“The Buddy System is a procedure in which two people, the “buddies,” operate together as a single unit so that they are able to monitor and help each other.”
Advantages: In adventurous or dangerous activities, where buddies are often required, the main benefit of the system is improved safety; each may be able to prevent the other becoming a casualty or rescue the other in a crisis.
By Rich Lindbloom
Don’t ask me why, but I think the “One Goal” commercials have outlived their usefulness. We know them all by now; “Be the first one here every day,” “Be the goalie’s worst nightmare,” “Be the best ‘Johnny’ on the team,” “Make sure these guys are achieving their goals,” “Learn how to drink and attend concerts,” ‘Become a better rapper,” “Say two words – Hawks Win,” “Stop more pucks than the goalie,” blah, blah, blah. Just when I thought they couldn’t get any sappier, they show Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook in one that at least made me smile.
The heart and soul of the Hawks are pictured together and Keith notes, “Our goal, to have our teammates back,” in the latest plug for the hackneyed slogan. I was watching the game with my son Greg the other night and told him that Keith’s “one goal” reminded me of the advice of the powerful sensei Rex in the movie Napoleon Dynamite. After all, the “Buddy System,” is one of the 10 Commandments of the system of self-defense Rex developed after fighting for two years in The Octagon. (By the way, next time you watch the classic, note the 10 commandments of Rex Kwon Do behind Rex. You really have to be a (loser) connoisseur of the movie to pick that nuance up!)
I love that line in the movie, where after a 5 minute introduction to each other, Napoleon and Pedro decide to become friends. At his point, Napoleon says, “So this means you got my back and everything?” Pedro, who had the personality of a casaba melon, gives Napoleon a blank stare and says, “What?” Napoleon tells him to never mind, but it is clear from this point forward they are an inseparable duo.
Just based on a visual observation, it’s unclear whether Seabrook understands what Keith meant when he said “Our goal, is to have our teammate’s backs. Especially that cherry picking Kane.” But as long as they are battening down the hatches for the Blackhawks, I’ll most definitely be voting for them. Personally, I wear a #2 jersey when I go to the game. More and more though, I wish I had a #7. While Keith appears to be much more aligned with Pedro’s personality, Seabs seems to enjoy himself out there on the ice.
Yeah I know, I get it; every once and awhile Brent loses his balance and falls down, (ice is slippery), or fires/deflects a shot into his own goal, but he’s just so damn lovable. He has the most expressive face on the team. As a bonus this season, like Versteeg, Brent seems to have regained a little of his speed that mysteriously vanished last season. I vividly remember a play last year when an opponent dumped the puck into our zone. Although Seabrook was about 15 feet closer to the puck, he gives a glance over to Keith that seemed to say, “You go!” Keith gave him an incredulous look, and sort of shook his head before engaging the after burners. It was as if Keith was saying, “I know I told you I got your back and everything, but this is not a good time to drop anchor Seabs.”
Against the Leafs, (or Leaves for the grammatically correct crowd), Brent pulled out a defensive move on a legitimate 2 on 1 by the Leafs, heretofore known as “the whirlybird.” Brent went to his belly to take away the passing lane, (it needs to be pointed out that this was an intentional fall by the way), and forced I believe either Kadri or Lupul to the outside. When the Leaf player didn’t pass, Brent somehow spun around on his Santa Claus belly 180 degree’s. Nacho Grande then whacked the puck away with a sweeping stick check. Active sticks, active sticks! – He listened to you Eddy-O. You can’t teach, nor am I sure you want to, a defensive move like that. Those types of moves are born out of quiet desperation.
Someday when we Hawk fans are faced with thinner times, we will no doubt think back at this “Buddy System” that started playing for the Hawks 10 years ago. In the Golden Age of Blackhawk hockey, these two characters have had their buddies back “at all times!” I know one thing I’ll miss – that’s Brent winding up in the slot, unleashing that canon of his. Make no mistake about it, although Brent is guilty of an occasional gaffe, the dude got “swag.”
Although Kris Versteeg likes to fly solo now and then, there was no doubt he had Kaney’s back after Roman Polak finally caught Kane after 8 years of failed attempts. The player formerly known as “Buzzer Beater,” continues to excel this season. A cocky Versteeg is a good thing as far as the Hawks fortunes are concerned. He certainly appears to have undergone a metamorphosis this season. In a very scary moment against Toronto, Steeger went after the Dancing Circus Bear, Roman Polak, after his failed assassination attempt of #88.
Let’s be clear about one thing; a Versteeg vs. Polak bout would be best described by two words – “Not Good,” if you are a Hawk fan. Even Kaner tried to intervene to stop Steegs from launching one of his vaunted haymakers. The problem with fighting Polak is, just where do you land a punch that will do any real damage? Literally it’s the equivalent of punching a fire hydrant on skates.
