Hogs win in matinee OT

An overtime goal put the Rockford IceHogs over the Grand Rapids Griffins 2-1 in a special matinée game held at the MetroCentre yesterday. Griffins captain Darren Haydar uncorked a short handed goal early in the second frame to open the scoring, followed by a power play goal by Petri Kontiola at the 8:29 mark of the period.

Antti Niemi held the Griffins to one goal in regulation play and scoreless in four power play attempts, stopping a total of 23 shots. Daniel Larson stopped 32 shots on goal for the Grifs. The game winning goal was launched by Andrew Archer.

Kontiola received two points for the game. Evan Brophey had six shots on goal while Dan Bertram and Pascal Pelletier had five shots each. The win broke a three game drought for the IceHogs.

Next year's class

[Response to Jane Rickard at ChiTownDailyNews.]

Jane, I'll take my butch slap in a graceful manner. You are right that there are players on the Wolves who can still go up to Atlanta this year. Jordan LaVallee and Brent Sterling come to mind. Brent had a shot at the Thrashers last year. I'm not certain why they felt he didn't make the grade. I think we'll see him move on to another organization that is more accepting of smaller players and perhaps find a slot in the NHL. LaVallee is certainly very good. AAAA good. He's also young and it would be wonderful to see him make the move to the big ice too.

The other players are sort of “next year's class.” They will probably be developed by the end of the season and will move to the National Hockey League over the next two years as vacancies occur in the Atlanta roster. I didn't really go that deep into the roster in my discussion about the team.

IceHogs: their year to shine

To all appearances, Don Granato played Jeff Hamilton for at least three solid minutes at the tail end of the Saturday night win over the Quad City Flames. It begs the question why? What appears to have happened was that Hamilton, entering the bottom of the frame with two goals, was just a goal shy of a hat trick. And, Granato saw an opportunity for Hamilton as the man advantage moved more and more to the Wolves due to penalties. Granted a goal by any of the Wolves in the final minute and the overtime, would have been a win. But it appears as though Granato allowed his interest in Hamilton scoring a hat trick to prevail over his interest in winning a game.

This is a big difference from previous years under John Anderson. Anderson almost seemed to remove players who had two goals from play, preventing them from trying to score a hat trick. It was maddening. There were lots of games last year and the previous year when I really wanted him to stick with a player and let them have an opportunity to get a hat trick.

He wouldn't do it. He was focused on winning the game.

Now we have a new sheriff in town. Sure, I've been watching for the past five months. I've seen the lines change and been wondering when the team would jell with a respectable power play or a decent penalty kill. But until the slump that started around the holidays, the team was in the thick of the run. Even with the slump, the team is just five points from second place. A good run and the team becomes competitive for a playoff spot.

But, it's a fragile thing. I know a hat trick win would push the team. I know that Brian Sipotz, scoring his ninth professional goal and second goal of the season could be turned into the player he was last year. Yet, I want to be sure the team has the two points in the bag. Like Anderson, I would have played for the two points, not the hat trick.

As we move into the halfway point of the regular season, it wouldn't surprise me to see this team fail to make the playoffs this season. The best of last year have either been absorbed by the Atlanta Thrashers or have moved on to other clubs. Of all the players on the ice, the only obvious choice to move into the National Hockey League is Ondrej Pavelec. And Pavelec is injured. Brett Krahn could perhaps stage a move too, but he isn't the property of the Wolves or the Thrashers. If he did make a move, he'd be back with his parent club.

The team on the ice is respectable, don't take it that I don't like them. Steve Martins and Colin Stuart in particular are clearly playing with a lot of heart. Both are AAAA players. And, Stuart might still find a place in the NHL.

Over the years as a Wolves fan, I've felt that the aim of the team and of the management was to win Calder Cups, to hang Championship Banners and to wear Championship rings. The recent history of the American Hockey League is that the winner of the Calder often suffers a poor following year.

I'd like another Calder victory for the Wolves. But this year, I'd be happy if the team made it to the second round of the playoffs. The spirit is there, but the skill is a bit short. For evidence, take a look at the power play and the penalty kill.

Over in Rockford, I'm watching a team that would have won the Calder last year except for one obstacle, the Wolves. The IceHogs, rebuilt by Chicago Blackhawks prospects and with a superior pair in the pipes, could go all the way. Last night they lost Jack Skille, who apparently suffered a concussion from a hit.

