Hockey - Auditory Bliss

The symphony produced during a hockey game is unmatched in sport.

The sounds are as much a part of the action as the participants. The speed and physicality of hockey, defining qualities of the sport, easily resonate through the air.

The collective gasp of thousands after the clank of a puck off the goal post? Beautiful.

I love the moment following that gasp when there's either an eerie silence, like everybody watching got away with something, or the frustrated groan of a home crowd feeling cheated.

There's the thunderous rumble of the boards. That boom will undoubtedly bring everyone to their feet, looking for the source...and the aftermath.

Certain sounds are like a language, where conversations are unspoken and if successful, instantaneous. Awe is to behold those fluent in the authoritative tap-tap-tap of a stick on the ice, answered by the swift crack of a puck traveling tape-to-tape.

You can hear the speed in the steady, almost soothing sound of the ice being carved beneath the player's skates. You can hear it in the ice shavings after an abrupt stop.

The sounds of hockey are unlike anything else, and that's not including the atmosphere.

Even without the deafening bellow of a goal-horn, organ music, constant chatter from the participants and spectators chanting, hockey stands alone in its auditory bliss.

Going to The Joe

(click on picture for full view)

Come January 14, I'll be sitting in the very location this picture was taken.

One of my first and closest friends after I came to college is a Red Wings fan. For nearly five years we've talked about going to a Hawks-Wings game together, but that's as far as it got.

That changed recently, when during a brew fueled hockey discussion (the best kind of hockey discussion) we decided now was the time we HAD to do it.

On the afternoon of September 1st, Wings tickets went on sale. It was an emotional roller coaster for a few minutes. The virtual box office opened and ticket prices immediately sky rocketed. After some furious mouse-clicking, swear words, butterflies, sweating, and possibly a movement, I found two reasonably priced tickets.

I'm beyond excited to see this rivalry in-person. I can't wait for the road trip, the shady probably-will-get-mugged motel we're staying at, the economy jokes, and the prospect of seeing sad Wings fans en masse.

I've never been to the Joe and I only know a few Red Wings fans. The ones I know are alright dudes, but I have no idea what it will be like inside their rundown mecca, surrounded.

So Hawks fans that have made the trip to Detwat for Hawks-Wings...what's it like?

Comment away.

Chicago Blackhawks: 2011-2012 Measuring Sticks

When I think about the 2010-2011 season, the first thing that comes to mind is the sense of entitlement. Right from the onset, you could see it in the lethargic way most of the team played for long stretches last year. They were going to cruise into the playoffs, regardless of the opponent, and then take care of business.

I admit, as a fan I felt much the same way last summer as I waited for their Cup defense to start. I felt the same way for month or so into the season. I knew the team going into last year didn’t possess the skill level of the Cup champs, and the character makeup was drastically altered, but I figured the playoffs were a lock, and would be for years to come.

My expectations were focused on the big picture, the end of the road, and I took little time to pay attention to how they would inevitably get there. So I decided to write this.

I believe these games will be good indicators of what we have for the 2011-2012 Blackhawks. Microcosms, nutshells, measuring sticks, etc. With the offseason additions of grit and veteran presence and being a season removed from winning the Cup, I feel safe believing that sense of entitlement is gone (plus, did you see those pictures Jesse Rogers posted of Kaner? OMGZ! If that doesn’t scream off season determination and focus, I don’t know what does). I think come season’s end, the results from these stretches could be very telling.

November 3 – November 6

Nov.3 @ Florida Panthers

Nov.4 @ Tampa Bay Lightning

Nov.6 Vancouver Canucks

At this point the season will be 11 games old. The team’s personality should be budding and the quality of play will be beginning to pick up a bit. This interesting three-game stretch presents the Hawks with a back-to-back against the NHL’s representatives of America’s wang. One of them with a bunch of former Blackhawks, the other a participant in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. The talent on both squads and ‘the road’ should provide a decent early test. Shortly after, the Hawks head back to the UC to take on the Canucks, with their goateed ginger twins, their 80’s movie villain goalie, and their biting/hair pulling ways. Four days, three quality opponents.

December 21 – January 2

Dec. 21 Montreal Canadiens

Dec. 26 Columbus Blue Jackets

Dec. 28 Los Angeles Kings

Dec. 30 Detwat Detroit Red Wings

Jan. 2 Edmonton Oilers

When the Hawks won the Cup, they won at home. When the Hawks barely made the playoffs, they lost at home, a lot. This five-game home stretch is the longest home stand of the season and takes place close to the midway point in the season. Hopefully at this point in the year we’ll have an idea of the team’s identity and tendencies.

