Hawks Win 3-2, Hockey is Back in Downtown Chicago!

Last night there was singing and dancing in the streets of downtown. The Chicago BlackHawks who for the last decade have been the basement dwellers of the NHL won their second game in the playoffs. The BlackHawk faithful long starved for the heady playoff wine were ready for the puck to drop. Walking into the United Center the scene before us was pure excitement, fans dancing, waving the "rally towels" that were given to them at the door. A common theme was that although confident in their beloved Hawks many fans still were looking for reassurance that this all was really happening and not just some delicious hockey dream. The Hawks in the playoffs, who woudda thunk it two short years ago. Certainly, not this photog.

The game did not start well for Chicago, Jarome Iginala and Adrian Aucion both found the back on the net for Calgary leaving the crowd wondering if the mighty Bullin Wall was showing some kinks. Not to fear the young Chicago Captain Jonathan Toews scored 43 seconds into the 2nd period and the pace was set for the rest of the night. Patrick Sharp's goal followed and Jonathan Toews slipped a second puck passed Calgary's Mikka Kipperusoff and the score was 3:2 where it remained the rest of the game.

There are a couple of observations from this minor league fan about the Hawks, first it was wonderful to see so many old IceHogs on the ice. It felt like old home week looking through the lens. Second Goalie Nikoli Khabullin is often a lonely guy out there with out any defense to back him. The Hawks are not going to progress deep into the playoffs riding on the back of their goalie. Give the man some company in the crease. Lastly Jonathan Toews,last night he made a move that I just loved. After his first goal, Toews simply circled Kipperusoff twice maintaining eye contact, pure mind game and beautiful. The kids got game!

Game C and D in the series will take place in the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary on Monday and Wednesday.

Despite the camera spending most of the night in my lap I did manage to get a few images here they are..

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