Winter Classic Notes

What better way to spend my last vacation day of 2008 than watch the ‘Hawks practice on the NHL Network.  Here’s a few of the highlights:

–Scotty Bowman did an interview and has started to change his tune about your ‘08-09 Chicago Blackhawks.  Earlier in the year, Bowman did an interview with a national publication and stated he didn’t think the ‘Hawks would truly contend for a Stanley Cup for another two to three years.  Bob and I were surprised when the quote came out no one from the Chicago media picked it up.  At the beginning of the year when most people had ridiculous expectations for the team, I thought for sure someone would use that quote to try and temper the enthusiasm.  Apparently the nine game winning streak helped sway Scotty.  He said he was surprised how well guys like Versteeg, Bolland, and Ladd play and the ‘Hawks have as good a chance as anyone this year.  Bowman even corrected himself by saying at the beginning of the year, he thought they were still a couple years off.  I’ve said this before but it’s amazing what an actual NHL coach will do for a team.

–The hosts of the show actually referred to Wrigley Field as one of the most fan friendly venues in America.  I don’t know if they have to use the same bathroom facilities as everyone else or have wanted to see a replay of a home run but I found this statement to be ridiculously entertaining.

–Tim Sassone has the scoop on who is getting the start tomorrow.

Quenneville said Cristobal Huet would start in goal. Huet has won his last five starts, and it’s his turn in the rotation.

If you got to see the practice, it was pretty obvious who was getting the start after Huet broke out his new mask.  It has a picture of the Wrigley facade on the forehead.  ‘Go Hawks Go’ is on the left ear and the Hawks logo is on the other side.  What an incredible waste of money it would have been to have the mask made so Huet could bust it out for practice and then wear his winter cap watching Khabibulin tomorrow.  

–SHADOWS!!!!  Without exaggerating, the hosts brought up the shadows on the ice about 12,136 times and that was only during the ‘Hawks practice.  I didn’t bother counting for the Wings practice.  They spent a good hour discussing the effect it will have on the game tomorrow, never once mentioning the forecast calls for mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of snow.  So yeah, the shadows probably won’t make much of a difference but for those who miss Ed Farmer and DJ talk about shadows, this was definitely the broadcast for you. 

–Brent Seabrook and Andrew Ladd got asked if they played a lot of hockey outside growing up.  They’re both from Vancouver.  The coldest it usually gets is about 38 degrees and that’s in a cold winter.  They looked like they had been asked what  their feelings were about the Hamas/Israeli conflict.

I’m sure there was plenty of other silly things I can’t recall now.  This was a gold mine of comedy.  Feel free to share anything you saw.  With that, Bob and I would like to wish you a Happy New Year and remember, whatever happens tomorrow, they’re not handing out the Stanley Cup to the winner and there’s still 40 something games left in the season.

Red Wings 4, Blackhawks 0

Shots on goal before Daniel Cleary’s first period hit on Patrick Kane: (12-1, Blackhawks)

Shots on goal after Cleary’s first period hit on Kane: (38-24, Red Wings)

The beauty of hockey – as I’ve told literally hundreds of people before – is that it largely polices itself.  In a game where all players on the field of play can be on both offense and defense at any given moment, the game is unique.  Life football, it’s a physical endeavor, but like basketball, possession changes often – and with it the possibility of being crunched by an opposing player.  Often times, it’s hit or be hit, and teams, knowing full well who will be targeted, i.e. hit, designate players to do the hitting, which in a beautiful and subtle way, reduces the number of times targeted teammates are hit.

And, fighting is even allowed.  Sure, combatants are sent to the penalty box for five minutes, but it’s allowed.  It, too, serves to police the game.  Often, those players who target the opposition’s players are asked to answer for their actions, and being that the game polices itself, many oblige.  It is, after all, essentially their unwritten duty to do so.  For example, watch this video.  It really is one of my favorites.  The fight is so-so at best, but at the end of the video we see an example of the obligation to fight.  After Keith Ballard takes Jack Skille’s life into his hands, Adam Burish comes calling.  Burish doesn’t ask any questions, and Ballard doesn’t argue.  Ballard knows he has to “pay the piper,” and he does so.  He stands up with Burish, absorbs a few (mild) blows, and falls to the ground.  The score, as they say, is settled, and life goes on. 

