• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

Round 3: Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago is 4-0 in overtime in these playoffs.  Tough to beat.

The Ducks better not get into any more OTs with the 'Hawks. 'cause it doesn't look like they'll have any luck in that department.
 
Geez I stopped watching at 4-2 with only a couple minutes left, then wife yells it is going to OT, then game over in the first OT minute! Crazy finish!  :o
 
Anaheim  5  Chicago  4  OT  Anaheim leads series 3 games to 2.

What a way to finish a game!  Speaking of dramatics, it was Chicago that held it such as in coming back two goals in the third period to send the game into overtime.  Actually, make that Jonathan Toews, whose two goals propelled his 'Hawks team into the extra session.

But alas, it was left up to the Ducks' Matt Beleskey to spoil the show for the visitors, as the rebound off of Chicago netminder Corey Crawford's pad save went right on to the stick of Beleskey, who was right in front and shot it in past a sprawling Crawford on the wide open net.  Joy for the Ducks, deflation for the 'Hawks.

In the words of Chicago captain Jonathan Toews:
"We just weren't ready to survive the onslaught and we gave up a few too many chances," Toews said. "They did a good job of getting shots through traffic, and next thing you know we're down three goals and things aren't looking good, but as we always say, there's an unusual calm and just a resolve that we knew at that point of the game there was lots of time left and it was going to [take] a heck of a job by them to try to hold us off the next two periods."

Too bad the comeback didn't ensue into a  positive result for Chicago, but it proves what happens when two excellent teams see-saw to dominate each other and what it takes on both their parts.

Chicago, btw, had had a 14-0 w/l record when a series was tied at 2 games apiece, dating back to 2007.  Also, the 'Hawks had been a perfect 4-O in overtime this postseason...

...all until this Game 5.  Natch.

Game 6 goes Thursday in Chicago at 8PM.

More here:
http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2014030325.
 
I hope Chicago wins tonight to send this to a 7th game. What a series so far. I am rooting for the Hawks in the series but think that the Ducks are gonna finish them off.
 
Wow, Chicago barely hanging on to their lead and then a bit of an offensive zone breakdown leads to a Blackhawks rush where Shaw scores to make it 4-2.
 
Chicago 5  Anaheim 2  Series tied at 3 games apiece.

When a good team plays well and are at the top of their game, it makes them tough to beat.  Such was the case in Game 6 in Chicago, as the 'Hawks on the brink of elimination, made good on former Blackhawk legend Bobby Hull's prediction that " there will be a game seven!".

Chicago, getting depth scoring & passing from the likes of Andrew Shaw, Andrew Desjardins, Brandon Saad, from star players such as Toews & Kane (who were paired together), from defenceman Duncan Keith who contributed with thrkee assists and was a stalwart on defence, backed by Crawford's  solidity in net...all added up to a convincing win over the desperate Ducks, who would have wanted to get the job done over with.

Anaheim dominated the third period with the score at 3-2 in favour of Chicago, furiously as they are known to do, strike up the offensive octane level.  Even though Ducks did get their shots at Crawford, it was the 'Hawks defence and  forwards who did  the obvious such as blocking shots, getting in one's way, keeping the play slightly off balance and preventing Anaheim from getting in up close (slot area, etc.), as frustrating as that seemed to the opposition.

While Chicago may not have dominated for most of the game, several lapses in play by Anaheim (particularly getting caught up ice) were swiftly taken advantage of as Chicago converted them into goals.  That, is what makes good teams tough to beat.  On Chicago's part and Anaheim's (when they win).  It also makes for a great and exciting series so far...

...which brings us to Game 7.  What shall we expect?

Game 7 is Saturday in Anaheim at 8PM.


More on the game story:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/blackhawks-hold-off-ducks-to-force-game-7/
 
Stickytape said:
Looked very much like a kick to me..
Click to expand...

The way I see it, the kick was already over before the foot made contact with the puck. If it makes contact a fraction of a second earlier, it's no goal.
 
bustaheims said:
Stickytape said:
Looked very much like a kick to me..
Click to expand...

The way I see it, the kick was already over before the foot made contact with the puck. If it makes contact a fraction of a second earlier, it's no goal.
Click to expand...

I can see that; I mean, it's definitely very close, in the grey area.  But to me, his intention was to kick the puck to his stick, but he never actually touched it with his stick - so it was pure kick. Tough call, though.
 
"Statheads" be damned...

http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/insider/story/_/id/12925778/nhl-2015-stanley-cup-playoffs-metrics-predict-anaheim-playoff-hockey-success
 
No wonder they lost...

ESPN Stats & Info  @ESPNStatsInfo
The only 2 teams in NHL history to lose home Game 7s in 3 straight postseasons were both coached by Bruce Boudreau (Capitals & Ducks).
 
Chicago 5  Anaheim 3  Chicago wins series 4 games to 3.

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks on being crowned Western Conference champions (Campbell Trophy) and a berth in the Stanley Cup Final!

For the Blackhawks this is something that is becoming routine...this will be the 'Hawks third Cup Final appearance, while they have also been in five Western Conference Finals...in a span of seven years.  Why,or how, one might ask?  Simply because they are among the best at what they do and that is being a successful winning team.

Jonathan Toews, who, in the words of former NHL player & coach now hockey analyst Barry Melrose, is "the best leader in the NHL, no doubt about it".  Neither does anyone who's watched Toews success as a 'Hawk, none the more so than in Game 7, with elimination for both teams on the line.
Toews two goals empowered Chicago to take an early 2-0 lead, a lead they never relinquished and held on to up the ante by 4-0 by the second period, helped by Patrick Kane's three assists.  Factor in goaltender Corey Crawford's thirty-five save performance and it all adds up.

The Ducks tried coming back, and while the gap closed slightly, Chicago defenceman Brent Seabrook put a further dent in Anaheim's hope by making it 5-2.  By the way Chicago was playing, poised, experienced, never panicking, structured, that was something Anaheim couldn't match.  The 'Hawks showed how it's done.

The Ducks of course deserve accolades all unto their own.  They had a fabulous season, playing a style of hockey not often seen by big teams.  Anaheim, being one of the biggest teams in terms of size in the league, big guys with soft hands the likes of Perry, Getzlaf, Silverberg, Beleskey, et al., was an exciting team to watch all year, what with their penchant for coming from behind in games to win them with their brand of concentration and structured play.  To say that the Ducks were no match for the 'Hawks is not telling it like it was:  both teams were evenly matched in many categories.  However, when it comes to getting the job done, the 'Hawks in the end, got it done.  Fairly and properly done.

End of story.

Once again, congrats to Chicago and best of luck in the Cup Final!

For more, click here:
http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400795942
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

About Us

This website is NOT associated with the Toronto Maple Leafs or the NHL.


It is operated by Rick Couchman and Jeff Lewis.
Back
Top