It's a serious blow. Skille is very close to making it to the NHL. Skille, Corey Crawford, Antti Niemi, Pascal Pelletier, Evan Brophey, Jimmy Sharrow, Petri Kontiola and Mike Radja may all wear Indian heads. Compare those seven names to the single name I've put forward for the Wolves: Pavelec. This looks like the Hogs year to shine.

IceHogs can't catch Grifs; dominate game, but still lose

The Rockford IceHogs dropped their third consecutive home stand game, 3-2 against the Grand Rapids Griffins tonight at the MetroCentre. The Hogs shot everything they had at Griffins goalie Jimmy Howard who stopped 24 shots on goal. In the third period, the Hogs dominated the ice, out shooting the Griffins 9:3, but were able to find the twine only once. Jack Skille, injured in the Friday night game against the Chicago Wolves, was a scratch. Corey Crawford stopped 16 shots on goal but it wasn't enough.

Wolves smother Flames 4-3 in OT

The Chicago Wolves chalked their third consecutive win with a 4-3 overtime win over the Quad City Flames at the Allstate Arena tonight. Quad City took a fast lead, with a goal at 19 seconds into the game when Brett Palin rebounded a shot on Robert Gherson. However the Wolves Jeff Hamilton broke away with the puck just 32 seconds later and was fouled. Awarded a penalty shot, Hamilton faked QC goalie Matt Keetley for the tie goal.

The action continued to be hot as just at the 2:23 mark J.D. Watt and Scott Lehman got into an altercation that lasted nearly a minute before they were broken up. Twelve power plays were awarded in the evening, with the Wolves going three for eight and the Flames going one for four. Hamilton's second goal of the night, early in the second period on the power play tied the game. Then a goal by blue liner Brian Sipotz, also on the power play, put the Wolves ahead.

It was Sipotz's second goal of the season and his ninth professional goal. The Flames traded goalies at that point, putting Leland Irving in for Keetley. However, Kyle Greentree turned a shot on Sipotz for a goal to tie the game during a late second period power play.

Late in the third period, the Flames were hit with three penalties, allowing Chicago to have a 5:3 advantage for 1:59, including a minute of overtime. It was all that was needed as Brett Sterling rebounded a shot from Hamilton past Irving for the win.

Wolves Power over IceHogs 3-2

The Chicago Wolves chalked their first regulation win of the year with a 3-2 score against the Rockford IceHogs at the MetroCentre tonight. The Wolves scored on two of five power play attempts, reversing recent problems with the power play. Joe Motzko and Jeff Hamilton had a goal and two assists each. Hamilton had seven shots on goal.

After a late first period goal put the Hogs in front, the Wolves tied in the second before the mid-point of the period. At the end of the frame, the Hogs allowed a 5:3 advantage to the Wolves. The Wolves capitalized on it with a power play goal, taking a permanent lead. Then, a minute into the final frame, the Wolves, still on the same power play, now 5:4, scored again. The Wolves have scored 11 of their 29 power play goals against the Hogs this season.

"Our transition game dried up on us," said IceHogs' coach Bill Peters. "I thought we quit making plays as the game went along and we had a hard time moving the puck. We left the puck on the wall a lot and didn't make our plays."
A late attempt to tie the score was held back by the Wolves for their win. Robert Gherson made 25 saves for the win. Antti Niemi had 30 saves in his loss. The Hogs' Pascal Pelletier had five shots on goal and a goal.

Wolves end losing streak with shootout win

The Chicago Wolves won their first game of the new year, taking the Toronto Marlies 3-2 in a shootout last night at the Allstate Arena. Robert Gherson stopped 23 shots on goal and Jeff Hamilton put seven shots on goal in the effort. Jordan LaVallee notched a goal and an assist, leading the Wolves effort.

Chicago went 0 for nine on the power play in the night. The two teams traded power plays back and forth, a total of 14 power plays during the game. A long series of power plays allowed the two teams to trade the numerical advantage on the ice starting at 12:18 into the first period with a Marlies power play and ending five minutes and four power plays later, when a Wolves power play expired at 17:18.