But, on Tuesday night in Detroit, the ‘Hawks apparently chose neither route above, and instead left target Patrick Kane to become frustrated while being repeatedly knocked to the ice by aggressive ‘Wings.  In the second period, he even took to defending himself again, high sticking fellow American Brian Rafalski in the head.  Bottom line: for the game to police itself, a team has to have players willing to allow it to do so, and the ‘Hawks had none yesterday evening.  It almost cost Patrick Kane the use of his right leg for three months.

Don’t get me wrong: this is not a call for an enforcer.  In fact, it might be the opposite.  After all, those who targeted Kane – Cleary, Brad Stuart, Andreas Lilja – won’t willingly answer for their actions; no one on Detroit will.  (Good luck getting Tomas Holmstrom, Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby or Niklas Kronwall to drop the gloves.)  It’s the perfect scenario for the ‘Wings: a group of headhunters who don’t have to answer to anyone for anything – sort of like the old wild, wild west. 

And, that only leaves one plan of action for the ‘Hawks: target their best players to send a message – to protect the tenth leading scorer in the league.

Alas, Henrick Zetterberg remained upright all evening.  Pavel Datsyuk never had to dust snow off his backside or pick his teeth off the ice.  (In fact, he cross-checked Patrick Sharp in the head during the third.)  And, how many times did Matt Walker, Ben Eager, James Wisniewski or Colin Fraser DEMAND to be answered to?  Zero.  And, it’s a shame.  Getting beat 4-0 on foreign ice isn’t so bad.  This is, after all, a very long season.  But, to be absolutely dominated physically is a much more difficult pill to swallow.

Yesterday in this space, I insinuated that Adam Burish should remain out of the line-up in favor of Craig Adams, and, boy, was I wrong.  Though Burish does not score, he’s always willing to do what others aren’t.  Last night, he would have sent Datsyuk or Zetterberg to the ice with a big smile on his face; he would have done exactly what the evening called for and what no one else was apparently willing to do.  So, let him do it tomorrow.  Sit whomever; I’m not sure I care.

Of course, this ends the ‘Hawks nine-game win streak.  Ty Conklin, who will get the call tomorrow afternoon for the ‘Wings as well, stood on his head, and repeatedly denied the ‘Hawk attempts to get back into the game.  In the late Tuesday edition of Eight’s a Crowd, Cam Barker apparently reaggrevated his lower body injury; both Walker and Aaron Johnson played.

And, let’s hope Thursday looks a lot different than Tuesday did.

Ty the Great

The Fifth Feather is waiting to see what Patrick Kane has to say about his teammates’ help tonight…

Check back tomorrow morning please.

Blackhawks Visit Birthplace of American Industrialization; Lidstrom Out, Burish In?

The Detroit Red Wings host a Winter Classic tune-up versus the Blackhawks this evening at their state-of-the-art indoor hockey facility in beautiful downtown Detroit, Michigan at 6:30 CST.  (You really should try to get there this time of year – if not for the (flashing) lights and the (abandoned) theatres, then for Sweden’s Detroit’s very own Red Wings.  And, for those of you going to the game this evening, stop in at Zippy’s Diner in neighboring Flint beforehand, and tell them Blackhawk Bob sent you.)

In other hockey-related news, Nicklas Lidstrom may apparently miss tonight’s game with swollen ankles (and morning sickness).  This will be his fifth child with wife, Annika, who more traditionally bore the couple’s previous four offspring.

Finally, today’s early edition of Eight’s a Crowd saw ‘Hawks defenseman Brent Sopel put on Long Term Injured Reserve.  Adam Burish was then activated from IR using the manufactured cap space.  Sopel evidently contracted the unexplained “lower body injury” going through the ‘Hawk dressing room, while Burish’s inclusion on the roster may get him into the line-up this evening – even if it’s an unwise move.

Trouble figuring out the appropriate attire for the Winter Classic?  Parking difficulties?  Marital problems?  Ask the Fifth Feather’s Gentle Counselor, John, and read his latest below.

