Tonight – Game 37 of 82

Home Game #22 – Sunday December 30, 2007 – 6:00 – United Center

Los Angeles Kings 13-24-2, Overall 28pts, 5^th Pacific, 15^th West (5-12-1, on Road)

at Chicago Blackhawks 19-15-2, Overall, 40pts, 2^nd Central, T-9^th West (12-9-0, at Home)

Denis Savard’s Blackhawks come in to tonight’s game riding a season-high four-game winning streak.  Tonight’s contest also represents the front end of an odd home-and-home duel with the Pacific Division’s last place team, the Los Angeles Kings.  The third or four 2007-08 meetings and game two of this back to back comes on Tuesday, New Years Day, in LA.  Puck drop for that one is 9:30 Chicago time.

The last time these two team met (Dec 12 at UC), the Blackhawks were looking to rebound from a four-game losing streak while Los Angeles was embarking on a stretch of ten games in nineteen days to finish out the month of December.

Chicago responded by trouncing the Los Angeles Kings 6-3, powered by goals from Tuomo Ruutu, Martin Havlat (2), Duncan Kieth, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp.  Los Angeles dropped the first of what would become an eight game losing streak.

Things got ugly late in the first period after Tuomo Ruutu lined up Kings’ veteran defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky with a huge, clean hit in the Kings’ zone.  Visnovsky’s defensive partner responded by charging from across the ice and attacking Ruutu which resulted in Stuart receiving two instigator minors, a fighting major and a ten minute misconduct.  Chicago could not take advantage of that power play opportunity.  In fact, former Blackhawk Michal Handzus picked up a short-handed goal with one second left in the four minute Hawks’ advantage.

Chicago chased Kings’ starter J.S. Aubin after getting up 3-0 in the first.  He allowed three goals on nine shots.  Back-up Jonathan Quick, who began the season in the ECHL (league below the AHL), faced 27 shots in relief.

Nikolai Khabibulin was strong in net stopping 25 shots.

The Kings snapped their run of futility yesterday afternoon in Colorado, where they came back from a one-goal third period defecit to defeat the Avs 3-1.  Derek Armstrong, Scott Thornton scored a minute and seventeen seconds apart midway through the third and Anze Kopitar capped of the scoring with an empty netter to seal the Kings first victory since December 10.

Members of the Chicago Blackhawks organization hope tonight is somewhat of a monumental night in team history as 2005 1^st round draft pick (7^th overall) Jack Skille will be making his National Hockey League debut.

2005 1^st round in order: 1-Sidney Crosby (Pit), 2-Bobby Ryan (Ana), 3-Jack Johnson (drafted by Carolina then traded to LA for Tim Gleason and Eric Belanger), 4-Benoit Pouliet (Min), 5-Carey Price (Mtl), 6-Gilbert Brule (Cbj), 7-Jack Skille (Chi) , 8-Devin Setoguchi (SJ), 9-Brian Lee (Ott), 10-Luc Bourdon (Van), 11-Anze Kopitar (LA), 12-Marc Staal (NYR)

Would you have preferred the Hawks taken Anze Kopitar with the seventh pick?  In 111 games since turning pro last season, Kopitar has 36 goals and 63 assists with the Kings.  Jack Johnson (University of Michigan) has appeared in 44 games since signing his pro contract last March (1g, 5a).

Skille was projected by scouts to be an NHL power forward, similar in development to another American-born player, Bill Guerin.  Skille hasn’t shown much so far and has been regulated mostly to third line duties in Rockford when they’ve had a full roster.  Skille’s best attribute is his snap shot, with his speed coming in second in that aspect.  He can be physical, but hasn’t shown a willingness to get into the dangerous areas on a regular basis.

The Blackhawks will dress four players (Burish, Kontiola, Richmond, Skille) tonight who are looking for their first NHL goals…. Nikolai Khabibulin has one shutout as a member of the Blackhawks.  It came on March 6^th of last season at the UC against these Kings….