They’re playing Montreal the day after a road game against Pittsburgh, followed by four days of rest. The next three opponents they have a day off in between games. This stretch also has three games that could quite possibly be playoff series previews. Lastly, they host Edmonton.

I think the Edmonton game could be telling about the team's approach based on the quality of their opponent. Last year on numerous occasions, it felt as if Chicago would play to the level of their opponent. We all saw them get up for the big games, and suck later on against lesser foes. If the Hawks have a successful home stand, it will be interesting to see if they come out and put Edmonton away early. If they struggle, will we see the same listless approach to bad teams? I'm assuming the Oil will suck, but come on, who isn't assuming that?

Granted, this is a giant pile of speculation. There are a million variables, the make up of the team could be different at these points in the season and yadda yadda yadda, but it’s September. We’re supposed to speculate. And of course you have the circus trip and that behemoth road trip at the beginning of February, but those are obvious choices.

What games do you think could be indicators as to the mettle of the 2011-2012 Chicago Blackhawks?

NHL Hitz 2012

Counting down the days until October 7 is turning into a death march.

The Cubs suck, I’m perpetually sweaty, and I’m tired of watching reruns on NHL Network. So lately, I’ve found myself spending more time playing hockey videogames.

Mostly NHL 11, but I’ve been getting back in NHL Hitz.

For the deprived out there, NHL Hitz is the NFL Blitz version of hockey. Rules don’t apply and the hockey is 3v3. It’s fast, physical, fantasmical, and a blast.

You have a roster of six or seven guys from which to pick your starting three; a winger, a center, and a defenseman. You can put whomever you want wherever you want. You also have the opportunity to switch it up during intermission if things aren’t going well.

So it got me thinking about what my NHL Hitz 2012 squad would look like.

First, here are the parameters of the fantasy. This is a ‘if they played 3v3 in real life’ deal, so the players’ abilities have to be more seriously taken into consideration.

-The playing surface will be smaller than a regulation rink. Bring the boards in a bit and shorten it up. The goals will be inbetween the near and far faceoff dots.

-‘new’ NHL rules don’t apply as strictly as they do now. There will be more leeway for hitting, finishing checks, and trying to slow guys down a bit, but no egregious bullshit. Powerplays last for 60 seconds.

-No off-sides, no icing.

-Three five-minute periods. The only time line changes can take place is during intermission.

With that out of the way, it’s on to the fun part…picking the starting three. Like Hitz, the pool will be seven players. Here are the choices…

Offense:
-Jonathan Toews
-Patrick Kane
-Marian Hossa
-Patrick Sharp

Defense:
-Duncan Keith
-Brent Seabrook
-Niklas Hjalmarsson

When looking at the Blackhawks’ roster, you could roll out some totally rad 3-man squads depending on what the situation called for. But for this exercise, pick the starting three.

I know for certain that Toews and Kane will be two of the three. Mostly because I love Toews, and Kane’s passing ability is funk nasty. Watching Kane play in this intensified version of shinny would be an awesome sight.

Picking a defenseman is where it gets tough for me. I’m not sure if I want a ‘true’ defenseman or if I want another forward. Initially I was thinking Campbell would be perfect for this slot. But alas, he is no longer an option as he deals with terrifying ginger-related sunburn issues down in South Beach.

I’m leaning towards Keith right now. As much as I’d like to have Hossa out there, I feel like there would be a need for an actual defenseman in this game. I guess if I was down a couple of goals I’d put out the T-K-HO line in for a period, but that’s a different story. I like Keith’s style of play, his ability to use his body if need be, and I think in 3v3 he’s a must-pick over Seabrook.

Towes – Kane – Keith, with Crow in net. This is a formidable bunch. What it lacks in speed it makes up for with puck possession, passing, and wicked wrister ability. They’d be pushed around a bit, but it’s hard to believe they wouldn’t capitalize on the majority of their opponents’ mistakes.

What would your starting three be for an NHL Hitz-style game in 2012? With a pool of seven, what starting three from the Hawks or any other NHL team, would you pick? What team could potentially put together the best three? What about an all-star game?

So much awesomeness to debate. Get to it