CHICAGO, Ill. – Don’t you hate when you are so hyped up about a heavyweight boxing match that you are will to pay plenty to watch it on pay-per-view only to have it end early with the victor throwing only one punch? Well that is how the fans at the United Center felt when their Chicago Blackhawks were completely dominated by the Vancouver Canucks. When it was all said and done the Canucks came away with a 5-1 win to take the first game of the Western Conference Semifinals.
Vancouver came in and took care of business and kept the Chicago fans from getting into the game. This game took away part of the sting that the team has had since being eliminated by the Blackhawks in last season’s playoffs. The only time that the physical antics came out was within the last five minutes of the game, but by then it was completely out of reach. This game was played almost like how Nashville treated Chicago, by neutralizing them and forcing the game to be played on their terms.
The only goal that the Blackhawks scored was on the two-man advantage early in the third when Dave Bolland snapped a centering pass to Jonathan Toews, who shot the puck towards the goal. It rebounded to Patrick Kane who shoveled it in on Roberto Luongo who had a brilliant game in net.
Chicago’s Antti Niemi seemed to be out of sorts and possibly nervous going into the game. Niemi saved 20 of the 25 shots he faced before being replaced going into the third by Cristobal Huet who stopped a mere three shots for the whole period. Luongo was standing on his head as he missed only one of the 37 shots that were aimed at him. You could’ve nicknamed him the “Super Saver” after the horse by that name won the Kentucky Derby just a few hours earlier.
Vancouver started their five goal streak in the game in the first at the 13:51 mark of the game. Mason Raymond battled for the puck hard in the near corner and popped the puck back the defenseman Christian Ehrhoff for the snap shot in past Niemi. Then with 11 seconds left in the period it was Raymond’s turn for a shot in net. Ryan Kesler drew all the ‘Hawks players towards him in the near lane. He hit off a quick shot the rebounded to Raymond who fired a one-timer through a clear lane.
The second period was just as bad for the Chicago team who seemed to be out of sync and not capable of driving to the net to make plays happen. Just thirty-two seconds in, Vancouver peppered the puck all around the net. A shot flew in and struck Toews who was struggling on the ice and that is when the Sedin twins took over. Daniel grabbed the puck and went around the net and shot the puck past Toews and to his brother Henrik who got the wrist shot in past the team in red.
Half way through the period the Canucks then converted on a power play goal. Center Kyle Wellwood saw the puck between the sprawled Niemi’s legs and threw it back into the net.
With just over three and a half minutes left in the second, Vancouver’s scoring finally ended for the night as the Canucks just skated right through all the ‘Hawks. Rick Rypien dished a centering pass to center Michael Grabner who tipped it in.
Three Stars of the Game: Ryan Kessler (Vancouver), Third Star with two assist; Roberto Luongo (Vancouver), Second Star with a 0.973 save percentage; and Mason Raymond (Vancouver) with a goal and an assist in the game.
Chicago has not won a game one in the last four playoff series. They will need to turn it around quickly in two nights and bring the game to another level or at least back to the simple game and get the fans involved. They need to get in front of the crease and agitate Luongo all night long. Tonight, with no one in front of him, he was able to get a clear look at all the pucks coming towards him.
Western Conference Semifinals (best-of-7) W2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. W Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Leads Series 1-0
Game 1 – Saturday, May 1 – Vancouver 5 at Chicago 1 Game 2 – Monday, May 3 – Vancouver at Chicago, 8:00pm Game 3 – Wednesday, May 5 – Chicago at Vancouver, 8:30pm Game 4 – Friday, May 7 – Chicago at Vancouver, 8:30pm *Game 5 – Sunday, May 9 – Vancouver at Chicago, 7:00pm *Game 6 – Tuesday, May 11 – Chicago at Vancouver, 8:30pm *Game 7 – Thursday, May 13 – Vancouver at Chicago, 7:00pm
* if necessary; All times Central
Contact Matt.Chin@prohockeynews.com
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