Blackhawks expected line-up (courtesy of blackhawks.nhl.com)

6-Magnus Johansson was recalled Thursday from Rockford before ever having appeared in an IceHogs uniform but will still be a healthy scratch despite Wisniewski and Sopel being out with injuries.  I understand the logic of bringing in Danny Richmond to replace some of the spirited-emotion lost with Wisniewski sidelined, but that sure is an indictment of Johansson’s status on this team if Danny Richmond and Andrei Zyuzin are both playing above him….. 14-Sergei Samsonov would be on waivers if the Hawks were completely healthy.  It could happen at any time.  Consistent and improved play from Petri Kontiola and Jack Skille could force that move…..  48-David Koci is still occupying a spot on the 23-man active roster and I’m not sure why….. Martin Havlat (groin problems), Brent Sopel (broken left middle finger), James Wisniewski (sprained right knee), David Bolland (broken finger), Ben Eager (mild concussion), Jason Williams (achy groin), and Kevyn Adams (knee surgery, out for season) are all on Injured Reserve…..

Tonight’s anticipated line-up for the Los Angeles Kings

Pres. & GM: Dean Lombardi

Assistant GM: Ron Hextall (he’s also the GM of their AHL affiliate Manchester Monarchs)

Head Coach: Marc Crawford

Associate Coach: Mike Johnston

Assistants: Dave Lewis, Jamie Kompon and Nelson Emerson

13-Michael Cammalleri (bruised ribs) was unable to play yesterday in the Kings 3-1 win at Colorado.  He’s listed as day-to-day but may give it a go tonight.  He’s missed LA’s last two.  Patrick O’Sullivan took his spot on the top line with Kopitar and Brown, so that’s where he’ll be if he gets back in the lineup tonight….. 25-Jon Klemm was recalled from Manchester (AHL) on Friday but did not dress on Saturday.  Unless one of the Kings’ d-men are playing with an injury and in need of rest, Klemm doesn’t figure to crack the lineup….. 38-Kevin Dallman has played in eight games but is a regular healthy scratch…..

**Top Scorers**

Los Angeles Kings:

Anze Kopitar: 39gp – 16a, 22a – 38pts, -10

Dustin Brown: 37gp – 16g, 14a – 30pts, -5

Michael Cammalleri: 36gp – 15g, 14a – 29pts, -10

Alexander Frolov: 28gp – 4g, 19a – 23pts, -10

Lubomir Visnovsky: 39gp – 3g, 19a – 23pts, -16

Chicago Blackhawks:

Patrick Kane: 36gp – 9g, 26a – 35pts, even

Patrick Sharp: 34gp – 19g, 13a – 32pts, +15

Robert Lang: 36gp – 13g, 18a – 31pts, +14

Jonathan Toews: 34gp – 14g, 17a – 31 pts, +3

Jason Williams: 20gp – 7g, 12a – 19pts, even

Head-to-Head:

Power Play:  Hawks 15^th NHL (18.1%)  … Kings 8^th NHL (19.5%)

Penalty Kill:  Hawks 8^th NHL (84.7%)  … Kings 28^th NHL (78.2)

One-goal games: Hawks 9-7-0  … Kings 5-9-0

When Scoring first: Blackhawks 13-5-1  … Kings 5-7-1

Opponent scores first: Blackhawks 6-10-1  … Kings 8-17-1

Tied after two periods: Blackhawks 4-4-1  … Kings 2-3-0

Leading after 2^nd per:  Blackhawks 10-0-1  … Kings 9-2-0

Trailing after 2^nd per:  Blackhawks 5-11-0  … Kings 2-19-2

Versus Central Division:  Blackhawks 9-5-1  … Kings 1-7-0

December:  Blackhawks 5-6-0  … Kings 3-11-1

Blackhawks all-time vs. Los Angeles

Overall: 73-67-17-1

At Home: 38-33-9-0

Kings notes:

-- Tom Preissing, signed as a free agent from the Ottawa Senators on July 2^nd, was born in Arlington Heights, IL.  He played for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League before attending Colorado College (WCHA).

