Chicago Hockey Blog

Saturday the Rockford Icehogs boarded their team bus traveled to Milwaukee's Bradley Center and broke the curse, a six game loosing steak. Defeating the Milwaukee Admirals 5:2 in their own house. Milwaukee's goalie Drew McIntire turned away 32 SOG with 27 saves. Referee Jamie K Koharaski (84) called 18 minutes /9 inf for Rockford and 24 min/8 inf for Milwaukee.

Referee Jamie Koharski mixes it up in Milwaukee / By Kelly Manke

Sunday night, buoyed by the previous nights win the Hogs were ready to face the Peoria Rivermen at home. Again they proved victorious defeating the Rivernen 2:1. Rockford coach Bill Peters rested Corey Crawford and started Antti Niemi in net. Referee Jamie Koharski (84) returned in stripes for the match calling 15 min/8 inf for Peoria and 13 min and /5 inf for the home team. The night was not with out it's excitement as the following images will show.

Rockford's Tim Brent and Peoria's...more

The best part of Slap Shot 2 was the opening monologue. The best review of the film Slap Shot 3, so far, is WHY?

We’ll know soon enough. E! reports the movie will be released this month, in time for the holidays. Filmed in Vancouver, BC, the Hanson Brothers return yet again. This is a direct to DVD release. It stars Leslie Nielsen and Ryan McDonell. No word on whether Speed Racer is in it too.

The Chicago Wolves scored the first power play goal by the team since October 25^th over the weekend. The power play, still running dead last in the league at a pathetic 6.1 percent, has only succeeded five times this season. Still, the Wolves are running in first place in the Western Division.

There are still 65 games to play this season. The power play can’t suck all year, can it? But without a decent special team on the ice, how can the Wolves expect to go deep into the playoffs or even maintain the division lead?

Two power play goals over the weekend. Perhaps they’ve finally rounded the curve.

I admit it when I'm wrong, the Wolves lost to the Crunch last night but, not only were they not spanked they notched two count em' two power play goals. Joe Motzko at 2:01 in the first period and Joey Crabb at 15:45 in the second. Showing the light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train for Chicago. However, not to belabor a point both our young goalies need more of a back up, until these guys find their confidence the more experienced defence has to take it up several levels. Last night Robert Gherson looked decidedly lonely in the defensive zone as the water bottle popped and the light went on. He doesn't need his hand held but defence is a three man line. Penalties last night were lopsided Ryan Fraser (14) was referee, Derek Sylvester and Jeff Walker served as linesmen. Chicago was tagged for 40 min/12 inf and Syracuse 20 min/10 inf. .Game tapes show an excited Chicago Coach Don Granato discussing the penalty to Syracuse center Nikota Filatov at 20:00 for elbowing with Fraser. Obviously something prompted the usually cool Granato to express himself passionately to the officiating staff at 20:00 in...more

The Chicago Wolves Power Play is so bad they almost lost to the Rochester Americans, a 2/11 team by going 0/6 on the PP in a SHOOT OUT. It is time to look at the game plan here, something is very wrong.

Moose, Rochester American mascot for over 52 years tells Skates, Wolves mascot just what a power play looks like. / By Jane Rickard

Last night Blackhawk affiliate Rockford Icehogs were good hosts to the Milwaukee Admirals letting them win 2:1 in a hard won shoot out. Milwaukee drew blood during the first period at 19:17 with RW Hugh Jessiman getting one past Rockford nettie Antti Nemi. Rockford answered durning the third period with Mike Blunden scoring at 7:37 to tie the score. The overtime period failed to end the game and a shoot out proved necessary.

Rockford's Mike Blunden, sports a new "hockey smile" earned this week after making contact with a goal post during a practice skate earlier this week. / By Kelly Manke

The shoot out has been the AHL's way to break a tie for several years. It has proved popular with most fans. The concept is simple the coach nominates five of his best aces and they individually take shots at the opposing goalie starting at the red line. It is both a psychological and athletic competition, skaters attempt to fake out goalies and goalies work to read skaters. The average fan in the stands eats the entire skills competition up and prays it goes on for several rounds. Last night Admirals Coach Lane...more

Don't get stuck in the revolving door guys! There are a few Wolves comings and goings I have been remiss on reporting. First and foremost Blueliner Boris Valibak has been called up and a long time coming it is too. As much as I hate to see the Wolves "Excitable Boy" leave for warmer climates he deserves the shot at the big show and I hope he sticks. Brett Sterling AKA Sterls is back. The biggest theory circulating is that Atlanta is heavy on forwards. So they are,but it seems hard to believe that their isn't room for this scoring machine. Welcome back to Chicago Brett, you are appreciated here. Ondrej Pavelec is back! Although back up goalies Dan Turple and Robert Gherson did a good job keeping the ship afloat without the Wolves main nettie, it's good to have him back. There were a few too nervy moments for most fans liking without Pavs. Although seeing Gherson win in a shoot out yesterday in Manchester bodes well for the future, for we will loose the blue eyed boy Pavelec to Atlanta someday.

Ondrej Pavlec, returns to Chicago, but how long will he stay? /...more

Saturday November 1st the Rockford Icehogs held an election themed promotion. The first 3,000 entrants to the arena would have their choice of a bobble head, 1,500 were cast of President Elect Obama and 1,500 Republican contender John McCain. The concept was simple the first bobble head to run out would win the Icehog unofficial endorsement. When the first box was emptied the the winner was announced, Barak Obama won the Hogs nod. Although the night did not go perfectly for the home team . Ultimately Icehogs lost to the visiting Syracuse Crunch 3:2 they showed as Rockford would go so would the nation in a few short days. Here are some images of the game courtesy of Rockford photographer Kris Gray.

