Hard Hawk Hockey

Do We Have a Series Now?

Wow! What a game, and what a turn of events. Last night the Blackhawks skated to a 3-0 lead and I am sure everyone was thinking that this game could possibly be in the bag. I for one however was not. This is the Detroit Red Wings, the Stanley Cup Champions. There’s no way to rest on your laurels for 2 periods. NHL rule: No lead is safe.

Detroit tied it up in the second period with 3 goals in less than 5 minutes and the quesy feeling in my stomach that had been there all day, but went away after the first period, suddenly came back. Now we have ourselves a game. What was to happen next.

Before the second period, Hawk winger Martin Havlat was knocked into next season by Niklas Kronwall on a it that could have been clean, yet at some points looked a bit not so clean. Did he leave his feet? Did he use his elbow? Not really sure, but if Havlat gets up, there’s probably no call. Such is life with the refs in the playoffs. It appeared that after giving Chicago a 5 minute powerplay as a result of that call, the officials appeared to make up for it in the second with the Wings getting a few powerplays which apparently helped them get back in the game. The third period, the whistles were in their pockets, for both sides. Not complaining, but it is what it is.

As the third period started, there was a hush in the crowd. Nikolai Khabibulin had been replaced by Cristobal Huet who had not played since April. Khabibulin who had taken a couple days off and did not face many shots in the friday morning skate left the game with a lower body injury. Quite timely I might add. He was so hurt that third goaltender Corey Crawford was now dressed as the backup.

Huet however was up to the task. He didn’t have to be brilliant, but he needed to make every save possible and he did. The question now becomes, is he the guy the rest of the way? It will be interesteing to see how this unfolds.

The the third period ended with a 3-3 tie and the second consecutive overtime was upon us. At 1:52 of overtime, Patrick Sharp received a nifty pass from Sammy Pahlsson and made no mistake, one timeing it into a half open net for the game winner! A needed victory for the Hawks to keep this series going. Now game 4 at the UC is even bigger than game 3.

Some good things for the Hawks. Seabrook and Keith looked much better last night. I thought that Andrew Ladd had a real nice game and a good move by Coach Q putting Byfuglien on a line with Toews and Kane. Big Buff creates space and is a pain to deal with. Hopefully that line stays together.

No word yet on Havlat other than his condition has improved. Whatever that means. He’ll be evaluated today and we’ll see if he plays Sunday afternoon. Hope so, cause the Hawks need his speed and skill, and he’s one tough customer if he can come back that quickly.

Next up Sunday afternoon. The Wings get Kronwall back, and possibly Datsyuk which could be a blessing for them, and a problem for the Hawks. No matter, I believe in this team and feel that this win can catapult them into another one Sunday.

Let’s make it 2-2, then we have a best of 3!

This is fun and let’s keep it going. Somehow a 6 or 7 game series might just favor the Hawks. We’ll see.

Go Hawks!

Thanks for reading.