Joe Lavin directs traffic, just like he directed the game tying goal tonight. (Photo Credit: Kim Wrona)

The fall down the slippery slope continued for the IceHogs in week 17 as they took on some Texas teams. The Hogs set a new franchise record for consecutive losses with their tilts down South. Guess it only makes sense since everything’s bigger in Texas, right? That also makes a win just as big.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Tuesday: There Are No Words”

Here we go. Damn it all. (Photo: Brian Koprowski/flickr)

The NHL announced that they have cancelled all regular season games through October 24. That includes five Blackhawks games.

• Saturday, October 13 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
• Tuesday, October 16 @ Winnipeg Jets
• Thursday, October 18 vs. Colorado Avalanche
• Saturday, October 20 vs. Detroit Red Wings
• Tuesday, October 23 @ St. Louis Blues

If you have already bought tickets to any of these games, keep an eye on your email to find out how to get your money back.

» Continue reading “Fresh Brew: Five Blackhawks Games Lost To NHL Lockout”

Actually, let’s be honest. This was the last time Lebda was ever relevant. (Photo: Michael Righi/flickr)

On The Farm provides news from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ farm teams: the Rockford IceHogs and Toledo Walleye.

The Rockford IceHogs signed Brett Lebda to a Professional Try Out contract today to round out their training camp roster.

While Lebda, a native of Buffalo Grove, would probably like you to remember him as a former Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, it’s more likely that you remember his disastrous stint as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. My favorite “Lebda being Lebda” moment was when the Maple Leafs beat the holy hell out of the Atlanta Thrashers 9-3 — but he somehow managed to still be a minus-3 on the night.

He then signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this year — mostly because the Blue Jackets had, like, two healthy defensemen left at that point.

It’s safe to say that Lebda won’t make it anywhere near the Blackhawks even after the lockout, but if he can crack the IceHogs’ roster and provide some veteran leadership, more power to him.

» Continue reading “On The Farm: Lebda Still Relevant, Kind Of”

Keep on keeping on Brent Seabrook! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks return to the United Center looking to take a lead in the series over the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at 8pm CST.

Andrew Shaw will be out for the Blackhawks as he was handed a three game suspension for his run in with Coyotes goatender Mike Smith. Smith was not injured (though he was said to be a game time decision at one point) and will play tonight. TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that had Smith been injured Shaw would be out the remainder of the series. (@DarrenDreger)

The wildly inconsistent NHL punishment rolls on. Who know what will happen next?

Hopefully there will be no retaliation on Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford who says he’ll be ready if there is.

‘‘If they want to come try it, try it,’’ Crawford said. ‘‘That’s all I’ve got to say. I’ll be ready.’’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

Michael Frolik says he’s ready to step up in place of suspended Andrew Shaw despite having a tough season. (CSN Chicago)

Special teams has been a sore spot for the Blackhawks all season, so no surprise Game 3 will feature changes on the penalty kill. After giving up two goals on four Coyote power play chances, Jamal Mayers says the Blackhawks aren’t happy with their kill.

‘‘Any time you give up two goals on the penalty kill, you’re not going to be happy,’’ penalty killer Jamal Mayers said after practice Monday. ‘‘But we’re not going to overreact. . . . It’s not like we’re getting seamed back-door for empty-netters. We just need to make a few adjustments.’’ (Chicago Sun-Times)

The Blackhawks are known for their ever changing line combinations but seem to have found ones that work during Game 2 and will stick with them for Game 3. (Chicago Tribune)

Defenseman Brent Seabrook loves the playoffs, which has been easy to see why with his late in the game heroics as of late. Seabrook though says that he hasn’t been doing anything different from normal.

“I’m feeling good and just trying to help out any way I can,” Seabrook said. “I don’t think I’m doing anything different. I just feel like I’m playing the same way and for whatever reason, things are going well.” (Chicago Tribune)

In today’s amusing stories, Raffi Torres didn’t know that Blackhawks fans didn’t like him, not that he cares much about it. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Yesterda,y the Blackhawks called up six players following their respective teams season’s ending. Forwards Jeremy Morin, Brandon Pirri, defensemen Joe Lavin, Ryan Stanton, and goaltender Carter Hutton were called up from Rockford, along with forward Brandon Saad from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. (Chicago Blackhawks) Not a bad birthday present for Jeremy Morin who turned 21 yesterday. Those called up are likely not see game action and just be a part of the practice squad.

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

This past weekend was a big one for the IceHogs. It featured three games in three nights for the sixth time this year, and all of the games were against Midwest Division rivals. A midweek matchup against Abbotsford was also on Rockford’s plate.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: We’re Going Sweeping!”

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

To close out January and the stretch before the All-Star break, the IceHogs were slotted to play two games against Midwest Division rivals Charlotte and Milwaukee.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Hogs Finish January On A Winning Note”

Photo: Kim Wrona

December continued to be a busy month for the IceHogs as they were slated to play four games in six days at the end of week ten and the beginning of week eleven. Two of the four games were against divisional opponents and the other two were against Grand Rapids.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Rockford Grabs 6 Out of 8 Points”

Photo Credit: Kim Wrona

The end of week seven was going to be a challenge for the IceHogs as they traveled down to Charlotte for two games against the division leading Checkers. They needed to at least grab some points in the Tar Heel State before coming back to the BMO Harris Bank Center for week eight on Wednesday to start a season long five game homestand, which could be a turning point in their season.

» Continue reading “IceHogs Thursday: Split In Charlotte, Pirri Hat Trick Give Hogs Momentum”