What’s New

Tanner Jeannot and the Predators beat the Blackhawks 3-2 on Friday night. | AP Photos

The Hawks were facing a Predators team missing eight players because of COVID-19 that was skating in the second half of a back-to-back, but couldn’t take advantage.

The Blackhawks were facing a Predators team missing eight players because of COVID-19 that was skating in the second half of a back-to-back.

They couldn’t take advantage.

Tanner Jeannot scored 58 seconds into overtime to give Nashville a 3-2 win Friday night. The Hawks were 0 for 5 on the power play and mustered 19 shots on goal.

“We were just off,” interim Hawks coach Derek King said. “Our passes weren’t flat. We were bobbling pucks, we turned a few pucks over. It was just one of those games where it just wasn’t clicking for us.”

Even at full-strength, Nashville tries to trap in the neutral zone and frustrate their opponents. The Hawks struggled to get through against a Predators group playing a handful of call-ups from their AHL affiliate.

“They played a hard game,” center Kirby Dach said. “They play a boring game, they trap you up, there’s not a lot of ice out there to make plays. We just didn’t stick with it long enough.”

At least a couple centers who have had trying starts to the season showed some positives.

The Hawks got a point thanks to Jonathan Toews, whose third goal in four games tied it at 2 in the third. Dach’s first-period score was his second in 22 games.

Good to be around
King said Jujhar Khaira (concussion protocol) skated Friday and is feeling “a lot better,” though the Hawks have to be very careful with him. Still, King and the Hawks relish his presence.

“He’s a great guy,” King said. “The personality, it’s just nice having him around the room and the guys are swarming to him and I think just seeing him on the ice, it was nice to see him getting back and getting up and running again.”

Reese Johnson (fractured right clavicle) is also around the team and King quipped that he’s “getting his free breakfast every morning.” Like Khaira and Tyler Johnson, King said it’s great having Reese Johnson around.

“The guys with the bad shrimp, stay away,” King said. “The guys that are getting some rehab and getting ready to get back, love having them around the locker room.”

Roster bits
Calvin de Haan (non-COVID-19 illness) and scratch Brett Connolly did not play. Kurtis Gabriel made his Hawks debut and Erik Gustafsson returned to the lineup after getting scratched Wednesday against the Capitals.

King said Gustafsson didn’t like the scratch but understood it.

“He’s been around long enough and obviously Caleb [Jones] comes in and [scores] the game-winner and an assist and played well,” King said. “That’s just the way it happens. Again, it’s like the Connolly thing. Somebody had to come out and your number was drawn. That’s all. Not based on play.”

Family pride
Defenseman Seth Jones got a kick out of seeing his brother score the Hawks’ game-winning goal Wednesday.

“That was awesome,” Seth Jones said. “Jumped in the play, used his legs to get up there and it’s great to see his first as a Hawk. Especially in a game like that against a great team. That was a big win and I’m happy for him.”

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The Chicago Bears are hoping to get back on track this week as they get set to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 15 on Monday Night Football. Chicago has lost seven of their last games and head coach Matt Nagy is on the hot seat with four games to go.

But Monday’s game won’t be an easy one.

Minnesota is 7-6 and enter the game off an emotional Thursday Night win over Pittsburgh as they are right in the mix for a playoff spot in the NFC Wild Card race. Going into this game, the Bears will receive the Vikings as the underdogs by 3.5 points according to the odds displayed at Sports Betting Dime.

Being an underdog at home is not good but there might be a few reasons why. The biggest one being that the team isn’t very good as they have struggled all season long. However, they are hitting another road block in terms of COVID-19 too.

The Bears have an outbreak with several players on the COVID-19/reserve list from the past few days. But not only that, their three coordinators in Bill Lazor, Sean Desai and Chris Tabor are also in protocol which means they could miss Monday’s game.

