VANCOUVER, BC – Fortuitous bounces in favor of the Chicago Blackhawks paired with Dustin Byfuglien’s hat trick put a serious damper on the Canucks homecoming as they surrendered game three to Chicago 2-5, to give the Blackhawks the 2-1 lead in this second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Despite a strong first period that saw the Canucks up on shots, Chicago’s Kris Versteeg, assisted by the fully present Ladd and Hossa opened the scoring and set Vancouver’s downward spiral into motion. A power-play goal by Dustin Byfuglien rounded out the first period scoring and the Canucks were forced to slump into the second period down by two. The entire game was a bit of an anomaly, as bizarre bounces resulted in (for both teams) many missed chances and a few lucky goals.
Vancouver finally responded in the second period, when fourth-liner Jannik Hansen scored assisted by defensemen Alex Edler and Sami Salo. Alex Burrows scored a later second period goal with the same assisters, but Dustin Byfuglien had already flicked in a wrist shot by the time Burrows answered Vancouver’s desperate call. Despite a reasonably solid Roberto Luongo, Vancouver headed into the third period still down a goal.
For awhile it looked as though the determined Canucks offense, led most consistently by Kyle Wellwood, Mason Raymond and Mikael Samuelsson would tie up the scoring in the third, but Chicago brought on enough energy to see Byfuglien get his first playoff hat trick and Hossa round out the scoring assisted by a very solid Patrick Sharp.
One could deduce that the Chicago Blackhawks have finally shown their true colors after a fairly dismal first two games (in spite of their game two win). In order to tie up the series, the Canucks will need a much stronger performance by Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were effectively pestered in tonight’s game, along with more consistency from Ryan Kesler’s second line and a great deal of support from Vancouver’s waning defensemen.
Chicago goaltender Antti Niemi played exceptionally well, and with the majority of Canucks’ shots being aimed low, frustrations grew among the home ice crowd regarding the Canucks forwards’ inability to shoot the puck higher up on Chicago’s netminder.
The Vancouver Canucks stated before this second series began that they were happy to achieve a split in the first two games in Chicago, and their wishes were easily obtained. The question for game three, then, came as to how the Canucks would shape up for the win on home ice after a strong beginning and dismal ending in the loss of game two. No line changes were initially made, save for the addition of fourth liner shot-blocking martyr Ryan Johnson returning from his broken foot injury.
Chicago head coach Joel Qeunneville and his Blackhawks made some clear strategic moves in game three; the most effective being getting under the Sedin twins’ skin. Daniel and Henrik Sedin very rarely chirp, scuffle, or fight, but Daniel Sedin was obviously bothered by Dave Bolland’s incessant taunting, and his emotional response hurt the Canucks as he went on to take an uncharacteristic roughing penalty that was not helped by a pair of undisciplined penalties courtesy of Alex Burrows and Shane O’Brien.
If the Canucks hope to tie the series in game four, they will have to tighten up the discipline and ensure that the Blackhawks don’t deface the top lines. Roberto Luongo cannot justifiably be blamed for tonight’s loss, but a combination of undisciplined play, ineffective offense, and unusual bounces saw Niemi’s Blackhawks easily take the series lead tonight.
Game four is set for Friday at Vancouver’s GM Place. Expect some fierce retribution from the Canucks up against a confident and offensively-minded Chicago Blackhawks.
Contact the writer at gabrielle.pope@prohockeynews.com
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