In the overtime period Chicago received another advantage with 2:44 remaining when Alex Foster was given a double minor. Despite six shots on goal for the period Chicago was unable to score and the game was sent into a shootout.

Brett Skinner, new acquired by Atlanta from the New York Islanders for Junior Lessard, notched one of the shootout goals and had an assist on the night. The other new addition, Clay Wilson, did not see action. The last time Chicago put a streak of two wins together ended December 18. In between it lost ten games, winning just three.

Chicago is 4-1 in shootouts this season. It is also 1-2 on extra time victories, giving it a winning record of 5-3 if the game goes beyond regulation.

IceHogs lose to Rampage 4-2

The Rockford IceHogs, AAA affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, suffered only their second loss in seven games last night as the San Antonio Rampage put them down 4-2 at the MetroCentre. The Rampage enjoyed two power play goals and an empty net goal on their way to the win. It was Corey Crawford's sixth regulation loss of the season. He is currently 12-6-2.


Adam Pineault blistered Rampage goalie Josh Tordjman with six shots on goal, but was unable to find the twine. Pascal Pelletier and Jack Skille each had a goal and an assist.

Wolves chalk up another loss; 4-1 to Aeros. Now 8 L in 9 Games

The Chicago Wolves made it eight losses in nine games as the Houston Aeros took the Wolves down 4-1 at the Allstate Arena Sunday evening. Aeros goalie Nolan Schaefer kept the Aeros in the game with 24 saves while the Aeros offense took the Wolves apart on the other side of the rink. Although Dan Turple stopped 22 shots on goal, it wasn't enough as the firepower of the Aeros overwhelmed the Chicago defense.

Chicago's power play continued to sputter this evening, with only one power play goal following a 5:3 advantage late in the first period. As the power play continued, 5:4, two Aeros defenders lost their sticks as the Wolves puttered in the neutral zone. When the attack finally came, it fizzled out.

Spencer Machacek for the Wolves, Corey Locke and Matt Beaudoin for the Aeros each put five shots on goal and were credited with a goal each. Beaudoin's goal being an empty net effort. The Aeros Peter Olvecky was credited with three assists on the night.

Another Wolves loss; another Hogs win

Another loss for the Chicago Wolves, this time to the Peoria Rivermen, 3-2, in action at the Allstate Arena Saturday night. It was the Wolves seventh loss in eight games. Peoria won the contest putting only 17 shots on goal, only one in the final period of play, as Wolves goalie Robert Gherson only notched 14 saves on the evening. Atlanta Thrashers prospect Brett Sterling was blanked, though he put five shots on goal. The Wolves power play, 28th in the league at 12.1 percent, sputtered again last night, being held scoreless.

Meanwhile in Rockford, the IceHogs enjoyed a 1-0 over the Toronto Marlies last night. Scoring on an Evan Brophy goal early in the first frame, the Hogs held the Marlies down for the win. It was Corey Crawford's first shutout of the season. The team indicated it will be riding the hot hand in its next outing.

Dear Hockey Dad

The following is in response to a comment
Dear Hockey Dad,

I've been talking to my wife (Jane Rickard, of the Powderhornhockey site) and others about your comments since I received them. She has separate knowledge about the game. I want to send the comments to some friends in the NHL, the OHL and the AHL too. Hopefully they will also respond. My concern is that I was never exposed to the juniors and don't write about them. What you're asking about is an issue with the juniors. However, I want to take the comments seriously and comment on them with what knowledge I have, however poor.

First, I don't want to comment on Okanagan Hockey. I'm not knowledgeable about juniors to that degree. I have some advice on this later.

As a parent, I share your concern about the future of your child. I am surmising, from your letter, that you do not have any hockey experience yourself in juniors or college. The world of junior hockey, with its camps and sending children away to work with a team, a family of hosts who care for your child. This is very strange to those of us from the US. You need to get in contact with people who have these experiences. There are parents, former players (now adults) and hosts who will be glad to talk to you about what to expect. One of the most outspoken people I've met on this is an NHL coach. There are people all over the system who will talk to you. You need different viewpoints. You obviously don't know what to expect and don't know where to turn, if you're writing me. LOL.

Ask for help. The worst that will happen is people won't respond. I think if you explain why you are asking you'll receive a tremendous outpouring of love and support.