On Friday, the Bears added two more to protocol in quarterback Andy Dalton and DB Duke Shelley:

#Bears roster moves:
We have placed QB Andy Dalton and DB Duke Shelley on Reserve/COVID-19.

— Chicago Bears (@BearsPR) December 17, 2021

The good news for the Bears is that they also had an illness outbreak as well with seven guys missing Thursday’s practice. But a few of those players returned to practice on Friday including Cole Kmet. Chicago could see a few players get off the COVID list before Monday’s game and that would be a big boost.

For more on the Bears and this game, please check back with ChiCitySports.

The post COVID-19 hits Chicago Bears as they prep for Minnesota Vikings first appeared on CHICITYSPORTS.

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The Chicago Bulls, who haven’t played since last Saturday after a COVID-19 outbreak put 10 players in the league’s health and safety protocols, have been cleared to return to practice Saturday.Read More

The Chicago Bulls, who haven’t played since last Saturday after a COVID-19 outbreak put 10 players in the league’s health and safety protocols, have been cleared to return to practice Saturday.Read More

Post ContentRead More

The NBA and National Basketball Players Association are discussing a plan that would require teams decimated by COVID to sign additional replacement players, league sources tell ESPN.Read More

Hillcrest’s Bryce Tillery (2) drives toward the basket as Glenbard West’s Andrew Dauksas (12) defends. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

All the scores from around the area.

Please send scores and corrections to [email protected].

