But will Hossa’s concussion be reduced? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Just in time for the start of collective bargaining agreement talks with the NHLPA, NHL commissioner reduced Raffi Torres‘ 25-game suspension by four games:

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced today that he has suspended Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres for 21 games for launching himself to deliver a late hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa during Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal Playoff series in Chicago on April 17.

The length of the suspension includes the 13 games Torres already served during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Torres therefore will remain suspended, without pay, for the first eight games of the upcoming regular season. Because he is classified as a repeat offender under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Torres will forfeit $170,731.68 in salary. In addition, Torres will be ineligible to participate in any preseason games until he has served the full term of the suspension.

“This type of on-ice conduct cannot and will not be tolerated in the National Hockey League,” Commissioner Bettman said. “We have seen similar behavior before from Mr. Torres and, particularly given the League’s heightened scrutiny on hits to the head, I believe that a very significant penalty is warranted in this case. We hope and expect that the severity of this incident, and the League’s response to it, will help prevent any similar incident from occurring in the future.”

Cool — now Torres can get started on getting yet another suspension and/or fine four games earlier than expected. Have fun with that, Coyotes.

Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr

Raffi Torres has been suspended for 25 games for this hit on Marian Hossa during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals between Phoenix Coyotes and the Chicago Blackhawks:

According to Brendan Shanahan, Torres committed three different penalties while delivering the hit — interference (he finished the check past the appropriate length of time that it would be legal to commit the check), charging (he left his feet to deliver the hit), and illegal check to the head (he made Hossa’s head the principal point of contact).

Yet, there was no penalty on the ice from any of the officials. Oh, okay.

Two other factors played into the length of Torres’ suspension:

1. The play caused a “severe” injury to Hossa. The fact that Shanahan used the word “severe” gives me pause. I’m going to guess that he probably has a concussion, due to the circumstances of the hit and how it was treated afterward (according to Chris Kuc, he was released shortly after he arrived at the hospital — you can treat a concussion as well at home as you can there). I’m not a doctor or anything, though, so don’t quote me on that.
2. Torres has been fined or suspended multiple times for hits similar to this one (including twice this season), making him a repeat offender. The suspension video then goes on to show some of these hits — all to the head. And people keep giving him money to play for their teams. Amazing.

If Torres does not serve the entirety of the games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he will serve the remainder of his suspension during the 2012-13 season. He also won’t be eligible for any preseason games. For the entire suspension video, click here.

His 25-game suspension makes it one of the longest suspensions in NHL history. (The Globe And Mail) Of course, I’m more than okay with the length of the suspension — it’s not so much that he took out Hossa, but that he’s done it before and hasn’t shown that he learned from it. Maybe this time, it’ll get through his thick skull.

It was only a matter time until he returned... (Photo: Mel/flickr)

The circus that has become the Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes series features an actual hockey game tonight at 7pm CST.

The latest act of the show has been the $10,000 fine to Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville “for public comments critical of the officiating.” (Chicago Tribune) In response to the fine, I can only imagine a response similar to “2 minutes well worth it” a la D2: the Mighty Ducks.

Out tonight for the Blackhawks is Marian Hossa after absorbing a Raffi Torres hit. While Hossa is a big loss for the Blackhawks, it provides an opportunity for recent call-up Brandon Saad to enter the series. Quenneville hinted at the possibility of Saad getting time with the top lines. (CSN Chicago)

The Coyotes will again be without Martin Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski both remain out with injuries. (Chicago Tribune)

Also out for the Coyotes will be Raffi Torres, who has been suspended indefinitely for his hit on Marian Hossa. Torres’ most recent hit is just another to add to the list of dangerous hits he has doled out. Though Torres seems to display no remorse for his consistently damaging actions. (Chicago Sun-Times)

The Coyotes brass has come to the defense of Torres, because according to Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney, it wasn’t like he killed a busload of kids or anything. (Chicago Sun-Times) I guess that one way to think of it? Needless to say I’m disappointed to see how the Coyotes have responded to the hit.

Tonight’s bottom line though is that it doesn’t do anyone any good for another player to get hurt. The Blackhawks responded correctly by not taking liberties on the Coyotes following the hit on Hossa and hopefully this remains the Blackhawks mentality going into Game 4.

The only revenge from the Blackhawks should be seen on the scoreboard, to even the series once again.

Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr

Raffi Torres was suspended indefinitely for his hit on Marian Hossa at 11:42 in the first period on April 17. He will have an in-person hearing on Friday, April 20 which will determine the length of his suspension.

You know, this is where I usually post a video of the hit, but I just can’t bring myself to go to YouTube to look for one. Hopefully, you can understand.

I know there have been a lot of articles posted about the hit (here’s a good one by Not Another Hockey Blog), but I can’t even focus on stringing together words to explain how exactly I feel. Hossa is one of my favorite players on this team and in the NHL in general, so seeing him go down the way he did just makes the bile rise in my throat all over again.

As of now, he’s resting at home, but he’ll be out for Game 4, at least.

I just want him to be okay.

Wishing you nothing but health Marian Hossa! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

The Blackhawks and Phoenix Coyotes series has had a feeling of constant deja vu with every game ending in overtime. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, it was a repeat of Game 1, as the Coyotes won on a goal from Mikkel Boedker that looked eerily similar to Patrick Kane‘s Stanley Cup winning goal. It was a tough angle shot that snuck by Corey Crawford as Boedker walked in untouched, ironically with Kane on the ice.

Noticeably absent from the ice for the Blackhawks in overtime was Marian Hossa, who in the first period took a vicious hit from Raffi Torres. From the multiple slow motion replays it could be clearly seen that Torres left his feet which launched his shoulder into Hossa’s head. Hossa was down on the ice unable to get up on his own power and was taken off the ice on a stretcher.

The Blackhawks released a statement about Hossa’s condition from team physician Dr. Michael Terry.

“Marian Hossa suffered an upper body blow in the first period of tonight’s game. After initial evaluation on the ice he was taken by ambulance to the hospital for further testing, which yielded encouraging results. He has been released from the hospital, and we are monitoring him closely at home. We anticipate a full recovery in a timetable yet to be determined.” (Chicago Blackhawks)

» Continue reading “Cooldown: R-E-S-P-E-C-T”

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.

Blackhawks lose to the Canucks 2-1 in overtime.

Canucks take the series 4 games to 3.

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Well if there was ever a way to go out, the Blackhawks would go out this way. The most dramatic way possible. While yes it does suck, as does any time your team’s season ends, let us reflect on how the Blackhawks got to this point.

Throughout the regular season the Blackhawks were a team plagued by inconsistency. At times they looked like defending Stanley Cup Champions. For a majority they looked like a team that just couldn’t gel together and struggled mightly to put together 60 minute efforts. The power play was infuriating with it’s inability to convert golden opportunities, though somehow it stayed among the top units in the NHL. Then there was the penalty kill which was celebrated every time it actually did it’s job.

This less than desirable mixture left the Blackhawks on the cusp of making terrible history, by winning the Cup the previous year only to miss the playoffs. Not only that, but losing a game that would have put them in the playoffs on the last day of the season had they won. Instead they relied on the Minnesota Wild beating the Dallas Stars, which allowed the Blackhawks to sneak into the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference to face none other than the Vancouver Canucks. A team they had faced the past two years with little love lost between the two teams.

This series had enough bad blood from the prior two post-season match-ups that a third match-up was bound to be incredible. It didn’t disappoint. After three straight wins by the Canucks, it seemed like the Blackhawks were destined for a sweep, going down with little fight. A hit by Raffi Torres on Brent Seabrook and Dave Bolland returning to the lineup changed things for games 4 and 5. Two five goal wins and you had to wonder whether or not Roberto Luongo was truly mentally plagued by the Blackhawks. In an even stranger turn of events Cory Schneider started game 6 only to leave hurt and the Blackhawks forced a game 6 in overtime scoring on Luongo. The man of the hour? None other Ben Smith, who ended with more games played in the post-season than the regular season.

Game 7 was the crashing crescendo of a series that looked so far tilted in the Canucks favor only for the playing field to level. Early on the Blackhawks looked like a timid team and the Canucks on a mission. The Canucks were hitting anything that moved and were like junkyard dogs on a bone on the forecheck. An early goal by the Canucks’ Alex Burrows on a slick feed from Ryan Kesler and the Blackhawks were reeling.

