NEWSLETTER
It feels good to wake up and write about a Blackhawks winner! I get to do that today after a 21-day, eight-game losing streak, so let’s get right into it.
• Derek King reunited the Blackhawks’ DeBrincat-Strome-Kane line last night, and boy, oh boy, did it pay off. After a two-game hiatus, the trio lit the lamp on their first shift of the night with a gorgeous tic-tac-toe display on a three-on-one rush to the San Jose net.
https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1514769299482718215?s=20&t=73AJDCaAGmx30g9GnlDXMg
• Patrick Kane would do everything he could to help send Pat Foley off with a win, logging a three-point night (1G, 2 A) in the winning effort. Kane also had this dandy of a moment when he destroyed Jaycob Megna’s ankles.
Oh my god Patrick Kane destroyed a man!pic.twitter.com/jojRZpCUeh
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) April 15, 2022
• Kane played a hand in orchestrating this beauty of a sequence which was probably the best goal of the season for the Blackhawks:
https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1514799279818244097?s=20&t=73AJDCaAGmx30g9GnlDXMg
• That four-way passing play gave Pat Foley one last great call: “Oh, My! The Harlem Globetrotters just showed up!” Despite the Blackhawks finding a way to make it interesting by surrending a two-goal lead to the Sharks down the stretch, Alex DeBrincat was able to win it in the shootout.
DeBrincat gets the goal. Lankinen gets the stop. Blackhawks get the win ❤️ pic.twitter.com/39eAQwWuJc
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) April 15, 2022
• Seth Jones joked after the game that while the Blackhawks did some nice things, they seem to find a way to make things more interesting than they need to be this season: “It’s nice to get back in the win column… We did some good things tonight, but we always find a way to make it interesting, right?”
• Kane had some thought’s on Pat Foley after the game:
Patrick Kane on the atmosphere in the building for Pat Foley’s last game: “Felt like a game that meant something tonight, it was special. “He’s the voice of the Blackhawks.” pic.twitter.com/9E1JdQGys5
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) April 15, 2022
• More from Kane on Foley:
“You look back at certain highlights or different things that went on with our team, he had some amazing calls. He probably wasn’t there for the championship moments because of the national broadcasts, but he had some amazing calls in the regular season. Even looking back at the hat trick goal I had there against Vancouver in 2009, to hear his call and how enthused he was with that moment, it brings more to it. And he’s been doing that ever since I’ve been here.”
• After the game, the Blackhawks honored Foley by naming him the game’s first star. “Well, we all know who the number one star is tonight,” said Foley’s long-time partner Eddie Olczyk as he poured a beer to take part in a salute to Foley from the fans and players who remained on the ice as Pat Foley delivered one last “Hawks win! Hawks win!” call. What an incredible moment. When Foley delivered that “Hawks win!” the hair on my arms stood up.
After a shootout victory for the Blackhawks Pat Foley is named the first star of the game, his final game. What a finish at the United Center tonight. #Blackhawks #FoleysFarewell pic.twitter.com/BsgcVa2Qol
— Patrick K. Flowers (@PatrickKFlowers) April 15, 2022
• If you missed it, here is Foley’s speech during his pregame ceremony last night:
Pat Foley addressing the United Center crowd:
"If I leave you, it doesn't mean I love you any less." pic.twitter.com/nHowyUb166
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) April 15, 2022
• Foley started his speech by thanking fans and family members for being there and paying tribute to his late father, Bob Foley, while praising his mother, Mary Foley, for making sure he was ready for the Blackhawks job when it came his way: “The only thing that’s not perfect about tonight, is that the greatest man that I’ve ever known is not here. I love to say that Bob Foley got me this job, but it was Mary Foley who made sure I was ready when I got it. If you go into the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster, they give you a sportcoat. The only time I’ve ever had that thing on is the day they gave it to me because where it really belongs is right here…”
• Foley closed his speech out with this reminder for the Blackhawks fans: “It’s been my pleasure and honor to try and serve the greatest fans in the world. So, for Dale Tallon, who built your championship teams. For Billy Gardner, who still shines in Chicago hockey. For Eddie Olczyk, Chicago’s very own who’s the best analyst in sports. And for the great Troy Murray, who is everything you want a Blackhawk to be. This is Pat Foley. Hoping that you enjoy the broadcast … I love ya.”
• If the Bulls want to make it a competitive series with Milwaukee, they’ll have to hit their three’s:
https://twitter.com/Schuster_Elias/status/1514604963833413641?s=20&t=73AJDCaAGmx30g9GnlDXMg
• A quarterback friendly offense sounds like just what the doctor ordered for Justin Fields and the Bears:
Matt Eberflus Promises the Bears Are Giving Justin Fields a “Quarterback Friendly” Offensehttps://t.co/RBTlfE5z0q pic.twitter.com/lzPgCjN2Xk
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) April 14, 2022
• That’s it for today! The Blackhawks will hold practice this morning at Fifth Third Arena before heading to Nashville for their game with the Predators tomorrow afternoon.
