Chicago Blackhawks stop Calgary Flames 3-2 in OT

What a thrilling game, I wish I was there, the noise was unbelievable on TV, I can't imagine what it was like at the UC. Clutch play by Havlat at the end of the third to tie it and then a great play by Bolland in OT to set up Havlat. Kudos to Ladd for going to the net hard. It was not goaltender interference as the Calgary forward pushed Ladd into Kipprosoff, so Keenan has no argument. Huge win after getting off to a bit of a slow start, credit to Calgary for coming out very hard in the first. This should be a great series, can't wait for Saturday!

Chris wrote:

What a thrilling game, I wish I was there, the noise was unbelievable on TV, I can't imagine what it was like at the UC. Clutch play by Havlat at the end of the third to tie it and then a great play by Bolland in OT to set up Havlat. Kudos to Ladd for going to the net hard. It was not goaltender interference as the Calgary forward pushed Ladd into Kipprosoff, so Keenan has no argument. Huge win after getting off to a bit of a slow start, credit to Calgary for coming out very hard in the first. This should be a great series, can't wait for Saturday!

Want to go to Walmart and look at hockey sticks?

Camalleri should be suspended for the cheap shot punch to Havlat, seems they are targeting Havy-guess it didn't bother him much-2 goals BABY!

Just back from the game and I have no voice left. Wow! The fans brought their A game tonight. The loudest and most constant roar I ever heard at the UC during the anthem(and after the goals). I'm proud of the boys how they kept the game close in the 1st period and then played with the big boys from then on. Looking forward to being up in sec 330 on Saturday.
Go Hawks!!!!

The Hawks need to get a little more physical with the Flames in front of our net.

I really did forget how exciting and thrilling playoff hockey was until last night. Can't wait for game two!

Can you believe that I missed the OT goal?? I walked back in the room and they were announcing Havlat as the #1 star. They played hard last night, what a game!! Looking forward to being there on Saturday!!!

hockey chick wrote:

Can you believe that I missed the OT goal?? I walked back in the room and they were announcing Havlat as the #1 star. They played hard last night, what a game!! Looking forward to being there on Saturday!!!

HA,HA. Don't feel too bad, I did the same thing (12 seconds, WTF)!! At least they won, see ya Sat. Go Hawks!!!

Mike Keenan is still good at whinning.

I was very concerned after the first period.The Flames were in control and they were controling the play down low in our end and had their defence "A" game going in their end.Quite frankly we were in trouble. It took us over a period plus part of the second to shake off the butterflies and Khabibulin kept us in the game until then.
Havlat scored 2 goals and it was super to see him bring his best effort to the playoffs. The flames plan was to target him but he didn't back down.The guy that deserves kudos also is Toews.He won most of his faceoffs and outplayed Iginla who is one of the best power forwards in the world. His guts and will to win was evident and his work and leadership dhowed the Hawks were right to name him team Captain.
An exciting game a good win but lets remember the Flames ain't dead, they were burned but believe me they will be back.
Watching the other games and watch out for Vancouver. Luongo was the best player in any series so far and that is good for them and trouble for all others. The Devils made their win over Carolina look so easy it was embarassing. Montreal and the Bruins are everything we expected. Give some of their games a look if you want to see some blood and guts hockey. The winner of that series will be so beat up they will have problems in their next one.
Well folks that is the first win and we need 15 more to win the cup.HOCKEY CHICK go to the can during the intermission because sometimes 12 seconds is all that is needed to end the game.
Loving the playoffs so far.GO HAWKS GO!!!!!!!!!!

While the Blackhawks are not my team, this is exactly what the NHL needs. The NHL could not have scripted last nights game better, Chicago has some of the biggest bandwagon jumping fans in the Country, mark my words, if the Blackhawks go to the Stanley Cup all of the fans in that city will come out of the woodwork, which is a great thing for the NHL. Best case scenario would be a Blackhawks-Capitals Series for the Stanley Cup. Biggest star in the game in Ovechkin against one of the biggest market teams in the game. This would get the NHL a TV contract for next year, guaranteed

I DVR'ed the game and watched the "good parts" when I got home last night. For those of you who thought the anthem was awesome on TV, I've got to say TV came nowhere near doing it justice. I could barely hear the anthem. You wanna talk about goosebumps.
What a game! Took them a little time to find their "playoff legs", but they got better each period.
Don't feel bad Hockey Chick. Judging by the length of the lines at the rest rooms about 2 minutes before OT started, your not the only one who missed the game winner. At least you weren't standing there with your you know what in your hand when Marty scored (although that really wouldn't have been possible, would it?:)).
I don't get how it seemed like there were 10,000 more people in the 300 level concourse than normal when they sold out every regular season game anyway. Not complaining, just wondering.
Thats one. Lets go get'em saturday!!!!

