Chicago Blackhawks tip Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in OT

looks like it's going to go six games. everything is even now and it's a best of 3 series. Hawk fans will claim momentum but their team was less than 3 minutes from being down an almost insurmountable 3-1 games. i'll congratulate them for their team's win but don't think this game means more than it does, Vancouver's defense has kept Chicago's offence frustrated for most of the series. Chicago's top players haven't been their best players and that's the most telling statistic of all, Toews their captain and leader has 1 assist, Havlat was without a goal until tonight and had contributed a paltry 2 assists, Campbell their prized 7 million dollar offensive defenceman has contributed 1 goal and 1 assist. the only Hawk star contributing semi regularly has been Kane and he's disappeared the last couple of games when the going got tough. Vancouver has scored as many goals on less shots and while every line has contributed, Vancouver's top players (the Sedins) have scored in every game but this last one. Vancouver has played half the series without 2 of it's top players (Salo and Demitra) but Salo is expected back for game 5.

gameon63 wrote:

looks like it's going to go six games. everything is even now and it's a best of 3 series. Hawk fans will claim momentum but their team was less than 3 minutes from being down an almost insurmountable 3-1 games. i'll congratulate them for their team's win but don't think this game means more than it does, Vancouver's defense has kept Chicago's offence frustrated for most of the series. Chicago's top players haven't been their best players and that's the most telling statistic of all, Toews their captain and leader has 1 assist, Havlat was without a goal until tonight and had contributed a paltry 2 assists, Campbell their prized 7 million dollar offensive defenceman has contributed 1 goal and 1 assist. the only Hawk star contributing semi regularly has been Kane and he's disappeared the last couple of games when the going got tough. Vancouver has scored as many goals on less shots and while every line has contributed, Vancouver's top players (the Sedins) have scored in every game but this last one. Vancouver has played half the series without 2 of it's top players (Salo and Demitra) but Salo is expected back for game 5.

Ummmm you dont need your stars to show up every game, thats why there are 4 lines and the Hawks have probably as good of 4 lines as there are in the league.

The Hawks Outshot, Outhit and generally outplayed the canucks again. If it was not for Luongo your team would be sleeping in their beds gettign ready to watch the NEXT series in their houses.

You are absolutely right about the series going 6 though. After the Hawks destroy the Canucks in Van like they have already done they will come back to the loudest barn in the game and beat them again. There you have it (6 Games).

I will say it again, Lucky for you guys you have Luongo but not even he is good enough if all you can do is put up 14 shots on goal and the Rest of the team gets outhit 42-22 and outplayed badly. I actaully feel sorry for Luongo. It has showed in this series, the ONLY reason Van even sniffed the playoffs is him.

1. Marty Havlat is a stud. What a great player! For the second time in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, with the Blackhawks desperate for a tying goal in the waning minutes, Havlat delivers. That's what superstars do, seemingly by force of will.

2. The electricity in the air after Havlat's goal was incredilble, creating a sound I'd never heard before in the UC. After the goal, the UC was the loudest I'd ever heard it. Then after play resumed, a weird, ear-piercing buzz of sorts, like a huge swarm of bees, emanated from the stands. It was AWESOME!

3. Never count this team out.

Let's Go Hawks!

Great game - wow...

You gotta keep believing in those Hawks! Lets win Saturday and then make sure our home crowd is a factor Monday night when we win the series.

Like Phoenix rising from the ashes. One helluva hockey game. Home ices doesn't mean zilch, does it? Or does it? We'll see.

Vancouver has no identity. They played an open style of hockey in the first two games and then decided to play the boring Minnesota Wild type hockey in the next two games. Since the Hawks broke through the wall, what are the Canucks going to look like in game 5?
As they say, momentum changes in a heartbeat in the playoffs, whether it is by game, by shift, or by a hit. It is a tough series and it is not a disappointment.
By the way, to gameon63, you mentioned Van didn't even have their two of their top players in the lineup. Answer this, if they are two of their top players, how were the Hawks able to score at will when they were in the lineup, and had a hard time when they were not in the lineup? Also, how many top players does Van have on the team? You said the Sedin twins are Van's top players, then you said Demitra and Salo are two of the top players.

Well, I have watched four games in this series and I am still wondering how Vancouver has made it this far with this goalie. The Hawks are firing on him and he is letting easy shots past.He had a few flurries last night with some impressive stops but most goalies will do that--just be taking up most of the goal opening. Luongo is just mailing it in. Is their starting goaltender hurt or something?

The hawks are going to have to put traffic in front of the net, that's when their scoring chances are better. What does anyone think about making the fourth line the FIRST line. The hawks can pull this off and win this series. Coach Q has to find ways to score against the nucks D and still a hot goalie. The hawks win it is'nt going to be easy so, stay healthy and hungry. p.s. CAN THE HAWKS PLEASE SCORE A COUPLE OF GOALS FIRST IN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES. THANK YOU, GO HAWKS!!!!