-- Anze Kopitar is one point shy of career number 100 [111gp, 36g, 63a]

-- Patrick O’Sullivan is the only NHL player in history to be born in North Carolina

-- Kings’ goalless droughts (games);  Jon Klemm (31), Jeff Giuliano (31), Jack Johnson (30), Brian Willsie (22), Kevin Dallman (15), Kyle Calder (16), Raitis Ivanans (14), Alexander Frolov (12), Jaroslav Modry (11), Tom Preissing (7), Ladislav Nagy (6), Michal Handzus (5)

-- Kyle Calder had 2 assists and was a +3 in the Dec 12 game vs. Chicago

-- Jaroslav Modry (36yrs old) has 49 goals and 197 assists in 683 NHL games (1 A since Dec 12)

-- Brian Willsie needs 3 points for 100 career (309gp, 48g, 49a)

-- Brad Stuart was an unrestricted free agent signing on July 3, 2007 {Calgary}

-- Ladislav Nagy was an unrestricted free agent signing on July 2, 2007 {Dallas}

Draft picks:

Rob Blake: 1988 – 4^th round – 70^th overall

Lubomir Visnovsky: 2000 – 4^th round – 118^th overall

Alexander Frolov: 2000 – 1^st round – 20^th overall

Michael Cammalleri: 2001 – 2^nd round – 49^th overall

Dustin Brown: 2003 – 1^st round – 13^th overall

Jonathan Quick: 2005 – 3^rd round – 72^nd overall

Anze Kopitar: 2005 – 1^st round – 11^th overall

-- Frolov’s NHL career: 335gp, 98g, 129a, 227pts

Hawks notes:

-- Adam Burish has now gone all 45 NHL games he’s played without a goal, much less a point.  He continues to see a regular shift on the Hawks third line.  Burish has played in all 36 of the Hawks games thus far.

-- Burish turns 25 next Sunday when the Hawks host the Wings

-- Lead the league with 12 short-handed goals: Sharp-7, Bourque-3, Dowell-1, Wisniewski-1

-- Danny Richmond in Rockford: 23gp, 1g, 8a, 9pts, 85pim, +11 [goal came Thurs at Wolves]

-- Richmond was held out of last night’s IceHogs game at Peoria before today’s call up

-- Jack Skille in Rockford ’07-08: 33gp, 8g, 8a, 16pts, 23pim, -2

-- Andrei Zyuzin is 16 games shy of 500

-- Duncan Keith will play in his 200^th NHL game tonight [16g, 50a]

-- Blackhawks goalless droughts (games): Brent Sopel (39), Cam Barker (37), Sergei Samsonov (27), Yanic Perreault (16), Andrei Zyuzin (15), Duncan Keith (6), Tuomo Ruutu (6)

-- Never scored~! Adam Burish-45gms; David Koci-24gms; Magnus Johansson-17gms;

NHL Rookie Scoring:

1. Patrick Kane: 36gp – 9g, 26a – 35pts

2. Jonathan Toews: 34gp – 14g, 17a – 31pts

3. Niklas Backstrom: 39gp – 7g, 21a – 28pts (Washington) [5pts last two gp)

4. Tobias Enstrom: 39gp – 3g, 19a – 22pts (Atlanta defenseman)

5. Martin Hanzal: 36gp – 3g, 16a – 19pts (Phoenix)

6. Andrew Cogliano: 39gp – 7g, 11a – 18pts (Edmonton)

7. Peter Mueller: 35gp – 9g, 8a – 17pts (Phoenix)

8. Sam Gagner: 38gp – 3g, 13a – 16pts (Edmonton)

9. David Perron: 24gp – 7g, 7a – 14pts (St. Louis)

10. Matt Niskanen: 39gp – 2a, 12a – 14pts (Dallas d-man)

2006-07 Season Series (4 matches):

March 23 at UC: Kings 2 – Blackhawks 1 – 13,133 (free ticket night)

March 15 in LA: Blackhawks 4 – Kings 3 – shootout

March 06 at UC: Blackhawks 3 – Kings 0 – att: 9,118 (Khabibulin’s only Hawks’ shutout)

February 1 in LA: Blackhawks 3 – Kings 2 - OT

Power play: Blackhawks: 3-25 (12%) – Los Angeles 3-24 (12.5%)

Shots on goal: Blackhawks: 106 – Los Angeles 118

Fight~!

