| « In Like a Lamb, Out Like a Windy City Roller | Red Stars Seek Bounce Back » |
Blackhawks Mon May 11 2009
Wow!
The Blackhawks are moving on to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995, and fittingly, it's the two faces of the franchise that led them there. Patrick Kane notched a hat trick and Jonathon Toews finally bounced back from whatever's been ailing him with two goals to lead the Hawks past the Vancouver Canucks 7-5 at the United Center.
There's probably a lot more that can be said about the see-saw, back and forth battle tonight, which saw Chicago give up a 2-goal lead in the 2nd period, and come back from 2 1-goal deficits in the third, but for now...wow. The United Center was a roller coaster of a ride tonight, and I'm not sure I've ever heard the building louder or felt more anxious energy in the air. The final game of the series lived up to its billing, and the team has to be relieved they were able to close out the Canucks on home ice, avoiding another long trip to Vancouver for a possible Game 7. Not to mention, when you torch one of the league's best goalies for 7 goals and go 3-for-4 on the powerplay, you better hope you come out on top, or else things can turn quickly. But Chicago took advantage of opportunities when they needed to, and after a shaky 2nd period when they gave up their lead, they kept their composure when falling behind in the 3rd and kept up the pressure on Roberto Luongo.
While their opponent remains to be seen (Detroit is currently leading Anaheim in the other semifinal 3 games to 2), the Blackhawks will need to tighten up their defense if they hope to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Giving up 5 goals at home is never a good thing, and throughout the series, they let Vancouver dictate the flow at the start of the game and found themselves in a hole. But clearly the team has learned how to keep their cool and regroup as the periods wear on, and their youthful inexperience could also be one of their biggest assets.
Rather than look at challenges of the future though, I'm much more happy to celebrate the success in the present, and the Hawks earned their victory tonight. Tomorrow I'll have half a voice and one less hat, but it will be well-deserved.
Cheryl / May 12, 2009 10:28 AM
I don't know anyone in person who gives a damn about the Hawks. Do they actually have any fans?