The A-Z Guide to the Chicago Blackhawks 2011 season
A- Antti Niemi was not missed this year. We found our goalie of the future and his name is Corey Crawford.
B- Bolland proved to every Hawks fan just how important he is to this organization. He is a champion.
C- Captain, big word, big honor. We have a future hall of famer wearing the “C” in Chicago.
D- Defense looked tired at times this year but still the strength of our team moving forward.
E- Every night was a struggle this year for the Blackhawks. NOTHING is easy when you are defending the Cup and nothing was easy for us this year.
F- Frolik is a keeper, lock him up and get him on the 3rd line and he will make plays in 2012.
G- Goals were not the problem in 2011. We need a banger at forward who can take the body and play hockey.
H- Hossa had played in 3 straight Stanley Cup Finals and the Olympics. He needs a summer of rest.
I- Indian Head was represented with pride by coming back to make the playoffs a series…and we almost made it more than that.
J- John Scott may not skate as well as my 5 year old but at $512,000, we will enjoy the show next year..ding, ding.
K- Kids are now a staple at Blackhawk games, it is the norm.The culture has changed forever and that is GREAT.
L- Losing stinks, especially to those bums in VAN. But the rivalry is certainly alive and well and they will hear from us again soon.
M- Maybe people will stop talking about trading Brian Campbell since he played well and nobody will ever take his 7.1 cap hit. Enough!
N- National Anthem was as loud for Game 6 Vancouver as it was for Game 1 of last year’s Stanley Cup.
O- Overtime is enough to make a real fan puke, but it sure is fun. Scary, but fun.
P- Pisani is a one and done in this town. $500,000, they got what they paid for.
Q- Quenneville is a great coach and will lead us to another Stanley Cup. Mark my words.
R- Ratings. Anyone remember 5 years ago when the Hawks did a 0.01 on Comcast? Yeah, not anymore- 12.8 rating vs Vancouver the highest ever for Hawks game.
S- Sharpie had the Canucks head on his stick in OT but it did not happen. Now extend his deal, he should be BLACKHAWK FOR LIFE.
T- Thomas Kopecky was really a good soldier for this team but has played his last game for the Hawks.
U- Under the cap now and the cap is going up in 2012. No purge of players this year, we have the money to do what needs to be done.
V- Viktor Stalberg will get another chance next year, but it is time to step up or step out.
W- Winners. The core of this team are winners, they proved it last year and they will prove it again.We will hoist another cup.
X- X-Rays were the norm for this years Hawks- even Kesler admitted that we played hurt most of the year.
Y- Youth movement with the core. Jeremy Morin, Ben Smith, Nick Leddy, Shawn Lalonde, Marcus Kruger. Write these names down, they will be on the opening night calender soon!
Z-zzzzzzzzzzzzzz is me sleeping at the thought of playoff hockey without our Hawks!! See you next year!
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
