Scott Powers, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Blackhawks' interaction following hit on Toews highlights EPIX's first episode

Here’s a review of the first episode of EPIX's Road to the Winter Classic, which premiered Tuesday evening:

-- The quality of a documentary often depends on what unfolds in front of the cameras. EPIX’s cameras and microphones caught one of the more dramatic moments of the Chicago Blackhawks' season after Jonathan Toews was hit into the board head-first against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 11.

There had been speculation about whether the Blackhawks followed the proper medical protocol to examine Toews because he remained on the ice and took part in the team’s power play after the hit. He was later examined and kept out of the game. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said the proper protocols were followed. Toews also backed how the staff handled the situation.

EPIX’s first episode told the complete story. In the episode, Toews was shown slow to get up after the hit and said he was “fine” multiple times as the team’s trainer approached him. Toews remained on the ice, took a faceoff and quickly picked up a penalty.

As Toews was in the penalty box, EPIX’s microphones caught audio of Quenneville being told Toews had to be examined. Quennneville was told, “We have to take Toews out after the penalty.” Quenneville responded, “Yeah? What’s wrong with him?” Quenneville was told, “He took a header to the boards. We have to observe him and check him out.”

When Toews returned to the bench, he was then told he had to be examined in the medical room. Toews said, “Why?” Toews was told, “Got to check your head out.” Quenneville then said, “You got to do it, Johnny? You got to do it.”

EPIX’s crew then followed Toews through the tunnel and into the medical room. Filming was off limits while he was being examined. The cameras then showed him taking off his equipment after it was decided he would not return to the game.

-- The media and fans normally get to see one side of Quenneville when he’s away from the bench and off the ice. Tuesday’s episode gave us a look at what he’s like on it.

It’s no surprise Quenneville, like most coaches, likes to swear on the bench, but it was still interesting to hear all the expletives go flying. He also likes to say "peanut butter" after goals. Here are some of his best quotes from the episode:

* “Kaner, what a [expletive] shot. Peanut butter.”

* “Hey, boys, we can play a lot better. Not [expletive] happy.”

* “We want to outscore them tonight. Let’s [expletive] out-check them.”

* “Shoot the [expletive] one-timer, swing it here, swing it, [expletive] off.”

* “Hit the [expletive] guy. He’s got no other [expletive] options.”

-- One of the funnier conversations in the episode came between Bryan Bickell and Andrew Shaw. Shaw ragged Bickell for the bruises on his face, and Bickell returned it by taking shots at Shaw’s haircut.

-- There were some touching moments in the episode. That was especially the case when Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz was filmed taking his son who has Down syndrome to the zoo. Brad Richards was also filmed with his wife and new son in their home at Trump Tower.

-- One geeky insider moment came when Quenneville skated by goaltender Scott Darling during a practice and told him he was starting the next day. You always wonder how those conversations happen. That one occurred quickly and with just a few words. How the Capitals clap and make sounds when Trotz announces the team’s starting lineup is another one of those moments.

-- The documentary is done well and lives up to the standard set by HBO’s sports documentaries. It’s certainly worth watching. For Blackhawks fans, there will be a lot of stuff you have already heard and seen before in the game action and what's said in the sit-down interviews, but all that insider material is worth it. Shaw will likely be featured more in future episodes. He spent Tuesday after the morning skate giving a rundown and small description of every player in the dressing room. It wouldn't be a surprise if some of that makes it into a episode.

^ Back to Top ^