Miracle In the Net

     Not to be outdone by a college team, the Blackhawks have somehow managed to make a dent in the news cycle while playing out the string on a shockingly moribund season. And all they had to do was put an accountant in goal. Let me back up for a moment: the '17-'18 Blackhawks are one of the biggest conflagrations in Chicago history not triggered by Mrs. O'Leary. One big reason for this is a spate of injuries that have hit the team early and often. On this particular occasion, one of their goalies went down. They called a guy up from Rockford, but it turns out this wasn't enough, as this guy started not feeling well later on in the game. Luckily, the Hawks have a team of skilled amateur players who are at the United Center for each game who can act as emergency fill-ins for either team. The back-up goalie went down, the Hawks turned to their bullpen, and fortunately, someone answered. That someone was 36 year-old accountant Scott Foster, he was called out onto the ice, warmed up, and proceeded to stop all 7 of the shots he faced to close out the game. The game ends, Hawks win, Foster is mobbed by his new teammates, and he went back to work as an accountant today. Just a day in the life of a backup backup goalie.

The Ice Crew

     With all of the fun going on at the Chicago Auto Show, even the Blackhawks had to get involved. The team is sponsoring a family fun area in the Northwest corner of the South Hall. It features a B96 stage, games, cars, and even a table where Chicago sports stars are making appearances throughout the show. Daniel Carcillo was there earlier in the week, and Dan Hampton will be there coming up. Also making appearances throughout the show are the Blackhawks Ice Crew. The Ice Crew is a team of "creative, energetic cheerleaders who want to give [Hawks] fans the ultimate hockey experience". They make appearances at home games throughout the year, as well as special events(like the Auto Show for instance). They were also posing for pictures and I got one:

     Along with the appearance being made, there was a specially branded Blackhawks vehicle on display as well. The Auto Show continues through Sunday, with much more to see and experience.

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Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Central: Let's Party!

     Well, we rode the Lightning alright. And after 3 days worth of riding the city's bars harder than a mechanical bull, the Hawks are ready to parade in front of their city showing off their fancy new hardware. Crowds of adoring fans will clamor to see the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe Trophy. The double-decker buses will roll through the streets of the city as they did in 2010 and 2013, until they reach the jam-packed Museum Campus, at which point the festivities will move over to Soldier Field for the rally. (Why no Grant Park? The field still isn't dry from Monday's deluge, and putting 100,000 people in a muddy field is not a wise decision.) How drunk will the players be? Just how X-Rated will Corey Crawford get this time? How many people will expose themselves during the 2-hour wait? And will the weather hold together for all of it? All of those questions and more will be answered tomorrow. And believe you me, I'll be back with all of the gritty details.

Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Final Central: Names

     Kyle Baun. Bryan Bickell. Daniel Carcillo. Corey Crawford. Kyle Cumiskey. Phillip Danault. Scott Darling. Andrew Desjardins. Ryan Hartman.Niklas Hjalmarsson. Marian Hossa. Patrick Kane. Duncan Keith. Marcus Kruger. Joakim Nordstrom. Johnny Oduya. Michael Paliotta. Ville Pokka. Antti Raanta. Brad Richards. Michal Rozsival. David Rundblad. Brandon Saad. Brent Seabrook. Patrick Sharp. Andrew Shaw. Viktor Svedberg. Teuvo Teravainen. Kimmo Timonen. Jonathan Toews. Trevor van Riemsdyk. Antoine Vermette. Kris Versteeg.

     These gentlemen are just 40 minutes away from winning the Stanley Cup on Home Ice for the first time in 77 years. They can make history. They've just got to close it out. Come on boys, you can do it.

GO HAWKS

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Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Final Central: Chicago Blackhawks man, Join the Hype Train!

     Ever since the Hawks won Game 5, the city has been salivating at the chance to win the Cup on home ice for the first time since 1938. Yeah, that's right. A National League Pennant has been raised in Chicago more recently than the Stanley Cup has been. Preparations for what might happen tonight are already underway. The Tribune Tower is decked out in a big Hawks banner:

     Nearby the Tribune Tower, the Official Blackhawks Store is doing land-office business, so much so that it might need to be renamed the Madhouse on Michigan. Meanwhile in Wrigleyville, the authorities are preparing right now. First off, the area already got a taste of Cup Fever on Saturday:

     Now combine that with what you may recall seeing back in 2013:

     And you've got something that the powers that be definitely don't want to happen again. To that end, there were reports of barricades going up all up and down Clark St. so that if the Hawks do win, the masses of liquored-up twentysomethings stay on the sidewalks. Finally, with the Hawks able to win it all tonight, there will be an additional guest at the United Center tonight. Earlier today, they were seen going through Security:

PUCK DROPS IN 7 HOURS

GO HAWKS

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Chicago 365: Stanley Cup Final Central: LET'S GO HAWKS!

