A New Year, New Injuries, New Resolution: Avoid Murphy's Law
By Angie Wiatrowski in News on Jan 1, 2011 8:00PM
Murphy’s Law states that what can go wrong, will go wrong. The law of gravity states that what goes up must come down. Not to sound too much like Marty McFly, but it must get pretty heavy in Chicago as the Blackhawks can’t seem to get out of this injury plagued funk, maintaining a healthy trend of injuries heading into 2011.
Health and prosperity are generally wished and hoped for during the holidays, and this New Year, the Hawks are no exception if they plan on history repeating itself. The 2009-10 season was huge for the Hawks, for obvious reasons and I hope I don’t have to explain… It was also huge outside of Chicago as this time last year it was announced that Patrick Kane was named to the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Kane had 17 goals and 28 assists up until that point.
Speaking of history repeating itself, the Hawks have also found themselves in another goaltending controversy. Marty Turco has been given some more opportunities with Corey Crawford out sick, but can he bounce back and reclaim his starting role? Turco made his third straight start Dec. 30 vs. the Sharks, but former Hawks goaltender Antti Niemi took the win. Turco denied 40 goals, but allowed four on just 20 shots vs. the Sharks. Turco is currently 9-10 with a 3.02 goals-against average and rookie Crawford is 11-6 with a 2.31 goals-against average. Sounds like another Huet-Niemi situation, which ended up working out for the best after walking away Stanley Cup champs, with rookie goaltender Niemi playing all but one period in the playoffs.
The Hawks have a lot more on their plate and should probably start focusing on a New Years resolution: stay healthy. It seems as though they can’t catch a break when it comes to losing their star players. Already having Marian Hossa, Patrick Kane, and Viktor Stalberg sidelined at once, they managed to weather the storm only to prepare them for another. They went 6-3-1 the 10 games Hossa was out and Kane sidelined for 8 of those 10. Things started to look up for Hawks as they finally had their full roster again Dec. 28, for a full 13 minutes.
Yup, Murphy’s Law took charge and it was announced the following day that Jonathan Toews would be out of action for two weeks with a right shoulder injury, right when Kane returned to the ice. Toews was checked near the boards by St. Louis forward Matt D’Agostini in the 3-1 loss the Blues.
This will prove to be another tough test as the captain is averaging 20:30 of ice time per game, topping Blackhawks forwards. Toews has also scored 15 goals this season and ranks 6th in the NHL with 7 power play goals.
The Hawks need to step up their sloppy play especially without their captain. In 14 of their last 39 games, they have been tied, or held a one-goal lead either entering or during the third period, and lost. There have been 12 games this season where the Hawks were in the same situation and won, but maintaining this too close for comfort play will not fair well.
It’s time for the Hawks to continue to prosper and ditch Murphy’s Law or at least continue to deal with it. They will travel to Anaheim on Sunday with Crawford getting the start to kick off 2011. As another exciting year in sports begins, have a happy and healthy New Year to you and yours and of course, our beloved Blackhawks.