IceHogs Drop Game One, Net Front Shaq, Toronto’s Got Problems, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Apr 28, 2024

The Rockford IceHogs hosted the Grand Rapids Griffins in their first round playoff series on Saturday night. It started very well for Rockford. Michael Teplý scored in the first period off a pretty set-up from Lukas Reichel and Zach Sanford extended the lead to two in the second. But Grand Rapids scored twice in the third to tie the game and won it in overtime. Jaxson Stauber stopped 34 of 37 in the loss.

Game Two of their best-of-5 series is on Wednesday night in Grand Rapids. Here’s Reichel setting up Teplý for the first goal last night:

TEPLY SCORES FIRST pic.twitter.com/SnHFUiNrWk
— x – Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) April 28, 2024

If you’re wondering about the IceHogs’ lineup with all of the recent prospects being assigned there somewhat overloading the depth chart, here’s how Rockford sent them out last night. Still no Nolan Allan or Cole Guttman, who are both working their way back from injuries. Colton Dach finished tied for the IceHogs’ lead with three shots on goal last night.

https://twitter.com/goicehogs/status/1784365900235247765

I’m a big fan of Turner’s pregame shows for their NBA and NHL coverage. When they get the two groups together? It can be television gold. And last night we had a couple moments that were fabulous. Poor Henrik Lunqvist had to work thru the biggest net-front screen he’s ever seen — I can guarantee he’s never had someone as big as Shaq posting up in front of him on skates.

Any power play in the league would benefit from @SHAQ as a net front guy.. @NHL_On_TNT #Playoffs #BIGscreen https://t.co/pGMkrxoAIM
— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist) April 27, 2024

And I love me some Charles Barkley because he keeps is painfully real. He’s said on the NBA pregame show that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the best playoffs in professional sports. He loves him some hockey. So when he jumped on the set last night to make a bold prediction, I was on board. Unfortunately for the Leafs, Charles picked them for his lock of the night. Which is a kiss of death if you’ve ever paid attention to Barkley’s guarantees.

https://twitter.com/BR_OpenIce/status/1784373518903267614

After Barkley predicted the Leafs would win, they lost 3-1. Boston dominated the game. Toronto got William Nylander back in the lineup for the game, but Auston Matthews didn’t come out of the room after the second intermission. Apparently he’s been dealing with an illness that’s impacted his play throughout the series thus far. That’s a tough spot for the Leafs and Matthews. But it looks like the bench isn’t exactly rallying together in tough moments right now. Poor Mitchell Marner didn’t have much support coming from Matthews or Nylander in this moment.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1784399250153222225

And you know Canadian media isn’t going to ease off the criticism when the chips are all-in for that franchise.

“You can't be a real #StanleyCup contender and lose six-straight home playoff games…”@PierreVLeBrun & @markhmasters on the 'listless' effort by Toronto in Game 4 and the lingering illness that appears to be plaguing Auston Matthews: https://t.co/y9rVAa5ZGY pic.twitter.com/Rn6dLRzTfe— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) April 28, 2024

The Dallas Stars needed overtime to get their first win of their series with Vegas on Saturday night. Wyatt Johnston scored two of Dallas’ three goals in the game. I point this out because Johnston has scored 56 goals in 164 regular-season games for the Stars thus far in his career — and he doesn’t turn 21 until mid-May. In my opinion, the biggest issue ahead for the Blackhawks’ rebuild is how good some of the young players are in Dallas. And Johnston is arguably their best.

Wyatt Johnston for the win in overtime pic.twitter.com/PWB5QfD5b3
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) April 28, 2024

Finally, Saturday closed the 2024 NFL Draft. Our guys did a fantastic job covering the entire event. Personally, I’m thrilled with the Bears’ class. They drafted a kid from my high school (Hinsdale Central) and another one (Austin Booker) whose dad played college football with me. Selfishly, that’s amazing! Bear Down!

Meet the Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Classhttps://t.co/PHNqz8drq7 pic.twitter.com/S8Rzpn92Fa
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 27, 2024

written by

Tab Bamford

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

more blackhawks news

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

Tab Bamford

May 12, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Points Galore at World Championship, Toews Stories, Toronto Drama, OT Oilers, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The World Championships got started with a bang on Friday morning. Germany, without Lukas Reichel (who still wasn't on their roster), beat Slovakia 6-4. Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland rolled to a 5-2 win over Norway. Kurashev picked up an assist...

