Game #6 Play by Play

Image Source: https://www.teetransfers.com/chicago-blackhawks-stanley-cup-championship-primary-logo-2013-iron-on-transfers-heat-transfers-p-19150.html

HAWKS WIN! Once again I have been lucky to witness the Chicago Blackhawks bring the cup home to Chi-city! In case you missed the game, or it all just went by too fast here is a period to period recap:

Both Patrice Bergeron for the Boston Bruins and Jonathan Toews for the Hawks were back on the ice in the first period after major injuries in game #5.

First Period:

The Bruins dominated offensively. Still, the Blackhawks Defense was on their game tonight making for lots of puck action in the neutral zone. A few minutes in 41 year old Bruin Jaromir Jagr was checked hard by Bickell and retreated to the bench in less than mint condition. The Bruins amped up their pressure on Crawford with Lucic leading the period in shots on goal. Paille also had several chances on goal. Crawford proved himself to be quite the warrior this game starting with the multitude of impressive saves in the first period. With twelve minutes and forty one seconds to go in the period though Kelly breaks through with a goal for the Bruins with an amazing assist by Tyler Seguin and one by Paille. This boosted the morale and momentum of the home team who continued to dominate. A power play occurred for Boston when Johnny Oduya was sent to the bench. Play was paused when Corey Crawford was hit in the mask with a puck and mask issues ensued. Once that was resolved the Bruins played a great power play with 5 shots on goal but no breakthroughs. At this point it is clear the Crawford is the shining star of the game with Seabrook and Keith backing him up with an incredible defensive line. Towards the end of this riveting period Andrew Shaw is suddenly knocked out on the ice by a puck shot up by Thorton with under four minutes to go. Finally the Bruins receive another power play opportunity when Rozsival is penalized for high-sticking. And the period is over. Eight Bruins players had at least one SOG this period.  Bruins leading with 12 SOG and one goal.

Milan celebrates his goal on Crow.

Image Source: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/06/24/chicago-blackhawks-beat-boston-bruins-to-win-stanley-cup/

DOUBLE CLICK TO VIEW GIF of Shaw’s facial injury.

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/6/24/4461190/andrew-shaw-injury-blackhawks-bruins-fans-video

Second Period:

The Bruins power play is carried over into the second period but is killed yet again by an impressive defensive line. Still the Hawks manage to get another penalty soon after, much to Coach Q’s frustration, after Shaw takes a punch at Kelly. During another PP (power play) for the Bruins Toews get a hold of the puck after a neutral zone face-off and scores a shorthanded goal right through the thighs of Tuuka Rask! This goal tied the game reminding the Hawks they had a shot at the stakes. Soon after though another Bruins PP after Seabrook is called for tripping. This is the fourth power play against the Hawks tonight. Despite heavy pressure they are able to snipe yet another PP opportunity from Boston. With about six minutes left in the game the Hawks finally get their opportunity to strike back when Seguin is called out to the box. The power play was not very strong for Chicago however with only one hopeful shot on goal which was thrown out by Chara. Of the Hawks’ 15 SOG, 4 of them were shot by Sharp. The second period ends with a tied game, 1-1.

Third Period:

Jagr who had been benched due to the injury in period 1 was back on the ice and making an impact. The intensity was high and both teams were playing an impressive game. Offensively the Bruins continued to rev upthe pressure but the Hawks continued to deliver defensively. Crow (Corey Crawford’s nickname) was still on fire. With seven minutes and forty nine seconds left in game #6 Milan Lucic scores leading everyone to believe there would no doubt be a game #7 back in Chicago. Everyone but the Hawks. They refused to give up hope and were forced to finally upgrade their offensive game. Opportunity came when Kelly was penalized for high-sticking giving the Hawks their second PP with only a few minutes left in regulation time. The power play however couldn’t have been weaker. Toews suffered a sever blow by Chara which ended up dislodging the net, but he continued the shift. Andrew Shaw continued to appear and disappear on and off the ice due to bleeding caused by his earlier injury. Coach Q called Crow out of the goal with a minute and twenty seconds remaining in a final effort to score and boy was he glad he did! Bickell tied the game soon after and seventeen seconds later Bolland with an assist by Oduyawins the game for us! Coach Julien takes Tuuka out of the net in desperation but with mere seconds left it is too late. The Stanley Cup belongs to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Image Source: http://www.wtae.com/sports/chicago-blackhawks-win-stanley-cup/-/9681176/20701052/-/i3s00iz/-/index.html?absolute=true

