No-Fly Zone
Once again, the Blackhawks were just one goal better than Philadelphia. Saturday night, it took six goals to beat the Flyers, this time, it took just two goals. The Hawks beat the Flyers, 2-1, and will take a 2-0 series lead into Philadelphia.
After a combined 11 goals in Game 1, both goaltenders played great in Game 2. However, when the game was over, it was Antti Niemi who earned the W in the stat sheet.
The 26-year old goalie stopped 32 of 33 shots, including many spectacular saves to help his Blackhawks storm to a 2-0 series lead.
Defense and hits were the themes of the first 37 minutes. The physical play from Game 1 carried over into Game 2.
Finally, in the final minutes of the second period, the Blackhawks broke through. Marian Hossa had been highly criticized for his playoff goal drought. Hossa shut up his critics with a huge goal, as he chipped the puck past Michael Leighton.
The Blackhawks didn’t wait long to strike again. Just 28 seconds later, former Flyer Ben Eager ripped a perfect wrist shot past the rattled Leighton, and the Hawks took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.
Just over five minutes into the third period, Philadelphia finally found their way to the scoreboard. Simon Gagne put the only goal past Niemi, and cut the Blackhawks lead in half.
From that point on, it was all Antti Niemi. Niemi made every save after the Gagne goal; many of them were of the spectacular variety. At one point in the season, goaltending was considered the “weak” point of an otherwise strong team. Now, with all due respect to the offense, goaltending has become one of the strong points.
The Hawks seeked to close out the game with an empty net goal, but Patrick Sharp’s long attempt hit the post. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the defense cleared the puck out of the zone, and secured another Blackhawks win.
Former Blackhawk Michael Leighton was solid, but will return to Philadelphia with a pit in his stomach, as he let up one too many goals in each game.
The series now moves to Philadelphia, as the Blackhawks will finally leave Chicago and return to the road, where a majority of their playoff success has occurred.
The last time the Blackhawks played in Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center, they lost a devastating 3-2 game, as the Flyers scored two goals in the final minutes, including the game winning goal with under two seconds remaining. That goal was scored on former starting goaltender Cristobal Huet.
Game 3 is set for 7:00 on Wednesday night. The Blackhawks will leave with a chance to return to Chicago Stanley Cup home on their flight back.
Kopecky unlikely hero as Hawks outlast Flyers
It took 11 total goals, three different goalies, and 60 minutes of very sloppy hockey, but the Blackhawks outlasted the Flyers, 6-5, and took a 1-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Blackhawks’ hero was an unlikely one, Tomas Kopecky. Kopecky was inserted into the Hawks’ lineup just hours before the start of Game 1, as Andrew Ladd was unable to play. The first year Blackhawk had been a healthy scratch for the prior five games, so he admitted to be frustrated with his lack of playing time.
Kopecky took advantage of his ice time, and midway through the third period, he became the hero, when he managed to get the puck into the net on a nearly impossible angle.
That goal was the only goal in the third period, and would go down as the game winning goal. The chaos that ensued prior to the third period is what made Game 1 a game that will be remembered forever.
Philadelphia started the madness early with a goal from Ville Leino. The Flyers took an early 1-0 lead.
An early depict doesn’t scare the comeback Blackhawks anymore. They responded right away, when Troy Brouwer tallied his first goal of the night.
Midway through the first period, the Blackhawks were then put on their second penalty kill on the night. That wouldn’t provide a problem to the Hawks, who led the league in shorthanded goals for both the regular season and the playoffs.
Toward the end of the penalty kill, Dave Bolland intercepted a pass, went on a breakaway, and gave the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.
Philly didn’t wait too long to tie it. Less than five minutes later, Scott Hartnell scored on a Flyers’ power play, and knotted the score at two.
It appeared that the Hawks and Flyers would enter the first intermission with a tie game, but late in the period, Philadelphia veteran forward Daniel Briere gave his team the lead and they entered the intermission, as he scored with 27 second remaining in the period.