It is important that you be educated in what to expect. From my discussions, the coach should be open to talking to you about your child. He should be able to explain what he expects of your child and what he is offering your child. If, for example, he says that he expects your child to play third line, and he doesn't, he should be able to discuss with you why that is happening. A good answer might be that your child is not applying his talents. That's sort of like not studying.

Host families should also be open, in the same manner, to open discussion. They are going to be surrogate parents for your children for most of the year. How many other players are they hosting? What is the age difference? What is their philosophy about religion, spirituality, schooling and discipline? Think about how you'd answer these questions before you ask them. I assume that hosts have considered these ideas, but they might hesitate if they are new.

Your child is taking a huge step towards their independence. And the years of love and care you've given them will be tested. Most children in the US and Canada are not tested like this for another four years, when they are 18. They will be exposed to drugs, alcohol, sex and crime.

Let's not make the mistake of thinking that if you kept them home they wouldn't be exposed to these things. High school is almost defined by these things, in any community in the country. The value system you've given them will be tested whether away or home. For the most part, I felt that years of being able to talk to my child paid off big when she entered high school.

Thinking back to my own high school days, I think that the weaknesses of my family became the weaknesses I had to deal with. Alcohol was a problem in the family and it was a problem in high school and college. There was a lack of personal relationship in the family, caused by a hierarchical structure. That survived to poor relationships with my girlfriends and first wife. It really seemed true, in my case, that the sins of the father were visited upon the son. Time for some reflection. These are hard issues to deal with in yourself, and your child.

Someone has suggested the OHA to you or your son. If you want to find other schools, there are some good publications. Everyone has a bias, my favorite hockey publication is the Hockey News. Here in Illinois we have a local publication just for juniors. I find it in the sports equipment stores that sell to kids.

Now, is there nepotism in hockey? HELL YES. It seems to exist on every level and every position in the sport from the guy driving the ice surfacing machine to the coaches. It can be profoundly disturbing. I'm thinking of the appointment of Frasier relatives to positions as on-ice officials in the pros. There is also such good ole' boy networks throughout life. Help your child recognize it is human nature and to use it for his advantage.

Now the last thing I wanted to add popped into my head as I was watching ESPN's Outside the Lines last week. Perhaps you saw the story of the high school football player who claimed he was recruited by Cal? There is a lot of pressure on children to succeed. This led in Nevada to an issue where the young man felt he had to hide his failure to be recruited from his parents, his school and his coaches. A county standout, he wasn't good enough for the PAC-10. But he told his school and the local press he was headed to play for California.

The situation happened in part because no one around him, including his coaches, but especially his parents, had the experience to know how a college recruits athletes. John Anderson, now the coach of the Atlanta Thrashers, and a parent of a child in the juniors, told me that a parent has to be the biggest and the best advocate for their child in this system. Get educated and stay in touch with everyone.

There was an article in the Hockey News this season. I remember it as saying that Sidney Crosby's parents putting together the cost of bringing Crosby to the level of expertise he is at. Now, I might be wrong about the player, I can't locate the article. However there were a number of important facts. First, his parents owned auto dealerships. That allowed them the wealth and the freedom to support their child. They were at every home game and many away games. They sent the child to two camps each year during off-season. They spent $160,000 over the years on equipment, training and education.

There are only about 600 professional NHL athletes in North America. About another 600 in the minors earn maybe $75,000 a year. After that, their parents support them. In Europe, I'm not sure of the numbers, but there is greater income and there are more teams, but you need to include the European population, including of Russia and parts of the former Soviet Union. You can easily see that there are just a few thousand jobs. Easily less than 3,000, worldwide.

There are hundreds of thousands of children in the hockey system. While hockey is a game that your children will likely enjoy for many years, unlike football, people are playing it well into their middle years, the culling in professional athletes is chilling.

Now, it will probably cost me or my daughter about $160,000 in education and other costs to make her an expert in her field. The cost of medical school, to be a lawyer, a manager or many other positions, approaches $160K from one side or the other. But it is a tremendous sacrifice of your time and your wealth for your child. Unlike the dentist, at the end of the line, a coach will be faced with a prospect camp of young adults, perhaps 50 of them. One will be given a professional position in the minors.

