Blackhawks Training Camp, Day 1

by RK
September 13, 2009

So I ventured down to Johnny's today and watched the first day of Camp. I actually really enjoyed it.

First about 25 guys came out and had a short half hour practice. Looked to be a random selection, which made me think it was really the first group that arrived at the UC and bussed over. Just a few basic skating, passing and shooting on the goalie drills. From there they were broken up into three teams. First the Red and Black played a two period, 25 minute per period, scrimmage. No real set lines except the black team (who won the first scrimmage) had Sharp-Toews-Ladd as the top line.

While the Red (losing team) went back to the UC, the White team arrived and played the Black team. At this point Brouwer was here and he then jumped to the top line with Sharp-Toews.

Players that stood out. Unbelievable Sopel was outstanding today. Appeared to be back to the level when he first arrived. Scored a slap shot goal, and a penalty shot goal. Next I would say was Ladd. He was all over the place in both scrimmages.

Other players looking good:

Toews
Sharp
Campbell
Klinkhammer
Pepin (looked much improved from last years PC)
And the usual suspects.

Dowell punched Kearns in the face twice with two direct POPs and drew blood which Kearns then spit out on the ice. Frazer once again got his ass handed to him by Bios, who also tried to go with Eager. Of course Eager laughed at him and skated away.

Goalies.. First game was Huet and Niemi. Huet looked solid letting in one softy and one decent goal. Niemi let in two softies and then nothing else. He actually tended in both scrimmages. Palmer was whaled on in game #2. Let in three straight goals in about 7 minutes. Sharp, Brophy, and I forget the third. Crawford only let in Sopels penalty shot. Other than that made some very good saves. Niemi played the second half of the second game and made two-three excellent saves with both the blocker and glove. I have to think that Crawford vs. Niemi will be the best battle in camp this year.

Beach and Aliu both looked to be feeling out the game. Beach picked Kaners pocket in the first game which then turned into a goal. Kane set up the first goal for the Red (losing team) in scrimmage #1. Kopecky was the one that scored. Kane and Kopecky were on the line together. For some reason Bolland did not practice today. Madden is going to be an impact player. He scored in the 2nd game the first frickin time he touched the puck!!!

Black team won both scrimmages.

Was a fun time seeing hockey again.

Oh, Johnny's sucks. It's the most assinine place to hold a professional hockey camp. The ice is not big enough, the ceiling is too low, and the fucking puck goes out of play ever 2-3 minutes. Good idea having it there. Not.



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