It Ends Tonight

Source: http://lcehockey.tumblr.com

Tonight is the climax of the NHL season. Though this season was short due to the lock-out, it was my first to ever follow beginning through end. Lucky for me it has been possibly the most riveting season to ever be a Blackhawks fan. I was able to witness the beautiful, history making 24 game streak without a regulation loss. I watched hours of overtime and I clogged up the dashboards of all of my followers on Twitter with anxious commentary. The Blackhawks have played one hell of a season. The chemistry and devotion visible on the ice has inspired me in so many ways. Anytime I feel tired or lazy, thinking of how many times those players have stood up after an injury or continued to play valiantly into triple OT, I force myself to reevaluate my dedication and inner strength. Tonight is the night that the Hawks have awaited, prayed for, and played for all year. Tonight they have the opportunity to hoist the cup and be inscribed once again into hockey history. I look forward to an intense and passionate game #6 and hope the Blackhawks continue to give it all they got.

According to NHLtonight’s tumblr account:

Patrice Bergeron has been listed as day-to-day.

The Blackhawks are optimistic that Jonathan Toews will play in game 6.

A recap of Boychucks blow to Toews, cause of his Upper Body Injury. Double click for GIF.

GIF via Twitter/@YahooPuckDaddy
Read more at: http://nesn.com/2013/06/johnny-boychuk-levels-jonathan-toews-as-blackhawks-center-attempts-shot-gif/

Game #5 at the Madhouse on Madison

(Photo: Scott Stewart, USA TODAY Sports) (http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/06/22/boston-bruins-chicago-blackhawks-game-5/2449573/)

An overwhelming win for the Blackhawks tonight at the Madhouse on Madison.

First Period:

The game started with much momentum and intensity. The playing was pretty even but the Blackhawks made it clear they were the home presence. The Bruins excel at interfering with passes between the hawks’ defense and offense in the neutral zone. Still, Sharp had several good chances on Rask and finally with 2 minutes and 33 seconds left Kaner scored with assists by Toews and Johnny Oduya. Within the last few minutes of the first period the Bruins had two men bleeding. Hossa accidentally lifted the puck up into the face of Nathan Horton on the Bruins bench causing a small gash on his left eye. As Seguin attempted to salvage a saved shot to goal he was trampled a bit by the Blackhawks defenders in our goal causing a nosebleed.

Second Period:

The Blackhawks starting out strong offensively. The Bruins felt threatened after an injured Bergeron left the ice and Chara hoped to enforce his dominance by shoving Bickell against the glass. Within the first minute of the second period a tripping penalty was called on Bruin Nathan Horton for tripping Handzus and a penalty called on Handzus for diving. An exciting bout of four on four hockey ensued. Once the penalties were served the B-Hawks kept the pressure in the Bruins zone until Kane scored once more and the madhouse truly went mad with cheers, Chelsea Dagger sung by thousands all hoping for the return of “Hat-Trick Kane”. The first power play occurred soon after when Seidenberg was sent to the box. No goals were made, as the Bruins did a great job defending their zone from another sharp shot by the Hawks’ front line. While the Blackhawks clearly owned the ice the majority of the period I did begin to sweat a bit within the last few seconds of this period after continuos shots on Crawford.

Third Period:

Bruins started this period with a strong offensive push in hopes to even the score. Crawford proved his skill which was put into question earlier this weekend with some magnificent saves…until Chara scored with sixteen minutes left in the game. WIth revamped energy the Bruins continued to hold good spacing but weren’t taking the offensive risks they had to in order to win. Michael Frolik and Patrick Kane put continuous pressure on Tuukka Rask this period with some really close shots. Toews sat on the bench after taking quite a few blows earlier in the game including a nasty one by Boychuck. Desperate to tie the game in the final minute, Claude Julien pulled Rask from the net to add to a final offensive battle. The empty net instead served to the Blackhawks advantage when Bolland scored with a far shot and thirteen seconds remaining.