October 23, 2007

It's TV Time for the Chicago Blackhawks. : Chicago Blackhawks to Televise Home Games as they negotiate with Comcast SportsNet to add home games for this season. The Chicago Blackhawks finally move to join the 21st Century. Can phenom rookies Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane ignite new interest in the fading Fan Base?

read story | posted by skydivedad to Hockey at 9:26 AM CDT (10 comments total)

Way over due is an understatement. This should have happened 2 decades ago. This does make a positive statement by Rocky Wirtz about his leadership as owner of this original 6 franchise. It hasn't been an issue for me since I moved to Michigan some 8 years ago and I watch a ton of Blackhawk games on my Center Ice Package. The thing is I always got the oppositions telecast. Hopefully they can rehire HOF announcer Pat Foley!

It will be a real treat for Home fans to get a view of the amazing talent Toews and Kane bring to this squad. I saw the sick move Toews laid on the Avalanche the best goal of the season to date.

posted by skydivedad at 10:21 AM CDT on October 23

Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that the Blackhawks are moving into the 20th century?

posted by rcade at 10:38 AM CDT on October 23

I look forward to catching some Hawks games from time to time, that's for sure -- even if it's just to watch when they play the Wings. Speaking of which, the Blackhawks have handled the Wings thus far this season and are off to a pretty good start overall, with a 5-3 record. I don't think they'll ultimately make the playoffs this year, but with continued development of the young talent and some shrewd free agent pick-ups (like Robert Lang this year), I could see them being in contention for a playoff spot next year.

Here's the Toew's goal referenced by sdd, which really is pretty fantastic.

posted by holden at 10:50 AM CDT on October 23

Great move. Basically the games are going to act as a 3 hour infomerical for hockey. It's going to remind people in Chicago that they have an N.H.L team in town..

posted by tommytrump at 11:05 AM CDT on October 23

It's about time the Blackhawks dumped that stupid pay-per-view policy for their home games. Especially since they have been so terrible as of late.
Over at the 'Canes forum I hang out at, some of the people with Center Ice were taking notice of how much the 'Hawks have improved this year. Good for them. I'm not huge traditionalist, but it sucked seeing this original six team be the league's doormat for so long.
The NHL will always be the number four sports league in Chicago, but when the 'Hawks are winning, they have a very raucous following.
Do you and sdm get to any of the games, sdd? (That is, if you still live in the area.)

Basically the games are going to act as a 3 hour infomerical for hockey.

That's exactly why the Hurricanes have just about all of their games televised; including those slow weeknight home games. I know people that aren't really into hockey, but they'll watch a parts of games just because it's on and there's hype about the team. So, in that sense, it's good to have the games on TV.

posted by NoMich at 11:19 AM CDT on October 23

Do you and sdm get to any of the games, sdd?

SDM is a Die hard Wings Fan and wouldn't be caught dead at the United Center unless it was to see a Wings Hawks fling. I was a season ticket holder from 1981 until I lost them in a divorce settlement in the early 90's. Unfornuately my beloved bride has corrupted our son as he also is a Wing Nut. I figure when we start kicking their butt in a few years I can win him over!

posted by skydivedad at 12:27 PM CDT on October 23

As a Chicago based sports fan this is a great move. Any die hard fan would'nt pass up tickets just because the game is on TV anyway. This just give the fans who can't make the game a chance to see their home team play. Let's go HAWKS!

posted by volfire at 3:29 PM CDT on October 23

Wow, Just caught that SDD, she took your tickets in a divorce settlement? What happen to just giving up the house? LOL, sorry but that is WAY messed up. Glad to see your still a hometeam fan though.

posted by volfire at 3:36 PM CDT on October 23

It's cool for 'Hawks fans, but I still hate Comcast.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 5:12 PM CDT on October 23

Growing up in Chicago in the 60's, I never saw a home game until I was 13, when my dad took me to Chicago Stadium. I had listed to a ton of Hawks home games on radio (with Lloyd Pettit) and only imagined what it was like to see it. Congrats to Rocky Wirtz in getting with the program!

posted by CubbieKenn at 6:49 PM CDT on October 23

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