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.