What’s New

The Chicago Blackhawks have been a bit surprising so far to start this season. They had a four-game winning streak that kept them from coming out of the gate in an embarrassing fashion. They still might end near the bottom of the standings but it will be less ugly now.

There has been some exciting hockey to watch with them over the last few weeks and that continued against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday. They hosted them at the United Center in what promised to be a very fun game between two Central Division foes.

The game started off okay as Jake McCabe scored his first goal of the season to give them a 1-0 lead. From there, however, Matt Boldy and Mason Shaw scored to give the Wild a 2-1 lead, and looked like they might run away from there.

Jonathan Toews’ revenge tour continued, however, as he scored his fifth of the season to tie the game at two. Then, Andreas Athanasiou scored a highlight reel goal to give Chicago a 3-2 lead. That goal will go down as a goal of the year candidate.

The Chicago Blackhawks put up a good fight against a much better team.

Unfortunately, that lead would only last for 17 seconds as Matt Boldy scored his second of the game right after the Athanasiou goal so they were back to being tied at three. Regulation and overtime would come to an end without a resolution and a 3-3 tie.

In the shootout, both Kirill Kaprizov and Frederick Gaudreau would both score (no Hawk scored) to give the Wild the shootout victory. It was a tough way to lose a hard-fought game. The Hawks stayed with a team that has a very talented roster and should be in the playoffs by the end.

They got a point in a game in which they were slightly outplayed. This team is so committed to playing a certain type of way and it keeps them in games against some of these good teams. The Wild took the extra point but the Hawks kept the fight going.

The Blackhawks will now host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night as they look to keep the good play going. It is going to be a good test against a veteran team that has been playing well. We don’t know what this season will truly bring yet but this is a big test.

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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Michigan trio Cloud Rat have grown steadily from their solid grindcore foundations into one of the most boundary-pushing outfits in a generation of heavy punk-driven bands. They’ve put out more than 20 releases since forming in 2009, but this prolificacy hasn’t been accompanied by a holding pattern in their songwriting—their records feel increasingly packed with fresh ideas. That’s especially clear on their latest, Threshold. Cloud Rat made it during the pandemic, and ear-splitting vocalist Madison Marshall told Invisible Oranges that the band’s creative processstarted from a “point of spiritual breakdown.” Tracks such as “Aluminum Branches” and “Inner Controller (Lucid Running Home)” feel as saturated with urgency, rage, and dread as that nauseating moment during lockdown when you realized that COVID wasn’t going to be tamed in a few weeks or even months—and that you’d have to make it through the duration, however long that was, without going out of your mind. Mercifully, Cloud Rat infuse Threshold with plenty of catharsis too. The brooding “12-22-09” satisfies with doomy, post-hardcore atmospheres, while the shimmery “Kaleidoscope” drips with dismal beauty thanks to its serene guitars, uplifting synths, and rotating rhythmic patterns. Even at 30 minutes, it feels like it’s over in the blink of an eye. You’ll want to keep your finger near the “play” button so you can hear it all over again.

Cloud Rat’s Threshold is available through Bandcamp.

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Michigan trio Cloud Rat have grown steadily from their solid grindcore foundations into one of the most boundary-pushing outfits in a generation of heavy punk-driven bands. They’ve put out more than 20 releases since forming in 2009, but this prolificacy hasn’t been accompanied by a holding pattern in their songwriting—their records feel increasingly packed with fresh ideas. That’s especially clear on their latest, Threshold. Cloud Rat made it during the pandemic, and ear-splitting vocalist Madison Marshall told Invisible Oranges that the band’s creative processstarted from a “point of spiritual breakdown.” Tracks such as “Aluminum Branches” and “Inner Controller (Lucid Running Home)” feel as saturated with urgency, rage, and dread as that nauseating moment during lockdown when you realized that COVID wasn’t going to be tamed in a few weeks or even months—and that you’d have to make it through the duration, however long that was, without going out of your mind. Mercifully, Cloud Rat infuse Threshold with plenty of catharsis too. The brooding “12-22-09” satisfies with doomy, post-hardcore atmospheres, while the shimmery “Kaleidoscope” drips with dismal beauty thanks to its serene guitars, uplifting synths, and rotating rhythmic patterns. Even at 30 minutes, it feels like it’s over in the blink of an eye. You’ll want to keep your finger near the “play” button so you can hear it all over again.

Cloud Rat’s Threshold is available through Bandcamp.

