Sunday, December 28, 2008

No Joy in Mudville, Hogs and Wolves loose.

It was not a good time to be a minor league hockey fan in Chicago last night. Both of our local teams the Chicago Wolves and the Rockford Icehogs lost to divisional rivals.

The Wolves snatched defeat from the jaws of victory letting a three goal lead slip away during the third period ultimately losing 5:3 to old rivals the Milwaukee Admirals. Admirals goalie Drew McIntyre who many Chicago fans will remember from his years in Manitoba turned away 30 SOG in the loss. While Chicago's Ondrej Pavelec was challenged by 25 SOG. Referee Ian Croft (#87) returned in stripes assigning Milwaukee 26/mi/10 infractions and Chicago 36 minutes for 11 inf.

The turning point of the game for the home team may have come at 15 seconds into the 3rd period when a fight started between Chicago's Mike Hoffman and Milwaukee's Nolan Yonkman. Both men were evenly matched in size and desire to dance, however like may on ice encounters it ended in injuries. It appears that Yonkman may have suffered momentary loss of consciousness hitting the ice and Hoffman a wrist injury. Both combatants were taken into the locker rooms for medical attention immediately after the incident. Although the role of the enforcer is a popular one with fans it needs to constantly be acknowledged how dangerous and difficult it can be. These men are not “goons” but skilled players who provide protection for the smaller line mates often at a high personal price. After Yonkman and Hoffman left the ice it simply seemed the Wolves's air had left it's collective balloon and 5 unanswered goals simply happened in the next 20 minutes.

The Wolves board a plane for Manitoba for Tuesday's game against the Moose. There they will meet old team mates Jason Krog and Gui Desbiens, both of whom are reportedly doing very well in the Manitoba system. Maybe some cold Canadian air, some hot Tim Horton's coffee and the Wolves will snap out of it. If not maybe Desbiens can check some sense into them.

The Icehogs also were also on the negative side last night facing the Iowa Chops losing 5:6. The Hogs had Antti Neimi in goal while the Chops had David LeNevau in the pipes.

No, it wasn't the best night to be a hockey fan in Chicago. The bright spot is that the Hawks don't play the Wild until tonight. Then there is the “Winter Classic” to look forward to in 4 days, minor league fans have something to live for.

No comments: