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/

Blackhawks plan to charge Chara

“He’s not a guy that we should be afraid of. We should go at him, protect the puck from him, make plays around him and through him.” 

Jonathan Toews on Zdeno Chara

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/06/18/bruins-blackhawks-bad-blood-boils-over-in-final-minute-of-game-3/

Projected Forward Lines for Game #5

Bickell   Toews      Kane

Sharp    Handzus   Hossa

Saad      Shaw     Stalberg

Frolik     Bolland    Kruger

Everybody is talking about Corey…

http://www.wellesparkbulldog.com/local-sports/gallery-chicago-blackhawks-corey-crawford

Corey Crawford has been under fire the past 48 hours after the Boston Bruins shot several glove side goals past him in game #4. In the first Stanley Cup Final series of his career,Crawford has let in eight glove side goals in the last four games. He has been lambasted in several interviews, and I’ve read plenty articles insisting we need Ray Emery in the goal for game #5, but he hasn’t seemed to sweat it like the media seams to want him to. He doesn’t intend to over think this. I have to agree with Corey and Duncan on this. According to an article I read on The Hockey News*, Duncan Keith said, “You look at the job he’s done all season for us, he’s been great all year long. I thought we let in five, and they let in six. I mean, we won the game and we’ll move on.” Word. The Blackhawks are keeping it positive and I too have faith that Craw will rock it in the net tonight. There is also word that Corey’s gloves looked spankin’ new on screen last night. Breaking in new gloves could certainly impact his game. Either way Crawford has made it this far and beat big shot Jonathan Swift of the L.A. Kings earlier in the Playoffs and beat Tuuka Rask in game #4 so… get at him!

*http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/52446-Blackhawks-goaltender-Crawford-relying-on-experience-to-bounce-back.html

A Crawford glove side save Circa February 2013 vs. Anaheim Ducks

Animated GIF: Corey Crawford flashes the leather!