Friday, December 17, 2021

BIG NORTHERN

Dixon at Rock Falls, 7:00

CATHOLIC – CROSSOVER

DePaul at Providence-St. Mel, 7:00

Fenwick at Montini, 7:00

Loyola at St. Francis de Sales, PPD

Mount Carmel at Providence, 7:00

St. Laurence at Marmion, 7:00

St. Rita at St. Ignatius, 2-17 PPD

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – NORTH

Deerfield at Highland Park, 7:00

Maine East at Vernon Hills, 7:00

Niles North at Maine West, 7:00

CENTRAL SUBURBAN – SOUTH

Glenbrook North at Maine South, PPD

Glenbrook South at Niles West, 7:00

CHICAGO PREP

Hope Academy at Holy Trinity, 6:30

DU KANE

Batavia at Geneva, 7:15

Lake Park at Glenbard North, 7:15

St. Charles North at St. Charles East, 7:15

Wheaton North at Wheaton-Warr. South, 7:15

DU PAGE VALLEY

Naperville North at Naperville Central, 7:00

Neuqua Valley at Metea Valley, 7:00

Waubonsie Valley at DeKalb, 7:00

EAST SUBURBAN CATHOLIC

Benet at Carmel, 7:00

Joliet Catholic at Marist, 7:00

St. Patrick at Notre Dame, 7:00

St. Viator at Marian Central, 7:00

FOX VALLEY

Burlington Central at Huntley, 7:30

McHenry at Dundee-Crown, 7:00

ILLINOIS CENTRAL EIGHT

Coal City at Streator, 1-28 PPD

Lisle at Manteno, 7:00

Peotone at Reed-Custer, 6:45

Wilmington at Herscher, 7:00

INTERSTATE EIGHT

LaSalle-Peru at Kaneland, 7:00

Rochelle at Morris, 7:00

Sycamore at Ottawa, 7:00

LITTLE TEN

DePue at Serena, PPD

Earlville at Newark, 7:00

IMSA at Indian Creek, 6:45

LaMoille at Hinckley-Big Rock, 7:00

Leland at Hiawatha, 6:30

METRO SUBURBAN – BLUE

Chicago Christian at Wheaton Academy, 7:30

IC Catholic at Timothy Christian, 7:30

St. Francis at Riverside-Brookfield, 7:00

MID-SUBURBAN – EAST

Prospect at Hersey, 6:00

Rolling Meadows at Elk Grove, 6:00

Wheeling at Buffalo Grove, 6:00

MID-SUBURBAN – WEST

Barrington at Hoffman Estates, 1-11 PPD

Conant at Schaumburg, 7:00

Fremd at Palatine, 6:00

NIC – 10

Auburn at Boylan, 7:15

Harlem at Freeport, 6:00

Hononegah at Rockford East, 7:00

Jefferson at Guilford, 7:00

PUBLIC LEAGUE BLUE-NORTH

Rickover at Steinmetz, 5:00

SOUTHLAND

Crete-Monee at Thornwood, 6:30

Rich at Thornton, 5:00

Thornridge at Kankakee, 6:30

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – EAST

Plainfield Central at Joliet Central, 1-24 PPD

Plainfield East at Romeoville, 6:30

Plainfield South at Joliet West, 6:30

SOUTHWEST PRAIRIE – WEST

Oswego at Yorkville, 6:30

Plainfield North at Oswego East, 6:30

West Aurora at Minooka, 6:30

SOUTHWEST SUBURBAN – CROSSOVER

Lincoln-Way West at Lincoln-Way East, 6:30

Lockport at Lincoln-Way Central, 6:15

TRI-COUNTY

Putnam County at Seneca, 7:00

Roanoke-Benson at Woodland, 7:00

UPSTATE EIGHT

East Aurora at Elgin, 7:00

Glenbard East at Larkin, 7:00

South Elgin at West Chicago, 7:00

Streamwood at Glenbard South, 7:00

WEST SUBURBAN – GOLD

Leyden at Hinsdale South, 7:30

Morton at Downers Grove South, 6:00

Proviso East at Addison Trail, 7:30

WEST SUBURBAN – SILVER

Glenbard West at York, 7:30

Lyons at Downers Grove North, 7:30

Oak Park-River Forest at Proviso West, 6:30

NON CONFERENCE

Alcott at Uplift, 6:00

Antioch at Westosha Central (WI), 7:00

Argo at Bradley-Bourbonnais, 7:00

Butler at Bowen, 5:00

Christ the King at Dyett, 5:00

Clifton Central at Tolono Unity, 7:00

Collins vs. DRW, 5:00

Comer at Intrinsic, 6:30

Evergreen Park at Andrew, PPD

Grace Christian at Calumet Christian, 7:00

Hinsdale Central at Willowbrook, 6:00

Julian at Fenger, PPD

Mather at Roosevelt, 5:00

North Grand at Von Steuben, 6:15

Oak Lawn at Stagg, 12-23 PPD

Orr at Homewood-Flossmoor, 6:45

Payton at Ogden, PPD

Phoenix at Amundsen, 5:00

Princeville at Midland, 7:30

Richards at Brother Rice, 7:00

Ridgewood at Aurora Christian, 7:30

Somonauk at Amboy, 7:30

Walther Christian at Northridge, 6:00

Warren at Round Lake, 7:00

Westlake Christian at Westminster Christian, 7:30

MADISON COLLEGE (WI)

Yorkville Christian vs. Deforest (WI), 8:00

SIOUX CITY (SD) – SANFORD PENTAGON

Simeon vs. Minneapolis North (MN), 4:30

Kenwood vs. Sunrise Christian (KN), 9:00

FORT MYERS (FL)

Young vs. Gill St. Bernards (NJ), 9:30

LAS VEGAS BISHOP GORMAN (NV)

De La Salle vs. Coronado (NV), 6:35

SCOTTSDALE HORIZON (AZ)

New Trier vs. Saguaro (AZ), 1:30

New Trier vs. TBD

WATSEKA

Cissna Park vs. Donovan, 4:30

LaSalette vs. Westville, 5:45

Watseka vs. Illinois Lutheran, 7:00

Hoopeston vs. Tri-Point, 8:15

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Seth Jones is slated to make his Olympic debut unless the pandemic intervenes. | Getty

Seth Jones hopes he can go to the Games in Beijing, while the Hawks are doing their best to stay clear of the coronavirus.

Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones has never played in an Olympics. Picked to play for Team USA in Beijing, Jones hopes to get that chance this winter.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and new rash of positives, however, are spurring discussions about whether players should head to China.

“It’s been a conversation throughout the league the last week or two,” Jones said. “There’s so many different variables that are taking place. I don’t know if they’re rumors or they’re true. No one really knows right now what some of the quarantine stuff we’re hearing.”

Right now, all people are hearing is bad news about the spread of the virus.

On Friday, the NHL announced games for the Avalanche, Flames and Panthers have been postponed through Dec. 26. That means the Hawks’ matchup this coming Tuesday against Florida will need to be rescheduled, a development coming on the heels of the Hawks-Flames game last Monday getting pushed back. The NHL has also introduced stricter safety protocols to try to avoid further issues.

The Predators, whom the Hawks faced Friday night, are playing through an outbreak that’s cost them their entire coaching staff and a third of their roster. The Hawks, who suffered through their own COVID-19 issues earlier this season, are OK for now.

“We’re on them on about just the hygiene stuff and staying away from crowds as much as you can,” Hawks interim coach Derek King said. “I know it’s tough, especially at home and family and stuff like that, and there’s things going on. On the road, we have to be a little more cautious of it. Maybe we don’t go out for those extra dinners or whatever it is you’re doing. Kind of stay in almost our own little bubble, I guess you want to call it that.”

Unfortunately, hockey isn’t conducive to avoiding other people. The Hawks played Friday against a team hit hard by a contagious virus.

“Just the spread of it through the league, it’s so easy for it to happen. You see it already happening right now with teams playing each other,” Jones said. “And the thing is, it may not show up for three days after you play that team. So it’s hard to track, it’s hard to trace where you actually got it or who you got it from. It’s obviously an evolving matter. We’re doing our part. Besides the games, when it comes to those little scrums in front, doing our part away from the game and in the locker room to take care of ourselves.”

At least temporarily, the Hawks have an edge.

With the vast majority of players vaccinated, which teams are getting hit has an element of luck. But if the games are being played and the Hawks are avoiding COVID-19, they can use that to their benefit.

“We had some cases early on in our locker room, but right now, we’re pretty healthy as a team,” Jones said. “That’s definitely an advantage when you have everyone playing together you have that chemistry still on your lines and you’re not bringing in new guys and trying to fill roles. At the same time, sometimes it brings you together as a team when you have some of your top guys out and everyone comes in.”

If the tournament is played as scheduled, the Olympics will be full of top players. Jones and likely Alex DeBrincat will debut at that level, while Patrick Kane would appear for the third time.

“It’s obviously not going to be like a normal Olympics with fans and family and being able to watch other sports around the village,” Jones said. “But we still have our hopes high.”

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Bears quarterback Andy Dalton takes a snap against the Cardinals. | Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

One day after putting six players on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list, the Bears added two more Friday: quarterback Andy Dalton and cornerback Duke Shelley. 

Sitting at home Friday, a congested and grumpy Bill Lazor was asked whether NFL officials should start postponing this week’s games because of coronavirus outbreaks.

“I haven’t thought about it,” the Bears’ offensive coordinator said, “because I assume they won’t.”

Two hours later, they did, pushing three games back two days each. The Bears, though, remain slated to play the Vikings at 7:15 p.m. Monday at Soldier Field.

One day after putting six players on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list, the Bears added two more Friday: quarterback Andy Dalton and cornerback Duke Shelley.

Neither were expected to play Monday against the Vikings — Dalton has an injured left hand and Shelley had returned to practice this week after hurting his hamstring last month. Dalton is vaccinated, but his proximity to starting quarterback Justin Fields and backup Nick Foles is cause for concern nonetheless. The Bears can’t afford to put another quarterback on the reserve list without having to sign a passer.

