CHICAGO, Ill – After a poor showing that started in the third period of the first game, Roberto Luongo and the Vancouver Canucks held the Chicago Blackhawks to one goal. Meanwhile they scored three of their own to take a lead in their Western Conference Semifinals series two games to one. The Canucks were able to adjust to the speed of the Blackhawks in slowing the game down to their pace. They were able to box out the ‘Hawks on their opportunities and held them out of the area around the crease. Goals early by Vancouver quickly took the United Center crowd out of the game.
The Chicago Blackhawks should’ve had an advantage to this game. The Canucks were without two of their top players. Sami Salo, their best offensive defenseman was out with a lower body injury and forward Pavol Demitra was a game-time decision after possibly sustaining an injury during a check in Game 2. Taylor Pyatt made his first appearance in the playoffs after the tragic death of his fiancé in a car crash.
The first period was like most of the other starts for the Blackhawks, slow and low scoring. The period was physical but the Canucks struck first late in the period. Mason Raymond, who moved up to Demitra’s spot, took a snap pass from Ryan Kesler and put the puck into the net after ‘Hawks netminder Nikolai Khabibulin was pulled slightly out of position for the game’s first goal with 4:16 left in the first. The shots were even at seven at the end of the period.
One minute into the second on the power play, patience played into the Canucks hands. The ‘Hawks kept their opponents out by the boards but great puck-handling and passing gave the Canucks a two-goal lead as a shot rebounded off Khabibulin to Steve Bernier who was right on top of the crease.
A lazy turnover in the ‘Hawks zone allowed Vancouver to take 3-0 lead at 8:40 as Henrik Sedin battled traffic to the left of Khabibulin and caused the puck to tip-toe between the pads and sneak into the net.
But as we have seen in every game the Blackhawks have played they have always fought back. Just a few minutes after the Sedin goal, the ‘Hawks were on the power play on a Daniel Sedin tripping call. Defenseman Brian Campbell fired a slot shot front the deep point that got past Luongo to bring the team within two goals. It was sevens galore as every team up to the third had that many shots on goal.
It was all for naught as the third period came and went. Chicago battled hard and had their opportunities but Vancouver was up to the task and held more of a defensive stature to hold the Blackhawks scoreless as the game ended 3-1.
Commentary
This series continues on Thursday at the United Center. Look for this to be a long series as both teams made adjustments in each game to counteract the play of the previous game. To win the series the coaches will need to hold their strengths and try to out-coach one another. The players will now need to take chances and be more aggressive in the crease. Vancouver is a finesse team and can score without the big presence in front of the net. Chicago will need to continue to be strong in front of crease and cause the traffic and confusion up front to be successful.
Contact matt.chin@prohockeynews.com
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