     After a thrilling comeback victory at home in Wednesday's Game 4 that finally featured Patrick Kane getting a point for this series, the Final shifts back to Amalie Arena for Game 5. Ben Bishop took part in the morning skate, but there is no official word on his status for the game. There isn't even any official word on why Bishop hasn't played, so who knows what's really going on there? As far as the Blackhawks, our stars finally started playing like they mean it in Game 4, with Toews scoring a goal, Kane notching an assist, and Keith continuing his practice of living on the ice. Hopefully we can continue the press, because Tampa has proven to be relentless. Winning tonight would put us in a GREAT position, since then we can be one win away, and come back to our barn on Monday night with the Stanley Cup in the building. What an inspiration that would be. But we can't think about that at all till we win tonight. Puck drops in just over an hour.

GO HAWKS

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Weekends Can Get Crazy Around Here

     Summer is officially upon us, and it's hitting us with everything it's got. Trekkies from around the world are converging on the Westin O'Hare for Creation Entertainment's annual Star Trek Convention which goes through Sunday. Meanwhile, just up the road at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, MyFreeCams is hosting the Exxxotica Expo, a salute to all things hot and kinky. So we've got Trek fans and Adult Entertainment fans covered, what about Music fans? Fear not, for we've also got the Spring Awakening Festival going on at Soldier Field for those EDM lovers, and Blues Fest is happening at Grant Park. On top of all of that, Saturday will also see the World Naked Bike Ride taking place. And finally, even though we may be nerds, nudists, Adult Afficianados, EDM geeks, and bluesmen, we're all Blackhawks fans. Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final starts at 7 PM on Saturday. All that, and I'll be bringing as much coverage of it as I can to you.

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Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Final Central: Double Down and Win!

     The cards are on the table. After two one-goal losses in a row making them lose back to back games for the first time this postseason, the Hawks are down 2-1 in the Stanley Cup Final. We have to pull it out and win tonight. Get the puck to Kaner, work some magic, I don't know. But I sure as hell don't want to be going back to Tampa in a 3-1 hole to these upstarts. So the challenge has been issued. Let's win tonight!

GO HAWKS!

 



Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Central: We Have Met The Enemy, and He is No Slouch(for most of the game anyway)

     Last night was Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, and for the first two periods, it really looked like the Bolts had us on the run. They fired one in past Crawford 4 minutes in, and then spent the next two Periods out-skating and out-playing the Blackhawks. Finally the Hawks broke through 13 minutes into the 3rd Period when Teuvo Teravainen shot one past Ben Bishop. 1:58 later, the Hawks would strike again with Antoine Vermette scoring on a goal set up by Teravainen. Crawford once again defended the net from a flurry of last minute shots, and the Hawks won to take a 1-0 lead in the series. In the lead up to the Final, much had been said about the Lightning's advantages, and that their dispatching of 3 Original Six teams served notice on the Hawks. And I will tell you, for the first 2 periods, I saw what they were talking about. In short:

     (Thank you Dennis Green). But then the craziest thing happened at the end of the game. All of a sudden the Hawks started finding opportunities. I've heard some comments attribute that to Tampa merely trying to hold on to the victory instead of putting the team away. If that's true, it's not good. If you're playing a team, you've gotta play to win. You've gotta play to kill EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. You can't let up for one minute, even if you're nursing a 3 goal lead.

     All week I've been eschewing talk of this being a short series, but if Tampa continues to let up while they're only nursing a 1 goal lead, this is going to be a 4-game sweep and we'll be having a parade next week. If the Lightning find their tenacity from the beginning of the game, this Final could easily go 7 games with many overtimes in between. What kind of series will we get? I guess we'll have to wait till the puck drops on Game 2(6:15 on Saturday) to find out.

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Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Central: The Quest for Forever Begins Now

     The recaps are over. The posturing has reached a fever pitch. The time for talk has ended, and the hype train is pulling up to Tampa's Amalie Arena for Game 1 of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. Much has been written about the disparities between the squads, about the fact that the Hawks are the most playoff-tested team in the NHL right now, and even the great disparity in experience between Joel Quenneville and Jon Cooper. But these teams are playing for something more than a title. They're playing for immortality:

     Most of the pundits are picking the Hawks, because it seems like the obvious choice. Even a woman's pet cockatoo seems to be committing to the Indian. However, the Lightning are not to be discounted. Their path to the Final went through Detroit, Montreal, and the Rangers. Three Original Six teams, not to mention knocking off New York at home in Game 7, breaching the fortress that is known as Madison Square Garden. Those facts give the Bolts a whole hell of a lot of legitimacy and panache. Even with those qualifications, I'm not picking against my home team.

