Friday, March 11, 2011
Posted: 11:26 a.m.
By Tracey Myers
CSNChicago.com
WASHINGTON, D.C.Chicago Blackhawks center Dave Bolland is still feeling the effects from that Pavel Kubina elbow to the head, and is doubtful to play Sunday against the Washington Capitals.
Bolland did not practice on Friday, two days after taking that elbow from the Tampa Bay defenseman, and hes officially listed as day to day. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville is still not happy with that elbow, which got Kubina suspended for three games.
We get no benefit; we lose a player and we dont get a power play. It was a dangerous hit, Quenneville said. The league knows what the comparables are on that type of infraction. I wasnt happy with the hit at all. I would say thats one that when you look at it, its probably the hit (the league) talks about that they dont want in the game.
Meanwhile, defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson, Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell all missed practice on Friday. It was mostly a maintenance day, especially for Hjalmarsson and Keith, who are nursing hand injuries. Campbell (leg), who like Hjalmarsson got some stationary bike work in on Friday, was progressing well.
Hjalmarsson and Keith will play Sunday and Quenneville is hopeful Campbell will, too.
Soupy progressed today, Quenneville said. Were happy with the way he feels, well see how he is tomorrow. His progress the last couple of days has been good.
Walter Reed inspiration
NHL
The Blackhawks were awed by their visit to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Thursday. Players, who met with wounded soldiers and their families, were humbled by the experience.
It was amazing, Toews said. One kid I met was 22 years old, he joined (the army) five days after his high school graduation. I think hed just been injured a couple weeks before yesterday. Some days when you feel good about what youre doing on the ice, it doesnt mean much compared to what those guys are doing.
Many were struck by how young the soldiers were.
Guys were 20, 21, 22 and you cant imagine yourself in that situation. It makes you realize how fortunate you are that you can walk or write, Patrick Kane said. Its amazing to think all these guys who are injured have such a positive outlook on life. Theyre special people.
Twitter me this
Patrick Sharp has joined the Twitter world, or at least is an active participant at the moment. The Blackhawks forward already gained a couple of thousand followers after he tweeted about the teams trip to Walter Reed on Thursday.
But Sharp doesnt foresee being an uber-active member.
I dont know how far Ill take it, he said. I just felt going into Walter Reed was good reason to fire out a tweet. I didnt realize Id get so many followers right away. Ill tweet about the White House experience and see how it goes. My focus is on playing hockey and Im not taking anything away from that. Its nice to see different comments but dont be surprised if it doesnt last long.
Tracey Myers is CSNChicago.com's Blackhawks Insider. Follow Tracey on Twitter @TramyersCSN for up-to-the-minute Hawks information.