Friday, March 27, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Expert analysis on Blackhawks playoff chances
Some interesting videos from ESPN's hockey experts regarding the young Chicago Blackhawks and their chances of playoff success.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Blackhawks look razor 'Sharp' in Sunday matinee
Could it be the beginning of a run? Are the Blackhawks heating up down the home stretch prior to the playoffs? It's wishful thinking, but I'll take any positives these days.
At the United Center Sunday afternoon, Chicago ended a five game winless drought by dispatching the Los Angeles Kings 4-1.
The best news? The return of forward Patrick Sharp. In his first game since going down with a knee injury on Feb. 14, Sharp scored twice and tallied an assist.When Sharp was injured, he was the leading the team in points. In the 16 games he was away, the Blackhawks went 8-7-1.
Obviously, his return should be a huge boost for a team that has stumbled for much of the second half of the season. In the second half of the season alone, the Blackhawks are 15-12-3. In 31 games, they have accumulated 32 points out of a possible 62.
Not the most reassuring stats as the playoffs near. But as was stated earlier, the 4-1 drubbing of the Kings was just what this team needed, and the return of Patrick Sharp will be great for the offense.
The win against the Kings happened at just the right time, as the next four games could be a buzz-saw for Chicago. With consecutive games against the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadians, there will be no time for an "off night."
Stay tuned.
At the United Center Sunday afternoon, Chicago ended a five game winless drought by dispatching the Los Angeles Kings 4-1.
The best news? The return of forward Patrick Sharp. In his first game since going down with a knee injury on Feb. 14, Sharp scored twice and tallied an assist.When Sharp was injured, he was the leading the team in points. In the 16 games he was away, the Blackhawks went 8-7-1.
Obviously, his return should be a huge boost for a team that has stumbled for much of the second half of the season. In the second half of the season alone, the Blackhawks are 15-12-3. In 31 games, they have accumulated 32 points out of a possible 62.
Not the most reassuring stats as the playoffs near. But as was stated earlier, the 4-1 drubbing of the Kings was just what this team needed, and the return of Patrick Sharp will be great for the offense.
The win against the Kings happened at just the right time, as the next four games could be a buzz-saw for Chicago. With consecutive games against the San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadians, there will be no time for an "off night."
Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Blackhawks help make history
The Blackhawks fell to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night by a score of 3-1.
In the process, New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur set a new all-time NHL record with 552 wins.
In the process, New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur set a new all-time NHL record with 552 wins.Along with helping the opposing goalie set an NHL record, the Blackhawks third straight loss has dropped them into a tie with the Vancouver Canucks for fourth in the Western Conference.
The Blackhawks are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Vancouver is 7-2-1 in their last 10, and if things continue the way they are, Chicago can say goodbye to home-ice advantage in the playoffs.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Blog Challenge: Sports Video Games
I have loved video games since I was a little kid. To be specific, sports video games. The seed was planted with NFL Football 94 Starring Joe Montana.
It was the first of many sports video games I spent countless hours playing.
My favorites inlcude...
Ken Griffey Presents Major League Baseball not only holds its own against pretty much every baseball game ever made, it might just do the same against any sports game. Creative player names, awesome music, players blowing bubbles with their gum while at the plate; what's not to like?
Insert any NHL video game here. Hockey games are a blast; always have been, always will be. My favorite though? NHL 2005. I played it non-stop.
I never played much Fight Night until I paid attention to boxing. But after only a few rounds of this game, it was hard to put the controller down. Especially against a buddy, this game gets intense.
The original NFL Blitz, the shortlived MVP Baseball series, NCAA Football, this list could go on for a long time. The point is, sports video games have always been a part of my life and are a lot of fun.
What I want to know is what is your all-time favorite sports game? Any console, any sport, any and every game. Which one, in your eyes, tops them all? Be sure to defend your answer. I want to know what makes it the best.