December 12 at UC: Derek Armstrong vs. Adam Burish  --  Brad Stuart vs. Tuomo Ruutu

In 2006-07

March 23 at UC:

Tom Kostopoulos (now with Montreal) vs. Danny Richmond – 8:01-1^st

Raitis Ivanans vs. David Koci – 1:24-2^nd

March 15 in LA:

Jamie Lundmark (playing in Russia) vs. Cam Barker – 0:59-2^nd

March 6 at UC: none

February 1 in LA: none

**Tonight’s Officials**

Referees: Greg Kimmerly #18, Ian Walsh #29

Linesman: Lonnie Cameron #74, Tony Sericolo #84

Jeff Ray will sing the anthem.

2007-08 Season Series: Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings

Wed Dec. 12 – United Center – Hawks win 6-3 (LA begins 8-game losing streak)

Tonight  – United Center – 6:00 central

Tue Jan. 01 – at Staples Center – 9:30central/7:30 pacific

Sat Feb. 23 – at Staples Center – 3:00central/1:00 pacific

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Blackhawks.nhl.com is reporting that Sunday’s home game vs. Los Angeles is now sold out (20,500) with just standing room only tickets remaining.  A quick check over at ticketmaster.com does confirm that only SRO tickets are available for sale.  Remember, no home television this Sunday.

The Hawks’ web site is also reporting the news that James Wisniewski has been diagnosed with just a sprained right knee, and not a MCL tear and will be re-evaluated in 2-4 weeks.

Brent Sopel has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game.  His broken left middle finger will keep him sidelined for 1-2 weeks as reported.

Numerous hints have been dropped now which lead you to believe Danny Richmond will be called up in time for Sunday’s game. – Great another guy who can’t contribute offensively is consistently out of position defensively and can’t win a fight.

Richmond hasn’t seen any time at forward for the IceHogs since joining Rockford on November 9^th.

• Check back here this weekend for all the Blackhawks news, notes and analysis.  We’ll have more Blackhawks home attendance analysis, including just which night is best for Hawks fans
• An update on former Hawks around the league.
• I’ll have Sunday’s game preview up on the site on Sunday morning.
• A look back at the past 2007 calendar year in the Blackhawks’ organization
• And a deeper look at some Blackhawks’ statistics
• And if I have time… responding to the email bag~!

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com

Patrick Sharp Two Minutes in the Box w/Lacy J. Banks, Sun-Times

Claims he’s been in 10-15 hockey fights and remains undefeated…. Has never lost a tooth in his hockey career (I’ve lost two teeth this season just having to watch James Wisniewski play)…. He likes sushi, playing the guitar and is hooked on Pearl Jam…. If anything ever happened to his girlfriend, he’d like to take Jessica Biel to a ‘paradise island.’  I concur.

Jake Dowell (broken foot) practiced with the team and centered the third line with wingers Rene Bourque and Adam Burish on Thursday.  That’s an all-Wisconsin Badger line [Dowell ’03-07; Burish ’02-06; Bourque ’00-04] which all-but guarantees it never to score.  But perhaps familiarity will breed success.  Adam Burish could use some.  Burish is now without a goal in all 45 games he’s played in the NHL.  Bourque has 26 goals in 138 games and Dowell has 1 in 4.  Dowell of course scored short-handed, on a breakaway, his first night in the league – Thanksgiving night at Calgary.  He last played Nov 28 vs. Tampa Bay.  Thursday's practice notes blackhawks.nhl.com

LA Kings are currently the worst team in hockey having lost 8-consecutive games.  That streak began in the form of a 6-3 loss to Chicago at the United Center December 12.  They’ve been outscored 31-15 in that stretch.  Los Angeles visits Colorado tomorrow afternoon before traveling to Chicago for Sunday night’s game with the Hawks.

19-15-2 (40 points) is good enough to get the Blackhawks into the 9^th spot in the West this morning.  They’re second in the Central Division, trailing the division leading Red Wings by – 19 points.

Brent Sopel (broken left middle finger) is preparing to attempt to play on Sunday saying it shouldn’t affect his ability to play too much.

Nothing new on James Wisniewski (right medial collateral ligament damage).  He’s currently projected as missing 4 to 6 weeks.  The extent of his injury won’t be fully understood until the swelling goes down and doctors can determine whether or not the ACL was also affected.  It is possible Wisniewski season could be over.  The right knee is the same one he had surgery on last season.

