NEWSLETTER
After becoming accustomed to catching games every other day, waiting from last Friday to this Tuesday for the next Blackhawks puck drop has been weird. Not that the players are complaining, I’m sure. They get back in action tomorrow night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but this three-day break from the Blackhawks has made it easier to pay attention to the world of the NHL outside of the Chicago bubble.
• For instance, the NHL Outdoor series this past weekend in Lake Tahoe was at the forefront of the league. While Saturday’s Avalanche-Golden Knights game turned into a mess, Sunday between the Bruins and Flyers went off with fewer hitches.
• The Bruins handled the Flyers with little issue behind David Pastrnak’s hat-trick in a 7-3 win. Pastrnak and the Bruins took it upon themselves to have some fun with the weekend in Lake Tahoe, first showing up to the game in flashy ski suits:
The 90s definitely called.#NHLBruins | #NHLOutdoors pic.twitter.com/Qw1hN3f4f8
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) February 21, 2021
• The party continued after the game as well:
Come on Barbie, let's go party 🎶 pic.twitter.com/BQPWhIrFMJ
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 22, 2021
• David Pastrnak: Big “Barbie Girl” fan, confirmed.
• Even though the Bruins got the better of the Flyers in the game on Sunday, the real winner this weekend was Gritty.
I don’t start fights, I end them. pic.twitter.com/iymgUQeZHP
— Gritty (@GrittyNHL) February 21, 2021
• In all seriousness, the NHL had to take a risk to get this outdoor event to work at such a beautiful location. Aside from the debacle of the sun on Saturday, Lake Tahoe’s location proved to be one of, if not the most photogenic locations the NHL has ever played an outdoor game. I understand that the league needs to money from ticket sales to these types of games, desperately, but there is no excuse that once a year moving forward, the NHL plays a game at Lake Tahoe.
What a weekend! #NHLOutdoors
Thank you, Lake Tahoe. 😍 pic.twitter.com/iGcSXV0ZTJ
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) February 22, 2021
• Even though the Blackhawks were left out of the NHL’s plans to play at Lake Tahoe, it’s not like they couldn’t be brought up during the broadcast anyway:
NHL outdoor games in a nutshell. pic.twitter.com/Wxc2OZnp9J
— Dan (@cultureoflosing) February 22, 2021
• Hey, it’s not like they asked to be the most marketable team in the league for a decade.
• Speaking of being mentioned on the broadcast, I hope you took some time to watch the mini-documentary that NBC did on legendary play-by-play voice Doc Emrick. It not only showcased his G.O.A.T status when it comes to being the voice of hockey for a generation of fans, but also the kind-hearted person he is. I can’t get enough of Doc and I still miss him on the NBC broadcasts. Part of the Doc doc (lol), he was asked about a call that he wished he could have a do-over on. Well, he got his wish and it is amazing:
Doc gets a re-do of his 2010 Stanley Cup Championship call and it is glorious!#Blackhawks #WhatChaos pic.twitter.com/3gBsM0pBAR
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) February 21, 2021
• I’m starting the petition to have Doc’s re-do call over-dubbed over any and all rebroadcasts of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final Game Six.
• Final bit of Blackhawks organizational news: the Rockford IceHogs announced on Sunday that Cam Morrison would be missing the rest of the AHL season after having reconstructive surgery on an MCL injury. Morrison signed with the Blackhawks this offseason after finishing his NCAA career with Notre Dame.
Medical Update: FW Cam Morrison sustained an injury during the IceHogs’ preseason game and underwent successful surgery to reconstruct his right knee MCL. He is expected to make a full recovery in 5-6 months.https://t.co/7N93Hk1xov
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) February 21, 2021
• Today is February 22nd and that holds some pretty serious weight in the hockey world.
• On this Day in 2020, David Ayres, an emergency backup goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes is forced into a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the organization for which he drives a Zamboni at their facilities. Ayers made eight saves on ten shots in 28:41 minutes of action and gets the 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs. Long live the EBUG!
One year ago today… 🐐#LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/XJVfFMNniD
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) February 22, 2021
• Also on this date in 2018, Olympic glory for the USA Women’s Team as they take down Canada in the Gold Medal game! A 3-2 win in the shootout, with Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson scoring the winning goal. It was the first Gold Medal for the Women’s Team since the first Women’s Olympic Hockey tournament at the 1998 Winter Olympics.
On this day in 2018… 🥇 pic.twitter.com/63QAMluGMz
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) February 22, 2021
• And finally, 41 years ago today in 1980, a Miracle.
