VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The scoring increased but the result was the same as Canucks beat the Blackhawks 4-3 Friday night, giving the top-seed a 2-0 series lead. It was the first time Vancouver won the series’ second game against Chicago in the past three years.
Just like in Game 1, the Canucks opened the game physically. Chicago tried to respond with an early breakaway by Jonathan Toews, but he was unable to convert. The Blackhawks went to their first power play of the night shortly after. The Canucks easily killed it off and rode momentum to the game’s first goal.
Jannik Hansen came out of the box and scored for the second time in the series, giving Vancouver a 1-0 lead. Daniel and Henrik Sedin were credited with the assists.
The Blackhawks tried to answer on the ensuing shift with challenging shots at Roberto Luongo. Much like in the opening game, Luongo didn’t allow the Hawks to score in the first period. The physical play dominated the opening twenty minutes, as the teams combined for 41 hits.
The home team started the second period on the power after Patrick Sharp took an undisciplined penalty late in the first period. Daniel Sedin made the visitors pay as he redirected a Christian Ehrhoff shot through the legs of Corey Crawford, 33 seconds into the second period.
Chicago went to their second power play of the game minutes later, and for those who watched the game, would have thought the Canucks had the extra man on the ice. Vancouver registered two shots on goal while a man short, forcing Crawford to keep the deficit at only two.
Rookie Ben Smith scored his first career playoff goal while being left alone at the top of the crease. The tally ended Luongo’s shutout streak at 95:50.
Just when it looked like fans were headed to the second intermission enjoying a one goal game, the Canucks struck again. With just 15 seconds left on the clock, Alexander Edler’s slap shot hit a Chicago stick and rose above Crawford’s shoulder and into the net
Chicago didn’t go away easy and answered with a surprising goal early in the third period. Victor Stalberg threw the puck at the night, and it snuck by Luogno on the short side. The goal was so surprising that even Stalberg was shocked when he saw the red light illuminate.
Just past the halfway mark of the third period, the Canucks took hold of the game. The Sedin twins were back at their usual face paced, high flying action. Daniel Sedin went five-hole and picked up his second goal of the game, after a perfect pass from his brother’s stick.
Smith gave the Hawks’ fans a little hope when Smith scored his second goal at the 12:50 mark. That would be the last time Chicago would be able to get the vulcanized rubber to the back of the net.
The series shifts to Chicago on Sunday night. Vancouver will look to put a stranglehold on the series, while Chicago will try to get some momentum on their home ice.
Contact Adam.Minnick@prohockeynews.com
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