The Three Headed-Monster gets sidetracked by Ask Uncle Timmy

I have noticed there has been a noticeable amount of hand-wringing recently over this having to be the year the ‘Hawks win it all.  Let me be the first to tell you, it’s all a little bit silly.  As long as the ‘Hawks have Kane, Toews, Keith, and a goalie who can post a save percentage of about 91%, the rest is pretty much details.  You see, the mere prescence of these three players on the team automatically makes fringe NHL players seem about twice as good as they really are. 

Wait a second, did the Daily Herald Sports Editor really ask Tim Sassone to answer ten questions about the Winter Classic.  There’s really only three or four questions I can think of.  The sightlines, locker rooms, and sunny day scenario are all anyone with half of a brain would like to know.  Apparently some people are having problems deciding what to wear; if this means you, no need to fear, Uncle Tim will help you.  He’s way more polite than I would be on a question like that.  His answer:

Think Bears game, so dress warm. It might be a good idea to buy some of those small heat pads for the hands and feet.       

Mine:  Hey pinhead, it’s January in Chicago.  You’re going to be sitting in a windy ballpark where its twenty degrees cooler in the shade than the sun and that’s in the middle of August.  What should you wear?  How about putting your underwear on your head and walking around backwards asking people if they’ve seen your baseball.  That will keep you warm.

He’s much nicer.  Ok, back to the main point.  Since Patrick Sharp has come into contact with Patrick Kane, he’s turned from a fringe NHL player with a ceiling of a 20 to 25 goal scorer into a Canadian sniper (literally) who will shoot the puck from anywhere with a ceiling of a 40 to 50 goal scorer.  That’s what having an elite player will do for a team.  They turn role players into all stars and bust outs (see Eager, Ben or Ladd, Andrew) into contributing role players. The ‘Hawks have three of them (For now, I’m counting Havlat as the third elite player with the anticipation of Toews filling the role next year).   

Oh God, one of Sassone’s questions was ‘Will Parking be any better than it is for Cubs games?’  Yup, they’ve leveled the McDonald’s and put up a thirty floor parking structure, but once the game is over, the structure comes down and the McDonald’s goes back up.  Screw those evil Cubs fans, make them take public transportation or park three miles away from the field and walk through a bunch of backyards to get there.  I mean, are there really people from Chicago planning to attend who don’t know what parking is like in that area.  You’d have a better chance of being able to walk down the Wii game aisle at a Best Buy than you do of getting a parking spot (Speaking of, I was excited to get a Wii for Christmas until I realized all of America also got one.  And they’re all looking for Mario Kart.  Coach Q may ask Forklift to skate on the ’Hawks third line before I find one.  And with Havlat as his linemate, you better believe he’d give you some solid production.)  

Where was I now….oh yeah, the ‘Hawks have three elite players.  They have twelve million coming off the books after Havlat and Khabibulin leave next year.  Most of the money will be used to tie up these three players.  See, among all the lousy drafting, trading, and free agent signing, the thing the ‘Hawks missed the most the last 11 years was an elite player.  Chris Chelios was the last.  Did you really think Eric Weinrich was that good of a defenseman?  He was ok, but when put on the same team with someone the caliber of Chelios, he automatically became a heckuva lot better.  That’s the key, elite players will turn a team around quicker than any team chemistry or hanging out together on the road or goaltending combination or meetings ever will.  You have those three, you fill in the rest, and everything will be ok.  Now if only I had someone to ask what there is to do around Wrigley Field before the game on Thursday….

Blackhawks 4, Wild 1

For those who forgot what it felt like to be a Blackhawks’ fan during the leaner times, the Wild faithful in Minnesota served as tour guides down Memory Lane during Sunday evening’s ‘Hawks-Wild tilt.  The 18,000-plus admirers grew restless almost immediately, apparently sensing the home team’s inability to score the two or three goals necessary to earn a point or two against the visitors.  Sound familiar?

The beating started almost immediately, as the ‘Hawks out-shot – and utterly dominated – the home Wild 11-2 during the game’s first ten minutes.  Of the ‘Hawks’ eleven shots, Dustin Byfuglien was able to sneak two past Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom – no, not that Nicklas Backstrom.  The first came seven minutes in when Jonathon Toews followed a Byfuglien dump in deep, and won the puck to the front where Byfuglien snuck it past Backstrom.  Less than three minutes later, Byfuglien added his seventh of the year and the eventual game winner, when he tipped a Duncan Keith slap shot – which Kris Versteeg previously tipped – past the Wild backstop on the power play. Martin Havlat notched his ninth when he slammed a Brian Campbell centering pass into the net during the second, and Versteeg tallied an empty netter as the game clock wound down in the third period.  Minnesota’s only goal, scored in the third period’s first minutes, was netted by Carl (Insert Inappropriate Nickname Here) Clutterbuck off a perfectly placed snap shot following a poor ‘Hawk line change.