At the end of the first, the score was 3-2. Flyers. The fast paced hockey continued in the second period.
Just 71 seconds into the second period, a former Flyer tied up the game for Chicago. Patrick Sharp scored to tie the game at three.
As the trend would be, Philadelphia would take the lead again. This time, the goal came from Blair Betts, who gave his team a 4-3 lead.
The Blackhawks didn’t take long to tie it. Kris Versteeg knotted the score at four goals apiece just two minutes later.
Late in the third period, the Blackhawks would take the lead back, as Troy Brouwer tallied his second goal of the night. That goal forced Philadelphia head coach Peter Laviolette to yank goal Michael Leighton, and replace him with the former starter, Brian Boucher.
The Flyers tied the score again, when Aaron Asham scored. The game was tied at five as both teams entered the locker room for the second intermission.
Both teams settled down in the third, and defense became the theme of the period, but as Kopecky got the last laugh, and the Blackhawks would prevail in Game 1.
Chicago goalie Antti Niemi didn’t have his best game statically, as he stopped 27 of 32 shots, but no blame should be placed on the rookie. The Blackhawks’ usually stellar defense was a major disappointment in Game 1.
The Hawks defensemen were to blame for many turnovers in the neutral zone, failures to clear the puck, and too many Philadelphia scoring chances. The Hawks’ defense did not do enough to help their 26-year old goalie, but this time, the offense had his back.
In the other net, former Blackhawks Michael Leighton faced incredible struggles in his first return to the United Center. Leighton admitted earlier in the week that he was “out for revenge” on the Blackhawks. If he was hoping to prove something, he sure failed to do so. Leighton stopped just 15 of 20 shots in 35 minutes, before being replaced by former starter Brian Boucher.
Boucher had been the starter for the entire season, but midway through the Flyers’ playoff run, he injured his leg, and Michael Leighton assumed the starting job.
Leighton had three shutouts entering Game 1. He surrendered five goals in just one game against Chicago.
The two teams will return to the United Center ice to continue their series on Monday. The game is set to begin just after 7:00, and can be seen on NBC. There’s no guarantee on if the two teams can top 11 goals.
Duncan Keith fits Norris Trophy mold
Every year, the Norris Trophy is awarded to the NHL’s top “defenseman, who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position”.
The trophy was named after James Norris, the owner of the Detroit Red Wings from 1932-1952.
Since 1953, the trophy has been awarded to some of the all-time great defensemen. The list of winners include Bobby Orr (who won it eight consecutive times), Ray Borque (five time winner), and former Blackhawk Pierre Pilote.
The candidates for the 2009-10 Norris Trophy are Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks, Mike Green of the Washington Capitals, and Drew Doughty of the Los Angeles Kings.
As the hockey season winds down and the Stanley Cup Finals are about to start up, there is one candidate who has become the clear-cut front runner to win the award. He is Duncan Keith, of the Chicago Blackhawks.
By definition, the Norris Trophy goes to the defenseman who has the “greatest all-around ability” at the position. Keith fits that definition better than anyone else in the league.
Keith played all 82 games of the regular season, and was by far the Blackhawks most valuable defenseman. Keith contributed on offense with 69 points (14 goals, 55 assists).
When the puck is in the other zone, Keith takes his game to a new level. Whenever a puck is shot, Keith is diving in front of it. His contributions are countless.
Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville counted on Duncan Keith more than any other player on the team. During the regular season, Keith saw 26:35 minutes of ice time per game.
The Blackhawks had struggles with goaltending throughout the season. Cristobal Huet was removed from net, and rookie goalie Antti Niemi took over as the starting goalies. Huet’s struggles combined with Niemi’s difficulties adjusting as the starter gave the Blackhawks major problems.
That is where Keith and the defense played their greatest role. Keith along with Brian Campbell, Brent Seabrook, and others helped take the burden off Niemi. Keith and the defense singlehandedly help the Hawks win a number of games.
But Keith has all but locked up the award during these Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Blackhawks have faced many 40+ shot games, and Niemi has been a big part of those saves, but the defense has given their rookie goalie a big boost.