After activating tackle Elijah Wilkinson on Friday — he had been out since Nov. 26 after contracting the virus — the Bears have 13 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

It could have been worse — seven of the eight players who missed the Thursday walk-through with a non-coronavirus illness returned Friday and participated in full: running backs David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert; tight ends Cole Kmet and Jesper Horsted; starting offensive linemen James Daniels and Teven Jenkins; and receiver Jakeem Grant.

Of the original eight, only defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, who has both a shoulder injury and illness, remains out.

Kmet said Friday was feeling better after having cold symptoms earlier in the week. He’s tested negative for the coronavirus each day since.

“I thought this offseason it’d be going away, with the vaccines and things like that,” he said. “To find out that everyone’s kinda still getting sick, and things like that, obviously isn’t great. But, you know, it’s just the world we live in right now, and you kinda have to deal with it.”

The Bears’ three coordinators remained out after testing positive earlier this week. In interviews conducted over Zoom, all three sounded stir-crazy.

“I’ve watched a lot of film, you know?” special teams coordinator Chris Tabor said. “And you stare out the window a lot. It’s frustrating.”

Tabor tested positive Monday morning with symptoms that reminded him of a cold. Friday, he said he was “feeling great.” By mid-morning, Tabor had already checked the weather report and determined that the warmest part of the day would be around 2 p.m.

“So I’ll probably slide out and go for a walk,” he said. “That’s gonna be the big activity today.”

Defensive coordinator Sean Desai, who also tested positive Monday and said he felt fine, scheduled a walk of his own.

“It’s cold, though,” he said. “So that doesn’t help much.”

If Desai can’t coach Monday, he figures to be replaced by senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine, the former Packers coordinator and Packers head coach. Coach Matt Nagy would likely call offensive plays for Lazor, with assistant special teams coach Brian Ginn taking Tabor’s place.

The first few days of quarantine weren’t that different from Desai’s typical Monday and Tuesday activities, when he watches game film and develops his gameplan.

“It’s just the practice part that you miss,” Desai said.

For the second-straight day, the Bears held a walk-through — and not a padded practice — to account for their diminished roster. They’ll do the same Saturday.

The Bears are holding out hope that at least some of their vaccinated players can return by Monday. Per the NFL’s new guidelines, released earlier this week, all vaccinated players and coaches who have been asymptomatic for at least 24 hours can end their quarantine if they meet one of three new testing requirements. The new rules allow players to return to the active roster faster.

The NFL remained in the midst of an coronavirus crisis. Friday, teams put 32 players on the reserve/COVID-19 list, with all but one testing positive.

An outbreak in Cleveland forced the NFL to move their Saturday game against the Raiders to 4 p.m. Monday — just ahead of the Bears-Vikings game at Soldier Field. Coronavirus concerns with Washington and the Rams prompted their games against the Eagles and Seahawks, respectively, to be moved from Sunday to Tuesday.

In a letter to owners Friday, commissioner Roger Goodell called the Omicron variant the “kind of change that warrants a flexible response” from the league, and insisted it will try to play a full 17-game schedule this year.

Under the league’s intensive protocol, the Bears will keep testing every day — and take stock again Saturday.

“You don’t want to get sick because obviously then you can’t play,” Kmet said. “That’s just the main concern … This is kind of the world that we’re in, and you just kind of have to learn to deal with it.”

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Chicago is a great destination for shoppers with a mix of both luxury and budget options, but if you want a truly local experience, check out the many boutiques around the city! Big retail stores often lack unique selections, but boutiques specially curate styles so you’ll look great all while supporting local. As the temps drop, stop by one of the best boutiques to buy a winter coat so you can stay warm this year!

SPACE 519

200 E Chestnut St, Chicago, IL 60611

Just off the Magnificent Mile by Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art, SPACE 519 offers a refined curation of unique men’s and women’s clothing, apothecary, home decor, gifts, and accessories. The store carries luxury brands like Proenza Schouler, Rachel Comey, Ulla Johnson, and Bernadette.

