The Blackhawks' game-time decision to play forward Dave Bolland on Sunday created a busy travel day for Bryan Bickell.
The Hawks hung on to Bickell -- the 17th player they had called up from Rockford this season -- until deeming at the last minute that Bolland was healthy enough to return to the lineup for the 6-5 overtime loss to Edmonton. Bickell then headed to Rockford and arrived in time to contribute to the IceHogs' 4-3 overtime victory over Iowa that night.
The Hawks officially announced Bickell's transfer Monday before taking off for their game tonight at Detroit. Coach Denis Savard canceled a scheduled practice at the United Center.
In his first call-up this season, Bickell averaged nine minutes in four games, going scoreless with three shots and two penalty minutes. He has 16 goals, 15 assists and 50 penalty minutes in 59 games for Rockford.
The Hawks are 10-5-1 in their last 16 games but lost the last two and need to revive their playoff drive against the best team in the Western Conference. That might not be as daunting a task as it would seem. The Hawks whipped the Red Wings in their first four games before Detroit won 3-1 Jan. 6 at the United Center.
The series will conclude with two games in the final week, April 1 at the United Center and the season finale April 6 at Joe Louis Arena.
The Hawks have 13 games remaining and need to make up a seven-point deficit to claim their first playoff berth since 2002. The loss to the Oilers, a team below them in the standings, didn't help.
''It was a strange game,'' Hawks forward Kevyn Adams said. ''We had our chances, and we played well and battled hard. If we keep playing like that, we'll get a lot of points.''
Goalie Patrick Lalime will make his ninth start in the last 10 games tonight. Corey Crawford is expected to start Wednesday against Carolina.
The Hawks hung on to Bickell -- the 17th player they had called up from Rockford this season -- until deeming at the last minute that Bolland was healthy enough to return to the lineup for the 6-5 overtime loss to Edmonton. Bickell then headed to Rockford and arrived in time to contribute to the IceHogs' 4-3 overtime victory over Iowa that night.
The Hawks officially announced Bickell's transfer Monday before taking off for their game tonight at Detroit. Coach Denis Savard canceled a scheduled practice at the United Center.
In his first call-up this season, Bickell averaged nine minutes in four games, going scoreless with three shots and two penalty minutes. He has 16 goals, 15 assists and 50 penalty minutes in 59 games for Rockford.
The Hawks are 10-5-1 in their last 16 games but lost the last two and need to revive their playoff drive against the best team in the Western Conference. That might not be as daunting a task as it would seem. The Hawks whipped the Red Wings in their first four games before Detroit won 3-1 Jan. 6 at the United Center.
The series will conclude with two games in the final week, April 1 at the United Center and the season finale April 6 at Joe Louis Arena.
The Hawks have 13 games remaining and need to make up a seven-point deficit to claim their first playoff berth since 2002. The loss to the Oilers, a team below them in the standings, didn't help.
''It was a strange game,'' Hawks forward Kevyn Adams said. ''We had our chances, and we played well and battled hard. If we keep playing like that, we'll get a lot of points.''
Goalie Patrick Lalime will make his ninth start in the last 10 games tonight. Corey Crawford is expected to start Wednesday against Carolina.
