2014 Sochi Olympics
As we approach the end of January, we hockey fans are in for a treat. Why? Because all of our favorite hockey players will be competing against each other in order for a shot at the coveted Olympic Gold Medal!
Many of our Blackhawks have made the Olympic rosters for their respected home countries. Among them are:
Patrick Kane (USA)
Michal Handzus (Slovakia)
Marian Hossa (Slovakia)
Jonathan Toews (Canada)
Patrick Sharp (Canada)
Duncan Keith (Canada)
Niklas Hjalmarsson (Sweden)
Johnny Oduya (Sweden)
Marcus Kruger (Sweden)
Michal Rozsival (Czech Republic)
Among the St. Louis Blues and the Detroit Red Wings, the Chicago Blackhawks, as seen above, have many Olympic-caliber players on their own roster. Come February we will be able to see all of them in action!
Also, I am happy to inform you, avid reader, if you did not know already, that Blackhawks’ captain Jonathan Toews has been named an alternate captain for Team Canada. He will join alternate captain Shea Weber and captain Sidney Crosby in the pursuit to lead Canada to another gold medal victory at Sochi.
Blackhawks News
With no surprise to many, the Blackhawks have been outstanding lately. Their current record stands at 32-8-11 (as of 1/20/2014). With 75 points accrued, the Hawks sit at the No.2 spot in the NHL, behind Anaheim with 79, and No.1 in the Central Division.
Within the Central Division, the Hawks still face tough competition. The St. Louis Blues follow the Hawks closely in the standings as they have 69 points in just 47 games, giving the Blues a four-game differential to potentially seize the lead in the Central if the Hawks were to take a slump.
Behind St. Louis sits Colorado with 67 points, Minnesota with 59, Dallas with 50, Nashville with 49, and Winnipeg with 49. Now, Nashville and Winnipeg have been struggling for points this season, obviously. I, personally, do not expect much else from either team in the second half of the regular season.
However, I do believe that while St. Louis and Colorado contend for 2nd and 3rd place, Dallas will make a push to battle Minnesota for 4th and maybe even 3rd if they’re lucky! The Hawks must continue to win in order to keep that top position in their Division.
In other news, the Blackhawks have gained back a huge asset recently. That asset is goaltender Corey Crawford. Crawford has missed a significant amount of time with an injury and has recently returned to the Hawks lineup.
Crawford started a bit shaky, as expected from all the time he missed, and has come around to his true Stanley Cup-caliber play. He has done so well that the NHL named him Third Star of the Week!
Although Antti Raanta took over the goaltender position with great success while Crawford was out, it is relieving to see Crawford back in net. Raanta will make for a great goaltender some day, but for now it’s Crawford’s time to lead the Hawks to another Stanley Cup yet again.
Frank’s Three Stars of the Week
1st: Marian Hossa
2nd: Corey Crawford
3rd: Brandon Bollig
Hossa: Marian Hossa has been on top of his game recently. He has 5 goals and 2 assists in his last 5 games. He is 2nd in the NHL with a +25 rating and 4th in the NHL with 2 short-handed goals. Hossa will continue to be an offensive force for the Hawks and I believe he will also do well in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Crawford: Crawford, after returning from an injury, has been dominating the crease for the Hawks. He has done so well that the NHL has recognized him for his efforts, as mentioned above. Despite being out for a significant amount of time, Crawford is still 8th in the NHL for Wins. He has continued to play well and, in turn, generated more wins. I am disappointed he did not make Canada’s roster for Sochi, however I believe he will continue to keep Chicago in the No.1 spot in the Central Division.
Bollig: “Why put Bollig in the Three Stars again?” you may ask. Well, for the simple fact that he keeps finding ways to score! Although his goals aren’t as pretty as Kaner’s, Bollig has scored 5 goals along with 5 assists so far this season. He has played in every game and has not been scratched once.
Frank Markasovic
Sports Editor
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