Blackhawks Bits: Stanley Cup Champs edition

June 11, 2010 By 4 Comments

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Nuggets, tidbits, facts and figures relating to the Chicago Blackhawks cup run. Prior to winning last last night, the Hawks had lost each of their past five Final series, in 1962 (to Toronto), 1965, 1971 and 1973 (to Montreal) and 1992 (to Pittsburgh).

Stanley Cup Wins Since NHL’s Founding in 1917-18

23 – Montreal Canadiens *
13 – Toronto Maple Leafs *
11 – Detroit Red Wings
5 – Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers
4 – Chicago Blackhawks (1934, 1938, 1961, 2010), New York Islanders, New York Rangers
3 – Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils
2 – Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers
1 – Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning

* Canadiens and Maple Leafs each won one Stanley Cup prior to the formation of the NHL in 1917
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Fans of Blackhawks down, concerned about game 5

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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The mood along Madison Street and throughout Blackhawk Nation is markedly different than it was just one week ago. Last week, in Chicago fans’ minds, the Hawks had already won the Stanley Cup. The next four games were a mere formality. Now, however, that opinion has turned from supreme confidence to overwhelming worry.

The worry that Blackhawks fans are feeling today is not without reason. After winning the first two games of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Blackhawks have played two very poor games of hockey. In Games 3 and 4, the Hawks looked slow and tired. Check that, they looked more lethargic than an 87 year old with arthritis before their afternoon nap.

By Peter Christian

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More with Blackhawks Adam Burish

June 1, 2010 By 1 Comment

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Hands down, Chicago Blackhawks forward Adam Burish is the best soundbite in the city. In a world of “we’re just working hard,” “focusing on ourselves right now,” and “just need to play our game,” his golden quotes glitter even more brightly. So when I saw his table at Stanley Cup Final Media Day, I made sure to spend a good chunk of the day there, recording the observations and insights of this former Wisconsin Badger.

By Paul M. Banks

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Stanley Cup would make Blackhawks Dramatic Franchise Transformation Complete

May 30, 2010 By 1 Comment

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As recently as 2006-07, if you attended a Chicago Blackhawks game, you’d see the 300 level was about as populated as a nuclear testing site. For the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, people will pay north of $400 to STAND in these sections. With three more wins, Chicago can drink from the Stanley cup of life in 2010, and give this original 6 franchise a metamorphosis that would make Franz Kafka proud.

Quoting Talking Heads: “and you may ask yourself, well, how did I get here?”

By Paul M. Banks

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Toews, Kane at Stanley Cup Media Day (Videos)

May 28, 2010 By 2 Comments

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The last time the Chicago Blackhawks made the NHL Stanley Cup Finals was 1992. I had recently graduated from 8th grade, and thought my black Finals t-shirt featuring Jeremy Roenick and Mario Lemieux squaring off against one another was really cool.

Hawks superstars Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were alive, but mere infants at the time. I’m hoping these two young guns will make this Finals much more memorable for Chicago than the last one. I’ve repressed almost all memories of that Pittsburgh sweep disaster; today only two facts resonate with me.

The first revolves around 1995 Jean Claude Van Damme film “Sudden Death,” set at game 7 of a fictional Stanley Cup Finals where Pittsburgh hosted Chicago. I saw that low-brow shoot ’em up at the second run movie theater; everyone cheered loudly when the Hawks scored, and booed mercilessly when Pittsburgh lit the lamp.

Also during that Finals, a Pittsburgh local named Christina Aguilera sang the national anthem before the two games at Mellon Arena; 7 years before the rest of the world would meet, know and then get sick of her. Here’s to hoping “Kaner” and “Tazer” make sweeter music together, and give the Chi some better memories this time around.

By Paul M. Banks

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Blackhawks Bits: Stanley Cup Finals Edition!

May 25, 2010 By 1 Comment

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The Chicago Blackhawks will compete in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1992, and the 11th time overall in franchise history.

-In winning Games 1 and 2 in San Jose, the Blackhawks extended their postseason road win streak to seven games, tying the NHL record.  It is the most road wins overall in a single postseason for Chicago.

-22-year old Jonathan Toews leads the NHL with 26 points (7G,19A) in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The captain has registered 25 points (7G,18A) during his current 13-game point streak, the longest in franchise history in the postseason.

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