In case you missed it, GM Dale Tallon tried to send Martin St. Pierre and Michael Blunden back to Rockford yesterday but forgot the roster freeze was in effect until today.  In accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, a general manager may recall players from the minor leagues to fill roster spots vacated due to injury.  However, once those players (St. Pierre, Blunden) with the NHL club, they cannot be reassigned until after the roster freeze period expires.  Anyway, Tallon recalled D-Magnus Johansson who had yet to see action with Rockford after clearing waivers last weekend.

Rockford next plays in Peoria on Saturday night.  Blackhawks’ officials will be on hand and you could possibly see a player or two recalled in time for Sunday’s home game against Los Angeles.  Rockford is off Sunday and plays host to Milwaukee at the Metro Centre on New Years Eve at 7:05.

** Martin Lapointe was fined $1,500 for his knee-to-knee hit on Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky this past Sunday at the UC.  Lapointe received a tripping penalty and later fought enforcer Zach Stortini, who was seeking retribution for the hit the Oilers perceived to be dirty.  Hemsky did not play last night when the Oilers returned to action and lost 2-1 to Anaheim at Rexall Place.

** Weeknight home games will start at 7:05 next season.

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The site was down as some of you may have noticed over the past couple of days.  I couldn’t get the updates up properly for some reason but it’s been straightened out now.  With the exception of Wednesday’s post-game and the Wisniewski injury story (both were saved on my laptop and that is out of commission right now) everything has been taken care of.

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** Blackhawks home game attendance; 20,000+ since 2003-04

Prior to this season, the Blackhawks had only hosted crowds in excess of 20,000 fans on five occasions since the beginning of the 2003-04 lame duck campaign.  (5 times over the course of 123 home dates)

They’ve exceeded the 20k mark twice this season, those coming in their last two home games; Dec 23 vs. Edmonton and Dec 26 vs. Nashville.

Here are the seven home crowds which filled, or nearly filled, the United Center in the past three and a half seasons:

1- Wed Dec 26, 2007 – vs. Nashville – 20,511 – Hawks win 5-2

2- Sun Dec 23, 2007 – vs. Edmonton – 20,151 – Hawks win 3-2

3- Fri Feb 13, 2006 – vs. Pittsburgh – 20,541 – Hawks win 4-1 (HilbertX2, Crosby-assist)

4- Fri Dec 23, 2005 – vs. Detroit – 20,543 – Hawks lose, OTL 2-3 (Datsyuk)

5- Sat Oct 29, 2005 – vs. Detroit – 20,658 – Hawks lose 2-4 (Lang gwg)

6- Sun Dec 28, 2003 – vs. Detroit – 21,122 – Hawks win 3-0 (Dempsey gwg)

7- Fri Nov 14, 2003 – vs. Detroit – 21,856 – Hawks lose, OTL 3-4 (Shanahan)

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**2007-08 Blackhawks home attendance**

The Hawks have just now completed more than half of their home regular season schedule (21 of 41 games). 

Total attendance: 299,138 – average of 14,245 att. per game

Now, you’re not going to be able to convince me that Wednesday’s season high crowd of 20,511 was a true representation of how many people were in that building.  However, those are the official numbers so it’s what we’re forced to go by.

*Average Hawks/UC attendance by day of the week:

Highest attendance: 20,511 – Wed Dec 26 vs. Nashville (Home TV)

Lowest attendance:   9,717 – Wed Nov 07 vs. Columbus

Other highs: [Hawks’ record heading into the home match]

20,151 – Sun Dec 23 vs. Edmonton [17-15-2]

19,045 – Sun Nov 11 vs. Detroit [9-7-0] HomeTV

18,768 – Sat Oct 06 vs. Detroit (home opener) [0-1-0]

17,734 – Fri Dec 07 vs. Anaheim [14-11-2]

16,234 – Fri Nov 30 vs. Phoenix [13-9-2]

16,149 – Fri Nov 09 vs. St. Louis [8-7-0]

Other lows:

10,002 – Wed Oct 17 vs. St. Louis [3-2-0]

10,122 – Wed Oct 10 vs. San Jose [1-1-0]

10,884 – Tue Oct 23 vs. Columbus [5-3-0]

11,122 – Wed Nov 28 vs. Tampa Bay [12-9-2] hadn’t been home in 17 days

11,868 – Sat Oct 13 vs. Dallas [2-2-0]

12,086 – Sun Nov 04 vs. Nashville [7-6-0]

4 four the 11 home games scheduled to be broadcasted locally by Comcast SportsNet are already in the books.  Chicago has three wins and one loss (Calgary) in those games.

