Welcome Back, Playoff Hockey
What an unbelievable start to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Blackhawks in their return to the postseason. After a slow start the Hawks got it together in the second period and ended up beating the Flames in overtime to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
After the slow start, the Hawks managed to tie the game on a real soft goal by Cam Barker. The Flames took the lead back about four minutes into the third period on a Cammalleri goal and the nerves kept building while the Hawks tried to battle back. With just under six minutes to go Barker forced a turnover and Martin Havlat fired a shot, got his own rebound with three Flames right around him and wasn’t touched until he was knocked down celebrating his goal.
After both teams had some late chances, Chicago’s first playoff game in seven years needed a little extra time to decide a winner. It didn’t take long because after a quick turnover Dave Bolland fed Havlat for the game winner. Great first win for Chicago and they can really put some pressure on Calgary with a win Saturday. Bullets?
- That first period was definitely troubling when you thought about the inexperience in the playoffs for the Blackhawks. The Flames were much more physical, they dominated the game and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission that could have been much worse.
- Khabibulin was unreal in the second period. Some of the most unheralded plays in hockey are gigantic saves by your goaltender when your team is down by one or two goals. Khabibulin kept the Hawks in the game despite some excellent chances from Calgary.
- I thought youngsters Dave Bolland and Kris Versteeg played outstanding games. Bolland was flying out there and seemed to be the only guy producing offense in the early going. Bolland also made the play to knock down the puck and feed Havlat for the game winner in overtime. Maybe these kids are ready for the playoffs after all.
- The officiating was great. Aside from a questionable no-call when ex-Hawk Rene Borque slammed Kane into the boards, the officials let the right things go and didn’t allow this huge game to be bogged down with penalties. I watched the Wings game last night too and it was ridiculously bad with all the penalties. They need to realize that the brand of hockey we saw in Chicago is much more fun to watch.
- Bad games? It would be nice to see more from Patrick Kane. I thought Toews was pushing hard last night and made some nice plays, but Kane seemed to have trouble. It will be nice to get Sharp back in game shape too. Not that the defense played poorly, but they need to be a little more physical. There were too many instances where Calgary players were standing around the net with the puck deep in the zone; they need to be on their backs.
- The crowd was amazing too. I’m not sure if a cold breeze came through my apartment, but I got some serious chills when the anthem was going on. There was some nervous silence in the third, but there were also times before that equalizing goal that the crowd got the players going.
Alright, Game 1 is in the books and the Hawks will look to really put the pressure on Calgary with a win in Game 2. That contest will take place Saturday night at 8:00 ct at the United Center. The game will also be on Comcast Sports Net.
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