Blackhawks in 6

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GO HAWKS

Chicago 365 Stanley Cup Final Central: They're Just Jealous.

     The Stanley Cup Final starts tonight, and if the Tampa Bay Lightning have their way there won't be very many Hawks fans in attendance. They are following the lead of the Predators, and restricting ticket sales to Florida residents. That part is dubious enough, but here's the rub. In certain areas of Amalie Arena, the team is actually RESTRICTING WHAT SWEATERS FANS CAN WEAR. Tampa, right now your policies are making you look like this:

Or are you just looking like this?:

     First off, this kind of bush-league move is so childish as to be embarrassing. Secondly, this will most likely have the opposite effect, as if anything it will inflame the passions of Hawks fans even more. Not only that, but I have a feeling that there are more than a few Florida residents willing to buy tickets on behalf of out-of-towners(for a piece of the action, of course). In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there are MORE Hawks fans than there would have been. On the other side of things, Mayor Emanuel has issued a statement extending a big Chicago welcome to ALL Floridians here for the games:

     Yes Tampa fans, we'll gladly welcome you to our city, take your money, then let you watch as we beat the Bolts like they owe us money!

The puck drops in 8 hours, 27 minutes

 

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: One More For Half of The Marbles.

     This is it. The time for talking, posturing, and bragging has ended. The Blackhawks are in Anaheim tonight, trying to win 2 in a row for the first time since polishing off the Wild in Round 2. The fans are fired up. The city is alive. Bars everywhere from Winnetka to Chicago to Plainfield and everywhere in between are buzzing with fans hungry for another Hawks win. And the Hawks are gonna do all they can to give their loyal fans the win. Tampa Bay awaits in the Stanley Cup Final, but first we have to take care of business tonight. Puck drops in 13 Minutes.

ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL. GO HAWKS

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Playing For Our Lives

     Folks, the Duck Hunt isn't going quite as smoothly as it could be. After see-sawing through the first 5 games(including the longest game in Hawks history), and enduring passive-aggressive tweets from Emilio Estevez, we're at Game 6, as well as the doorstep of elimination. I could say that the Hawks are 9-4 in elimination games since their resurgence. I could say that the Hawks are 12-1 in Game 6 during that same time. But what I really want to say is just two words: Hawks Win. Let's make that happen tonight. I'll be back with a recap later

Game Update: Blackhawks lead 3-0 with 5:54 left in the 2nd Period.

GO HAWKS

Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Duck Hunt

     Last night the Anaheim Ducks finished off the Calgary Flames in OT, which means we finally know who we're playing in the next round. The Series hasn't started yet, but thanks to some technical wizardry, I already have 5 minutes of game footage right here:

     Our last Conference Finals trip out west didn't exactly go as planned, but let's hope that the Hawks can use the momentum generated from dispatching Minnesota and take down Anaheim.

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The Shot Part 2

     Last night the Bulls proved victorious in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, taking a 2-1 lead over Cleveland. This is significant by itself, as this is the first time that the Bulls have managed to win more than one game against King James & Co. in a playoff series. But that's not all. Last night's game was also special in how it ended. Let's roll the footage:

     On first glance, that might look A LOT like another game-winning Bulls playoff shot, one that I just mentioned yesterday. Let's see that one:

     Yup. Same team, same opponent, same situation, 26 years apart. Cleveland can't win for losing. As previously mentioned, the Bulls have now won two games against LeBron for the first time ever in a playoff series. Speaking of James, he was held to only 27 points in last night's game, down from his 33 in Game 2. Hopefully the Bulls can take this momentum and run with it. The Cavs may be down, but don't count them out just yet. The Bulls have to be tenacious and unrelenting if they want to make it through this round. Game 4 tips off at the United Center at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon.

     As for the Blackhawks, they're still cooling their heels at the door of the Western Conference Finals, awaiting their opponent. Last night in Calgary, the Anaheim Ducks scored 2 goals in the 3rd Period to win and take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Game 5 of that series is tomorrow night in Anaheim. Whoever wins the series faces the Hawks in the next round. It's playoff time in Chicago, and who knows what will happen next?

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The Shot! The Sweep! The Return Of The King!