Jerry wrote:

Well, I have watched four games in this series and I am still wondering how Vancouver has made it this far with this goalie. The Hawks are firing on him and he is letting easy shots past.He had a few flurries last night with some impressive stops but most goalies will do that--just be taking up most of the goal opening. Luongo is just mailing it in. Is their starting goaltender hurt or something?

You're a funny man Jerry. Seems like you were watching a different game than all the Hawks and Canucks fans were. Watch the hilites again perhaps. Look at the save percentage for the year and this series between the two goalies than write something.

USMCVet wrote:

Vancouver has no identity. They played an open style of hockey in the first two games and then decided to play the boring Minnesota Wild type hockey in the next two games. Since the Hawks broke through the wall, what are the Canucks going to look like in game 5?
As they say, momentum changes in a heartbeat in the playoffs, whether it is by game, by shift, or by a hit. It is a tough series and it is not a disappointment.
By the way, to gameon63, you mentioned Van didn't even have their two of their top players in the lineup. Answer this, if they are two of their top players, how were the Hawks able to score at will when they were in the lineup, and had a hard time when they were not in the lineup? Also, how many top players does Van have on the team? You said the Sedin twins are Van's top players, then you said Demitra and Salo are two of the top players.

Gotta agree with you on this one about the Canucks identity! I've watched them play for years and the last 2 games have been twilight zone like. Just plain bizarre. Playing the trap with a one goal lead against a Hawks team that has scoring power. I just don't know what Alain was thinking. At the same time I'm not sure why Coach Q didn't change his offense up earlier in the game to combat the Canucks trap.

aldog wrote:

<quoted text>
You're a funny man Jerry. Seems like you were watching a different game than all the Hawks and Canucks fans were. Watch the hilites again perhaps. Look at the save percentage for the year and this series between the two goalies than write something.

OK, Aldog-

Luongo has a .903 save percentage this series. This is below the average save percentage of the entire NHL this season. Goalies need to turn it up in the postseason. Also, I wasn't commenting on Khabbibulin--he has sucked also. The difference is that he has had better players on the ice with him to keep the puck away from him (thank god.)

Strange game to assess. Canucks seemed content to try to sit on a one goal lead against an explosive team. The Hawks known for speed seemed to be caught flat footed. The UC crowd that is usually the noisiest in the league got lulled to sleep watching the Canucks play a "kitty bar the door" style. After Havlat scored the crowd woke up and the hawks got a lift.
Havlat is a warrior hope we get him back next year. We need to get back in Luongo's face more he will stone you if he sees the shots coming in.
A big concern is the number of shots we fired where we missed the net.
Any way we won so lets finish the job in 6..GO HAWKS.

Section 319: Love your description of what it was like there last night. Talked to Hockey Tim on the phone after the game and he said the same thing. I was there for the game one against Calgary and the overtime goal. Last night must have been even louder. Hard to imagine! Way to cheer them on and get that win.

What's the best way to beat the trap?

Chico, BFM, Section 319, 317, Paul, Oh my God what a game. I was sitting there with some of the most ignorant Cancuk fans sitting behind us.(drinking a beer with a straw??). After Marty scored the place went nuts. SIGN HIM to a LTD. Then the OT goal was awesome. The new barn went crazy, it was so loud there, people jumping up and down, and watching the canuck fans leave with their heads down.

The Hawks out hit the Canucks, and out shot them as well. I will say that most of their shots were not very good. After Marty's goal the Hawks played they way they wanted to, fast and open hockey. That is how they win, and the canuck coach said in the post game interview the smae thing. They do not want to play open hockey with them, they want a slow game.

Jerry wrote:

<quoted text>
OK, Aldog-
Luongo has a .903 save percentage this series. This is below the average save percentage of the entire NHL this season. Goalies need to turn it up in the postseason. Also, I wasn't commenting on Khabbibulin--he has sucked also. The difference is that he has had better players on the ice with him to keep the puck away from him (thank god.)

Point taken, especially what you say about 'better players on the ice with him to keep the puck away from him.' Shots on net along with Alain's crappy no offense drill is a testament to that. Here's to a great game 5, 6 and maybe even 7!!

Jerry: Luongo certainly is one of the best in the league. He stoned the Blues and appeared to be unbeatable. The Blackhawks obviously are a better team than St. Louis and have solved him somewhat in this series. I would put Luongo behind Hiller, Thomas and the best, Brodeur. I love Khabby, but at his age he has to be rated behind Luongo. All of that being said, Khabby still has it in him to play outstanding. Goaltending will be the deciding factor in the remaining games.

Paul: You are so right: Havlat is a warrior! I'm sure they will get some kind of deal done in the off season. I don't think he wants to leave this potential Cup team now.