What a great game! The young Hawks showed some resilience in this one. The two goals Calgary scored were off mistakes made by two young guys. That shows you have to be on at all times.
I think this was a must win game personally. The Hawks needed it for confidence reasons and to show Calgary that they won't back down from anyone...I am kind of speechless! It has been a while since I have been able to enjoy playoff hockey in Chicago.

Aucoin is the dufus that we should credit for the win. He gave Havlat two brutal gloved punches under his chin which Marty ignored but, obviously, didn't forget. Winning is the best revenge and that's what Havlat got.

Rene Bourque should also have been sitting in the sin-bin for holding (at least) on Kaner. Good for Kaner for coming right back out to play.

Officiating, generally was brutal. Yes, you let them play on, when the potential infraction is a tripping/interference kind of thing, but to allow players to punch people, HARD with nothing done to provoke it, 2 feet from your face, is brutal. Actually, being after the whistle, I guess they can't call post-whistle infractions. Again, kudos to Havlat for putting it aside and sticking it where it counts; their net!

Aren't you glad (those at home watching) that Pat Foley was calling the game winner? Spine chilling.

Hjalmarsson made an error, or maybe two, but he's the real deal. He minds his business first, then makes accurate passes up ice. He seems to always be where (I think) he's supposed to be.

"Edmonton", want to take a goalie stick where the sun don't shine? Dweeb!

Finally, back to Havlat, the interview, both on the bench and the lockerroom: HE NEVER ONCE SAID THE WORD "I" !!!! That's because he's a Blackhawk and he, and the kids, prevailed.

"They're OUR kids, damnit!"

Great game!!! Great way to respond after a first period Calgary all out attack, great way to respond to taking a physical beating, and a great way to say "Hello Hawk fans - we're back!!!"

No doubt, you could hear it, the Roar was alive and well last night. You could feel it all the way down here in Florida. For the first time since they tore down the Temple, it felt just like the 2nd Balcony Standing Room Only section (right in front the red line beer vendor of course). And hearing "Let's GO HAWKS" being chanted throughout the building made it all the more incredible.

Thanks Rocky, Bill, Dale, Joel, Denis, et al for lighting us up again. Pat and Eddie too. One last request - keep Martin Havlat a Blackhawk for life.

Bring on Saturday night!!!

paul wrote:

The guy that deserves kudos also is Toews.He won most of his faceoffs and outplayed Iginla who is one of the best power forwards in the world. His guts and will to win was evident and his work and leadership showed the Hawks were right to name him team Captain.

Let's all second that thought! I do! Love that grin, he puts on, when discussing "his" team. Good kid, great player, excellent choice for Captain.

"TOK, D!"

Hockey Chick,

I also missed the goal:-( A dream Stanley Cup final would be the Hawks vs Bruins. Hawks in 7 in this series, Calgary is a good team. The Hawks should be the # 1 sports team in Chicago right now.

I was at the game last night and it was crazy. I lost my voice it better come back cause of the game tomorrow night. I have been to alot of Hawks games in both buildings and the National Ant. was the loudest I have ever heard. The place was so loud, and after Barkers goal it went crazy again. There was some real crappy cheap shots during the game by the Flames. Campbell got hit in the back with a stick, Havlat got punched in the face by that sack of garbage Auccoin. And Bourque was holding Kane a few times. Come on Refs it is time to pull your heads out of your rear and make the right calls.

The OT goal was awesome, put someone in front of the goalie and watch what happens. Oh my was it sweet. I think the Hawks were playing much better after each period. They had to be very nervous when they took the ice. But they did not let the fans down at all. Lets go Hawks, lets take game #2 and The Roar is back.

Please Hawks management PLEASE Sign Havlat......

ELECTRIFYING! That's what we've been waiting for. Loudest, most raucous crowd of the year. Way to go Blackhawk fans!

HAVLAT! Superstar. It is Superstars who scored twice six minutes apart to first tie and then win the game.

BOLLAND! He made the play happen. This kid has great hockey instincts.

KHABBY! He saved our arse.

ROAR! Even louder Saturday night.

LET'S GO HAWKS!

There was nothing ugly about the game winner. Ladd crashed the net, the defender pushed him into Kiprosoff and Martie picked a corner for the game winner. What is ugly about this ?

Can't imagine a more perfect first playoff game for a young team. Flames dominated play for 40 minutes and pushed us around. But the Hawks figured it out. Veteran leader responds to face washes by scoring tieing and winning goals, veteran goaltender slams the door all night.

Now that we know what playoff hockey is like, we'll be stronger in the first 40 minutes. Absolutely fantastic start !!!