And since it's time for March Madness, I figured I would share this. An interesting bracket-style tournament that tried to determine the best sports game of all-time.
It was the first of many sports video games I spent countless hours playing.
My favorites inlcude...
Ken Griffey Presents Major League Baseball not only holds its own against pretty much every baseball game ever made, it might just do the same against any sports game. Creative player names, awesome music, players blowing bubbles with their gum while at the plate; what's not to like?
Insert any NHL video game here. Hockey games are a blast; always have been, always will be. My favorite though? NHL 2005. I played it non-stop.
I never played much Fight Night until I paid attention to boxing. But after only a few rounds of this game, it was hard to put the controller down. Especially against a buddy, this game gets intense.
The original NFL Blitz, the shortlived MVP Baseball series, NCAA Football, this list could go on for a long time. The point is, sports video games have always been a part of my life and are a lot of fun.
What I want to know is what is your all-time favorite sports game? Any console, any sport, any and every game. Which one, in your eyes, tops them all? Be sure to defend your answer. I want to know what makes it the best.
And since it's time for March Madness, I figured I would share this. An interesting bracket-style tournament that tried to determine the best sports game of all-time.
Doesn't smell like team spirit...
Much like the season, asking folks around Iowa City their thoughts on the men's Iowa-Michigan Big Ten Tournament game was like pulling teeth.
The almost unanimous response was, "I didn't know there was a game today."
And when informed that there was indeed a game today, optimism was not all that apparent.
"I think we'll lose," Jessica Zuerner said. "One of my friends is a team manager and he's not optimistic. He doesn't like to talk about it."
A 15-16 season of inconsistent basketball isn't the only thing keeping people from watching the game. On this Thursday before spring break, midterms are in full-swing.
Jimmy Hummel, hidden in a dark corner of the Main Library, said he likes basketball but doesn't care about the game. "I have four midterms today."
The sentiment on Iowa basketball and the current apathy of today's game seems to reflect the mindset of fans all season long.
But all hope is not lost.
Pat Quinn, a junior at the University of Iowa, feels Iowa has a chance.
"Iowa has a lot to prove and they have a lot of momentum coming from that Penn State win."
"They have a shot. It's a big game," Quinn said. "It's going to be close."
Last year, as an eight seed, Iowa fell to ninth seeded Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, 55-47.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today as Iowa will once again open tournament play against the Michigan Wolverines. Iowa went 1-1 against Michigan this year, including a 70-60 OT win at home less than a month ago.
The 10th seeded Hawkeyes are 5-13 in Big Ten play, with a 15-16 overall record. Michigan holds a 9-9 Big Ten record and is 19-12 overall.
The almost unanimous response was, "I didn't know there was a game today."
And when informed that there was indeed a game today, optimism was not all that apparent.
"I think we'll lose," Jessica Zuerner said. "One of my friends is a team manager and he's not optimistic. He doesn't like to talk about it."
A 15-16 season of inconsistent basketball isn't the only thing keeping people from watching the game. On this Thursday before spring break, midterms are in full-swing.
Jimmy Hummel, hidden in a dark corner of the Main Library, said he likes basketball but doesn't care about the game. "I have four midterms today."
The sentiment on Iowa basketball and the current apathy of today's game seems to reflect the mindset of fans all season long.
But all hope is not lost.
Pat Quinn, a junior at the University of Iowa, feels Iowa has a chance.
"Iowa has a lot to prove and they have a lot of momentum coming from that Penn State win."
"They have a shot. It's a big game," Quinn said. "It's going to be close."
Last year, as an eight seed, Iowa fell to ninth seeded Michigan in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, 55-47.
Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today as Iowa will once again open tournament play against the Michigan Wolverines. Iowa went 1-1 against Michigan this year, including a 70-60 OT win at home less than a month ago.
The 10th seeded Hawkeyes are 5-13 in Big Ten play, with a 15-16 overall record. Michigan holds a 9-9 Big Ten record and is 19-12 overall.
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