But the part that wasn’t noticed in the stat sheet is the number of blocked shots from the Blackhawk defense. That all starts with their top defenseman, Duncan Keith.
When the shot is launched his way, Keith sprawls out on the ice, throws his body in front of the puck, or even once using his front teeth as a shield, which helped keep the puck away from the net, but earned him a long day at the dentist’s office.
The Blackhawks are set to begin play in the Stanley Cup Finals, and many thanks of that goes to Duncan Keith. Keith is a key member of the Blackhawks’ offense and defense. He is the definition of an all-around player.
If Duncan Keith doesn’t win the Norris Trophy, then they should stop giving away the trophy.
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Stanley Cup Finals Schedule Released
The Blackhawks will begin the Stanley Cup Finals on Saturday night at the United Center. The Hawks will take on the seventh-seeded Philadelphia Flyers. All games can be seen on NBC.
Game 1: #7 Flyers at #2 Blackhawks
Saturday, May 29th, 7:00 CT
Game 2: #7 Flyers at #2 Blackhawks
Monday, May 31st, 7:00 CT.
Game 3: #2 Blackhawks at #7 Flyers
Wednesday, June 2nd, 7:00 CT.
Game 4: #2 Blackhawks at #7 Flyers
Friday, June 4th, 7:00 CT.
Game 5 (IF NECESSARY): #7 Flyers at #2 Blackhawks
Sunday, June 6th, 7:00
Game 6 (IF NECESSARY): #2 Blackhawks at #7 Flyers
Wed, June 9th, 7:00
Game 7 (IF NECESSARY): #7 Flyers at #2 Blackhawks
Friday, June 11th, 7:00
You can follow us on Twitter: @RSHawksFlock and @ChrisEmma51
Byfuglien’s Stock is Rising
Dustin Byfuglien has elevated his game at the best time possible. The guy known as “Big Buff” has been clutch ever since he was moved on a line with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
At the end of the season, Byfuglien will be a free agent. He makes $3 million dollars during the 2009-10 season, and with the way this post season has gone, he will be making a lot more money next season.
In his three full seasons as a Blackhawks, Byfuglien has been one of the team’s most versatile weapons. Byfuglien has been used both as a defenseman and a forward. He has played many different roles on the Blackhawks, but he has made an impact everywhere he has gone.
Of course, Byfuglien made an immediate impact during the first shift of his NHL career. Byfuglien scored a goal in his first shift as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, and just a few weeks later, he scored a hat trick against the Phoenix Coyotes.
At 6’4, 257 lbs., he is also the largest member of the Blackhawks. Byfuglien has used his large frame in many different ways. He has dropped the gloves countless times, blocked many shots, and can hit harder than a speeding semi-truck. More recently, Big Buff has put his big frame to use as a wall in front of opposing goalies.
Byfuglien has always been a solid contributor to the Blackhawks, but ever since the Western Conference Semifinals against Vancouver, Big Buff has taken his game to a new level.
Byfuglien played in each of the Blackhawks’ 82 regular season games, and brought the team a great contribution, but only scored 17 goals. Through the Western Conference Finals, Byfuglien has eight goals, three of those in one game (Game 3 vs. the Canucks), an overtime game winning goal in Game 3 against the Sharks, and the go-ahead goal in Game 4 against the Sharks, which propelled his team to the finals.
The old saying “three is company” has never been more true for Byfuglien. He is fitting in just fine as a forward, much thanks to his line mates Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews.
During his nine games with Kane and Toews, Byfuglien has become one of the Blackhawks’ most important players, and his playoff success will all payoff at the end of the season, when he is in contract negotiations.
During such a short span, Byfuglien has proven what kind of hockey player he can be. Big Buff is no longer a defenseman, and he isn’t a fourth line player anymore, he has quickly become a star, and when his new payday comes, he will be well rewarded.
You can follow us on Twitter: @RSHawksFlock and @ChrisEmma51
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