We all owe the Blackhawks a huge thank you

[DudeMan2766]

Check out this headline on this weeks SI.


https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/311493776243818497/photo/1

[mikey287]

Hey, if gets one more fan involved in the sport, I'll take it...

[Idoit40fans]

They got into conversations on ESPN comparing their streak to the Heat. I'd say they helped a good deal.

[canaan]

seeing carcillo on the front of sports illustrated is a little unnerving.

[SolidSnake]

I like what they did for hockey, doesn't mean I have to like them.

[DudeMan2766]

To me that headline screams that hockey wouldnt have survived after the lockout without that streak. I wouldnt say getting a few minutes of discussion on ESPN in the same breath as the Heat does anything to save the sport. Just a little dramatic for me.

[Idoit40fans]

I think that having a story like that saved it from taking a much greater hit than it could have taken.

[Desiato]

ridiculous hyperbole.

[Rylan]

I agree. The Blackhawks definitely helped. Its awesome!

The crazy thing is they will likely make the playoffs without needing many more wins. That's awesome.

[DudeMan2766]

I'd say Screamin A Smith being ridiculed for thinking there are still ties in the league got more attention from casual/non fans than the actual games itself. I just dont really see that streak as changing anything in the grand scheme of things really.

[Idoit40fans]

Well you were going to be watching games one way or the other so you wouldn't see a change. There were likely plenty of fringe fans that were brought back because of a story line. There are plenty of casual sports fans in general that are only brought in by a storyline.

[Gaucho]

Hardcore fans need to set aside their hubris for a moment and recognize this for what it is. It is indeed a great story that creates interest in a sport that could use some positive headlines.

[Desiato]

Hardcore fans need to set aside their hubris for a moment and recognize this for what it is. It is indeed a great story that creates interest in a sport that could use some positive headlines.

It's impossible for me to judge the actual impact, but the headline *is* ridiculous hyperbole.

Really, the headline may as well have been, "record point streak by iconic NHL team in one of the most popular sports markets in North America ignites interest." If the Rangers win the cup, that'll be really good for hockey too, but I'm not going to give them kudos for it. Had this been most other teams in the league, no fans outside of hockey would have batted an eye. We're talking about the market that keeps the Cubs relevant every year no matter how bad they might be.

[brwi]

Hardcore fans need to set aside their hubris for a moment and recognize this for what it is. It is indeed a great story that creates interest in a sport that could use some positive headlines.

What's wrong with the Hawks making the cover of SI? Helluva streak and it does elevate the game some, especially after the completely asinine summer/winter that degraded the game quite a lot.

[Sam's Drunk Dog]

The biggest travesty of that picture is that Carcillo is front and center.

[PPenguinsFan66]

The biggest travesty of that picture is that Carcillo is front and center.

My thoughts exactly. And he used to be with Pittsburgh, too...