Winter Classic Goes To Caps In Last Seconds

((HT: NHL on NBC))

The HQ will admit that we like the idea of hockey being played outdoors and having it count in the standings...

This year's Winter Classic was in Washington, DC for the Caps and the Chicago Blackhawks.

There was actually talk that players would wear sunglasses to combat the sunshine that would be present at Nationals Park before 2:30 eastern time- the time of day that the sun would drop behind the home bleachers. But, as a bit of a make-good, the NHL decided to make the teams change ends in the first period at the half-way point in addition to the third period switch.

The winner went to Troy Brouwer, but not without some consternation and questioning of a late penalty call.

Here's the highlights


Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews was asked about the loss- and the stuff that happened late
((HT: CSN Chicago))


So, now it's back to playing hockey indoors until the Outdoor Classics come back in a little while...

Jonathan Toews All Star Promo Video is Pure 80's Awesomeness

((ht: foxsports.com))

Oh boy....this is pure cheese and we love it.

Check out this promo video touting Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews for this years NHL All-Star team.

Words cannot describe this one...so just watch in awe. Oh, and note teammate Patrick Kane on an elliptical trainer wearing a Loverboy style headband.

Kane And Toews Have A Dance Off

((HT: NHL.com))

The Chicago Blackhawks have a fan convention every year in the summer...

Think Dragon-Con for hockey fans...

Part of it is players reading mean tweets about themselves to fans and another part is a question-and-answer session. Part of it had to do with the new two contract guys- Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews- and it devolved from there...


Dancing...???

The HQ isn't sure you would call it that...

How About A Little Shinny...???

((HT: NHL on NBC))

There was talk that the Stadium Series game between Chicago and Pittsburgh might even be postponed last night because the wind chill was below zero...

Well, they play the game outdoors all the time...

And Patrick Kane had it right admitting that the game was more like shinny than anything else...
Chicago won 5-1 and Jonathan Toews scored twice...


The crowd was marked at a little under 63,000 at Soldier Field...

So much for the idea that people won't show up for those kinds of games in perpetual snowy conditions...

ICYMI: Bergeron Out of Hospital After Blackhawks Beat Bruins (UPDATE: Boychuk Not Discplined)

Let's start with Saturday night---

Two goals by Patrick Kane and 24 saves by goalie Corey Crawford led the Chicago Blackhawks to the brink of the Stanley Cup Title late Saturday night.

The Hawks now lead the best of 7 series 3-1 and game 5 is Monday in Boston.

The game itself had some interesting stories. Perhaps the most significant is that of Boston forward Patrice Bergeron who left the game with an un-released injury. That injury however was serious enough that he was sent to a Chicago area hospital for observation.

Bergeron, according to the Bruins, has been released from the hospital and is expected to fly home with the team Sunday morning.

The other big story was Chicago center Jonathan Toews who did not play in the third period Saturday, after taking a hard hit from Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk. Toews' injury was only described as "Upper Body." Boychuk will not be disclplined for the hit by the league

As most of you know, hockey players are notorious, particularly in the playoffs, for playing through almost any injury, and if we were into the whole betting thing, we'd bet on seeing both Bergeron and Toews Monday night.

Here are your Saturday night highlights: (Thanks NHL.com)