Hawks Take Control, Lead Series 3:2 after winning game 5

It was Hawks all Chicago BlackHawks at the United Center last night the final score was Hawks 5 Calgary Flames 1. First period established quick domination of the game with three goals in 2 minutes 33 seconds, first 9:15 Brent Seabrook, second 10:49 Patrick Sharp and at 11:48 NHL Rookie of the Year nominee Kris Versteeg. A pace so fierce the in house announce had a difficult time keeping up with the names , just beautiful.

Second period brought the lone goal for Calgary at 2:45 by Dustin Boyd. Hawks answered with two more by Andrew Ladd 6:14. At 13:16 Flames coach Mike Keenan pulled veteran nettie Mikka Kipusoff and replaced him with Curtuis McElhinnery. A little over a minute later at 14:56 Cam Barker marked Hawk turf by finding the twine and scoring on the relief goalie. Ohhh some days it just doesn't pay to strap on the pads. At the end of the night McElhinnery did well turning away the majority of the 20 SOG Calgary faced.

Third period Hawks kept up the pressure and the Flames just hung on and stayed alive. The big excitement was a fight between Calgary Flame Adam Pardy and Hawk Ben Eager by the Flame's bench. They both were awarded 5 minute fighting majors, the fight did seem to release a bit of the on ice tension. However I'm willing to bet there is still enough left over for a feisty game 6.

The BlackHawks and Calgary Flames pack their gear and head north for game 6, to be played Monday night at the Saddle Dome in Calgary. A Calgary win the series returns to Chicago, a Hawks win the series ends and the planning starts to see what the next round will being. Bring on Game 6, how many hours is it until game time?




Powderhornhockey

Good news Bad news for the Hawks...

First the bad news for the Chicago Blackhawks, last night Calgary and their rabid crimson wearing home town fans carried the day and the series is now 2:1Hawks. Tomorrow will be tough current bar room intelligence is that the Hawks should come away form Calgary with one win and they will be alright. Loose two and the way to the cup is tougher, but they will be tougher on Chicago ice. Just win tomorrow night Hawks and get it over with. The formula is easy it can be remembered from your peewee days. 60 minutes of hockey, stay out of the penalty box, capitalize on the other guys mistakes and in the name of all that is sacred don't leave poor Khaabibulin all alone in the crease. While you are at it make sure someone keeps Kiprusoff company too.

Now for the good news, Patrick Kane appears to be over his case of the 24 hour "flu" and will be be in in the line up tomorrow night. Second,hopefully the networks will let us hear the unique rendition of the Canadian National Anthem as it is performed in Calgary.The soloist starts then raises the mike and the crowd takes over, we all are lifted in song and hear....
"With glowing hearts
We see thee rise,
The true, north, strong, and free.
From far and wide
Oh Canada
We stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land
Glorious and free.
Oh Canada
We stand on guard for thee."

All sarcasm aside I have always loved those words.

Here are a few images from Saturday's Hawks victory.


Powderhornhockey

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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Powderhornhockey

Woo Whoo!! A goalie in my Stocking!

Powderhornhockey
It was the week before Christmas, days before Hanukkah. The house was decorated, kiddies finished with school and packages wrapped. I looked at my stocking hung near the crackling fire. What did I see? But Santa Kevin Cheveldayoff had been there, a smiling goalie in a green helmet decorated with a star was waving at me from San Antonino telling me of a win and his "assignment from Dallas".

Yes Virgina, Bret Karhn is unpacking his bags for a longer stay. He started in goal for Chicago last night in San Antonino winning 2:1 turning away 35 of 36 shots against t him. Nice work for our Pro from Dover or Dallas as it were. Krahn is a bit of a second chance kid or so a bit of research shows. Last September he was signed with Dallas as a 3rd line back up to Marty Turko. He was to compete for the position with nettie familiar to those of us in the west -Tobias Stephan. (Needless to say it is my belief the Wolves have ultimately gotten the best part of this deal ending up with Krahn!) Krahn had left the Calgary system after seven years and being dogged by knee injuries.It's an old story goalies and knee injuries, Khan's started in 01', they cost him parts of two seasons . It was rumored in September that he would be finished with rehab and be able to return to play by December 08'.

Stephan? Well,he is in Dallas singing backup for Marty Turko, he can stay there. If indeed Dallas has loaned us a net minder they may be ready to take a chance on or one we can rehab in Chicago we seem to have a hot hand between the pipes. The world of sports loves a underdog, second chances and a good story it would be just Chevy's style to find one for us this year in Bret Krahn. Whether Krahn is here for a fortnight, month or the rest of the season he has shown desire and fire lets hope he also shows us a comeback.