Hogs pick another off Wolves, 3-1

Yet another loss for the Chicago Wolves to the Rockford IceHogs, 3-1, on a snowy Friday night at the Rockford MetroCentre dropped the Chicago Wolves to sixth place in the Western Division. In the crazy tight field of the West, that is only three points out of second place. In turn, the Hogs are now tied for second in the division.


The blogs correspondent in Rockford, Kris Gray, summed up the situation facing the Wolves this year: “Wow. Chicago just isn't the same (team) we played last year.” The Wolves have now dropped the last six games and seven of the last eight games. Since December 6th, they have faced the Rockford IceHogs seven times, Rockford has won five of those contests.


Blackhawks prospect Jordan Hendry sustained a knee injury in the third period, according to post-game radio discussions. However, Gray, an RN, reports from the game that it appeared to be a knee injury. Robert Gherson is back in net for the Wolves as Brent Krahn is reported to be ill. He gave up two goals on 35 shots. Corey Crawford for the Hogs, had 34 saves, giving up one. An empty net tally by Jack Skille ended the Wolves hopes for additional time.


Spencer Machacek had a power play goal for the Wolves, and tallied six shots on goal. For the IceHogs, Skille had six shots on goal and two points. Pete MacArthur also tallied six shots on goal. Former Wolves blue liner Jimmie Sharrow now skates in a Hogs sweater, he had a goal also.

Rampage over the Wolves 5-3

The Chicago Wolves fell 5-3 to the San Antonio Rampage Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena. It was the fourth loss in a row for the Wolves, and their sixth loss in the last seven games. As in seasons past, the Wolves are in a post-holiday slump.

However the loss to the Rampage must be especially galling. First, the Chicago Blackhawks spanked the NHL affiliate Phoenix Coyotes 6-0 earlier in the week. But even just in the AAA, the Wolves have given more points to the Rampage than any other team, with a record of 3-3 this season. The Rampage would be circling the drain if it weren't for the Wolves. Their record is 28th out of the 29 teams. The win on Wednesday allows them a four point cushion on the league last place Rochester Americans.

The Wolves chance to take the game was probably blown during a 5:3 power play late in the first period. Granted that Rampage goalie Josh Tordjman is a worthy opponent, the opposition he faced in the bottom of the first frame was like the Keystone Cops.

Joe Motzko, who really is an on-ice leader, had two bad minutes on the ice that seemed to seal the deal for the Rampage, starting with a broken stick, then two whiffs that puttered behind the net. Finally, after his teammates gave him yet another chance to redeem himself, he put a pass to... well his own goalie, from behind the San Antonio goal.

It sailed clear down ice from one goal line nearly to the other. It was dismal.

And while the Chicago power play was 0 for five, the Rampage power play was three for seven. An empty net goal, was the final insult.

If we continue to beat the horse a bit, I'll note that while Alex Brooks was tough in front of the Wolves goal, refusing entry to Rampage probes, veteran blue liner Brian Sipotz didn't seem to mind having Rampage players insert themselves between him and his goal. His checks were lack luster, I've been struggling in the past month to identify what Sipotz is adding to the game.

On a positive note Brett Sterling had a spectacular goal in the third frame. It put the team within one and held the promise that something could be rescued from the game.

Griffins out shoot the Hogs 6-5

In Grand Rapids, the Rockford IceHogs, AAA affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, lost 6-5 in a shootout to the Grand Rapids Griffins at the Van Andel Arena. The Hogs went 0 for six on the power play in a game that featured 88 shots on the goals.

Blackhawks prospect Antti Niemi was shelled from the net in the first ten minutes, giving up four goals on eight shots on goal. In his relief, Corey Crawford stopped 37 shots on goal, giving up one goal. Coming from this deficit, the Hogs scored two goals in the first frame, another in the second and two more in the third frame to tie the game in regulation. However the team wasn't able to find the twine again until the shootout when they were out gunned by the Griffins.

Hot Paws; Hot Paws

Skates, the Chicago Wolves mascot, is a key feature of the pregame show at the Allstate Arena. On Jane Rickard's outside blog, powderhornhockey.blogspot.com, you can see Jane's photo of Skates igniting fireworks from his paws.

