Not Qualified To Comment » Crisis Averted, Hawks Win

Crisis Averted, Hawks Win

May 8, 2009 at 9:00 am | Chicago Blackhawks, NHL
By: StevieY19

That felt like one of the quickest hockey games I had ever watched. One goal for Vancouver in the second period off a blocked shot provided the only scoring for the majority of the contest, but it seemed like time was running in that accelerated video game speed.

Part of that must have been the lack of scoring opportunities leading to fewer whistles than normal. I definitely was shocked when I looked up to find only four minutes separating the Hawks from going back to Vancouver down 3-1 with their playoff lives in serious jeopardy. Then predictions started coming true.

“I’m sensing a big game for Havlat tonight…and Havlat could be the guy to help them tie this series up.”

Boom, Havlat scored with about 2:45 to go, forcing overtime after it looked like the Hawks were dead. Chicago had been relentless in their attack, but nothing was getting through to Luongo. Then Andrew Ladd made a great pass on the boards to spring Havlat, who found twine to tie it. Andrew Ladd you say?

“And where has Andrew Ladd gone? He has one point in nine games and that was a goal in a 5-1 win in the Calgary series. He had one shot on goal in the first three games of this series after he had 13 last series. Come on Ladd!”

Well, Ladd wasn’t satisfied with just making me stop talking bad about him, he had more work to do in OT. Just about three minutes into the extra session Havlat threw the puck across the ice and Bolland drove it toward the net, where Ladd had the game winning tip-in for the goal.

What a gigantic win for the Blackhawks. A loss would have sent them back to Canada down 3-1 with a series that would be all but over. Now, no matter what happens up there, we’ll see one more game in the United Center this round.

The Blackhawks did give up the first goal again this game, but it was a different kind of deficit. For nearly the entire game, the Hawks carried the play. Vancouver limited Chicago’s chances, but seemed content to try and win this game 1-0. It almost worked.

Game 5 is Saturday night at 9:30 CT in Vancouver.