Horrible Huet

Did you see that? I wish I hadn't. The Red Wings rout of the Blackhawks Sunday is definitely one to forget. Everyone knew coming into this series that it was going to be tough and most, including myself, predicted the Red Wings to win the series. But we played well in game 2 and even won game 3 but without our star goaltender, I should have put all of my money of the men in red and white. The entire game was a disaster. Toews scored the lone goal which probably would have given the Blackhawks some life, but just seconds later Brian Campell cheated up and got beat. The Red Wings walked into the Blackhawks zone and once again put the goal easily behind Cristobal Huet. Just writing about it gets me upset. The Red Wings will win this series, maybe on Wednesday in game 5 or maybe on Saturday in game 6 but some good did come out of this series. If the Blackhawks somehow find a way to keep Nikolai Khabibulin this offseason this same team will probably be the team winning this series next year. They have gained crucial experience and no one truly expected them to make it to the finals. In fact, I bet most didn't even expect them to make it this far (including myself). Lets hope the Blackhawks win at least 1 more and go out with a bit more dignity.

Lucky number 7

What a game! This was one for the ages. It was a game that had everything. Big hits, a lot of goals, a hat-trick and a goalie in tears, this was one to remember. Vancouver scored first which has happened in 5 out of the 6 games played, but it didn't take long for Patrick Kane to answer. Exactly 2 minutes after the Vancouver goal, Patrick Kane avoided a check at the blue line and put one right past Roberto Luongo. With the score tied 1-1 at the end of 1, something inside told me this was going to be a great game. Then, early in the 2nd period the Hawks added 2 more goals, one by Kris Versteeg and the other by Jonathan Toews (his first of the series). With the score 3-1 midway through the 2nd period, I made the mistake of assuming this one was in the books. But 52 seconds later I realized how wrong I was. The Canucks stormed back adding two goals of their own to tie the game at 3 apiece. Coach Joel Quinnville used his lone timeout, a move I thought would come back to bite him. Mats Sundin drew first blood for Vancouver and the United Center fell quiet. But almost exactly 2 minutes later Adam Burrish tied the score off a beautiful rebound opportunity. Daniel Sedin scored his second goal of the game during a Vancouver power play and at that moment I thought we blew it. But 45 seconds later Patrick Kane somehow (and I still can't figure out how he did) scored on a wrap-around and from there it was all Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews added his second of the game during a Chicago power play, just 49 seconds after Kane scored his second. And then, Patrick Kane showed off the skills of a first overall pick by going forehand/backhand to complete the Hat-trick. The Hawks won 7-5 and eliminated the final Canadian team from this year's playoffs. After the game in an interview Roberto Luongo cried because he let his team down.

With this huge win the Blackhawks advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995. We finished the series early and are now rewarded by getting a few days extra rest to find out who we play next (the winner of the Detroit-Anaheim series). Both teams are very good but I think the Hawks have a chance against both of them. I'm gonna put this win on our power play. The Hawks were 3-4 offensively and held Vancouver to just 1-5.

In other news, the Chicago Bears signed veteran tight end Michael Gaines and I must say...huh? We already have 3 active tight ends in Greg Olsen, Desmond Clark and Kellen Davis and we drafted a G/TE in Lance Louis so I must ask..why!?!? This is the guy who last year, against the Bears, fumbled the football on a hit from Lance Briggs that gave the Bears a victory. Either the Bears are gearing up to either trade Olsen or Clark- and I sincerely hope they don't-or they're getting ready to release Kellen Davis. Other than those two options I am completely baffled by this signing. Neither one of those options make sense especially because he was only signed to a one year deal. This move remains a mystery to me.

