VANCOUVER, BC – The Chicago Blackhawks broke hearts in Vancouver in a similar vein to last year’s 7-5 game six Canucks elimination, exactly a year ago to the day. The loss arguably stung more today as this game took place in front of hopeful Canucks fans at GM Place. The Canucks were only able to score one goal to the Hawks’ five, with Vancouver’s archenemies Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien each scoring a goal and an assist for Chicago.
The game started with a strong first period by both teams, ending scoreless with the shots 13-12 in favor of Vancouver. Roberto Luongo, to the relief of nervous Vancouver fans, looked as strong as he had been in game five, but in this case Antti Niemi was equally sharp.
Despite his groin injury just over a day prior, Sami Salo skated, albeit heroically, to no avail.
Vancouver’s defensive woes continued when Alexander Edler left the ice injured in the second period after being driven into the boards by Dustin Byfuglien. Defenseman Shane O’Brien, who saw blood gushing from his forehead twice during game five that he refused to let deter his play, scored the Canucks’ only goal.
What went wrong for the Canucks? Blame can’t be placed too heavily on the goalie, as Luongo made some key saves in the first and third periods despite floundering in the second. The Sedin twins and Burrows were an ineffective first line for all but one or two fruitless shifts late in the game. The Canucks’ second line’s passes were uncharacteristically off the mark, and the real chances came unexpectedly from Kyle Wellwood’s third line and Ryan Johnson’s fourth.
The game changer arrived early, with Chicago’s two even-strength goals early in the second period courtesy of Troy Brouwer and Kris Versteeg, and their lead was then boosted by a shorthanded goal by Dave Bolland in that same period that saw the Canucks still scoreless.
Much needed hope came with the early O’Brien goal in the third, which was quickly undermined by successive goals by Kane and Byfuglien, the former due in part to a terrible turnover by Daniel Sedin.
Frustrations then rose for the Canucks, and the normally-cool Mikael Samuelsson was served a double minor for hooking and cross-checking, in addition to a ten-minute game misconduct. The incident ended Samuelsson’s playoff run, which had seen a fortuitous beginning followed by a dour finale.
The Canucks have not advanced past the second round of the playoffs since losing in the Stanley Cup final of 1994. Canucks fans held some hope before tonight’s game, as in the 22 instances in NHL history where teams have come back from losing 3-1 in a playoff series, three have been reversed by Vancouver. Instead, this year saw the Blackhawks spoiling the Canucks’ hope for the Conference finals once again.
The Blackhawks will travel immediately to San Jose where they will face the Sharks in the Western Conference final.
Contact the writer at gabrielle.pope@prohockeynews.com
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