For the first time since 2010, the Blackhawks had the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup Monday night, in Boston. After the war in game 5, there were some question marks as far as injuries went. Toews said he was 100% after what looked like concussion protocol in the 3rd period of game 5, and the Bruins had what seemed like a more significant injury of their top center, Patrice Bergeron. Whatever the case, the Blackhawks had to win one of the next two games to be crowned champs once again. Here we go:
The Bruins had a blazing blue flame under their asses for the first period, dominating the Blackhawks for the entire first twenty minutes. It's amazing that the Hawks were only out shot 12-6 in the period and down one goal, because I could only recall one Hawks shot on net.
Not that the Hawks play could have been any worse thank the first, but they actually played a solid second period. If it weren't for a bunch of penalties, the Hawks may have even scored a goal. The Hawks out shot the Bruins 9-6 in the middle frame which is about all we could ask for.
The third period seemed like it was heading to a game 7 in Chicago, but the Blackhawks had a very different plan. With two goals in the final minute and twenty two seconds the Blackhawks brought the Cup back to Chicago. They ended up out shooting Boston 16-7. Enjoy this video I put together......2013 Chicago Blackhawks, Stanley Cup Champs!!
- El Capitan took advantage of a Chara neutral zone turnover while the Blackhawks were shorthanded that ended up a Toews and Kane 2-on-1. Toews took it himself and beat Rask 1-on-1 to tie the game. The penalty had just expired so it wasn't a shorthanded goal, but you can basically call it a shorthander.
- The Blackhawks controlled most of the play in the second and third periods, which is a tall task after the terrible first period they had.
- With just over a minute left in regulation the fireworks began. The Hawks rushed the zone with their MVP, Crazy 8s, leading the way. He worked it deep and kept it in the corner long enough for Toews to dig the puck out and hit Bickell on the back door. The big mule slammed the puck home and there was life. More life than anyone realized!
- SEVENTEEN seconds later the Blackhawks looked to throw the fourth line out there just to kill some time, after busting their humps to tie the game, but David Bolland had other plans. Johnny Oduya took a long shot after the Hawks swarmed the zone, and the puck bounced past Rask and hit the post. Bolland was "Johnny on the Spot", and out muscled two Boston defensemen (Ference and Boychuk), and jammed the puck into the net for the game winner with 59 seconds left in the game. Shine up that Stanley Cup, because it's coming home!!!
- Patrick Kane took the Conn Smythe trophy home, but probably stole it from Corey Crawford.
- The Bruins took a 1-0 lead about 7 minutes into the first, as the Bruins 4th line won a faceoff, and then just outworked the Blackhawks defense. Chris Kelly was left all alone on the back door, after the forwards got caught running around high in the zone. Bolland, Kruger, and Seabrook left Keith to fend for himself, and the result was a 1-0 Bruins lead.
- The Hawks turned the puck over behind the net, with just under eight minutes in the third period and David Krejci worked the back of the net until Lucic found the soft spot between Toews, Bickell, and Kane. Lucic settled the puck down and beat Crawford, just past his blocker. 2-1 Bruins.
- Only El Capitan was able to win more than 50% of his draws, and the team was 40%. In fact, the other 4 centers they dressed, weren't any better than 40%.
- For some reason Leddy sat the bench once again. In those three minutes he played, he drew a penalty and had a few nice rushes. I don't get it, but hell, no use crying now.
- Late in the first Shaw was hit in the yap with a deflected puck at the Hawks blue line and he went down like a bag of bricks. Sure enough he came back out for the second period stitched up. What a warrior.
- The Hawks were called for four straight penalties in the first half of the game, some of which were really soft. The Hawks killed all four and even scored a goal immediately following the third one.
- Sure, you may notice Stalberg's speed, but halfway through a 1-1 Stanley Cup game with he puck on your stick, you HAVE to get the puck deep into the opponent's zone.