Rockford's Sean McMorrow shows just why he has been a respected enforcer in the AHL for the last several years. / By Kris Gray

Blackhawk goalie prospect Neimi in action behind the crease against the Syracuse Crunch./ By Chris Gray

Good defensive action around the Icehog goal. / By Chris Gray.

Some nice coverage of the turnaround of the year in Chicago, how the Chicago Blackhawks have become the hot item in Chicago sports after more than a decade of hiding. It is a business operations oriented story and worth a look.

"When you are struggling for attention in a big market like Chicago, you have to give the media a reason to write about you..."

Brad Boron has a nice piece on the tradition of clapping and cheering throughout the presentation of the National Anthem at Chicago Blackhawks games. It's a tradition that continues too at the Chicago Wolves.

"After dropping the first two games of the series on the road, Hawks fans entered Chicago Stadium on May 9 fully energized and ready to help their team get back into the series. The crowd was so excited they cheered all the way through the National Anthem..."

As Patrick Kissane has filled you in with all the details on the game here are a few images of the hard fought game between the Syracuse Crunch and the Chicago Wolves.

Chicago's Joey Crabb fights for possession of the goal during the third period./ By Jane Rickard/Powwderhornhockey

Spencer Machacek on his knees behind the goal while Mike Hoffman(on a reconditioning assignment from the Atlanta Thrashers) attempts to set up a shot on goal.  Syracuse nettie Steve Mason stands at the ready. / By Jane Rickard/Powderhornhockey

Associate Captain Steve Martins back from a two week sctatch due to injury is back and is on his game.  Martins was credited with a goal at 12:53 during the 1st period, welcome back Stevie./ By Jane Rickard/Powderhornhockey

Syracuse's AAron Rome looks on as a Chicago player makes his way behind the net.  / By

The Chicago Wolves defeated the Syracuse Crunch 2-1 in a game at the Allstate Arena early Sunday evening. Joey Crabb and Steve Martins each scored goals in the contest. Junior Lessard led an offensive output of four shots on goal. Robert Gherson, in net, stopped 19 shots on goal for the win.

Spencer Machacek, who is working with the Wolves on conditioning, had some ice time and was credited with a shot on goal.

The Wolves start a road trip this week. They do not return to the Allstate Arena till November 22.

This is one of the stats I’m just beating on. In eleven games the Chicago Wolves have scored just three times with a man advantage. They only score 5.1 percent of the time on the power play. This is just incredible. It is terrible.

I’m trying to put together how bad this is. The Wolves have as many shorthanded goals as they do power play goals. The total number of goals scored in shootouts this season by the Wolves and their opponents is equal to the total number of power play goals scored by the Wolves. The Wolves power play has scored at home only once this season.

There are 15 players in the American Hockey League with as many power play goals as the entire team has. There are ten in the AHL with more power play goals than the Wolves. There is one AHL player who has to get only one short-handed goal to tie the total number of power play goals scored by the Wolves.

The Wolves defense is doing pretty well. It’s not great, but it’s good. For example the AHL penalty kill is averaging 84.2 percent currently. The Wolves have a PK of 87.9...more

The Rockford IceHogs dropped two home games over the weekend. The Chicago Blackhawk AAA affiliate is now tied with the Chicago Wolves for first place in the Western Division.

On Friday night, the IceHogs lost 2-1 against the Manitoba Moose. Power play goals by both teams kept the score even till Guillame Desbiens scored the winning goal in the second period. Pascal Pelletier scored a power play goal. He led the offence with five shots on goal. Corey Crawford received the loss, stopping 25 shots on goal. Cory Schneider received the win for the Moose, stopping 19 shots on goal.

Saturday’s loss 3-2 loss to the Syracuse Crunch featured Antti Niemi in net for the IceHogs. He stopped 24 shots on goal. Crunch goalie Steve Mason stopped 22 shots on goal. Mike Blunden and Pelletier each had an offensive of three shots on goal, but both players were pointless in the contest.

The IceHogs continue to be a physical team. They gave up 16 advantages to opposing teams this weekend. Looking at the stats for the league, there isn’t an IceHog listed in the top 20 players for penalty minutes. But watching these guys play, they are physical, finishing...more

The Chicago Wolves split a series in Iowa, dropping a game on Friday night 2-1 to the Iowa Chops, and winning a Saturday night game 3-1 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The Friday game was decided by an Iowa power play goal in the third period. The two teams struggled in a stalemate throughout the game. Iowa Chop winger Drew Miller scored the first goal in the first period, but it was answered by Colin Stuart when he received a turnover and scored without an assist.

A lack of discipline on the Chicago side allowed the Chops to enjoy a greater advantage in power plays. That finally paid out in the third period when Bobby Ryan scored in the only third period advantage for either team.

Ondrej Pavelec received the loss, stopping 26 shots on goal. Jean-Phillippe Levasseur received the win with 25 saves. Jordan LaVallee and Stuart had four shots on goal each. The Chicago power play continues to be anemic, it failed on three chances to score in the game.

In the second game of the series, Dan Turple took the goal for the Wolves as Pavelec was called to Atlanta. Although Turple has...more