Note: Reminder that today’s Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg will start bright and early at 8 AM and run until 11 AM as the early start time for the Jets and Hawks game pushes the show earlier. In addition yours truly will be joining Ez and Drew to talk some puck. Guests: Mike Colligan (NHL analyst at Forbes SportsMoney and The Hockey Writers), Jack Edwards (Play-by-play voice of the Boston Bruins on NESN) & Scott Powers (ESPN Chicago).
Note II: Once again the Illegal Curve team will be getting behind this worthwhile cause. This year Ezra and I will once again be growing mustaches and we are joined by Richard to help raise awareness. If you would like to donate to our team, here is a link. Check out this hilarious video as Zach Bogosian interviews his fellow Jets to find out information about their Movember thoughts entitled Pass the Mic.
Note III: Following today’s Jets Papers, you can ensure you are up to speed with our game set-up written by Ezra Ginsburg which will be available right after the Illegal Curve Hockey Show ends at 11 AM. After the game, be sure to check us out for all the post-game reaction. As soon as the site is updated we notify you via twitter @illegalcurve and Facebook.
Note IV: For home games we have both our #ICGWG and #IC5050 contests. Make sure to @ tweet @illegalcurve with your guess. Remember that for your vote to qualify you must send in your guess using a hashtag (#). (i.e. #ICGWG Frolik & #IC5050 $39,175.00).
Jets news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Hawks plain dangerous. When you are the Cup champs it doesn’t really matter if the two teams have a playing history, everyone is aware of the danger your team presents.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets have knack of making things hard for themselves. The Jets are going to have to improve their discipline if they want to win these games. You cannot give good teams multiple man advantages if you want to earn two points.
Winnipeg Free Press: Jets-Hawks lineups. Some news you can use in advance of today’s afternoon contest.
Winnipeg Sun: Wheeler heats up after early slump. You can definitely tell that Wheeler is self-aware about his play and is able to critique himself when he knows his game isn’t up to his standard. The good news for Jets fans is that slow start appears to be in the rear-view mirror as he has four goals in his last five games.
Winnipeg Sun: Stuart injury means Jets debut for Chiarot. Well at least there won’t be too much pressure going up against the defending Stanley Cup champs in his first NHL game, compounded by the fact that the game will be featured on Hockey Night in Canada. Should be quite a memorable debut for the 2010 fourth round pick.
Winnipeg Sun: Plenty of motivation as Jets take on Blackhawks. Whether its because you want to play against the defending champs as a measuring stick or because they are your former squad, there are going to need to be a lot of ‘A’ games brought to the MTS Centre if the Jets have a hope of beating Chicago.
Illegal Curve: Coach Noel presser. Assessment of the Hawks. What does having success on the PP do for the team? High number of penalties taken. Execution in practice. Injury update on Stuart (Won’t be a player tomorrow). Is Peluso hurt? Ben Chiarot talk. Is Trouba working out? New challenges for him as a coach? What stage is this team at? Facing better teams keeping team on their toes.
Illegal Curve: Player audio from MTS Centre. After practice audio from three former Hawks in Ladd, Byfuglien and Frolik.
IceCaps news:
TSN: IceCaps grab early lead, hold on to beat Pirates. Nice return to action for Zach Redmond as he finished with one goal, one assist and had six shots on net as St. John’s has now won back to back games over Portland.
Opposition (Blackhawks) news:
Winnipeg Free Press: Jonny be good, really good. Will be exciting to see the homegrown talent bring his game home.
ESPN: Jonathan Toews returns to his hockey roots. Should be quite the welcome for one of the most popular athletes in our province.
CSN Chicago: PK moving on from Frolik departure. The Hawks have gone from 1st to worst on the PK and you can’t help but think that a big part of that reason is currently wearing a Jets sweater on a nightly basis.
