Comments on: Hawks Take a Commanding Lead While Flyers Search for Answers

By: Art Shatley

Art Shatley — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 17:10:02 +0000

I have no clue why alexa sent me to this blog but I might as well say I am now quite intrigued by the blog content you have sourced together. How many years did it take to end up with that many users hitting to your pages? I am fairly to all this.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 04:08:44 +0000

Al, as close as the score was tonight, I believe your previous observation of the Flyers’ effective forecheck was quite prescient.

Philadelphia managed to outplay the Hawks in the third period for the second game in a row…but for Niemi’s outstanding goaltending, this could have been a victory for the home team in regulation.

IMHO the Blackhawks will have to be much stronger in the board battles and their own forecheck on Friday.

Looking forward to reading your thoughts on this one.

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:59:21 +0000

Mr. Allen has just expressed why the Hawks have won the previous 2 series…

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:11:37 +0000

Al, latest news is that Ladd is still out, while Carcillo is in again for tonight’s tilt.

One question being discussed by Kevin Allen on NHL Live today was what Laviolette will do if he wants to get Mike Richards away from Bolland. Allen said “that means he has a choice of putting Richards up against Toews or Sharp’s lines…not an easy decision.”

By: Al Cimaglia

Al Cimaglia — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:34:46 +0000

I really don’t think Laviolette’s talk was out of line…

Q. being the pro he is just didn’t respond.

Philly has to get to Niemi tonight…or the Cup may hit the ice on Friday night.

By: vito

vito — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:45:56 +0000

I heard that too and the first thing i thought was DESPERATION. Hopefully Niemi shows Laviolette that nothing distracts him.

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 02:34:19 +0000

Tough talk form a coach forced to choose between two journeymen or career back-up goalies. I’ll take my chances with the rookie.

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:16:13 +0000

Al, the trash talk continues…this from Peter Laviolette today:

“Niemi’s a rookie goaltender playing in the Stanley Cup finals. We have to get on the board here tomorrow night and put a little bit of doubt there. It’s a tough position, goaltending. Niemi’s representing a city that hasn’t won a Cup in 50 years. We have to give him a crack of doubt. We can do that tomorrow night.”

By: djd

djd — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:50:40 +0000

Dave,
I think Campbell is not a defensively sound and Q feels more comfortable with Sopel in tight games with a slim lead. Hence, Campbell doesn’t see much ice in the waning moments of the game.

Looking forward to the team going on the road again, hoping for a repeat of San Jose and Vancouver. Everything is coming up 7s now. Seven straight wins, seven straight road victories, but the real number is two …

By: Tweets that mention Hawks Take a Commanding Lead While Flyers Search for Answers | Hockey Independent -- Topsy.com

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 21:36:07 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by BDGallof, Hockey Independent. Hockey Independent said: Al Cimaglia – Hawks Take a Commanding Lead While Flyers Search for Answer http://bit.ly/cNneuv [...]

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:54:02 +0000

Al,

Great read as usual. Nice call by me predicting 2-1 (or 1-0). What an amazing run by this Team. They won the last game against SJ playing only 45 minutes of that game. They win a pre-season type game in the opener. They can’t get out of their own way in the third period last night. They hit a goal post with an empty net. They win without their two best offensive players being their best (kudos to Hossa and Sharp for scoring in this series). Kopeckey and Eager with game winning goals?!

Niemi has now “stood on head” in a game in the last two series, which is what you need a goalie to do. It is tough to know what to expect on Wednesday. Seven consecutive wins. Seven consecutinve road wins.

GO HAWKS!

By: Dave Morris

Dave Morris — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:36:25 +0000

Al, another excellent summary from you.

It was also fun to hear your question to Duncan Keith on the NHL On The Fly broadcast last night.

You’ve given us an accurate perspective on the series up to now.

Most seemed to agree these teams were well matched. With the margin of error so slim, the difference in both games has been key scores and key saves at key times.

As you’ve pointed out, the Blackhawks’ depth is also a difference maker.

Leighton is showing the same kind of weaknesses Nabokov did in the Sharks series…giving up goals at critical times.

Philadelphia is, as you say in your podcast, the best team the Hawks have played so far in the playoffs…conversely, the Hawks are the most difficult opponents the Flyers have faced.

Chicago has an outstanding opportunity tomorrow night as they know how to win on the road.

Re: Campbell, I have a feeling that his recently broken clavicle and rib have him playing through constant pain. That may be why Quenneville limited his ice time.