Like the group of very late 20 century American poets, 98 Degrees once said, “Give me just one night, una noche,
I’ll give you the time of your life.” And for the Chicago Blackhawks, that one night stand was as exciting and as invigorating as possible.
Facing their first elimination game since ’09, they looked like the NHL Stanley Cup Champions of last year, dominating the Vancouver Canucks, and going on a scoring spree that would make Wilt Chamberlain proud. They rode a four goal second period to a 7-2 win, and stayed alive; for one more night at least.
As the scoring barrage ensued, I’m sure many of the Hawks fans (maybe even Vince Vaughn who was in attendance with his daughter again) said to themselves, “hey, save some of that for Thursday in Vancouver.”
By Paul M. Banks
This post is brought to you by American Digital.
Contrary to the first three games in the series, this one resembled the last two conference semifinals: the Hawks spent plenty of time in the Vancouver zone, got lots of pucks on net, and got in Goaltender Borat Luongo‘s head. (well actually he cleaned up his facial hair to the point that he looks more like Sacha Baron Cohen’s character in “Talladega Nights” than the famous fictional Kazakh journalist).
All that was missing from this game was Big Byufy the Luongo Slayer to be the series MVP. Dave Bolland was the #1 star of the night with 4 pts (3 goals, and 1 assist) and Duncan Keith was #2 star with a goal and four shots on goal.
That’s exactly what’s been missing from this team all season: 1.) role players/second line scoring, Bolly made his return from injury in style, but he really should be a legit, consistent second line centerman by this point in his career 2.) Duncan Keith coming close to resembling his 2010 self.
Keith had about a great of 2010 (Norris Trophy winner, Gold Medal, Stanley Cup) as anyone in hockey, but his 2011 has been….well he’s been a bigger let-down than the last episode of Seinfeld. The game’s third star also belonged to the Hawks- Michael Frolik. Raise your hand if you’ve heard of him….honestly.
So how can the Hawks get back in this series? “shots shots shots shots shots shots shots EVERYBODY shots shots shots shots.” (C’mon I started this piece with ATROCIOUS pop music lyrics, might as well bookend the piece that way). The Hawks finished up 35-23 in shots on goal last night, but that stat was inflated in Vancouver’s favor by loads of garbage time. Chicago had an almost 2:1 ratio (35-18) with a few minutes remaining.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of Yardbarker He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook