46 and Counting

46.  It is only a number.  One less would be 45 and one more would be 47.  We all know this and are taught so at a young age.  This number might be something one Chicago Blackhawk was beginning to think was impossible to count to.

At the start of the 2006 season, a struggling franchise looked for a way to begin to get fans to flock back into the stands.  This franchise was the Blackhawks and that ‘way’ was Martin Havlat.  Havlat played his previous five seasons for the Ottawa Senators and was a healthy fixture until his last season there, where he played in only 18 games.

The  Blackhawks had invested a great deal in a guy they hoped could help bring the team back to the early ’90s, the last time they were able to make playoffs.  However health has been the biggest problem forHavlat, who has been injury prone in his four seasons with the ‘Hawks.  In his first season he played 56 games and since then has not been close to hitting that mark.

Although that could all change this season…

I must suggest wearing your lucky jersey, or touching a rabbits foot before you read any further.

Havlat is about to play his 47 game tonight at Los Angeles, and has shown no signs of fatigue or slowing down.  He is on pace to have a career year, but I doubt that is in his mind as much as his previous injuries are.  He has 38 points this year, helping the Blackhawks resurgence and attempt and dethroning the goliath of the Central Division, the Detroit Red Wings.

So next time you are watching a game and you see number 24 streak up and down the ice, just try and remember that one player does not make a team but he sure helps.

So here’s to 46 Havlat free Blackhawks games!

Posted by The Hockey Writers on Jan 29 2009. Filed under Chicago Blackhawks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.