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The Chicago Tool Library, Chicago’s free tool rental service, is opening a new location, and they need our help! From 11 AM-3 PM, they’re looking for assistance preparing their new space in Garfield Park at 4015 W. Carroll. Most of this will involve cleaning in anticipation of painting. Can’t make it today but still eager to help? No problem! All volunteer sign-up days, locations, and tasks involved (hauling, painting, etc.) are detailed on the Tool Library’s website. (MC)

The Chi-Nations Youth Council is hosting a kid-friendly evening of Halloween activities at the First Nations Community Garden (Wilson at Pulaski). From 4-11 PM, there will be scores of festive fun: bonfires, games, storytelling, and more. No “fun”-size candy bars here; full-size candy only—as well as s’mores, dancing, costumes, and horror movies. Be there or be square! (MC)

The south side performance troop Body Confidence for Queens is debuting Hallo-Lesque, a Halloween-themed burlesque and variety show at Storyville Chicago (712 N. Clark). MochaMocha2.0, supreme leader of confident queens everywhere, will host this evening of sexy, scar, body-positive fun. Enjoy two hours of live entertainment (9-11 PM; doors open at 8 PM) followed by dancing into the wee hours. Tickets are $40. Adults only, please. (MC)

Radio Boombastic started in the early 00s as a pirate radio station based in Wicker Park, and it’s evolved into a near-annual live event featuring DJs well-loved in both the dance and hip-hop scenes. Tonight Boombastic returns for an evening at the California Clipper (1002 N. California) featuring special guest DJ Large Professor and a slew of Boombastic crew DJs including Shon Dervis, Rude Onederful, and DJ Alo. There’s no cover, but donations will be collected for Love Fridge Chicago. Drop in from 8 PM until 2 AM, and dress up for the midnight costume contest (winner will receive cash!). (SCJ)

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The Chicago Tool Library, Chicago’s free tool rental service, is opening a new location, and they need our help! From 11 AM-3 PM, they’re looking for assistance preparing their new space in Garfield Park at 4015 W. Carroll. Most of this will involve cleaning in anticipation of painting. Can’t make it today but still eager to help? No problem! All volunteer sign-up days, locations, and tasks involved (hauling, painting, etc.) are detailed on the Tool Library’s website. (MC)

The Chi-Nations Youth Council is hosting a kid-friendly evening of Halloween activities at the First Nations Community Garden (Wilson at Pulaski). From 4-11 PM, there will be scores of festive fun: bonfires, games, storytelling, and more. No “fun”-size candy bars here; full-size candy only—as well as s’mores, dancing, costumes, and horror movies. Be there or be square! (MC)

The south side performance troop Body Confidence for Queens is debuting Hallo-Lesque, a Halloween-themed burlesque and variety show at Storyville Chicago (712 N. Clark). MochaMocha2.0, supreme leader of confident queens everywhere, will host this evening of sexy, scar, body-positive fun. Enjoy two hours of live entertainment (9-11 PM; doors open at 8 PM) followed by dancing into the wee hours. Tickets are $40. Adults only, please. (MC)

Radio Boombastic started in the early 00s as a pirate radio station based in Wicker Park, and it’s evolved into a near-annual live event featuring DJs well-loved in both the dance and hip-hop scenes. Tonight Boombastic returns for an evening at the California Clipper (1002 N. California) featuring special guest DJ Large Professor and a slew of Boombastic crew DJs including Shon Dervis, Rude Onederful, and DJ Alo. There’s no cover, but donations will be collected for Love Fridge Chicago. Drop in from 8 PM until 2 AM, and dress up for the midnight costume contest (winner will receive cash!). (SCJ)

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Sunday’s matchup between the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys is one that can be a strong turning point in the early season for the Bears and start a march towards climbing the standings and becoming a powerhouse in the NFC.

The 5-2 Cowboys are putting their trust in 2016 4th-round draftee, Dak Prescott, who is supposed to play in his second game back from an early season hand injury. Dak’s step-in, Cooper Rush, led the Cowboys to four wins and one loss in Prescott’s absence.

In that span, “America’s Team” held their opponents to less than 20 points in each game. The Cowboys’ defense has manhandled offensive lines which is a common issue for the Bears, posting a combined 29 sacks in their seven games played this season.

Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy appears to have begun to trust Justin Fields to throw the ball and he has done so efficiently by throwing for over 1,000 yards with just 5 INTs and just as many touchdowns.

The Chicago Bears have an opportunity to have a big game against a good team.

The Cowboys’ secondary, led by Trevon Diggs will be a strong foe for Fields and a great test for passing the ball.

Fields’ playmaking ability, mixed with his ability to efficiently throw the ball when trusted to, poses a problem for the Cowboys’ defense and will be an important aspect of the game.

Averaging 149.7 rush yards allowed per game, the Bears defense will have their hands full with running back tandem Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott, as well as dual-threat Prescott. Together, the three have combined for 823 yards rushing.

The Bears’ secondary will need to be staunch against the passing game, find ways to neutralize CeeDee Lamb and prevent Prescott from putting the ball in the air for big gains.

Altogether, the Bears will have their work cut out for them from whistle to whistle for all 60 minutes on Sunday.

If all goes well, both the Vikings and the Packers face harder foes and the Bears can come out of this week in the NFC North as a top team in their division.

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