The Niemi Train Has Left the Station

Sound the horn, a decision has been made! With nine games left in the season it’s safe to say that Antti Niemi is the starter between the pipes for the Blackhawks. Coach Quenneville named Huet the starter for the 8-3 calamity against the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night, but also said that he’s yet to decide a starter for the Stanley Cup playoffs. That is, until now. It’s not quite official, but after wetting his pants in his first game back since five games ago, the smart money says Huet will not be in net at the start of the postseason. The Niemi train has left the station, I told you to board months ago! The Blackhawks may not have won, but they still clinched a playoff birth after Calgary lost to the Islanders. Speculation right now is that Niemi will play about seven of the last nine games. I want him to stay hot, but I also want him to stay healthy and have his legs for the entire playoffs. It’s a shame the lack of confidence Hawks fans have when they have that very expensive, roster-binding goalie in net. I’d like to see “Huey” eat up more tick to keep Niemi fresh, but the Hawks are still pining for points in their quest for home ice throughout the playoffs. A concern for some of those who’ve committed to The Indian is that if they do take first in the conference and become the best in the West that they may have to take on current eight seed Detroit Red Wings. I’m not sure why that’s such a growing concern….Just because they knocked the Blackhawks out of the playoffs last year doesn’t mean that they will this year. The Hawks are flat out better than the Red Wings this year. The Blackhawks just have to play to their utmost ability. The Wings don’t pose any mismatches or any other reason to strike fear in this Hawks fan nor does any other team for that matter.

Tape & Pine Tar: (Similar to segments such as quick hits or odds and ends)

The Bulls, well, better luck next year. It’s like I said, I count this year as a victory as it is since they set themselves up to acquire a top-tier free agent over the summer. Now it’s all up to team Pax-Gar to sign one to a max contract. But would someone please make Vinny shut down Noah for the short remainder of the year. There’s NO point to him playing 12 minutes a game, you’re just begging for him to tear an ACL or something.

Ozzie you were given the team you asked for, but please don’t bat Kotsay third. That would just add to your bad over-management resume.

Lou. O sweet Lou, you better hope Lilly is on the track he says he is because if you have Silva in your rotation for as long as you think you may then the Cubs are in trouble. I personally think Marshall is ready for a spot and that Silva shouldn’t even be considered for a rotation spot, I don’t care what he’s done this spring. Pitch Marshall.

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