But, the story of the night – other than the ‘Hawks’ franchise record ninth straight win – was the total dominance displayed by all four ‘Hawk lines and all three defensive pairings.  The ‘Hawks outshot the Wild 32-19 overall, and outplayed the Wild during almost every shift, often including those involving the fourth line.  Just don’t tell that to Wild center Mikko Koivu, who after the game said the ‘Hawks “aren’t that good.”  (If the 20-6-7 ‘Hawks “aren’t that good,” what does that make the 17-15-2 Wild?)  Perhaps best of all, the Toews-Byfuglien-Versteeg line, possibly the least offensively productive of the top three lines recently, collected a combined nine points, including three of the four ‘Hawk goals.

While fourth liner Adam Burish has yet to be activated, Sunday’s edition of Eight’s a Crowd featured Cam Barker back on the second pairing with Brian Campbell.  Aaron Johnson and Brent Sopel were scratched.  And, not surprisingly, in net Cristobal Huet played well in very limited action, allowing only one unstoppable goal.

The Blackhawks’ ninth straight win brings them to a home-and-home versus the (possibly Nicklas Lidstrom-less) Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday and Thurday, with Thursday’s game being – of course – the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.  With the ‘Hawks only four points back (with two games in-hand) in the Central Division race, three or four points would go a long way in establishing the ‘Hawks as true division contenders.  At the very least, the two games, which will undoubtedly simulate a playoff feel, should help clarify and/or solidify the Blackhawks’ position in the conference.

And, if the ‘Hawks fair well, though conventional wisdom has told us they’re a year or two away from contending, perhaps we should update this team’s expectations.  Yes, they’re young and inexperienced.  Yes, Bob Pulford – er, Scotty Bowman – told us to wait.  (Sorry, I get my elderly talking heads mixed up.)  But, with two key contributors – Nik Khabibulin and Martin Havlat – moving on at season’s end, perhaps waiting isn’t prudent.

It is, after all, the hardest part.

New Rules; New Year’s Game

After Friday night’s scintillating win against the Flyers, a couple of things really annoyed me, and none of it had to do with anything on the ice.  The Blackhawks just finished off a dominant third period against one of the Eastern Conference’s finest and tied a franchise record with their 8th straight win.  The team gathered at center ice, Frank Pellico was tickling the ivories, and what does the crowd feel the need to chant?  Was it ‘Let’s go ‘Hawks?  Nope, as usual the inferiority complex came out in full force and everyone chanted ’Detroit sucks’.  Look, I hate the Wings just as much as anyone but it’s country dumb to chant ‘Detroit sucks’ when they’re not playing each other.  The ‘Hawks are one of the top four teams in the conference and gaining fast on Detroit.  What happens when they eventually pass them on the Central Divison Totem pole?  Are we as ‘Hawk fans still going to be chanting ‘Detroit sucks’ after wins or during games?  We shouldn’t.  There’s no reason to be concerned with anything Detroit is doing unless the ‘Hawks are playing them or need them to lose to clinch the division title.  Everything else is meaningless.  It reminds of Sox fans being more worried about what the Cubs are doing than what their own team is.  It’s silly and juvenile.  Let it go.  Be more worried about the ‘Hawks beating who they’re playing and let the Wings fall where they may.

The other thing I saw that made me want to poke my eyes out was the ‘W’ flag with feathers on it and ‘Hawks win’ underneath it.  Ok, first of all, everyone in Chicago knows what the ‘W’ stands for, so the ‘Hawks win’ thing looks a little silly.  Now, why are the ‘Hawks trying to start a tradition that’s firmly entrenched on the North Side.  I understand they’re playing one game there next week but after that, do we still have to be objected to it?  No one is going to ride on the el looking out the window as they pass the United Center to see if the ‘Hawks won the night before.  It’s a Cubs thing, not a ‘Hawks thing.  It’s like if next year, everyone started cheering through the whole National Anthem during a Cubs-Pirates game in May.  Just doesn’t feel right.  Please, I’m begging you, after the New Year, let’s get rid of those flags.