There was calm in the midst of the storm though, provided by absolutely stellar goaltending from Corey Crawford. On a team that has looked lost a lot of the season, Crawford has stepped up to give his team a chance to win every night. In a second period in which the Blackhawks were clearly outplayed Crawford kept his team within one. He did everything he could to keep his team in it. Though much was made of Luongo’s series, Crawford quietly went about his business being incredibly solid in net.

Crawford was the picture of consistency in times when the Blackhawks were anything but and tonight was no different. Without Crawford there was no way the Blackhawks even make it to overtime or even keep the game at a respectable score.

The man who scored the game tying goal? None other than Jonathan Toews. Who singlehandedly drove the net while on the penalty kill and absolutely refused to be denied pushing the puck past Luongo on a second chance while falling down his stomach. His one and only goal of the series was nothing short of stunning.

It wasn’t enough though as the Blackhawks much maligned power play couldn’t take advantage of a glorious chance in the extra frame with Burrows in the box. With that opportunity wasted, one could only predict that killing that penalty once again tilted the ice in the Canucks favor.

This proved to be true as Burrows buried a bad turnover by Chris Campoli to put the final nail in the coffin to the Blackhawks season. It was a redemptive end to a game of highs and lows for Burrows who scored the game’s first goal, missed on a penalty shot, was on the ice for Toews’ shorthanded goal, took a the penalty in OT and then scored the game winning goal.

From team who looked done after three games to losing overtime of game 7, the Blackhawks road ended. The Canucks finally took a series from the Blackhawks after three previous unsuccessful tries. It closed another epic chapter in one of the most intense current rivalries in the NHL.

For all intents and purposes maybe the Blackhawks didn’t deserve to be in the position they were, but they pushed statistically best team in the NHL to seven games when the series could have been over in four. They played with fire and tenacity after getting down 3-0 that seemed to be missing for large stretches of the season, including the first three playoff games, after winning the Stanley Cup.

For the large part though, the Blackhawks didn’t get the production they needed out of their big players. Duncan Keith, Dave Bolland, Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane led in scoring, each with 6 points. However the names that seem to resonate from the series are Dave Bolland, who played just 4 games of the series, Michael Frolik, who scored the game 6 tying goal on a penalty shot, and Ben Smith, who scored the game 6 overtime winning goal. Jonathan Toews ended the series with just four points with a single goal and a -4 rating. Who knows though what injuries will come out now that the season is over.

There is no shame losing in this fashion despite the shortcomings. The Cup winning goal hasn’t even reached it’s one year anniversary yet. The Blackhawks in the last year have given their fans numerous memories they won’t soon forget. This game and series have left the Blackhawks with the want of something more for next season, they know this season wasn’t good enough.

With all the changes, ups and downs, inconsistency, the 2010-2011 Chicago Blackhawks went out in an appropriate way, coming up just short, riding the coattails of their goaltender. They were a team that was one shot away from eliminating the number one team, but also the team that needed the Wild’s help to get into the playoffs the first place.

It was a roller coaster of a season but with the amazing play of Corey Crawford, the promise of young players and the leadership of the core there is a lot of to look forward to as a Blackhawks fan.

This game was just the last loop-de-loop in the 2010-2011 ride before the abrupt end.

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Box Score:

1st Period
02:43 VAN Alexandre Burrows (2) Slap Shot – Assists: R. Kesler (4) & M. Raymond (3)

2nd Period
NONE

3rd Period
18:04 CHI SHG – Jonathan Toews (1) Wrist Shot – Assists: M. Hossa (4) & B. Seabrook (1)

OT Period
05:22 VAN Alexandre Burrows (3) Slap Shot – Assists: none

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Captain Force of Nature watch: A beautiful shorthanded goal on a fantastic individual effort. Even rating. 11-22 (50%) from the faceoff dot. Can’t ask much more of your captain, he left it all out on the ice.

Duncan Keith plus/minus rating watch: -1. Like Kat says as Duncan Keith goes, typically so do the Blackhawks.

Coach Q face color watch: Solid brick red. Not the best effort from his team.

Post-game quotes from @ESPNChiHawks:

Q exact quote on Crawford: “It was one of the greatest goaltending performances in a clutch situation you’re going to see. The kid was great.”

Campoli: “I didn’t get out. I didn’t get it over him.”

“Those are the kind of turnovers you can’t have and it cost us the game.”

“I made the play, not him (Burrows).”