Occasionally the fireworks don't fire. We call it a hot paw, I'm not sure what Skates calls it. But, the occasion of a misfire, or a hot paw, seems to be a bad omen for the Wolves. As noted earlier this weekend, the Wolves lost to the Rockford IceHogs in a close game that featured the hot paw.

We'll be watching for more hot paws and reporting on the game results that night.

IceHogs spank Wolves for 3rd time in 2 weeks; 6-4

A wild Saturday night in Rockford's MetroCentre gave the Chicago Wolves yet another loss at the hands of the Rockford IceHogs, as the Hogs won their third game against the Wolves in ten days, 6-4.

Pascal Pelletier scored a hat trick and an assist in a game that saw both goalies replaced in net. Starting for the Wolves, Brent Krahn was replaced by Dan Turple after he gave up his fourth goal of the night before the halfway mark of the game. Pelletier scored two goals divided by Petri Kontiola and Jack Skille's goals. Krahn stopped just six of the shots on goal in his roughly 27 minutes in net.

Yet, this was followed by a Wolves offensive, as 16 shots on goal in the second frame put three goals past Corey Crawford in less than five minutes. Antti Niemi then stopped the Wolves cold in the third period. Pelletier's hat trick forced the Wolves to pull Dan Turple for a man advantage with less than a minute remaining. Rob Klinkhammer put the final goal in the empty net to seal the day for the Hogs. It was a notable empty net goal because it occurred during a penalty kill, in other words the Hogs were fighting a 6:4 advantage.

Zach Bogosian was credited with a blistering six shots on goal and a power play goal in the fracas. But Pelletier beat even that high mark, with his seven shots on goal. Skille picked up two assist for a total of three points for the evening.

The win tightens the Western Division race for second place. The Milwaukee Admirals have run away with first place, with 50 points and a game in hand over all their opponents. They have won 15 points in the last 8 eights. At 42 points, Peoria and Iowa are just a point ahead of the fourth place teams of Rockford, Chicago and Houston. Chicago meets San Antonio mid-week before yet another game, the fourth in two weeks, against the Rockford IceHogs on Friday in Rockford's MetroCentre.

Crawford posts 100th pro win

The Rockford IceHogs defeated the Chicago Wolves 3-2 tonight at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. The game, a goalie battle between Chicago Blackhawks prospect Corey Crawford and Brent Krahn was finally won by the Hogs in the final minute of play when Rob Klinkhammer maneuvered between Krahn and his defense. Then holding the puck, he waited for Krahn to commit before sliding the puck into the twine.



Crawford, who won the game and stopped 34 shots on goal, only received the second star of the game. The first star was won by the losing goalie, Krahn. It was the 100th professional victory for Crawford. Someone really fouled up the stars of the game on this one.



Klinkhammer scored two goals for the Hogs. He is credited with five shots on goal for the night. The other Hog goal was scored by Evan Brophey. Danny Groulx also had a good night, putting two assists up.



The Wolves defense was working against a Hogs offense that seemed to have Krahn's weakness. Each of the three Rockford goals was the result of getting inside the defense and then having Krahn commit early. To be fair to Krahn, defending a goal, when the defense has been outmaneuvered, is very difficult. Still, why is he committing so soon? This game is part of a home and home series. The two teams play again in Rockford's MetroCentre tomorrow evening.

Winter Classic in review

Where do we go from here? The Winter Classic was an unqualified success. The City of Chicago, despite the political issues in the state, looked great. That alone was quite a feat for winter around here. And the game was great, except for the win by Detroit.

I would have liked to see the venue, which will be used through the weekend by neighbors, used for a college or junior event. I think it is too much to wish the AHL were able to use the venue too this weekend. A match in Wrigley between the Chicago Wolves and the Chicago Blackhawks affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, with the IceHogs the home team in Wrigley, would be amazing and give a boost to the minor league teams in this area.

The University of Notre Dame or one of the great schools in Michigan that produce great hockey players could have used the venue this weekend. The Chicago Steel, our junior team based in Bensenville. The list goes on.

The Chicago Blackhawks, under Bill Wirtz, almost killed hockey in this town. Less than 15 months after Bill Wirtz's death and the vitality of the franchise and the sport are renewed. This is an exciting hockey town again, with a Calder Cup champion playing in Rosemont and an NHL team finally in the hunt.

