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

Late Hits on Connor McDavid Lead To Punishment For Multiple Canucks

How many times over the years have you yelled "Hey! You can't do that!" at the television or, in person, at the ice when you watch someone take liberties with a star player? Well, Sunday night's game in Edmonton was...

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

The Russia Problem: Could IIHF Sanctions Impact the Blackhawks’ Plans?

Over the weekend, news broke that the IIHF was taking some steps regarding Russia, players and the whole are-they-allowed-to-leave issue that may have an impact on the Blackhawks consideration of top prospect Ivan Demidov, should he be deemed the best...

Tab Bamford

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard is Dominating the World Championship, Reichel Arrives, Bruins Lose, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Another day, another load of Connor Bedard highlights from the World Championships in Czechia. Remember when the Blackhawks' star rookie scored twice in his first appearance of the tournament and we were all like "whoa that's cool!" Well, he did...

Tab Bamford

May 13, 2024

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

MLB

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

The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

News

All-Time PGA Championship Winners

The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

Ryan Noonan

May 13, 2024

Chicago Bears

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

MLB

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

Citi Field is electric, the energy is palpable, and the New York Mets are in the thick of the chase! Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan bleeding blue and orange or following the Amazin' Mets from afar, their remaining MLB...

Brian Twining

May 13, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

Michael Cerami

May 13, 2024

Picks

Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks play the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 PM ET on Monday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires three treys from Luka...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Kyrie Irving Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks play the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Mavericks' Kyrie Irving drains three 3-pointers, he'll beat his prop.Kyrie Irving's Three-Pointer...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Celtics vs. Cavaliers Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 13, 2024

Player prop bet odds for Jayson Tatum and others are listed when the Boston Celtics visit the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Monday at 7:00 PM ET.How to Watch Celtics vs. CavaliersDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time: 7:00 PM...

Data Skrive

May 13, 2024

Picks

Top Player Prop Bets for Mavericks vs. Thunder Western Conference Semifinals Game 4 on May 13, 2024

Player prop betting options for Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and others are available in the Dallas Mavericks-Oklahoma City Thunder matchup at American Airlines Center on Monday (starting at 9:30 PM ET).How to Watch Mavericks vs. ThunderDate: Monday, May 13, 2024Time:...

Data Skrive

May 13, 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