Olympic Ice Heats Up, Blackhawks Look to Reset, and Rockford Keeps Grinding
As the Winter Olympics ramp up with the men’s tournament shifting into the elimination rounds and the women’s semifinals set for today, there’s no shortage of action on the international stage. But back in Chicago, the Blackhawks are inching toward their return from the break. They'll hit the ice for an optional skate tomorrow before regrouping in full for a mandatory team practice on Wednesday.
Let’s dig into what’s happening across the Blackhawks’ orbit - from Rockford’s playoff push to Olympic headlines and a little hockey history sprinkled in.
Rockford’s Playoff Push Hits a Speed Bump
The IceHogs were on the verge of making a serious statement in the AHL’s Central Division playoff race. A sweep of the Milwaukee Admirals would’ve pulled them even in points for the final playoff spot. Instead, Rockford had to settle for two out of three, dropping Sunday’s game 4-1 at the BMO Center.
Drew Commesso, starting his second game in under 24 hours, didn’t have his sharpest outing. He allowed four goals on 23 shots through two periods before giving way to a quieter third. It’s a reminder that the grind of back-to-backs at the pro level can be brutal - especially for young goaltenders still adjusting to the pace and pressure.
The lone bright spot on the scoreboard came from defenseman Jake Furlong, who netted his first goal in a Rockford sweater - just the second of his AHL career in 85 games. Furlong, acquired last month in the trade that sent Nolan Allan to San Jose, is starting to carve out a role on the blue line. That’s a small but promising sign for a team still trying to build its future from the back end out.
With 27 games left on the schedule, the IceHogs sit four points out of a playoff spot. Every game from here on out matters, and next weekend’s back-to-back against the San Diego Gulls will be another chance to keep the dream alive.
Development Watch: Young D-Men in Focus
Rockford head coach Jared Nightingale recently spoke about the progress of his young defensemen, offering some encouraging updates. While the results on the ice have been mixed, the long-term development of these players is what matters most. The AHL is a proving ground, and right now, it’s clear that Chicago is taking a patient, deliberate approach with its next wave of blue-liners.
Fans hoping to see some of these names in a Blackhawks jersey soon might need to hold off a bit longer - but the foundation is being laid.
On This Date in Blackhawks History
Some big moments in Blackhawks lore happened on February 15:
- 1967: Goaltender Denis DeJordy extended his unbeaten streak to 12 games (9-0-3) with a 5-1 win over the Red Wings. That win also pushed the team’s overall streak to 15 games without a loss (12-0-3). That kind of consistency between the pipes is the stuff contenders are built on.
- 1992: Michel Goulet hit the 500-goal milestone, becoming just the 17th player in NHL history to do it. He scored No. 500 in a 5-5 draw with the Flames - his 44th in a Blackhawks uniform after racking up 456 with the Nordiques.
- 2012: The Blackhawks snapped a nine-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes of a 4-2 win over the Rangers. Despite the skid, they still finished that season with 101 points - a testament to how strong the core of that team was.
Blackhawks Birthday Roll Call - Feb. 15
- Mikhail Yakubov
- Tuomo Ruutu
Both were former first-round picks who had their moments in Chicago, even if their NHL careers didn’t quite follow the path many hoped for.
Olympic Update: Men’s Bracket Set, Women’s Semis on Deck
The men’s Olympic tournament has wrapped up group play, and the bracket for the elimination round is locked in. The U.S., Canada, and Slovakia all earned byes to the quarterfinals by winning their respective groups. Finland claimed the fourth and final bye as the top second-place finisher.
One of the more emotional moments of the tournament came from Team Switzerland, who dedicated their Sunday win over Czechia to Kevin Fiala. The Swiss forward and Kings star suffered multiple fractures to his left lower leg in a game against Canada.
He underwent successful surgery but will miss the remainder of the NHL regular season. Fiala was having a strong year, sitting second on the Kings in scoring with 18 goals and 40 points.
The team will reassess his status after the season, but for now, his absence is a major blow to L.A.'s playoff hopes. They’ll return from the Olympic break three points out of a wild card spot, but they’ll have Artemi Panarin in the lineup to help fill the offensive gap.
On the women’s side, the semifinals are set for today:
- USA vs. Sweden - 9:40 a.m.
CT
- **Canada vs.
Switzerland** - 2:10 p.m. CT
The winners move on to Thursday’s gold medal game, while the losers will play for bronze. Expect intensity, speed, and no shortage of drama - just the way Olympic hockey should be.
NHL Birthday Roll Call - Feb. 16
A few notable names celebrating today:
- Lanny McDonald
- Bernie Geoffrion
- Elias Pettersson
- Jordan Greenway
- Owen Tippett
- Michael Misa
...and several others who’ve left their mark on the league in different ways.
The Olympic spotlight may be shining bright, but the grind back home continues - whether it’s young prospects battling for a playoff spot in Rockford or NHL clubs preparing for the stretch run. For the Blackhawks and their fans, the next few weeks will be about development, regrouping, and watching how the pieces start to come together for the future.