Here’s the remainder of the Comcasts/Hawks home TV schedule:

Sun Jan 06 vs. Detroit Red Wings – 6pm

Wed Mar 05 vs. Anaheim Ducks – 7:30

Fri Mar 07 vs. San Jose Sharks – 7:30

Wed Mar 12 vs. Carolina Hurricanes – 7:30

Wed Mar 19 vs. Washington Ovechkins – 7:30

Sun Mar 23 vs. St. Louis Blues – 2pm

Wed Apr 02 vs. Detroit Red Wings – 7:30

NBC is still listing the Sun. February 17^th home game vs, Colorado (12 noon)

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Seabrook, Keith asked to carry load for injury-riddled defense Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune

- Current timeline the team is going with for Jason Williams is two weeks before he’s able to return.  Martin Havlat is in the 2-3 week range right now.

Hawks' revolving door Len Ziehm, Sun-Times

Hawks battling through more injuries Tim Sassone, Daily Herald

Sassone reports Danny Richmond could be recalled in time for Sunday’s game vs. LA.  Despite being penciled in as a forward with the Hawks, Richmond has only played defense with the IceHogs.

Job opportunity: Blackhawks looking for a payroll clerk/specialist

Don't forget Danny Richmond is blogging Yardbarker

-Insanity!

Ministry's Al Jourgensen talks about sitting in the '300 level' during the Hull/Eposito days and '200 level' in the 80's and says he still gets back to the old "Chicago Stadium" once a year to check on the Hawks mtv headbangersblog – I’ve read this twice and still can’t figure out what he’s talking about

This person doesn't think Kane or Toews deserve much credit for Hawks' success WindyCitySports

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OT – Final

Chicago Wolves 4 – Rockford IceHogs 3

Rockford loses first game in regulation or overtime period since – well the last time they visited the Chicago Wolves.

IceHogs goals: Jack Skille (8), Derek Nesbitt (1), Danny Richmond (1)

Wolves goals: Steve Martins (11), Nathan Oystrick (6), Jason Krog (13), Brett Sterling (19)

Skille’s goal came during a second period power play as he and Richmond exchanged rebound chances during a 5-on-3 advantage until Skille finally found the back of the net.  Nothing special about that goal.  Skille and Richmond were working the points and pinched in and took turns shooting at a crowded crease.  Skille finally had wide open left side and scored.

Nesbitt is a scorer from the ECHL’s Gwinnett Gladiators who’s been brought in to fill a spot while IceHogs do the same in Chicago.

Richmond’s goal was actually a sweet backhand move late in the third to tie the game.  ‘Richie’ also got pummeled in a second period fight by the Wolves’ Jordan LaVallee.

Colin Fraser, knowing he was this team’s first line center and in a situation where they had limited offense facing one of the highest scoring teams in the AHL; voluntarily took himself off the with his team down 2-0 in order to ‘fight’ Nathan Oystrick midway through the game.  It wasn’t as much of a fight as it was a clutch and tug exhibition.  Fraser threw one punch at the end and ended up on his back.  Fraser also serves as the IceHogs alternate captain.

Corey Crawford made a lot of big saves.  At the same time, he gave up a lot of big, fat juicy rebounds which has always been the knock on him.

The Wolves’ overtime tally came on the power play with former UHL player Gavin Morgan in the box for hooking.

I know as soon as I type this he’ll be recalled, but Jack Skille does not look to be ready for the NHL.  I’d like to see him take a game, or even a shift over before seeing him in an Indianhead sweater.  He reminds of another Wisconsin Badger, San Jose Sharks winger Joe Pavelski.