Here Come the Hawks

Overtime seems to be almost guaranteed lately. Four of the seven games the Bulls played in went to at least one overtime and the Blackhawks won a game in Calgary in the extra period. Thursday night proved to be more of the same. After coming out strong and holding strong in the Vancouver zone, a turnover once again proved costly. At 8:32 into the second period Vancouver stole the puck, went on a break, and the puck wound up in the back of the net. It was a goal that never should have happened and it was a goal that sucked the life out of the 22,000+ fans at the United Center. All of the Blackhawks seemed to give up before the game was over. All but one. Martin Havlat started shooting the puck at Roberto Luongo early and didn't quit. While yelling at the screen I told my brother, "Havlat figured it out! You gotta shoot the puck to score!" Then with 2:44 left in the game, Havlat figured it out. On a shot from in between the circles the puck went right under Luongo's armpit and sailed into the goal. The United Center exploded and so did my brother, my father and I. Finally! The Hawks held off several late Vancouver rushes and sent the game into overtime. The extra period didn't last long. The Hawks quickly sent the puck deep and held it in there. Dave Bolland kept the puck in from along the boards and had Andrew Ladd in front of the net (right where he should always be). Bolland shot towards the net and Ladd redirected the puck right past Luongo. It was a thing of beauty. In a must win game, we won. Now we go back to Vancouver with a tied series and hopefully a bit of momentum.

We have already showed we can win in Vancouver and a victory there would be more than huge. To call this Game 5 a must win is a huge overstatement but I think its a must win. The Canucks are a very very good team. If we can steal just one more on the road, go up 3-2 in the series and have home ice for game 6, we might find ourselves watching the Anaheim-Detroit series a bit more closely to find out our next opponent.

The Wave

Well that sucks. After playing like a team that looked like they might have a chance at making it to the finals, the Blackhawks got a beat down Canuck style. Vancouver scored in the first period and never looked back. Here's what upset me most. The Blackhawks are riding this wave that they're a young team just trying to gain some playoff experience. That they can make mistakes and it will all be forgiven because they know that they can come back from a 4-1 deficit and make it a tie game with under 2 minutes to go (game 2).

My turn. The hawks have been getting in trouble because they can't stay out of the penalty box but thats not whats truly killing them. The blackhawks loss(es) can be summed up in 4 words, Turnovers and power plays. In the end of game 1 with the score all tied up Chris Versteeg turned the puck over at the Vancouver blue line and the Canucks took it with a 3-on-1 break that lead to the game winning goal. Last night they turned the puck over in their own zone (a recurring theme) which led to a 2-0 Canucks lead. We have to be smarter with the puck, Period. Next, the Blackhawks have to shoot more. During a critical power play opportunity with about 8 minutes left in the game and down 2 goals, the hawks caught a break. Going to the power play, everyone in the stadium knew the hawks had to score right then or the game was over. But not only did the blackhawks not score, they didn't have a single shot on goal. Now, I understand for the first 20-25 seconds you move the puck around to tire out the defense and open up some passing lanes. However, there is 2 minutes minus 20 seconds equals 1:40. The hawks had more than enough time to send multiple shots at Luongo and prove once again that he is human. They were completely outplayed and worse they played scared. A total of 24 shots on goal definitely isn't enough to beat a better and more experienced Vancouver team. If they would have went out and given it their all, I wouldn't be so upset, but it didn't even look like they were trying.

Oh and last but not least. Its time to stop riding that 'We're a young team' wave. You're in the second round of the playoffs so you clearly know what it takes to win now go out and do it. Send the pucks to the net and force rebound opportunities and stop being scared! Play smarter and play harder and lets put away this Canucks team.

You can't always get what you want

Well, the Bulls definitely gave the Celtics a run for their money. I don't think anyone including myself thought before the series that it would go to 7 games. The lack of an inside presence is what really hurt us. IF the Bulls somehow landed a guy like Chris Bosh or even Amare Stoudmire this same team may have a really good chance to make a serious push next year. The one thing that all Bulls fans need to keep an eye on is, Ben Gordon is a free agent now, will the Bulls be willing to pay him what he wants? They have plenty of cap room but are they saving up for a big move in 2010? Only time will tell.


Even though the Bulls couldn't pull off what would have been a spectacular upset, the Blackhawks found a way to get it done in Vancouver. After going down 2-0 early the Blackhawks went on an insane 5-0 run deep into the 3rd period. Patrick Sharp scored twice and so did Dave Bolland. The Hawks were getting the puck to the net and forcing second shot opportunities. Rebound chances will be key in this tough series. As psyched as I am about this win, I cannot wait for Tuesday night when the series comes back to the United Center. Blackhawk fans haven't had this happen since 1996 and needless to say, its gonna be LOUD. As our focus now turns to only one team lets stand behind our young players and chant LETS GO HAWKS!