Versteeg continues to click with Kaner, despite wanting to hold onto the puck for a short eternity. (I love that oxymoron) Kris, look you know a lot more about hockey than me, I’ll give you that. But damn it, it’s always a great idea to get the puck to “Black Magic” at the first opportunity! At least three times on Sunday I screamed at the TV, “Pass the puck Versteeg!” Despite being the ultimate rat hockey puck hog, (I’ll go one on one against the world – think Basketball Jones from Cheech and Chong), #23 might be on his way to his best season in the NHL. Against the porous Leafs on Sunday, 23/10/88 were absolutely lethal.
It’s great to have the alleged “Handsome One,” back. Sharp has been a major contributor to the Hawks fortunes since his return. He seems to be faster than before he was injured. Patrick definitely has one of the most accurate shots on the Hawks, second only to Duncan Keith. (Psyche – just seeing if you’re paying attention) It’s readily apparent that the Hawks are a better team when #10 is roaming around the ice. He’s much more than an alleged pretty face. In the Craps world, he’d be what is known as The Shooter; in that new New Amsterdam vodka commercial, he’d be known as the “Senior Advisor.”
Enquiring minds want to know, what in the hell could that Norm Van Lier look alike be advising those kids in that underground, rat infested bar? Does a bar like that actually exist? We really need Fork Lift over at Hockeenight to come up with a Top Ten things the Senior Advisor was pointing out to those hip youngsters, #1 – It’s your civic duty – huh #2 – Promise them anything, but give them Arpege?
Well, on the rare occasion that Keith and Seabrook fail to have their teammate’s backs, we can always rely on our masked men between the pipes. Truly, Goalies-R-Us. Check out these stats;
To drunk to walk – GAA – 1.87, SV% – .927, one shut out.
the other Antti – GAA – 1.76, SV% – .945, two shut outs (And this guy is the one many think is the weakest goalie!)
Clementine – GAA – 1.97, SV% – .937, and no shut outs which is why he was banished to Rockford according to my inside sources.
Nothing like a little friendly competition to keep your net minders sharp, eh?
One last observation on the “we got our teammate’s back” thing. Is it my imagination, or is 29/65/13 working somehow? It seems like they have been in the other teams zone a lot more than ours of late. This would be the Blackhawk line that you would not want to start any of the extracurricular “stuff” with. Bickell has been a human bowling ball lately; now get the puck in the damn net Bicks! Carcillo continues to play with reckless abandon – as one who is living on borrowed time. As someone who constantly here’s the echo of “Danny Boy” playing in his mind. Keep playing with reckless abandon Carbomb! Say what you will about Andrew Shaw and his abilities; but if you get in trouble with one of the other teams hooligans, I can’t think of a player who I would rather have my back than #65. (Although I do have to question his sanity after watching him jump on top of Big Buff last night.)
In concluding, what with Christmas rapidly approaching and everything, I’m reminded of the topic of Christmas Carols. When my daughter Taylor was about 5 or 6, we used to go through this Christmas Carol book. You know, the type where you push a button and it makes the melody of the song. Taylor would have me sing her every one of the carols in the book. I remember telling Nathalie that she must like the soothing sound of my voice. Nathalie’s observation was probably more spot on – Taylor just didn’t want to go to bed. (I do recall Taylor telling me not to sing at a Hawks game once when I sang “Let’s get physical, physical let me here your body talk…”)
At any rate, a lady who I met in church two weeks ago introduced herself and asked, “What’s your favorite Christmas Carol?” Boy, that got me thinking – there are so many wonderful songs dedicated to that babe in swaddling clothes. I’ll leave you with one though – you may have seen this, if not you’re in for a treat.
Other Important Stuff:
Would anyone besides Robert Frost buy a Runblad jersey? Runblad may have had his best game as a Hawk against the Leafs on Sunday. More of this please.
Every time I see one of those 25 foot blow up Snowmen or Santa Claus’s in a front yard, well there’s no other way to put this, I want to stab them. The only thing stopping me is surveillance cameras. Can you say garish?
From 17-seconds.com – “Saad is Baad”
From CT at Hockeenight after the shootout in Columbus. (Go Morin!) “This shootout will go 45 rounds and end with Dan Carcillo shooting his own severed head into the net while holding the puck between his teeth.”
While on the subject of Versteeg’s vaunted haymakers – Former heavyweight champion, John L. Sullivan would go around from town to town taking on all challengers with his bare fists. One challenger was quickly dispatched of one day. When he awoke he asked his friends, “Did I fall off a barn.” That my friends is a haymaker.
Good thing Rudolf had the other reindeer’s backs, eh? And for heaven’s sake – no flying solo – use the buddy system at all times.
Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.”
Merry Christmas everyone!
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Rich Lindbloom
