Almost 5 years to the day, that this very site was created the Blackhawks were at home in the United Center, trying to hoist their third Stanley Cup in 6 seasons, Monday night in rainy Chicago. The city was buzzing with the fact that the Blackhawks could win this one at home, which was the only unfortunate thing about the previous cups. Tampa fans may not have wanted to hear it but most everybody, including yours truly, was sure that this was the night. So, without further ado, game 6.
The first period wasn't exactly what the Blackhawks could have hoped for, but a couple of powerplays helped them to a 13-4 shot advantage. Apparently a Tornado in the Kankakee/Manteno area had ideas of it's own too. Yikes. Anyhow, as usual, the Blackhawks big shot total yielded no goals, so both teams went into the first break scoreless.
It took the Blackhawks almost half the second period and a 4 shot head start by the Lightning for them to wake up. Just after the midway point we started seeing some Hawks pressure. That is when the momentum shifted heavily in the Hawks favor. When the horn sounded, the Blackhawks led in shots 10-7 for the period and led the scoring 1-0.
The Blackhawks went into the third period with a powerplay, but really didn't use it to their advantage. Just when the Lightning were pressuring, the Blackhawks answered the bell to take a 2-0 lead. A late Bolts powerplay put some serious pressure back on the Hawks and they even out shout the Blackhawks 14-9. When the final horn sounded, though, the Blackhawks were Stanley Cup Champions once again.
Please enjoy and share this Puckin Hostile Hawks Highlight Video!
The Good
- The power play looked dangerous early even though they didn't score. They controlled the puck and had the Bolts running around.
- Just a minute into the second period, a puck skipped past the Hawks defense and Stamkos was in all alone on Crawford. My heart stopped beating for a second while Stamkos waited for Crawford to bite. He didn't and kept the puck out of the net long enough his defense to get there. PHEW!
- With about three minutes remaining in the second period, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith made their presence known. Saad and Richards made two quick but effective passes across to Kane, who skated in over the blue line and waited for help. Keith was the help. He skated in wide open with the puck and let it go on Bishop. The rebound came right back out in the slot and Keith followed his shot up, putting the puck into the back of the net. 1-0 Blackhawks
- The Bolts were pressuring about 5 minutes left in the game. Brad Richards and Brandon Saad led a rush up the ice with Patrick Kane as the trailer. Richards waited just long enough for Kane to clear as well as the defender. He threaded a pass right to Kane's wheelhouse, where Kane hit the wide open net. 2-0 Blackhawks and the place went fucking BA-NA-NAS!
- Duncan Keith unanimously and easily won the Conn Smythe. DUH!
- Corey Crawford was outstanding. Biggest stage in the sport once again, and he shuts the Lightning out.
- In a game when faceoffs would be huge, the Blackhawks clowned the Lightning, winning 42 of 62. Utter domination.
- The Hawks got an early powerplay chance and had a few really good opportunities. Unfortunately, they weren't able to finish. The best chance was a pass to Hossa at the side of the net. He had room to throw it behind Bishop, but chose to hang on and hit Teravainen with a pass. Turbo got a piece of the pass and Bishop was able to get enough to direct it wide.
- Kruger took a big hit early in the third period and was laboring pretty heavily. He missed a shift and was right back out on the ice.
- I don't remember the officials being this bad at any other point, but they missed a huge interference/too many men call five minutes into the game when Sustr re-entered the play just as he was changing and interfered with Versteeg.
- Stamkos in this series. Just like Getzlaf, and Parise before him. SHUT DOWN
- I know it's necessary but a full screen National Weather Service warning right in the middle of a Stanley Cup game 5 Blackhawks powerplay is seriously annoying
- FUCK IT. CHAMPS AGAIN!!!
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