Tab Bamford

May 11, 2024

Connor Bedard Canada 2024 World Championship

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Scored Twice in His World Championship Debut!

After finishing his Calder Trophy-caliber rookie season with the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard decided to jump right back on the ice and do his best to help Canada win gold at the World Championship. Notice the lack of the word "Junior"...

Tab Bamford

May 11, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Fans Guide to the IIHF World Championship

While we're watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Blackhawks, there are a few guys from the NHL roster this season competing for a championship of their own. The IIHF World Championship is taking place in Czechia from May 10-26....

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Mock Draft Roundup: More Projected Picks for Blackhawks Fans to Consider

The day after the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery I did a quick wrap of some updated mock drafts from around the interwebs to see who folks were projecting the Blackhawks to select. We've had a few more drop recently, so...

Tab Bamford

May 10, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Begin, Demidov vs Levshunov, Unbeatable Rangers, Wild Selling, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The IIHF World Championship begins this morning with Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland facing Norway in Game 1 of the tournament. That game begins at 9:20 AM CT. On Friday morning the lines for the game posted and Kurashev...

Tab Bamford

May 10, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

UPDATE: Stadium to Partner With Standard Media Group to Build Blackhawks, Bulls & White Sox TV Network

Over the weekend I shared a news story from Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers at The Athletic that detailed the formation of the new regional sports network (RSN) that would eventually be the home for Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Utah’s NHL Franchise Reveals List Of 20 Potential New Names

If you were hoping to find out what the artist formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes / Utah's new NHL franchise's nickname could be, you might want to brace for disappointment. This week, ownership of the newest NHL franchise --...

Matt Rooney

May 09, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Luke Richardson is Suddenly One of the Longest-Tenured Head Coaches in the NHL

When the Toronto Maple Leafs fired Sheldon Keefe on Thursday morning, it didn't surprise most people. But one aspect of the move certainly got my attention. The Leafs installed Keefe as their head coach on November 20, 2019, which made...

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Slaggert’s Path, Fight Night in Florida, Comeback Canucks, Keefe Out, College Decisions, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

This year's NHL Draft Lottery was the first time since 2010 that no team moved up. Which was surprising, and a win for the Blackhawks. Ben Pope shared this nugget, which is also interesting. The Rangers selected forward Kaapo Kakko...

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

NBA Picks

Mavericks vs. Thunder Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 – Monday, May 13, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are slight 1.5-point favorites heading into Game 4 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center on Monday, starting at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The Mavericks hold...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

NHL Playoffs Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – May 13

With two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the NHL card Monday, you have plenty of chances to place an anytime goal-scorer wager. Keep scrolling for the odds on players from each matchup.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Oilers vs. Canucks NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 4 Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks on May 14 at 9:30 PM ET, and have been made -218 favorites, with the away team at +180.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Oilers vs. Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-218)Underdog: Canucks (+180)Total: 6.5Best...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Oakland Athletics 2024 Schedule and How to Watch their games

MLB

How to Watch Athletics Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

It's a bittersweet season for the Oakland Athletics. As they prepare to begin their move to Las Vegas for the 2028 season, the A's are looking to make their final year at the Coliseum one to remember. With a little...

Brian Twining

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Angels vs. Cardinals: Live Stream or on TV

Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) host Brendan Donovan and the St. Louis Cardinals (16-24) on Monday in a series opener, with first pitch at 9:38 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Mariners vs. Royals: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners (22-19), with George Kirby on the mound, host the Kansas City Royals (25-17) who will hand the ball to Brady Singer, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Kansas City matchup...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Jordan Montgomery takes the ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22) when they host starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Monday.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The San Diego Padres (22-21), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, host the Colorado Rockies (12-28) who will hand the ball to Dakota Hudson, at 9:40 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to find out how to...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Dodgers vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Michael Conforto and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) at 9:45 PM ET on Monday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the Los Angeles-San Francisco matchup in...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

Picks

Texas Rangers vs. Cleveland Guardians Series May 13-15: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

The Cleveland Guardians are on the road, opening a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET.Rangers vs. Guardians Series Info Guardians @ Rangers Time: Monday, May 13 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers Starting...

Data Skrive

May 12, 2024

IceHogs Drop Game One, Net Front Shaq, Toronto’s Got Problems, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Read More

more blackhawks news

Latest News

more blackhawks news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular