Just one day rest for the Blackhawks, Thursday, after that thrilling Game 7 overtime victory against the Red Wings, and they were back on the practice ice on Friday. The Kings had their own grueling series with the Sharks, and needed a Game 7 as well to knock off their fellow California team. June then began with a matinee match up between the reigning Stanley Cup champions and our champions from 2010. In fact, it was a weekend love fest for them at the United Center, as back-to-back games awaited, going into the Western Conference Finals.
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| ESPN ScoreCenter |
Corey Crawford played the puck behind the net, but the Kings hemmed him in with an attacker on both sides. Dave Bolland then flubbed a clearing attempt by sending the puck in the front of the net, and it bounced off Justin Williams' skate and went in.
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| Corey Crawford was dismayed, after great Kings positioning netted a Hawks miscue (image credit) |
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| Patrick Sharp skated in the pregame light show, then lit the lamp himself in the 2nd period (image credit) |
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| Marian Hossa was a perfect picture of concentration on the Duncan Keith slapshot (image credit) |
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| The Madhouse on Madison Street was even more so, after a very determined Hawks win (image credit) |
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| Corey Crawford proved how tough and awesome he was, as he gave up only that flub goal (image credit) |
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| Darryl Sutter & Co. hardly knew what hit them, as Hawks shots seemingly rained from the rafters (image credit) |
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| ESPN ScoreCenter |
Some analysts and writers sang the praises of Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, and deservedly so. His numbers were top-notch, heading into the series: 1.50 goals-against-average, 94.8 save percent, and 3 shutouts. Coupled with a stalwart, big-body defense, the Kings simply didn't need to score a lot of goals to dispense with the Blues and Sharks in the previous rounds. But the Conn Smythe Trophyist and his pals hadn't faced a team like the Hawks, yet.
So Game 2 was a different animal altogether from Game 1, as Kings pretty much neutralized the Hawks shot-on-goal blitzkrieg. In fact, they out-shot, out-hit, and out-faceoffed the Hawks by solid margins, with Rob Scuderi, for example, sending Patrick Sharp end-over-end with a nifty hip check.
Yet, the home team managed to crack Quick with their scheme. Never mind that the Kings were positively unchampion-like with their poor road record in the playoffs. The Hawks beat them in stunning fashion, nonetheless, playing basically just half a game and playing keep away the rest of it. It was unbelievable to see their four-goal tally chase away Quick right onto the bench, midway through the second period. The sterling netminder was a mere spectator, as his mates desperately tried to overcome the big deficit he helped to create.
Yet, the home team managed to crack Quick with their scheme. Never mind that the Kings were positively unchampion-like with their poor road record in the playoffs. The Hawks beat them in stunning fashion, nonetheless, playing basically just half a game and playing keep away the rest of it. It was unbelievable to see their four-goal tally chase away Quick right onto the bench, midway through the second period. The sterling netminder was a mere spectator, as his mates desperately tried to overcome the big deficit he helped to create.
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| A boyhood hero, Stan Mikita heads up-ice in perpetuity, as fans filtered into the United Center (image credit) |
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| The sportscaster gushed "This third line for Chicago, so effective," just before Andrew Shaw scored (image credit) |
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| Team defense becomes team offense in transition, and Brent Seabrook cashed-in on a rush up-ice (image credit) |
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| Bryan Bickell scored a "dirty goal" by parking his big body just outside the paint (image credit) |
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| Michal Handzus timed a slick wrister to put icing on the cake (image credit) |
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| Hockey is a rough-tough game, but this salute to the United Center faithful is always sweet (image credit) |
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| ESPN ScoreCenter |
The Hawks learned their lesson from the Wings series, and made sure they held home-ice, before packing up and boarding the chartered flight for the sunny climes of Los Angeles. The Kings were undefeated at home in the playoffs (so far), and the Hawks knew full-well the mystique of the Staples Center for the reigning Cup champions.
I heard through my Twitter feed that the Hawks had timing issues with their morning skate that day of Game 3. That, plus the customary weariness of traveling two time zones, seemed to have left them skating in their sleep. Joel Quenneville was not a happy camper with his players' effort, and Jonathan Toews summed it up well:
They were physical all over the ice. We just have to keep our feet moving and take hits to make plays. We kind of got flat-footed. We were watching each other a little bit too much. When you're standing still, you're an easy target for them to come hit you.
In fact, a scan of the box score told a tale of categorical defeat at the hands of the Kings, who proved that they were no where near out, after losing two in Chicago.
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| ESPN Game 3 Box Score |
But taking the glass-half-full perspective, I'd say the Hawks kept the game tight, despite their lackluster play and despite the Kings dominance. They woke up in the third period, and were mano-a-mano on shots-on-goal (10 - 11). First, Corey Crawford made one stellar stop, after another, and kept his team in a position to win. He doesn't get the kind of "ink," to borrow from ESPN Barry Melrose, that Jonathan Quick gets from media personnel. But he's no doubt on-par with the Conn Smythe winner.
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| Corey Crawford could succeed Jonathan Quick as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner (image credit) |
Second, Bryan Bickell scored the Hawks' lone goal, with seconds remaining in the second period, and had another golden opportunity late in the third period that Quick made a heroic-blocker stop on. He once again proved his stock for Stan Bowman to account for, when it comes time to re-signing the big guy. Barry Melrose intoned, Bickell was making himself millions of dollars!
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| Bryan Bickell showed short-side, behind the net, then went long-side for the wraparound score (image credit) |
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| Some youngster held the flag during the National Anthem at the Staples Center (image credit) |
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| The Kings went cross-ice twice, after a Hawks turnover, setting up Justin Williams for a score (image credit) |
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| Slava Voynov splintered his stick, on his 2nd period tally, and celebrated stick-less with teammates (image credit) |
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| Joel Quenneville looked to incite his team to much better intensity and effort (image credit) |
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| ESPN ScoreCenter |
The big issue for the Hawks going into Game 4 was a crucial incident in the second period of Game 3. Duncan Keith lost his glove on the defensive end, and bent down to pick it up, as the play moved up-ice to the Kings zone. He claimed Jeff Carter slashed his hand in the process, but from the replay Carter just tapped the errant glove to keep it on the ice a second longer. He is a long-time professional, and knew instinctively how to get even a momentary advantage against Keith. Unfortunately, the latter lost his head, ripped a gash on Carter's mouth with a high-stick, and went to the penalty for a double-minor. Worse, the NHL suspended him for Game 4.
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| Duncan Keith slashed Jeff Carter with a high stick, that he would've taken back, if he could (image credit) |
Mission accomplished.
The Hawks had already cracked Jonathan Quick in Game 2, and played it up further in this game. Now they also cracked the winning-streak mystique of the Staples Center. All told, it was an amazing victory in the absence of Keith, and showed how deep and determined the Hawks were.
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| The ice gladiators from Chicago prepare to take the ice at the Staples Center (image credit) |
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| Bryan Bickell scored yet again, with a quick wrister that knuckled past Jonathan Quick (image credit) |
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| The deflection from Bryan Bickell was going in, and Patrick Kane tapped it in just to make sure (image credit) |
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| Marian Hossa one-timed a perfect pass from Michal Handzus, and went top-shelf for the score (image credit) |
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| Brent Seabrook didn't figure directly in the scoring, but his play and leadership were huge (image credit) |
Game 5 (June 8th 2013)
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| ESPN ScoreCenter |
The fact that he was feeling it again was bad news for the Kings.
Never were there more prophetic words than these. From Barry Melrose.
About one who is as young as the party-animal sobriquet he didn't shed until just this shortened-season's start. About one who is also a seasoned veteran and a gifted hockey player. About one we call Magic Man, whose only magic in several recent playoff games was making himself disappear.
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| Citizen Kane, baby, Citizen Kane (image credit) |
His tap-in goal in Game 4, on a puck that was already going in, was just a tease apparently. Cursory foreplay that makes your partner smile for a moment, then displeased at wanting more and not getting more.
At least not yet.
Patrick Kane waited for Game 5, though it was more his coaches, teammates and fans who were waiting. To erupt. With the kind of scoring that the NHL wants so much, that it is considering cutting down to size goalie gear.
One, early in the first period, when the Hawks pow-wow was looking like the worst nightmare for the Kings.
Two, late in the third period, after said-hapless Kings had steadied their rightful throne from the rocking it was getting.
Three, well into the second overtime, in an odd-man rush, that was odd in that it happened so fast and replayed so slow.
To bring down the Madhouse on Madison Street. That was madder and maddest, yet. To stun the seemingly comatose crowd back to life. To rock the house so deafeningly, no one could hear anything.
He's once, twice, three times a ...
Has anyone scored his Hat Trick goal in overtime, that was also a series-winning score, in the Stanley Cup playoffs, like, ever? Inquiring minds want to know.
More importantly, has anyone ever scored such a goal, and have this score fit his name so perfectly, that is, Hatrick Kane?
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| Hats and rally towels may litter the ice, but it's the neatest thing in sports (image credit) |
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| Patrick Kane drops to his knees, after his Hat Trick game-winner, and slides across the ice (image credit) |
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| Let the lovefest begin, as Andrew Shaw gives the star of the game a peck on the neck (image credit) |
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| The Icemen Cometh at the United Center (image credit) |
We all thought a blowout win was in the making, as Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane scored handily in the first six minutes of an elimination game. Once again, the Hawks caught the Kings napping during a line change, and Keith accelerated up-ice on the opposite side of the bench and like radar Michal Rozsival found him. It was a seeing-eye shot that went five-hole on Jonathan Quick,
"This one is beyond soft, this is soft ice cream right here," Melrose said, always ready with a neat quip, in the terrific post-game analysis.
"This one is beyond soft, this is soft ice cream right here," Melrose said, always ready with a neat quip, in the terrific post-game analysis.
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| Duncan Keith was happy to be back on the ice, after his one-game 'sin bin' stint (image credit) |
It was as if the Kings were still in pregame mode, in the locker room, and they suddenly found themselves thrust onto the ice in an elimination game. Quite unbecoming of a reigning Cup champion. The madcap scramble around Quick was the result of confusion over a no-icing call, and the puck found itself on Kane's stick. It was clear that No. 88 knew where Quick's Achilles Heel was: top-shelf. So as in a fadeaway basketball shot, he waited patiently for Quick to tumble down, before shooting the puck into a yawning open net.
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| Patrick Kane cocks his arm for a fist pump, as he skates away to celebrate his first goal of the game (image credit) |
After those two quick goals, the Hawks were stunned into a fully-remobilized Kings effort that tied the game early in the third period. The Hawks went over 50 minutes, before they scored again, less than four minutes left in regulation. Bryan Bickell could've been called for tripping Justin Williams, but he wasn't. Williams could've still poke-checked the puck away, but he didn't. Instead, Bickell found Kane streaking in, and No. 88 again went top-shelf far side as Quick swung his blocker in futile effort.
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| Patrick Kane celebrates what looked to be the game-winner, but it wasn't just yet (image credit) |
The Kings may have feigned death in those opening minutes, but reports of their demise were clearly exaggerated. Their platform was special teams. In the second period, the Hawks were on a power play, and Dwight King and Justin Williams played what amounted to an extended, fortuitous give-and-go. Our fans community on Google+ have called it powerless play, as the Hawks' lameosity was befuddling for such a talented, high-powered team. But to give up a 'shortie' was stunning, to say the least.
Going into the third period, we wanted an insurance goal as a safety margin on a 2 - 1 lead. Instead, it was the Kings who were Johnny-on-the-spot. Anze Kopitar swung in front of Corey Crawford, then punched-in the rebound from a Jeff Carter shot, and grabbed himself a 'dirty goal.' The context for the goal? Bickell was called for boarding, and sat in the box, admittedly biting his nails, as the Kings gladly grabbed the man advantage. There was minimal penalty in this game, but the Kings' special teams capitalized on it in a big way.
Bickell figured directly on two of Kane's three goals, but in the waning seconds of the game, as the Kings desperately tried to tie the game, he figured again (indirectly) on a Kings goal. This time, with an unfortunate icing call that brought the faceoff back to the Hawks zone. Jarret Stoll, faceoff extraordinaire for the Kings, won the crucial 'dot battle' against Jonathan Toews. Less than 15 seconds remained, and it was an eternity. More than enough time, certainly, to score a goal, as Kopitar shot the puck off Mike Richards' pants and the padded piece of gear angled itself perfectly toward the net.
A mere 9.4 seconds away from a trip to the Finals, and suddenly we have a tie game. Again.
For Kings, a win in Game 5 probably meant a win in Game 6 as well, as the Hawks would've had to haul ass back to Los Angeles and Kings could draw on their Staples Center mystique. So they had motivation.
Their wise strategist of a coach, Darryl Sutter, told the team to win the next period, as they sat in the locker room for the first intermission. They did that (1 - 0). They also won the third period (2 - 1).
They definitely had momentum going into overtime, in an effort to win the 'fourth period' as well. The first 10 minutes was fast and furious, as the Kings had one chance after another to finish off Game 5 in their favor. But the Hawks held tight, and the stalwart teams closed that extra frame scoreless. So, a dead-even period.
The heroics of the following extra frame, for the mighty Hawks, will live forever in the storied lore of hockey.
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| It was a rollercoaster of an evening for the United Center crowd (image credit) |
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| Mayor Rahm Emanuel took in the thrilling contest (image credit) |
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| It was a hockey scrum of a different sort for the victorious Hawks (image credit) |
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| Even the obvious had to be stated, and stated several times, in order to soak it all in (image credit) |
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| Following their winning odd-man rush, the young veterans nod to their longtime friendship (image credit) |
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| No one wanted to touch that trophy, but the team relented on a presentation photo (image credit) |
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| The sweet show of sportsmanship is sweeter yet for the winning team (image credit) |
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I've been a Hawks fan for 45 years. Hockey was the first sport my cousins and I played, and loved, in the early months of our immigration from Manila to Chicago. That was in 1968, the era of Stan Mikita, Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito. Over dinner, I told my wife that one of my best memories was sitting with my father, in the back porch of our old Chicago apartment, the radio between us in that muggy May evening, listening to the Hawks-Canadiens duke it out for the Stanley Cup. That was in 1971.
I don't remember much of the 1973 Cup Finals, another losing effort against the Canadiens, and I've virtually forgotten the 1992 Cup sweep by the Penguins. I was living in Dubai for the 2010 Cup championship, and missed the winning march entirely.
Fast forward to 2013. My father, big HD TV. Me, home.
Life is good, baby.
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| And then there were 4 wins left to capture, for the rights to hoist Lord Stanley high above the ice (image credit) |
We savor the moment, but only for the moment. As the toughest series, yet, await the Hawks.
Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!
Ron Villejo, PhD
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