Hey Everyone!
A lot has happened since my last blog. During our first game of the year, we lost Martin Havlat to a shoulder injury. We are still not sure when he is going to be back, but hopefully its soon.
Although losing Marty is a big loss, we have responded nicely winning 3 out of our first 5 games! Two of those wins have come against our biggest rival, the Detroit Red WIngs. We have struggled against Detroit the last few years so it felt great to get two come from behind wins against them. Our first game against them was our home opener. We came back from a two goal defecit to win the game in a shootout. The crowd of 19,000 was going crazy. It was the best atmosphere in the United Center I've seen in years. Hopefully that will continue throughout the year.
The atmosphere in the dressing room continues to be amazing. In years past, the room hasn't always been a pleasent place to be. So far this year, it is rare to pass a player or coach who doesn't have a smile on his face. Even after practice, everyone sticks around for an hour or so to eat lunch and talk about things happening away from the rink. It is a great group of guys, and I am happy to be a part of it.
This year has been pretty interesting so far for me, and I have been learning a lot. I grew up my whole life playing defense. In the beginning of training camp, my coach told me I will be playing left wing as well. It has defninitely been a challange learning a new position while playing against the best players in the world, but my coaches and teammates have been great at helping me out during practice to help me learn how to be an effective winger. After every practice one of the coaches works with me for about a half hour doing drills specific to left wingers. I am feeling more comfortable with my new position everyday.
When I play wing, I have to use my speed to get in on the forecheck and make it tough on the other teams defensemen. I have to be phyisical and get the puck to the net. I wasn't too sure how much I'd enjoy playing wing, but it has been a lot of fun. Its way better to be the winger hammering the defensemen rather than what I'm used to.
Yesterday, the coaches rewarded our good play with a complete day off from the rink. Days off are really important to clear your mind and get some rest. Hockey is a very draining sport physically and mentally, so it was great to be able to get away from it for a day. I was lucky enough to score some Bears tickets so me and three of my friends made the trip over to Solider Field to watch the Bears take on the Vikings. It was a real exciting game, but the Vikings won the game with a 50 yrd field goal as time expired. Watching the game live, I got an up close view of the Devin Hester show. That guy is a machine! The crowd goes absolutely crazy everytime he touches the ball. It looked like he was playing against a high school football team when he ran back a 90 yrd punt return. Every time he touched the ball, I felt he was going to score.
This week we play two home games against confrence rivals. Then Saturday night we get to play another Original Six team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto on Hockey Night in Canada. It is always fun to play another Original Six team, but it's too bad we don't play them more often.
Talk to you guys in a few days, hopefully after a few Hawks wins!
-Richie
PS: I didn't know about the comments below the post. I will respond to those quicker!
A lot has happened since my last blog. During our first game of the year, we lost Martin Havlat to a shoulder injury. We are still not sure when he is going to be back, but hopefully its soon.
Although losing Marty is a big loss, we have responded nicely winning 3 out of our first 5 games! Two of those wins have come against our biggest rival, the Detroit Red WIngs. We have struggled against Detroit the last few years so it felt great to get two come from behind wins against them. Our first game against them was our home opener. We came back from a two goal defecit to win the game in a shootout. The crowd of 19,000 was going crazy. It was the best atmosphere in the United Center I've seen in years. Hopefully that will continue throughout the year.
The atmosphere in the dressing room continues to be amazing. In years past, the room hasn't always been a pleasent place to be. So far this year, it is rare to pass a player or coach who doesn't have a smile on his face. Even after practice, everyone sticks around for an hour or so to eat lunch and talk about things happening away from the rink. It is a great group of guys, and I am happy to be a part of it.
This year has been pretty interesting so far for me, and I have been learning a lot. I grew up my whole life playing defense. In the beginning of training camp, my coach told me I will be playing left wing as well. It has defninitely been a challange learning a new position while playing against the best players in the world, but my coaches and teammates have been great at helping me out during practice to help me learn how to be an effective winger. After every practice one of the coaches works with me for about a half hour doing drills specific to left wingers. I am feeling more comfortable with my new position everyday.
When I play wing, I have to use my speed to get in on the forecheck and make it tough on the other teams defensemen. I have to be phyisical and get the puck to the net. I wasn't too sure how much I'd enjoy playing wing, but it has been a lot of fun. Its way better to be the winger hammering the defensemen rather than what I'm used to.
Yesterday, the coaches rewarded our good play with a complete day off from the rink. Days off are really important to clear your mind and get some rest. Hockey is a very draining sport physically and mentally, so it was great to be able to get away from it for a day. I was lucky enough to score some Bears tickets so me and three of my friends made the trip over to Solider Field to watch the Bears take on the Vikings. It was a real exciting game, but the Vikings won the game with a 50 yrd field goal as time expired. Watching the game live, I got an up close view of the Devin Hester show. That guy is a machine! The crowd goes absolutely crazy everytime he touches the ball. It looked like he was playing against a high school football team when he ran back a 90 yrd punt return. Every time he touched the ball, I felt he was going to score.
This week we play two home games against confrence rivals. Then Saturday night we get to play another Original Six team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, in Toronto on Hockey Night in Canada. It is always fun to play another Original Six team, but it's too bad we don't play them more often.
Talk to you guys in a few days, hopefully after a few Hawks wins!
-Richie
PS: I didn't know about the comments below the post. I will respond to those quicker!
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