And that hunt made the game itself interesting. This wasn't a throw-away match. The two points were important to the Chicago Blackhawks.

I also loved the detail that the game was part of a home and home series. What is clear, however, is that the players need to be here for several days before the game is played. The media needs the players for stories. As a blogger, we had to work around that. We assumed we wouldn't have access and worked to find stories that were not in control of the NHL and the Blackhawks.

The venue itself only sat 41,000 or so people. Was that a bad thing? The fans were close to the action. They were letting go with the roar that once rocked the Chicago Stadium. The only thing missing was a light snow, make a note to mother nature that she gets an A- due to no snow falling.

The size of the venue isn't important if the story, the romance, is there. Jane would say I'm talking about the cheese. And cheese sells.

For Chicago, and for this region, this was a great moment. Although I sat at home watching, the work done before the game, the three articles in our special report and Jane Rickard's photography will always remain with me. I learned more about concussions, rooftops and the Bears than I think I had in total prior to this event. Still, it would have been nice for the team to recognize bloggers with a special event for them.

I expect this event will park Chicago in an enviable position versus the competing cities for the Olympic bid. The city, in the midst of a storm and the holidays, looked great. I've always told potential visitors to stay away in the winter. This winter event proved me wrong.

So, what next for the Winter Classic? Fenway or a New York venue? Like many others, I think the WC will not be held in Canada, perhaps excepting Toronto or Montreal, but not anywhere else for the moment. By which I mean for many years. A decade? This event is the primo NHL event of the season until the playoffs. The TV audience hasn't been announced, but it has to be huge. It needs to go somewhere like Wrigley or Rich Stadium again. It needs romance, good fortune, cheese and a great game.

For the last two seasons it has had that going for it. So, romantic venue, two teams that are struggling against each other and have a history, the cooperation of mother nature... Your guess of what is next is as good as mine. But I look forward to next New Year's Day.

Winter Classic 19; final Hawks 4, Wings 6 update

This should be the final entry of the game. If you've been reading, thanks and Happy New Year. There are less than two minutes remaining in the game now.

Now 1:30 remaining. No OT this year. Wings in some confusion in front of their net. But Conklin stops it again. Now less than a minute remaining. Looking at this game I have to think that the way to see this game would be from the rooftops. it would be slightly more expensive, at $300.oo USD each. But, you are warmer or at least can stay warm.

A last moment goal by the Hawks. Keith pots one into the twine after getting fed from the faceoff. Anyway that was a great game to watch.

The players are doing a playoff lineup, saluting the fans. Very nice. Gotta give my MVP to Havlat. I'll update in a few minutes as I listen in on the final interviews with the players and coaches.

Well, not much to say from the ending interviews. Just the road to the Stanley runs through Detroit. I guess that is another hockey cliche we'll have to live with.

Winter Classic 18 update

Well, those two goals have driven Huet from the pipes. The Hawks have brought in Khabibulen.

That's gotta hurt the Hawks in the head if nothing else. Their talking about the shadows on the field. I can't see any on the TV and the outside is still pretty cloudy.

The Hawks are finally putting some people in Conklin's face. But, it's no good, he's stopping everything. I don't know how they'll handle this change in nets that is coming up in about three minutes. A time out?

The stands look full again. Shot clock is greatly in the Wings favor, according to the announcer. I guess the score shows that too. And there is the ten minute mark. I guess they're waiting for a break in play and they'll switch sides.

Khabibulen way out of the net, almost on the blue line, playing the puck. The goalies have been playing the puck to cut the angle in this game. There haven't been as many funny bounces as there was in the game last year. The temperature here in Chicago is about right for outdoor games and the ice and the air are both at about the right temperature.

This is a long time without a whistle. Now going on more than two minutes. And there is the whistle. Some of the old hawks are singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame..." Mikita, Hull, Savard and some others.

TMI, the TV tells us that Conklin took a "potty break" during the commercial. Oh god, shut up and sit down already.

The game is going back and forth again. Remember that the Hawks are now down wind. Lot's of stuff written on the wind at Wrigley. I'm not sure what direction it is coming from, I assume from the Northwest? If it was coming off the lake we'd see some lake effect snow, yep, northwest. The wind can be variable around here, even just two miles away. (Did I say a mile earlier?)