Da Hawks

Brent Sopel (n) 1. old 2. bad defenseman 3. likes to allow goals

Sopel needs to go. Incase you missed it last night he is now effecting the team even when he isn't on the ice. He is the one who got the unsportsmanlike penalty with 2 minutes left in the game that left the Hawks with only 3 skaters on the ice in what was a 2-0 game.

Somehow Sopel is a +3 on the year but all it takes is watching a few shifts to wonder how that is possible. He has 6 points, 1 goal and 5 assists, so far this year and I really don't expect the number to rise.

The Hawks would be much better off by letting Sopel sit and let him be the 7th defensemen and let Jordan Hendry play and see if you need another defensemen come playoff time.

Sopel's penalty put the Hawks in a 6-3 situation since the Blues pulled the goalie and really it was just a matter of time before one slipped past Niemi who was fantastic stopping 34 shots and really deserved to tally his 5th shutout of the season.

Hopefully now that the Hawks are healthy minus Adam Burish maybe we will start seeing less of Sopel and maybe see one of the fowards play a little on the last defensive line.