Preview of Washington vs. Buffalo 5/10

At their last meeting on 11/25 Buffalo stomped Washington 2-0. However, this meeting could prove to be different. Washington is ranked #1 on offense and are scoring on 24.4% of their power plays. However, Buffalo ranks higher in defense and goaltending. Tonight's game should be another exciting meeting of two of the top teams in hockey.

Big Hockey Hits of 2008/2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4pblykrxdY


A compiliation of the biggest hits in NHL in 2008 and 2009.

To get some basic knowledge of hockey, and the Blackhawks I decided to check out their website. While absorbing all the information I could on this new foreign subject, I came across an article about the Blackhawks training camp. Even though I’m pretty much clueless at this point, I’m able to figure out that training camp is preparing for the upcoming season. However, I wasn’t aware that they made a festival out of this. According to Jay Blunk the Senior Vice President of Business Operations “Fans are able to get an inside look at how a Blackhawks practice is run while also enjoying a festive atmosphere with the run, skate and street hockey tournament outdoors. We’re also excited to be giving 1,000 young fans the opportunity to meet a player and get their autograph.” I think this is a really exciting way to get the fans involved. Not only can people meet the players, but witness firsthand the hard work that goes into a sport that sometimes seems effortless. I also find this shocking. I know sports are different from the fine arts, but as a dancer I can’t imagine opening up our practice (rehearsal or technique classes) to the audience that comes to watch us in the final performance. After all a hockey game is a performance of all the work players have put into practice. I admire all the players on the team for taking that time, which could be considered private, and letting the fans see the inner workings of a professional hockey team.

Hello to all my readers out there! I’m Alex Havlick a journalism student at The University of Iowa. This past year I decided to put myself out there, and try something new and unfamiliar. For me that was enrolling in Sports Reporting and Writing. To be honest I don’t know one thing about any particular sport, but I’ve always wanted to learn and become a fan of something. I appreciate every sport out there, and the commitment and discipline it takes to be a player, coach, etc. However, for my blog I narrowed it down to one sport I find the most interesting: hockey. Being from Highland Park, a Chicago suburb, I decided that I will focus on the Chicago Blackhawks. Although the most exciting part of a hockey game to me is the dirty hockey fights, I hope that through this blog I learn all about the rules of the game, the Blackhawks team, and become an overall hockey pro. Not only that, but I look forward to truly calling myself a Blackhawks fan. I’m hoping my infatuation with this sport turns into a genuine love for the game.