Speaking of Wrigley, it looks like the recent warm spell won’t do much to slow down the ice making process.  You haven’t heard much from me concerning the Winter Classic so let me spill my beans about it now.  Am I looking forward to it?  Yes.  Am I dying in anticipation over it?  Meh, not really.  It’s a game against Detroit being played outside.  It could have implications for first place.  That’s all.  It’s just one of 82 games.  The winner only takes home 2 points and after the game is over, there is still the rest of the regular season to play out and the playoffs.  A lot of the excitement is warranted and I don’t blame anyone for being pumped up about it or wanting to be part of the experience, but I just hope people realize after the game is over, there are far better things to look forward to the rest of this season.  Ya know, like seeing the ‘Hawks with a realistic shot at winning the Central Division, Western Conference, and Stanley Cup (gulp).

Blackhawks 5, Flyers 1

Both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers had three full days off prior to the teams’ tilt on Saturday night at the United Center.  The Flyers, however, had travel issues, and weren’t able to enjoy a practice prior to the game.  Perhaps, that’s the beginning and the end of the game’s story as the ‘Hawks thoroughly trounced the Flyers, out-shotting them 38 to 18 en route to a 5-1 victory in front of a packed west side house.

The ‘Hawks, knowing of the Flyers problems, jumped on them early, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the first period.  The first belonged to Andrew Ladd, who extended his point streak to six games by slamming home a Martin Havlat rebound.  Just over a minute later, the Flyers allowed Patrick Sharp into the slot with space – big mistake.  Sharp beat Flyer goalie Martin Biron over the glove shoulder with a quick wrister that gave the ‘Hawks a two-goal lead less than three minutes into the contest.  Flyers captain Mike Richards was able to add a Flyer tally in the first – his fifteenth – but this one was all ‘Hawks. 

A flurry of power play activity to begin the third period blew the game wide open.  Brian Campbell gave the ‘Hawks their second two-goal lead of the evening on a one-timer about fifteen feet inside the blue line.  Just minutes later, Kris Versteeg tapped in a Dustin Byfuglien rebound, and a minute following the fourth tally, the ‘Hawks added a fifth when Dave Bolland crashed the slot and hammered home a Brian Campbell pass to round out the scoring for the ‘Hawks.

But, on a night when positive stories reigned – the ‘Hawks won their eighth straight while setting a regular season attendance record – Friday’s edition of Eight’s a Crowd took a rather unexpected turn when Cam Barker (3 goals, 14 assists in 23 games) did not emerge for pre-game warm-ups.  Though the Blackhawks are saying he has a “lower body injury,” (Did Santa bring him a skateboard for Christmas?) the decision may ultimately drop the slow-footed Barker out of the ‘Hawks’ top-six and probably down to Rockford.  His absense left a noticeable void in the power play (the very – and only – reason for my surprise regarding his scratch), which Duncan Keith attempted to fill during the first two periods.  Keith and Campbell had little success at the blue line, however, with each defenseman hesitating to take a one-time slap shot; the move also seemingly forced Campbell off the boards and onto the blue line on the man-advantage, changing the power play’s “umbrella” feel.  But, Coach Quennville moved James Wisniewski into the Barker/Keith spot to begin the third period, and Wiz received the primary assist on a power play tally less than a minute into the period.  The swap relegated Keith back to “quarterback” status on the second unit, where he should stay, in my opinion.  Brent Sopel was the other scratch, as Aaron Johnson rejoined Brian Campbell, and Wiz saw action with Chris Pronger – I mean, Matt Walker – on the third pairing.  My opinion: so long as Q is comfortable with replacing Barker on the power play, which won’t be easy, he likely belongs in Rockford.  With the ‘Hawks needing a “shot” at the top to keep the top box defenders honest, Duncan Keith is not the answer.  With right-handed shots, perhaps Wiz or Brent Seabrook will provide options as the “shot.”  Otherwise, playing Keith on top allows the top killers to cheat and clog the slot to defend playmakers Patrick Kane and Sharp.

