Bickell fired up after being benched

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COLUMBUS, OhioA healthy scratch. No player enjoys that status come game time. Bryan Bickell is no exception.

Bickell was scratched for the Blackhawks 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, a move that broke up the checking line of he, Dave Bolland and Michael Frolik that had been together dating back to last spring.

The left wing had a tough go at training camp but was playing that gritty, physical game the Blackhawks want from him in early season games. But hes struggled as of late and on Tuesday he was out of the lineup.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Bickell, but hes using it for motivation.

I know the reasons why (I was scratched), said Bickell, who was back on the reworked checking line with Marcus Kruger and Frolik on Wednesday. But it definitely gets me fired up for the next game to prove that I belong in the lineup and he Joel Quenneville has no reason to take me out.

Bickell said hell remember those early games when he gets back into the lineup. And hell try to relax.

I think Ive been thinking too much and gripping the stick too tight, he said. Its just keeping it simple. Its just (about) playing my game, being physical and being in the corners. Thats what I needed to do to improve my game.

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