The Blackhawks were back at home, Sunday night, for game 7 of the Western Conference Final. This it exactly the position that they wanted to be in, if they had to go to a game 7. Could they keep Mr Game Seven, Justin Williams, from winning yet another one?
In the first period, the Blackhawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but the Kings came back and tied the game. Just seconds after the Kings tied the game, the Blackhawks took the lead back, and took that lead into the second period. The Kings tied the game in the second period, but the Blackhawks took the lead back once again. This lead to a one goal lead in the third period, which the Blackhawks couldn't keep. Based on the entire series, if I told you this game would end in overtime, no one would argue. That's exactly what we got. Unfortunately for the Blackhawks, the Kings won on a fluky goal. Great, Great season by the Blackhawks.
I didn't say this last night on the twitters but congrats to the Kings and their fans. The Kings are a great team, and there is nothing that tells me that they don't deserve to be where they are. I don't have to like the outcome, but I thoroughly respect it.
- The Blackhawks took a 1-0 lead with about 5 minutes gone in the first period. The line of Kane, Shaw, and Saad once again dominated the Kings in their own zone. All 3 Hawks forwards were caught below the goal line but kept possession of the puck. Kane ended up wit the puck to Quick's right, and needled a pass to Saad, who was right on the left goal line. Saad one timed the puck past Quick, who had zero chance. I say it a lot, but a clutch play by red hot players.
- The Hawks took a 2-0 lead off a fortunate bounce as Kane led the rush on the Powerplay. Kane broke the blue line and dumped the puck to Seabrook. Seabrook then tried to throw the puck back to Kane, but it went off Willie Mitchell and to Jon Toews, who was minding his own business in front of a gaping net.
- Just 12 seconds after the Kings tied the game, Jonathan Quick let up a terrible softy. Muzzin turned the puck over in the neutral zone and the Hawks transitioned. Kruger grabbed the puck out of the air, threw it down and chipped it up to Sharp. Sharp just skated up the half boards and casually threw a puck at the net that bounced and went over Quick's right leg. While the bounce did affect the play, all he had to do was butterfly slide over to get his body in front like an infielder. Instead he "half-assed" it and it went in the net. The announcers fell all over themselves making excuses, though.
- Late in the second period the Blackhawks took the lead back, on their powerless play. Jake Muzzin knocked the stick out of Quick's hand, and Quick was never able to get it back. The puck worked out to Sharp, who unleashed a rocket that went off Muzzin and over Quick's shoulder.
- Once again, Corey Crawford won't get the credit he deserves, but he played a solid game. He played no worse than a world class goalie on the other end of the ice. Fuck the haters, I love me some Crawford.
- Late in the first period, the Kings cut the Blackhawks lead in half on a questionable goal. Tyler Toffoli threw a shot at the net that Crawford saved. The puck jumped up in the air and Jeff Carter whacked it into the net, but it looked like the puck was hit with a high stick. The war room in Toronto didn't think so, and the goal upheld.
- The Kings tied the game 51 seconds after the Carter goal. Voynov took a long shot that went off a Rozsival and right to "Mr Game 7" Justin Williams. Williams got all of his shot and Crawford was able to get a piece of it. The shot still squeaked through and into the net. Neither goal was on Crawford at this point.
- The Kings tied the game once again, about half way through the second period. A long point shot from Matt Greene went off Seabrook and over to Toffoli, similar to the Toews first period goal. Silly bounces everywhere.
- With just over 7 minutes left in the third period, the Kings tied the game. The Hawks got caught deep and allowed the Kings to get an odd man break. Brown put a shot towards the net that Crawford stopped but the rebound landed right on the stick of Gaborik who just beat Crawford. Hammer and Keith just let Gaborik waltz through the slot with no opposition whatsoever.
- Right after the Toews goal, Jarrett Stoll tried to stir up the atmosphere by crashing the Hawks net and then ripping Crawford's mask off, after the whistle. Cheap shithead move.
- The Hawks had a steal deep in the Kings zone ad the puck landed on the stick of all people, Kris Versteeg. ANYONE but him, ANYONE. Of course he didn't even get a shot off.
- The Kings won it in overtime off a long shot that went off Nick Leddy and over Crawford. Again, Unfortunate bounces. Sorry to see the season end like that, but that's sports.