Spellman's Scorecard: A whole lot of hard Hawks hockey

Gotta say it:Duncan Keith deserved that suspension.Just can't do that.Question:I wonder how many times over the years Brendan Shanahan, the NHL player safety guru, would've suspended Brendan Shanahan the player?Does that even make sense?Well deserved:I know it was probably just fate that the best picture Sports Illustrated had for its regional cover was of Marcus Kruger mixing it up along the boards.But I love it anyway.Kruger may not be a marquee name, but the guy throws it all out there all the time and deserves a little pub.And if it can't be my guy Michael Frolik, Kruger's a good second option.Q is right:Niklas Hjalmarsson is a warrior.Who was that guy?While some people sensed trouble Tuesday night when the camera caught #8220;Chicago guy#8221; Jim Belushi in the seats at the Staples Center, my uh-oh moment came about three minutes into the game when Patrick Sharp dropped the gloves.Someone got in his head.Just wondering:Did the city council OK the Cubs' selection of third baseman Kris Bryant in the first round?Instant reaction:I know it's all about pitching, but, man, I really like this pick.I'm still a little skittish about taking a pitcher that early, and for that I say: Thank you Mark Prior!Fun in the press box:Sunday night at the UC during Game 2, this one media guy was walking down the stairs of the three-tiered press box with a cup of coffee and just as he neared the lower tier, he did a Dick Van Dyke over the ottoman routine and his coffee went flying #8230; all over a couple of reporters.What a dork.Yeah, you got it, it was me.The equation:The 1-888-709-LIMO commercial is to this decade what the Victory Auto Wreckers ad was to the 1980s.Discuss.Talking tennis:I'll admit it, I only watch tennis when it's the finals of a major and it's between two marquee players.This weekend it will be Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova. Not sure I'm gonna watch this one though because honestly I can't remember a competitive match between those two.Now if it turns out to be Nadal vs. Djokovic in the men's finals, I'll be all over that.Speaking of majors:Longshot for U.S. Open: Zach Johnson.So long, Deacon:Yeah, I'll admit it. My only memory of Deacon Jones was his guest role on #8220;The Brady Bunch.#8221;(Rare) soccer talk:I know people say hockey is a tough sport to figure out, but for my money nothing tops the MLS.The game itself is easy to follow.The off-the-field stuff? Impossible.Players leave midway through the season to go play for teams in their home countries. You've got your loaners, your DPs, your random friendlies #8230; Not that I'm trying too hard to figure any of it out, but when I do give an effort, my head explodes.Ahh ... OK:Now we know why Robin Ventura didn't want to sign that contract extension.She's done it again:A year after introducing everyone to jockey Tim Thornton, Arlington track analyst Jessica Pacheco is picking right up where she left off with a new video series called #8220;Racehorse#8221; featuring local owners and the equine athletes they adore. You can find it at arlingtonpark.com.After watching the premiere episode, pretty sure this is going to be must-see stuff.Two out of three ain't bad:Showdown at Belmont!Oxbow vs. Orb!Crickets.mspellman@dailyherald.com