The game was the Blackhawks final home game before next Thursday’s contest versus the Detroit Red Wings.  The ‘Hawks visit the Wild and the ‘Wings prior to the New Year’s Day match-up.

Christmas With the Feather

Well, Tim Sassone took my idea of comparing these Blackhawks with the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers of 2005-’06.  Yes, the ‘Hawks don’t have Chris Pronger, but they have a nice stable of forwards and a third line capable of being the team’s best on any given night.  Throw in some good goaltending, and it’s a rather favorable comparison.

As I’ve said to friends and family who ask about this team’s capabilities, in the two seasons preceding the lock-out and and the season immediately following the stopage, the 7th, 6th and 8th seeded Western Conference teams, respectively, represented the conference in the Stanley Cup Final.  And, while I don’t believe the Blackhawks will ultimately be seeded that low, it’s hard to ignore the team’s general make-up when analyzing the team’s playoff chances: a top-flight two-way center, a couple pure goal scorers, one of the league’s best third lines, a contributing fourth line, one of the league’s best offensive defenseman, one of the league’s best defenseman, and great goaltending.

Yes, they’re young; yes, they’d be ahead of schedule.  But, as any true NHL fan knows, the game changes dramatically when the playoffs begin, and all sixteen remaining teams become contenders.  And, as we learned in the years surrounding the lock-out, anything can happen.  While the regular season often favors high scoring teams, the playoffs reward teams that play physically and well in both ends.  Perhaps that describes the ‘Hawks more than others.

So, as we here at the Fifth Feather wish you all a Merry Christmas, we’ll ask you the same thing the NHL asks fans in their recent commercial campaign: Is this the year?

Thanks for reading,

John and Bob

Media Praise; Decisions, Decisions

Perhaps the NHL media has read our quarter pole Report Card of Dale Tallon, but Pierre LeBrun of ESPN and Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune wrote columns lauding the General Manager this week.  LeBrun recounted Tallon’s best moves, including the acquisitions of Patrick Sharp and Kris Versteeg – even though he insinuated that Tallon drafted Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith – and Kuc said Tallon could hand out “told you so’s” as Christmas presents.  Though it’s unlikely Tallon will slip such gifts in his holiday greeting cards this year, the current situation is in stark contrast to the atmosphere that surrounded the ‘Hawks front office in mid-November when rumors of Tallon’s demise swirled.  Negativity derived from the recent Dustin Byfuglien (3 years for $9 million), Brent Sopel (3 years for $7 million) and Cristobal Huet ($22.4 million over 4 years) signings ruled the day, and many thought Tallon would follow Denis Savard as John McDonough and Rocky Wirtz castaways.  The bottom line, as I stated it in the referenced Report Card, remains that Dale Tallon has done an admirable job evaluating and keeping young talent, and it is this young talent (Patrick Kane, Jonathon Toews, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg, etc.) that has lead the Blackhawks to seven straight wins.  His follies, i.e. the signings described above, can be easily explained: Byfuglien is still young and his deal was for market value; Brent Sopel rightly received a portion of the credit for the maturation of the blue liners last season; and the goaltending is likely the Blackhawks’ best current asset, though not on purpose.  Though I would stop short of likening him to Lou Lamoriello or Ken Holland, Tallon deserves (a) much of the credit for the make-up of this team and (b) an opportunity to sink or swim as Blackhawks’ GM in the future.

Speaking of the Blackhawk GM, two roster decisions must be made soon: namely, whether fourth line winger Adam Burish and defenseman Aaron Johnson return to the line-up on Friday (or sometime shortly thereafter).  Joel Quennville recently said inserting the two players – and, necessarily, removing others from the current line-up – represented a “tough decision.”  But, Q sang a different tune when Nik Khabibulin returned from injury: “[Khabibulin] had the net when he was hurt, and he didn’t do anything to lose it,” said Quennville, before giving Khabby the start in Edmonton last Tuesday.  Q’s statement seems to imply a policy of injured players returning to the line-up – unless they’ve “(something) to lose (their spot).”  So, did Burish or Johnson do something to lose their respective spots?  I suppose we’ll see on Friday.

And, finally, my explanation for this site’s moderate success?  Neither of the authors are married.