If shopping worked up an appetite, take a break at The Lunchroom for breakfast, lunch, and brunch with an all-day cafe. The menu focuses on California-style cuisine with an emphasis on veggies and locally-sourced ingredients.

FELT Chicago

2317 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

FELT is a trendy women’s boutique in Logan Square that features clothing by both emerging and established designers. Designers are handpicked by the FELT team with the customer in mind to complement one another. Find outerwear styles ranging from a cozy teddy or sporty bomber to a classic trench or colorful puffer.

Notre

118 N Peoria St #1N, Chicago, IL 60607

Fulton Market is one of the city’s hottest spots with no shortage of hip and unique eateries and retail spaces, like Notre. Notre carries a global selection of trendy men’s and women’s apparel, shoes, and accessories in an airy, minimalist space.

The boutique stocks contemporary brands like Acne Studios, Off-White, Common Projects, and Thom Browne. There are also familiar classics like Patagonia, The North Face, Dr. Martens, and Nike.

Una Mae’s

1528 N Milwaukee Ave # 1, Chicago, IL 60622

Una Mae’s is a hip boutique in Wicker Park with a diverse curation of men’s and women’s attire, home goods, lifestyle products, gifts, and accessories. The apothecary section of the store will welcome you in with inviting and indulgent scents.

The store carries a mix of quality vintage pieces as well as a range of contemporary brands. Brands like Richer Poorer, Filson, Lee, Obey, Native Youth, and Compania Fantastica give you an idea of the vibe of Una Mae’s. 

Art Effect

934 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Art Effect has an eclectic collection of women’s clothing, jewelry, and gifts. The long-standing boutique has served the Lincoln Park area for decades since it opened in 1984. The store’s selection is a mix of high and low-end fashion, so there’s something for every budget!

Stop in and check out their outerwear selection, from teddy coats to plaid shackets. You won’t be able to resist Art Effect’s collection of other goodies too like body products, fun knick-knacks, and designer jewelry.

Bronzeville Boutique

4259 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653

Bronzeville Boutique by Lady Mocha carries modern apparel and accessories for women, including plus sizes. The store has been serving the Bronzeville neighborhood since 1991, bringing streetwise fashion to the city. Find your outerwear with styles ranging from moto jackets and bombers to puffers and sequin dusters. 

Krista K Boutique

3458 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Lakeview’s Southport Corridor is a popular spot for shopping and dining. You’ll find big brands like Lululemon and Anthropologie, but don’t miss out on the boutiques, like Krista K Boutique. 

Krista K carries upscale women’s designer clothing, shoes, jewelry, lingerie, and accessories. Shop brands like A.L.C., Soia & Kyo, rag & bone, Paige Denim, Amanda Uprichard, Monrow, and more.

Bliss & Belle Boutique

1011 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Bliss & Belle Boutique sells women’s apparel, jewelry, gifts, and accessories in a chic spot in Lincoln Park’s Ranch Triangle neighborhood. Founded in May 2018, Bliss & Belle Boutique is the dream of Blake Bell, who has a background as a buyer in the fashion, beauty, and gift industries.

The boutique carries outerwear ranging from jackets, coats, and shackets for all the varying temperatures the city likes to throw at us. You’ll also find a great assortment of cold-weather accessories to complete that winter fit!

Alice & Wonder

956 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

3542 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Alice & Wonder has two locations: one in Lincoln Park and the other in Lakeview’s Southport Corridor. The boutique sells women’s apparel, accessories, home goods, and gifts. With most items priced at $100 or less, this is definitely one of the boutiques to buy a winter coat if you’re on a tight budget! Alice & Wonder also has Chicago-themed clothing and goods for those who love to rep their city.

Featured Image Credit: Notre

The post 9 Boutiques To Buy a Winter Coat in Chicago appeared first on UrbanMatter.

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