     Before we get to current playoff action, we have a memory to look back on. 26 years ago yesterday, Michael Jordan did this in Clevelend:

     It's Game 5 of the first round of the 1989 Eastern Conference Playoffs. Cleveland gets a layup to make it 100-99 in their favor with 3 seconds left. After a Bulls timeout, Jordan gets the ball, dribbles over to the hoop, and nails a shot right over the head of Craig Ehlo, who was guarding him. The shot is good, Bulls win 101-100, Ehlo crumples to the floor in despair, and Cleveland gets screwed over yet again.

     Back to 2015. Last night the Blackhawks came up to Minnesota and swept the Wild right on out of the playoffs. Crawford made 34 saves, Seabrook, Kane, Shaw, and Hossa all scored, and the team withstood a furious Minnesota rally. After advancing to our 5th Conference Final in 7 years, we now wait for our opponent. It'll be either Anaheim or Calgary, but we won't know for sure till at least Sunday. Till then, we wait. As for the other resident of the United Center, the Eastern Conference Semifinals come back to Chicago for Game 3 against(ironically) Cleveland. Game 2 saw LeBron come back with the headband, and the performance showed. His 33 points helped lead the Cavs to a 15 point victory back on Wednesday. As always, we'll be following the playoff action with a close gaze. Stay tuned for the details.

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Hunting The Wild

     Last night in Minnesota, the spotlight shifted back to the Blackhawks, and they delivered marvelously. Coming into the contest the Hawks had history working against them. The last time the team won a Game 3 on the road was back in 2010. With the help of Patrick Kane's power play goal in the first period, and Corey Crawford's excellent job in net, the Hawks thumbed their nose at history, taking Game 3 to emerge with a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Things are looking really good for the Hawks. Only 4 teams(out of 180 that have been in this position)have ever rallied back from an 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series. Plus, the Hawks haven't lost a Second Round series since 1996. My prediction: Hawks in 5(but I'd be okay with a sweep too). The puck drops on Game 4 at 8:30 tomorrow night in Minnesota. As for the Bulls, they got it off to a great start by taking Game 1 in Cleveland, now it's time for a repeat performance. Derrick Rose & Co. square off with LeBron James & Co. tonight at 6 in Cleveland. Once again, stick with Chicago 365 for all your Chicago playoff updates.

 

Go Bulls

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Bulls Vs. LeBron

     After dispatching Milwaukee in 6 games, the next Bulls opponent is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sounds simple enough, but history might have something else to say about that.  For 3 of the past 5 playoff runs that the Bulls have had, the story is the same. Success in the early rounds, but then a meeting with LeBron James happens, and the Bulls are cleaning out their lockers 5 games later. Much like the Bad Boy Pistons, it seems that King James is this omnipresent stumbling block separating the Bulls from postseason glory. With the much heralded return of James to Cleveland this past season, it offered yet another opportunity for him to square off with the Bulls. That opportunity arrived tonight, with the Bulls and the Cavs tipping off their Conference Semifinal round in Cleveland. The Bulls continued to make use of the newly-revitalized Derrick Rose, who pitched in 25 points towards the effort, which ultimately culminated in a 99-92 Bulls win. With that victory, the Bulls have also snatched back home-court advantage for the series. Game 2 tips of in Cleveland at 7 PM on Wednesday. As for the Blackhawks, they sit comfortably atop the Minnesota Wild with a 2-0 lead, with Game 3 slated to tip off in Minnesota at 7 PM tomorrow(Tuesday) night. As usual, you can stick with Chicago 365 for all of your Chi-Town playoff action.

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Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Let's Get Stanley!

     It's that time of year folks. The grass is green, the temperatures are warm, spring is in the air, and it's Playoff time yet again in the Windy City. For the seventh year in a row, the United Center will be doing double duty as the Hawks and the Bulls endeavor to bring home a title that won't be taken away. (For those of you who are curious, this isn't the longest streak of both teams making the playoffs. That would be the 13-year stretch from '84-'85 through '96-'97). The Bulls are in the playoffs, but their quest doesn't start for a few more days. The Blackhawks however, are on the clock starting tonight. Their first stop on a quest for a 3rd Cup in 6 years is in Music City USA, where they begin a first round tilt with the Nashville Predators in just under 2 hours. We'll be with you guys all the way through this double playoff run, and the ride promises to be just as crazy as ever.

GO HAWKS!!!!!

 



Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The wrap-up

     Okay folks, the Hawks lost last night.  And it sucks.  Alas, this means we won't get treated to a parade this year(cause really, baseball?  Hah, you're funny).  In the long run, we're still locked and loaded for a few more Cups, but that doesn't matter right now.  Right now, we've got a couple of months before the season starts anew.  And then, our quest for the Cup can continue.