Spellman’s Scorecard: Real battle for concussion sufferers

Whether it’s Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews talking about sitting by himself in a dark room at home, or defenseman Steve Montador describing the “psychological and emotional turbulence” that goes along with it, it seems like half the battle for hockey players suffering from concussions is the mental side of the injury — the isolation, the darkness … the depression.

“You sit at home and pretty much do nothing trying to heal yourself, so you start to miss the game and miss being in the locker room pretty quick,” said Toews, who has missed 11 consecutive games with the injury.

And after a setback Thursday, it appears Toews will have to deal with all that stuff a little longer.

“It’s probably tough for him to keep hanging on and hanging on to wait for the right moment to come back,” Patrick Kane said. “It seems like a depressing injury — hopefully I’ll never have to go through that, knock on wood.”

The big three:

Concussions, PEDs and abuse cases from years ago … the future of sports.

NC Asheville lost? What?

Don’t have a perfect bracket after the first day of the tournament?

You’re not alone.

According to Jeff Bergen, DePaul University professor of mathematics, the odds of picking a perfect bracket are less than one in 9.2 quintillion.

Just a follow-up question:

What’s a quintillion?

Finally:

Real competition for Devin Hester at the No. 1 receiver spot!

Good times:

With the signing of Jason Campbell and Josh McCown to back up Jay Cutler, new Bears GM Phil Emery has put together the deepest trio of quarterbacks … since?

You got it.

McMahon, Tomczak and Fuller.

Talking the talk:

The Bulls are giving away a talking Stacey King bobblehead doll before Friday’s game against Portland.

Among the phrases it utters:

Ÿ“If you’re scared, go buy a dog.”

Ÿ“Did you not get the memo, he is from Chicago.”

Ÿ“Give me the hot sauce.”

Good stuff.

Talking the . . . something:

If the Bulls ever decide to give away a talking Bill Wennington bobblehead, here are the top three hilarious catchphrases you’ll hear:

1. Something about pie.

2. Something that rhymes with pie.

3. And … more about pie.

Good guy, but geesh does he say some obtuse things.

Never in a million years:

Did I think I’d ever witness longtime Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico jamming with the house band at the UC to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.”

But you know what? It worked.

Update:

Jose Cardenal beat Joey Amalfitano in the third round of the bunting tournament.

Yes, it’s been going on that long.

Just their Luck:

The horse racing industry finally gets some good pub with the debut of the HBO series “Luck.”

Then three horses die during production and the series shuts down for good.

What are the odds?

Please:

May we not speak of Dwight Howard again.

And while you’re at it:

Blago, too.

mspellman@dailyherald.com