Toews: “We’ve had some good series in the past but I have to say that’s been the best one.”

Toews on Crawford: “He was warrior out there. Everyone wants to talk about Luongo all the time and the superstars but for a rookie goaltender. I can’t say enough about him.”

Toews: “I’m not going to be a sore loser. You have to show some respect for the team that beat you.” (ESPN Chicago)

Bonus quote via @ChrisKuc:

Troy Brouwer: “As far as storybook endings go, this would have been one for the ages.”

Post-game videos: Brian Campbell, Joel Quenneville, Troy Brouwer, Corey Crawford, Jonathan Toews

Blackhawks win 7-2 over the Canucks.

Vancouver leads the series 3-1.

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"Ha, I knew you wouldn't stay for seven! I guess six will have to do." via The Chicago Tribune

You know that rush of adrenaline people get when put in dire situations? That’s what happened to the Blackhawks tonight. After losing Brent Seabrook, to what one must gather is a concussion, after a questionable hit by Raffi Torres in game 3, which resulted in no suspension, things were looking down right bleak. Enter stage left, Dave Bolland.

Between being pissed off about what happened to Seabrook and getting number one pest, Bolland, back it was like a shot of straight adrenaline in the arm. Brian Bickell scored easily the prettiest Blackhawks playoff goal using some slick moves to make Kevin Bieksa look silly, especially after commenting on John Scott’s skating ability. Like they had been doing all series, the Canucks responded after a strange double deflection as the shot looked like it was going wide only to go off Brian Campbell and in, leaving Corey Crawford no chance.

What was different in this game from the past three? This team didn’t stop coming at the Canucks, they dictated the physical play, they made the Canucks run around in their own zone and most of all they kept scoring and weren’t satisfied. And for as great as Roberto Luongo had been, this game was a flashback to the past two playoff years, frustrations and all.

Just the power play failed as it has much of the year, Campbell and Duncan Keith responded by scoring at even strength just 17 seconds apart. There was no Canuck response this time, just Dave Bolland making sure the Canucks didn’t miss him too much by posting a four point night.

Michael Frolik also clearly found his bromance playing easily his best game as a Blackhawk on a line with Bolland and showing off some beautiful moves of his own on a breakaway in to push the score to 5-1. Add into two power play (yes power play) goals from Patrick Sharp and boom touchdown Blackhawks!

Sadly Luongo didn’t stick around for the touchdown so instead of a return of 7uongo we only got Luon60, which apparently Marty Turco made sure to tell him as Turco apparently provided some commentary for Luongo left the ice. So it was up to Cory Schneider to give up the extra point.

The Blackhawks won and they did so in a dominating fashion. Even the star players that had largely been absent made appearances on the score sheet.  If this was the last game at the UC, they gave it all they had and they didn’t go quietly in front of their fans.

They made a statement and with authority, the Blackhawks may be down but they aren’t out yet.

Nice of the Blackhawks to get the win and seven goals for the injured #7 Brent Seabrook on the day before his birthday. Not too shabby of a present they got him extending the season and all.

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Box Score:

1st Period

2nd Period

3rd Period

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Captain Force of Nature watch: One assists and a +1. He also won 11-20 (55%) of his faceoffs, 18 which of were against Ryan Kesler.

Duncan Keith plus/minus rating watch: +1 and he had a goal with a fantastic goal celebration!

Coach Q face color watch: A nice piggy pink with some scarlet moments because of the Canucks play.

Post-game quotes from @drosennhl:

Toews on being motivated after the Torres-Seabrook incident: “You’re not going to lay down and let that team take four games in a row from you, especially when they pull stunts like that.”

Toews: “We want to play for guys like Seabs. In a way that was kind of our way of showing a little payback.”

Toews: “If we get a couple of things to go our way, get a couple goal lead on that team and they turn into a different team.”

Brian Campbell: “We’re trying to come back from a big deficit like Philadelphia did last year. We’ll see how it goes.”

Bonus quote via @ESPNChiHawks:

From John Scott on Kevin Bieksa: “Bieksa what a joke was talking how I was going to get beat wide and first shift Bickell frickin beats him. He needs skating lessons.”

Post-game videos: Duncan Keith/Brian Campbell, Joel Quenneville, Michael Frolik, Dave Bolland (WGN Interview), John Scott