highmore as fourth-liners - note one name missing from my list.

Back-to-back against a depleted (and bad in any case) Red Wings team was good practice at least to get the team playing as a team - outlet and clearing passes, getting to the net, protecting Lankinen, actually playing a transition game....

I think the Hawks are on the lower end of the middle. I thought when the season started the Hawks were clearly behind Tampa, Carolina, and Dallas. Now Columbus has Laine. Not a playoff team without Dach and Toews. However, finding their starting goalie and building the confidence of Suter, Kurashev, Hagel, and Mitchell is huge for the future.

I expect a better effort than the first 3 games of the season, but the best I am hoping for in these 2 games is a split. We'll see how they stack up to a Nashville team that has now lost 3 in a row.

Looks like California Governor has reversed course suddenly and is lightening up on The Vid restrictions. Maybe Santa Clara County will allow the Sharks to play a home game.

Preds looked better in their 2nd game against Dallas, although Big D was without Benn and Seguin. After the first four games, I had the Hawks fighting for the first pick. Now I think the playoffs are a serious possibility.

Looks like California Governor has reversed course suddenly and is lightening up on The Vid restrictions. Maybe Santa Clara County will allow the Sharks to play a home game.

Preds looked better in their 2nd game against Dallas, although Big D was without Benn and Seguin. After the first four games, I had the Hawks fighting for the first pick. Now I think the playoffs are a serious possibility.
- mohel

If someone can knock off the Lightning for us I'm thinking Cup.

Do you Hawks fans realize how bad this Wings team is now

If someone can knock off the Lightning for us I'm thinking Cup.
- HawkintheD

If someone can knock off Brady and James, I’m thinking also Super Bowl and NBA championship.

What the (frank) is wrong with you people?

If someone can knock off Brady and James, I’m thinking also Super Bowl and NBA championship.

What the (frank) is wrong with you people?
- StLBravesFan

It’s an expression and meant knock them out of the playoffs. Geez, you took it to a dark place rather quickly, so maybe reflect on your own question.

Still up to the local officials as to whether to open up. Hockey has been played in Los Angeles and Anaheim, interesting to see if Santa Clara finally lets the Sharks play.

Do you Hawks fans realize how bad this Wings team is now
- wingz4life

Well, yeah. We just watched them. The Hawks are not some juggernaut team. When they play well (and especially show proper structure, instincts and techniques), it releases endorphins which bring on a temporary state of euphoria.

So, Detroit has better goaltending than Chicago, yet the Blackhawks looked like the much better team this weekend. Is goaltending really that important? This weekend just confused me as a Blackhawks fan. Should I get excited about this team, or put it all in perspective (playing Detroit)?
- powerenforcer

Yes, but it is not the end all, be all. Like any team sport you need the entire team on the ice playing as a unit and being able to communicate to get results. The Hawks were much better at that during these last two games than DET.

In response to your last question, the answer is both (but be specific). Be excited that they are coming together and playing much better as a team. Be excited about the rookies showing they can handle the stage and are not overwhelmed. Put in perspective that in all likelihood, they will at best be fighting for the last PO spot, and there will inevitably be many more bumps in the road.

I was impressed with Lanky the last couple of games, he comes out kind of high when the puck is at the blue line, Detroit tried to go high low and sneak a few behind Lanky but to his credit he's pretty quick and seems to really know his net. If this kid is really good he's going to screw up a lot of Hawks plans.

I thought Delia would be better after a few years in the minors but he still doesn't know where his net is.

If someone can knock off Brady and James, I’m thinking also Super Bowl and NBA championship.

What the (frank) is wrong with you people?
- StLBravesFan

I think you misinterpreted my sad attempt at humor: wasn’t suggesting you were suggesting to actually “knock off” people - just adding on to your Stanley Cup sentiment.

This went wrong very quickly....

I was impressed with Lanky the last couple of games, he comes out kind of high when the puck is at the blue line, Detroit tried to go high low and sneak a few behind Lanky but to his credit he's pretty quick and seems to really know his net. If this kid is really good he's going to screw up a lot of Hawks plans.

I thought Delia would be better after a few years in the minors but he still doesn't know where his net is.
- BetweenTheDots

Er, not sure I follow you here. What plans would be messed up by a young net minder being good? Isn't that what we are all hoping for, young guys to prove their worth?

Er, not sure I follow you here. What plans would be messed up by a young net minder being good? Isn't that what we are all hoping for, young guys to prove their worth?
- Chunk

I know it was Detroit (but I saw a glimpse in the game against Florida too), but I still say a goalie that is quieter in net makes for a less scrambly defense. Really hard for a defenseman to recover from a mistake and a turnover, when you do not know where your goaltender might be.

I think you misinterpreted my sad attempt at humor: wasn’t suggesting you were suggesting to actually “knock off” people - just adding on to your Stanley Cup sentiment.

This went wrong very quickly....
- StLBravesFan

No worries. I can usually tell when someones having a laugh. Apparently I'll have to view you through Darth goggles and apply the 90/10 rule.

Tbf Darth is more like the 99/1 or 98/2 rule.

Er, not sure I follow you here. What plans would be messed up by a young net minder being good? Isn't that what we are all hoping for, young guys to prove their worth?
- Chunk

The ones that had us picking top 3. Only 6 games but could still happen unless Suter starts averaging 3 goals a game along with the Hawks maybe having an actual goaler.

Holding off ultimate projections until we see how they look against each team in the division.

So far we know they can't compete with Tampa

THey can skate with Florida, and Detroit is just awful.

32 hopefully can take the ball and run with it. Would rather see him and Subban than Delia.

Some nice games by the younger forwards and D men this weekend.

How many games before the ledge gets full again?